The World Bank Group and a coalition of development lenders and partners have launched a global platform aimed at improving water security for 1 billion people by the end of the decade, as shortages continue to weigh on economic growth and investment.
The initiative, known as Water Forward, seeks to align policy reforms, financing and partnerships to expand reliable water services and strengthen resilience against droughts and floods. The effort comes as about 4 billion people face water scarcity, despite water underpinning health systems, food production, energy supply and an estimated 1.7 billion jobs globally.
“Water is foundational to how economies function. When water systems work, farmers produce, businesses operate, and cities attract investment. Our task now is to align reform, financing, and partnerships to deliver reliable water services at scale,” said Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group.
At the center of the initiative are country-led “water compacts,” under which governments set reform priorities, commit to strengthening institutions and outline investment pathways. Fourteen countries announced national compacts at the launch, with additional agreements in development.
The platform is designed to address longstanding constraints in the sector, including weak regulation, unclear policy frameworks and financially unsustainable utilities that have deterred private investment. It will support institutional reforms, improve financial performance of water providers and help develop projects that can attract funding.
The World Bank Group said it aims to deliver water security to 400 million people by 2030 through its own programs, with partner commitments expected to push total reach beyond 1 billion.
Participating institutions include the Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Investment Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, among others.
The push comes as developing economies prepare to absorb more than 1.2 billion young people entering the workforce over the next 10 to 15 years, increasing pressure on infrastructure and public services. Reliable water systems are seen as critical to supporting job creation, sustaining livelihoods and attracting private capital.
By linking reforms with financing and technical support, Water Forward aims to accelerate project delivery and improve long-term resilience, positioning water security as a central pillar of economic development.
