The World Bank Group, in partnership with multilateral development banks, development finance institutions and key partners, today launched Water Forward, a global platform to help improve water security for 1 billion people by 2030. The platform will align policy reforms, financing, and partnerships to expand reliable water services and strengthen systems against droughts and floods—essential conditions for job creation.
Water underpins health, food systems, energy, and an estimated 1.7 billion jobs worldwide; yet 4 billion people experience water scarcity. In many countries, unclear policies, weak regulations, and financially unsustainable utilities have slowed progress and deterred investment in the sector. Water Forward aims to address these challenges by helping developing countries build stronger, more reliable water systems that can unlock productivity, support livelihoods, and enable private investment. The initiative will support reforms to strengthen institutions, improve financial performance, and develop investment-ready projects.
“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 core of the initiative are country-led water compacts, through which governments define reform priorities, commit to strengthening institutions, and establish investment pathways for their water sectors. Today, 14 countries announced their national water compact under the Water Forward initiative, and many more are underway.
Multilateral development banks, governments, philanthropies, and private sector actors are aligning financing and expertise to speed investment and implementation of projects that will boost reliable access to water. The World Bank Group is committed to delivering water security to 400 million by 2030. With its additional partner commitments, Water Forward expects to reach more than 1 billion people.
With more than 1.2 billion young people entering the workforce in developing countries over the next 10 to 15 years, reliable water will be critical. Strong water systems are foundational to healthy economies that can attract private investment and create jobs.
Multilateral development banks and development finance institutions that have committed to specific beneficiary targets for 2030 include the:
- Asian Development Bank,
- Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank,
- Council of Europe Development Bank,
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development,
- European Investment Bank,
- Inter-American Development Bank,
- Islamic Development Bank
- New Development Bank,
- OPEC Fund for International Development; and the
- International Fund for Agricultural Development
