World Bank Group Launches Initiative to Improve Water Security for 1 Billion People The World Bank Group, in collaboration with multilateral development banks, development finance institutions, and key partners, launched Water Forward, a global platform aimed at enhancing water security for 1 billion people by 2030. The initiative, announced on April 15, 2026, seeks to align policy reforms, financing, and partnerships to expand reliable water services and strengthen systems against droughts and floods. These efforts are critical for job creation and economic stability, as water underpins health, food systems, energy, and an estimated 1.7 billion jobs worldwide. The platform addresses the challenges of water scarcity, which affects 4 billion people globally. In many countries, unclear policies, weak regulations, and financially unsustainable utilities have hindered progress and deterred investment. Water Forward aims to overcome these barriers by supporting developing nations in building resilient water systems that can unlock productivity, support livelihoods, and attract private investment. The initiative will focus on institutional reforms, improved financial performance, and the development of investment-ready projects. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, emphasized the foundational role of water in economic systems. “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,” he stated. At the core of Water Forward are country-led water compacts, through which governments define reform priorities, commit to strengthening institutions, and establish investment pathways for their water sectors.#world_bank_group #water_forward #ajay_banga #multilateral_development_banks #asian_development_bank
