World Water Council Contributes to the 20th Meeting of the OECD Water Governance Initiative

28–29 January 2025 | OECD Headquarters, Paris & Online

On the occasion of the 20th meeting of the OECD Water Governance Initiative (WGI), the World Water Council reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sound water governance globally as an engaged and longstanding WGI member and strategic partner of the OECD. Held at the OECD Headquarters in Paris and online, the meeting brought together over 150 participants from across governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector—marking a pivotal moment as the OECD Principles on Water Governance approach their 10th anniversary.

The Council joined the WGI in addressing the profound water challenges projected for the coming decades. Water demand is anticipated to surge by 55% by 2050, driven by industrial production, energy generation, and domestic consumption. Combined with climate-induced pressures such as shifting precipitation patterns and rising temperatures, water insecurity poses a serious threat to global economic resilience and environmental sustainability. In response, the World Water Council supports the call for governments to prioritize coordinated public investment, embrace innovative financing mechanisms, and foster multi-level and cross-sectoral governance. Integration of water, climate, and biodiversity policies through a systemic approach is now more crucial than ever.

A key session titled "Rethinking Global Water Governance" reflected a growing consensus that water must be understood and managed not only as a public good, but as a global common good. The session underlined the need for a whole-of-government approach that engages all levels of government and diverse sectoral ministries to manage both blue and green water resources holistically. Building on the momentum of the 2023 UN Water Conference—which established a UN Special Envoy on Water and set in motion a UN System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation—the session looked ahead to key milestones including the UN 2026 Water Conference and the 11th World Water Forum in 2027, both expected to significantly advance the global water governance agenda.

The World Water Council will continue to play an active role within the WGI in shaping the future of global water governance, contributing to the upcoming global stocktake of the OECD Principles, and promoting dialogue and action across all levels to secure water for all.