12th Roundtable in Jeddah on Alternative Financing Approaches to Strengthen the Sustainability of Water Investments


    Created in 2017, the Roundtable on Financing Water is a joint initiative of the OECD, the World Water Council, the Netherlands, and the World Bank. It brings together political leadership and technical expertise to promote increased financing for investments that support water security and sustainable growth.

    The 12th edition of the Roundtable was co-convened by the OECD and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) under the theme “Strengthening the Sustainability of Water Investments: Alternative Financing Approaches and Models.” Held on 16–17 April 2025 at the IsDB Headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (in a hybrid format), the event gathered a diverse group of representatives from the water and finance sectors. Participants included government officials, public and private investors, financial institutions, water utilities, regulatory authorities, and commercial banks.

    The primary goal of the Roundtable was to review and explore financing models that enhance the sustainability and resilience of water-related investments in the face of global challenges such as water scarcity, climate change, and rapid urbanization.

    To foster sustainable and resilient water investments, the Roundtable focused on financing models characterized by:

    • A balanced approach to risk-sharing between capital providers and recipients.

    • A strong emphasis on asset maintenance, ensuring adequate working capital for timely repairs and long-term sustainability.

    • Incentives for delivering measurable results aligned with customer needs—not only financially, but also in terms of social and environmental outcomes.

    The event also examined how Islamic finance principles—particularly risk and profit-sharing and asset-backed financing—can play a pivotal role in promoting sustainable water investments, especially in regions where such models are prevalent.

    This meeting represented a significant milestone in the lead-up to the UN 2026 Water Conference and the 11th World Water Forum—both of which will be instrumental in shaping the global water agenda. Insights and outcomes from the Roundtable will contribute to finance-focused discussions at these international forums, highlighting water as a critical priority for sustainable and equitable development.

    In addition to exploring innovative financing models, participants stressed the importance of cross-sector and cross-regional collaboration. They called on stakeholders to scale up investments and adopt innovative solutions to bolster water resilience. The Roundtable concluded with actionable recommendations aimed at aligning financial flows with sustainable water management goals—laying the groundwork for continued dialogue and concrete action at the global level.