Water forward: global water security by 2030

April 18, 2026

The World Bank Group, working alongside leading multilateral development banks, development finance institutions, and global partners, has introduced Water Forward, a major international initiative designed to strengthen water security for 1 billion people by 2030. This new platform focuses on coordinating policy reforms, mobilizing funding, and building strategic partnerships to expand dependable water access while improving resilience to climate-related risks such as droughts and floods—key drivers of economic growth and job creation.

Water plays a critical role in global development, supporting public health, agriculture, energy production, and approximately 1.7 billion jobs worldwide. However, nearly 4 billion people currently face water scarcity, highlighting the urgent need for scalable solutions. In many developing economies, outdated policies, weak regulatory frameworks, and financially unstable utilities have slowed progress and discouraged private sector investment.

Water Forward addresses these challenges by helping countries modernize and strengthen their water infrastructure. The initiative supports governments in implementing institutional reforms, improving financial sustainability, and preparing investment-ready projects that can boost productivity, enhance livelihoods, and attract private capital.

According to Ajay Banga, “Water is fundamental to economic activity. When water systems are reliable, agriculture thrives, businesses expand, and cities become more attractive for investment. Our priority is to align reforms, financing, and partnerships to deliver water services at scale.”

A key component of the program is the development of country-led water compacts, which allow governments to set clear reform agendas, strengthen governance, and outline investment strategies for their water sectors. So far, 14 countries have launched national water compacts, with additional nations preparing to join the initiative.

To accelerate progress, multilateral institutions, governments, philanthropic organizations, and private sector stakeholders are pooling financial resources and technical expertise. The World Bank Group alone aims to improve water security for 400 million people by 2030, while combined efforts under Water Forward are expected to surpass 1 billion beneficiaries globally.

With more than 1.2 billion young people entering the workforce in developing countries over the next decade, access to reliable water services will be essential for economic stability and job creation. Strong, sustainable water systems not only support public health but also create the foundation for long-term investment and inclusive growth.

Key international financial institutions committed to advancing water security targets by 2030 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, New Development Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, among others.