WWC President Loïc Fauchon on the Future of Global Water Governance: Insights from Water Digest

     

    In a compelling interview with Water Digest (Volume XIX, Issue III), Loïc Fauchon, President of the World Water Council (WWC), outlines his vision for the future of global water governance — touching on hydro-diplomacy, resilience in the face of water-related disasters, and the increasingly important role of youth.

    Recorded during the 4th World Irrigation Forum (WIF4) in Kuala Lumpur in September 2025, the conversation captures Fauchon’s reflections from the Forum’s sidelines, where he participated in high-level panels and bilateral discussions — confirming the WWC’s central role in shaping water action on a global scale. 

    Key Themes from the Interview

    1. Hydro-Diplomacy as a Cornerstone
      Fauchon emphasizes diplomacy as a vital tool for cooperation, particularly in transboundary waters. He calls for strengthened political dialogue and trust among nations to prevent conflict and promote shared water security — reinforcing the WWC’s mission as a convener of global conversations.
    2. Disaster Resilience and Adaptation
      With climate change intensifying floods and droughts, Fauchon argues for better resilience: “reserve and preserve” should be a guiding principle for water infrastructure. This means not only investing in storage and nature-based solutions, but also equipping communities with early-warning systems and basin-level solidarity mechanisms.
    3. Empowering Youth in Water Governance
      One of the most compelling messages: the next generation must be actively involved. Fauchon highlights the growing influence of youth voices in water policy — especially as they themselves will live with the long-term consequences of today’s decisions. At WIF4, WWC’s Youth Engagement Strategy demonstrated how young people are not just stakeholders but changemakers.
    4. Looking Ahead to Riyadh 2027
      The interview also touches on preparations for the 11th World Water Forum, which will be held in Riyadh in 2027. Fauchon underlined the importance of innovation, intergenerational dialogue, and political commitment as pillars for the Forum’s success.

    Why This Matters

    • Strengthening Partnerships: The interview reflects how WWC is using global platforms like WIF4 to reinforce alliances — with nations, institutions, and youth networks — for coordinated water action.
    • Political Leadership for Water: Fauchon’s remarks underscore that water is not just a technical challenge, but deeply political. Effective governance requires political will, public-private cooperation, and diplomacy.
    • Youth as Drivers of Change: By elevating youth engagement, the WWC is investing in long-term water governance. It’s a message that resonates beyond forums—it’s about empowering tomorrow’s leaders today.

     

    📄 Download the Full Interview

    For those interested in exploring the full conversation, a PDF transcript of Loïc Fauchon’s Water Digest interview is available for download. 

    Watch the interview : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdHZtMkVKjY