World Bank Unveils ‘Water Forward’ Initiative To Reach 1 Billion People By 2030

The World Bank Group, in collaboration with multilateral development banks, development finance institutions, and other global partners, has launched a new initiative dubbed ‘Water Forward’, aimed at improving water security for one billion people by 2030.

The initiative was designed to align policy reforms, financing mechanisms, and partnerships to expand access to reliable water services while strengthening resilience against droughts and floods, conditions the Bank said were critical to economic growth and job creation.

In a statement, the World Bank noted the central role of water in global development, stressing its impact across key sectors.

“Water underpins health, food systems, energy, and an estimated 1.7 billion jobs worldwide; yet 4 billion people experience water scarcity,” the statement read.

The Bank further highlighted systemic challenges slowing progress in the sector, including weak governance structures and underperforming utilities.

“In many countries, unclear policies, weak regulations, and financially unsustainable utilities have slowed progress and deterred investment in the sector,” it added.

Under the Water Forward platform, the institution said it would support countries in implementing reforms aimed at strengthening water institutions, improving financial sustainability, and developing projects that are attractive to investors.

“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,” the statement continued.

The Bank disclosed that 14 countries have already launched national water compacts under the initiative, with more expected to join in the coming months.

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said the programme brings together a wide coalition of global actors to accelerate delivery and investment in water infrastructure.

He noted that the institution is already working toward significant impact targets.

He said multilateral development banks, governments, philanthropies, and private sector actors are aligning financing and expertise to accelerate investment and project implementation aimed at improving access to water.

Banga added that the World Bank Group is committed to reaching 400 million people with improved water security by 2030, while broader partner commitments under Water Forward are expected to extend coverage to more than one billion people globally.