World Water Forum
Next World Water Forum - Riyadh
ABOUT THE 11TH WORLD WATER FORUM
Action for a Better Tomorrow
Held every three years, the World Water Forum is the world’s largest process-based international gathering on water, designed to transform commitments into concrete, implementable solutions.
Co-hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the World Water Council, the 11th edition will bring together a wide range of stakeholders — including governments, international organizations, local authorities, academia, civil society, youth and the private sector — to foster collaboration and accelerate action on global water challenges.
At its core, the Forum is structured around three key ambitions:
- Dialogue: Convening diverse stakeholders to share knowledge, expertise and experiences
- Alignment: Bridging policy and practice across sectors and regions
- Action: Delivering tangible outcomes and long-term commitments
UPCOMING EVENTS 2nd Stakeholder Consultation Meeting : A Crucial Milestone on the Road to Riyadh 2027
28-29 June 2026, The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah
The 2nd Stakeholder Consultation Meeting is a pivotal gathering that brings together global water sector leaders, policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to shape the 11th World Water Forum’s agenda and processes.
This meeting provides a unique opportunity to engage in high-level discussions, contribute to the Forum’s framework, and build partnerships that will drive water solutions worldwide.
High-Level Objectives
- Advancing Forum Processes through concept development and exchanging new ideas for action
- Strengthening interlinkages across processes, themes, regions, and political dialogues
- Designing Forum Week and developing expected deliverables
- Preparing pathways for post-Forum continuity
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Future Highlights of the XIth World Water Forum
ADDRESSING KEY STRATEGIC CHALLENGES
The 11th World Water Forum is designed to respond to major global water challenges, including:
- Climate change and increasing water-related risks
- Financing gaps for water infrastructure and services
- Growing pressures on ecosystems and biodiversity
- The need for inclusive governance and water diplomacy
- The acceleration of innovation and digital transformation
Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6, the Forum aims to serve as a catalyst for action, bridging commitments and implementation to secure a more sustainable and resilient water future.
A MULTI-PROCESS PLATFORM FOR GLOBAL COLLABORATION IN 3 MAIN PROCESSES
The 11th World Water Forum is built around three interconnected processes that structure dialogue and drive impact:
Political Process
The Political Process elevates water on global agendas and fosters alignment across decision-makers and governance levels. It includes the following segments:
- Head of states : High-level messages and signal
- Ministerial : High-level policy dialogue among governments
- Parliamentary: Legislative frameworks and budgetary priorities
- Local and Regional Authorities: Implementation at subnational level
- Basin and Watershed Authorities : Strengthening transboundary cooperation at watershed scale
Thematic Process
As the Forum’s technical backbone, the Thematic Process organizes global knowledge into 6 key themes and 30 topics:
- Water Security: Integrated management of water resources and risks
- Water Finance: Scaling investment for WASH, resilience and climate adaptation
- Water for People and Ecosystems: Ensuring universal access and ecosystem restoration
- Water Governance & Diplomacy: Strengthening institutions, coordination and inclusive decision-making
- Innovation for Water Management: Leveraging technology, data and science
- Value of Water: Recognizing water’s economic, social and environmental value
Regional Process
The Regional Process ensures that global discussions are grounded in local realities and regional priorities, through dedicated coordination mechanisms:
- Africa: Led by AMCOW, with a regional roadmap and case studies
- Americas: Coordinated with regional partners including the Inter-American Development Bank
- Asia & the Pacific: Contributions from major regional institutions and platforms
- Europe: Coordination to be confirmed
- Arab Region: Led from Saudi Arabia with strong ministerial engagement
A DYNAMIC EXHIBITION SPACE: SHOWCASING INNOVATION AND SOLUTIONS
The Forum will also feature a large-scale Exhibition Area, designed as a vibrant platform to showcase innovative solutions, technologies and best practices from across the water sector.
Bringing together public institutions, private companies, startups, research centers and NGOs, the exhibition will facilitate:
- Knowledge sharing and technology transfer
- Partnerships and business opportunities
- Demonstrations of cutting-edge solutions addressing water challenges
This space will play a key role in connecting policy, innovation and implementation.
EMPOWERING YOUTH AS AGENTS OF CHANGE
Recognizing the critical role of younger generations, the Forum places youth at the heart of its process.
Through dedicated engagement mechanisms — including youth-led sessions, participation in thematic discussions and integration into decision-making dialogues — the Forum aims to:
- Amplify youth voices in global water governance
- Support innovation and entrepreneurship
- Foster intergenerational dialogue and leadership
KICK OFF AND FIRST STAKEHOLDERS MEETING
The journey toward the 11th World Water Forum officially began in Riyadh, where the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the World Water Council co-hosted the Kickoff and First Stakeholders Meeting. Over 600 participants from 60 countries and organizations gathered to launch the Forum’s preparatory process, setting the stage for the world’s largest international event dedicated to water, scheduled for 2027.
This first gathering was a major success, offering a unique opportunity for dialogue, exchange, and collaboration among global stakeholders. For two days, participants met in person to share ideas and priorities, reinforcing the belief that water is one of the defining issues of our century.
