World Bank Water Strategy: Securing Water for People, Food, and Planet Through Innovation and Investment

Illustrative Image: World Bank Water Strategy: Securing Water for People, Food, and Planet Through Innovation and Investment
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Ownership and Usage Policy

Water: The Cornerstone of Sustainable Development and Human Prosperity

Water is the bedrock of life and a cornerstone for building a liveable planet. It is fundamental to human survival, agricultural productivity, economic advancement, and ecosystem stability. Yet, this invaluable resource is facing escalating threats from climate change, population growth, and poor management. The world is at a critical juncture: if we are to eradicate poverty and ensure a sustainable future, we must radically transform the way we manage, use, and value water.

Recognizing this urgency, the World Bank has launched a comprehensive new global water strategy. This ambitious roadmap aims to secure water for people, for food, and for the planet—aligning with broader global development goals and climate adaptation efforts.

Water Investment as a Driver of Economic Growth

Water is far more than a natural resource—it is a vital economic input. It supports job creation, industrial output, public health, and gender equity. In regions where water access is stable and sustainable, productivity in agriculture, energy, and manufacturing flourishes. Conversely, water scarcity can devastate livelihoods, as demonstrated by Cape Town’s 2018 drought, which led to the loss of 20,000 agricultural jobs.

Conversely, investments in water security create transformative opportunities. For instance, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, an expansive water access program is projected to generate approximately 30,000 jobs. Similarly, access to clean water and sanitation services alleviates public health burdens and enables women—who often bear the brunt of water collection responsibilities—to pursue education and employment.

Ultimately, investing in water is investing in people. It’s about building resilient, inclusive economies that thrive under the pressures of climate variability and global economic shifts.

Bridging the Financing Gap

Securing universal access to safe water and sanitation is not just a policy challenge—it’s a financial one. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for water requires an estimated annual investment of $131–$140 billion, nearly double current levels. This financing challenge cannot be met by public resources alone. A bold, coordinated approach involving both the public and private sectors is essential.

The World Bank’s flagship report, Funding a Water-Secure Future, underscores several systemic inefficiencies: low budget utilization, misallocated subsidies, and weak institutional capacity. Strengthening public institutions, introducing performance-based utility reforms, and deploying smart subsidies that benefit the poor can vastly improve sector performance and attract greater volumes of private and international capital.

Unlocking the Power of Private Sector Innovation

Private enterprises play an indispensable role in reimagining how we finance and deliver water services. Their ability to innovate—through advanced technologies, performance-based contracts, and blended finance models—offers promising solutions to longstanding water challenges.

The World Bank is actively enabling this participation by improving regulatory environments, offering de-risking mechanisms, and fostering transparent governance. These initiatives not only reduce investor risk but also build the foundation for impactful, large-scale private sector engagement.

Harnessing Innovation for Resilient Water Systems

Technological innovation holds immense potential to revolutionize the water sector—but adoption has lagged, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Only a fraction of water utilities currently utilize cutting-edge tools like artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, or digital twin modelling.

Modern sensor technologies and data platforms could transform water quality monitoring, optimize distribution networks, and reduce waste. To accelerate progress, national policies must foster an innovation ecosystem—one that promotes research, scales viable solutions, and equips water professionals with the skills needed to adapt.

By embedding innovation at the heart of water management, we can create smarter, more efficient, and climate-resilient water systems.

A Global Strategy for Water Security

The World Bank’s updated water strategy integrates its technical expertise, partnerships, and financial instruments to deliver water for three interconnected objectives:

1. Water for People: Achieving universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services.

2. Water for Food: Enhancing water efficiency in agriculture to secure food systems and smallholder livelihoods.

3. Water for Planet: Managing water resources sustainably to reduce risks and preserve ecosystems.

Through its new Fast Track Water Security and Climate Adaptation program, the World Bank is scaling up and accelerating water solutions. This program fosters rapid innovation deployment and cross-sectoral partnerships—bridging public and private actors to confront water crises at scale.

Transformative Impact in Action

Indonesia: Irrigation Modernization for Agricultural Prosperity

In Indonesia, the Strategic Irrigation Modernization and Urgent Rehabilitation Project is rehabilitating 250,000 hectares of irrigation systems across 10 provinces. By formalizing service delivery through transparent irrigation agreements, the initiative empowers 350,000 farmers to demand accountability, boosting productivity and incomes—vital for the over 3 million Indonesians reliant on agriculture.

Brazil: Turning Crisis into Resilience

After a decade-long drought, Brazil invested in proactive drought management with World Bank support. The Brazil Drought Monitor—now nationwide—relies on a coalition of federal and state actors to produce monthly drought maps, guiding timely policy responses. This system represents a model of scalable climate resilience infrastructure.

India: The World’s Largest Dam Rehabilitation Program

India’s ambitious dam rehabilitation initiative spans 500 dams with plans to improve all 6,200. These upgrades include Emergency Action Plans and stakeholder-inclusive safety protocols. Additionally, the project supports the creation of the world’s first postgraduate dam safety program—building national capacity for long-term water infrastructure stewardship.

Sahel Region: Climate-Resilient Farming for Food Security

In Africa’s Sahel region, where 99% of farmland is rainfed, the Sahel Irrigation Initiative is transforming agriculture. Using modern irrigation tools like drip systems and solar pumps, the project is improving the livelihoods of nearly 400,000 farmers. Stories like that of Fattah Hassan Dubaal in Chad—whose okra yields increased fiftyfold—demonstrate the power of reliable water access to uplift entire communities.

Ethiopia: Menstrual Health, Sanitation, and Education

The One WaSH National Program in Ethiopia has built 227 menstrual hygiene rooms in over 1,000 schools. These gender-sensitive facilities have significantly improved school attendance among girls. Addressing menstrual stigma and integrating hygiene education into school curricula are critical to inclusive education.

Egypt: Expanding Rural Sanitation

In Egypt, the Sustainable Rural Sanitation Services Program has already improved access for over 1 million people. By investing in treatment infrastructure and connecting more households to the sewer network, the project strengthens governance and service delivery in the sanitation sector. It also laid the groundwork for Egypt’s National Water and Sanitation Strategy.

Toward a Water-Secure Future

Water flows through every facet of human development. Ensuring its availability, quality, and sustainable use is not merely a technical challenge—it is a moral imperative and economic necessity. The World Bank, as the largest multilateral financier of water in developing countries, is mobilizing its $27 billion portfolio to catalyze change at scale.

Through bold investments, institutional reform, and innovation, the new global water strategy seeks to deliver water solutions that empower people, nourish economies, and preserve the planet. Only through such integrated and accelerated efforts can we secure a future where water continues to sustain life, dignity, and development for all.