World Bank Unveils ‘Water Forward’ to Deliver Water Security to 1 Billion People by 2030

The World Bank Group has launched an ambitious global initiative aimed at improving water security for one billion people by 2030, in what it describes as a critical step toward strengthening economies and creating jobs across developing nations.

The initiative, tagged Water Forward, was unveiled in Washington on Tuesday in partnership with multilateral development banks, development finance institutions, governments, and private sector stakeholders. It seeks to align policy reforms, financing, and strategic partnerships to expand access to reliable water services while building resilience against climate-related shocks such as droughts and floods.

According to the World Bank, water remains central to global economic stability, underpinning health systems, agriculture, energy production, and an estimated 1.7 billion jobs worldwide. However, about four billion people still face water scarcity, largely due to weak regulatory frameworks, poor infrastructure, and underperforming utilities in many countries.

President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga, stressed the economic importance of water systems, noting that functional water infrastructure drives productivity and investment.
“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,” Banga said.

At the heart of the initiative are country-led “water compacts,” which allow participating governments to define reform priorities, strengthen institutions, and create clear investment pathways within their water sectors. Fourteen countries have already announced their participation, with more expected to join in the coming months.

The World Bank Group has committed to delivering water security to 400 million people by 2030, with additional support from partners expected to scale the reach of the initiative beyond one billion beneficiaries globally.

Analysts note that the initiative comes at a critical time, as over 1.2 billion young people are projected to enter the workforce in developing countries within the next decade. Experts say reliable water systems will be key to supporting livelihoods, boosting productivity, and attracting private sector investment.

By targeting institutional reforms, improving financial performance, and facilitating investment-ready projects, Water Forward is positioned as a cornerstone effort to address one of the world’s most pressing development challenges while unlocking economic opportunities across emerging markets.