World Bank Group launches initiative to improve water security for 1 billion people

The World Bank Group, in partnership with multilateral development banks, development finance institutions, and key partners, launched Water Forward on April 15, 2026, a global platform to help improve water security for 1 billion people by 2030, according to a press release published by the World Bank Group. The platform is designed to align policy reforms, financing, and partnerships to expand reliable water services and strengthen systems against droughts and floods. These are described as essential conditions for job creation.

Water underpins health, food systems, energy, and an estimated 1.7 billion jobs worldwide, yet 4 billion people currently 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 help 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.

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. On April 15, 2026, 14 countries announced their national water compact under Water Forward, with many more described as underway. Multilateral development banks, governments, philanthropies, and private sector actors are aligning financing and expertise to speed investment and project implementation. The World Bank Group has committed to delivering water security to 400 million people by 2030. With additional partner commitments, Water Forward expects to reach more than 1 billion people.

Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, stated:

“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.”

The 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 Intranational Development, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

With more than 1.2 billion young people entering the workforce in developing countries over the next 10 to 15 years, reliable water is described as critical. Strong water systems are identified as foundational to healthy economies capable of attracting private investment and creating jobs. The Water Forward platform positions coordinated reform, financing, and partnerships as the primary mechanism to achieve its 2030 targets. The initiative reflects a broad coalition of multilateral and bilateral actors committing resources and expertise toward the goal. Its scale and structure signal a concerted effort to address longstanding gaps in global water security.