World Bank Launches Global Water Security Initiative

New platform aligns reforms, financing, and partnerships to scale reliable water access for 1 billion people by 2030.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:07am

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An abstract illustration featuring overlapping geometric shapes in shades of blue and aqua, conveying the interconnected nature of water security, policy, and financing.A global platform to strengthen water systems and unlock economic growth through policy reforms, strategic financing, and cross-sector collaboration.Washington Today

The World Bank Group, in partnership with multilateral development banks and other key partners, has launched a new global platform called Water Forward to help improve water security for 1 billion people by 2030. The initiative will support policy reforms, strengthen institutions, improve financial performance, and develop investment-ready water projects in developing countries.

Why it matters

Access to reliable water is foundational for economic productivity, job creation, and sustainable development. Yet 4 billion people globally still experience water scarcity. Water Forward aims to address these challenges by helping countries build stronger, more resilient water systems that can unlock economic growth and enable private investment.

The details

Water Forward will support country-led water compacts where governments define reform priorities and investment pathways for their water sectors. Multilateral development banks, governments, philanthropies, and private sector actors are aligning financing and expertise to speed up implementation of water infrastructure and service delivery projects. The World Bank Group is committed to delivering water security to 400 million people by 2030, with the broader Water Forward initiative expected to reach over 1 billion beneficiaries.

  • The World Bank Group launched the Water Forward initiative on April 15, 2026.
  • The initiative aims to improve water security for 1 billion people by 2030.

The players

World Bank Group

A global development institution that provides financing, knowledge, and technical assistance to developing countries to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity.

Ajay Banga

President of the World Bank Group, who stated that the task now is to align reform, financing, and partnerships to deliver reliable water services at scale.

Asian Development Bank

A multilateral development bank that has committed to specific beneficiary targets for the Water Forward initiative.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

A multilateral development bank that has committed to specific beneficiary targets for the Water Forward initiative.

Council of Europe Development Bank

A multilateral development bank that has committed to specific beneficiary targets for the Water Forward initiative.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group

What’s next

The Water Forward initiative will continue to onboard more countries to develop national water compacts and align financing and partnerships to scale up water infrastructure and service delivery projects.

The takeaway

The World Bank's new Water Forward initiative represents a comprehensive, global approach to addressing water scarcity and improving water security in developing countries. By aligning policy reforms, financing, and multi-stakeholder partnerships, the initiative aims to unlock economic productivity, support livelihoods, and enable private investment through the delivery of reliable water services at scale.