The agenda included three core tracks: political, regional, and thematic processes. Each process had a dedicated session to begin shaping the content and priorities for the Forum.
Advancing the Political and Regional Agenda
In the political session, high-level representatives held a closed discussion on how to elevate water as a global priority. They highlighted the need for stronger coordination across political levels, inclusion of end users in decision-making, and long-term planning for key global water events in 2026 and 2027. Collaboration, resilience, and investment were underscored as essential principles.
The regional process session focused on sharing common purposes and functions of different regional actors in the Forum dynamics. Among many, identifying regional priorities and local practices was highlighted as the main aim of the process. By having this session, potential Forum regional stakeholders explored how to strengthen cooperation within and between regions, address common challenges with local implementation of solutions, and amplify the political voice of water in their respective regions through the regional process.
Thematic Foundations for the Forum
The heart of the Forum’s content—the thematic process—was launched through six breakout sessions. Participants exchanged ideas and began shaping potential topics for six themes: Water Security, Water Finance, Water Diplomacy, Water for Humans and Nature, Value of Water, and Innovation for Water. These sessions encouraged fresh thinking, cross-sector collaboration, and helped establish a common framework for continued engagement throughout the Forum’s preparatory process.
These discussions laid the foundation for the knowledge and solutions that will guide the Forum’s development over the next two years.
High-Level Engagement and Visionary Statements
The event was opened with inspiring remarks from key leaders in global water governance:
Eng. Abdulrahman AlFadley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Saudi Arabia:
“Water is a national priority, and global cooperation is key to a sustainable future.”
Dr. Abdulaziz AlShaibani, Deputy Minister of Water, Saudi Arabia:
“We must join forces across all global water events ahead, building on past experience to tackle shared challenges.”
Loïc Fauchon, President of the World Water Council:
“Water is politics, water is diplomacy, nations must collaborate for change.”
Eric Tardieu, Vice President of the World Water Council:
“Solutions exist, now is the time to engage, integrate, and act beyond silos to drive sustainable change together.”
A Promising Start and a Call to Action
The Riyadh meeting was a resounding success—not only in its scale and organization, but in the spirit of unity and determination that filled the discussions. The Saudi hospitality was widely praised, and in-person interactions helped build the trust and understanding essential for long-term collaboration.
This meeting is only the beginning. Stakeholders are encouraged to continue participating in the Forum’s preparatory processes. It is still possible to bring your voice, your expertise, and your commitment to help shape the 11th World Water Forum in 2027.
What can we remember from this forum?
The Dakar World Water Forum was qualified to have had “a sustained and high-level participation, which made it a historic success in all respects”, with over 8000 participants and 216 sessions. During the Forum week, a total of 90 Ordinary Thematic Sessions (OTS), 33 High-level Panels (HLP), 62 Special Sessions (SS) and 46 Side Events (SE) were presented. More than 80 meetings were led or organized by the World Water Council members and the Task Forces. The main political segment of the World Water Forum was the Head of States meeting under the auspices of President Macky Sall who invited them and addressed the participants at the opening ceremony.
Our members represent over 250 organizations in more than 50 countries across 5 continents.
Their organisations are classified into five different colleges: Intergovernmental institutions (college 1), Government and Government promoted organizations (College 2), Commercial organizations (College 3), Civil society organizations (college 4), Professional and academic organizations (college 5).
Our members help build the World Water Council’s strategy and shape its programs by taking an active part in its various working bodies.
Our members elect the Board of Governors.
For the first time in the history of the World Water Forum, a high-level political segment was entirely dedicated to basins. This was made possible in Dakar thanks to the support of the World Water Council and the host country, Senegal. This segment on basins received all the political attention we had hoped for, with the presence of several key personalities. A whole day of sessions was dedicated to basin management, whether transboundary or national, which we had prepared in team with Switzerland, OMVS and OMVG and UNECE. We were able to have a very good geographical range represented, with the two largest river basins of the world. The Dakar Action Plan for Basins was adopted, which aims at implementing the Dakar Declaration, the “blue deal”, and to better support and mobilize basin organizations in the service of the two sustainable development goals (SDGs) directly concerned: integrated water resources management and transboundary approaches. About 100 signatories from about 50 countries.
A Blue Deal
Our members represent over 250 organizations in more than 50 countries across 5 continents.
Their organisations are classified into five different colleges: Intergovernmental institutions (college 1), Government and Government promoted organizations (College 2), Commercial organizations (College 3), Civil society organizations (college 4), Professional and academic organizations (college 5).
Our members help build the World Water Council’s strategy and shape its programs by taking an active part in its various working bodies.
Our members elect the Board of Governors.
Basins, the future of Water management
For the first time in the history of the World Water Forum, a high-level political segment was entirely dedicated to basins. This was made possible in Dakar thanks to the support of the World Water Council and the host country, Senegal. This segment on basins received all the political attention we had hoped for, with the presence of several key personalities. A whole day of sessions was dedicated to basin management, whether transboundary or national, which we had prepared in team with Switzerland, OMVS and OMVG and UNECE. We were able to have a very good geographical range represented, with the two largest river basins of the world. The Dakar Action Plan for Basins was adopted, which aims at implementing the Dakar Declaration, the “blue deal”, and to better support and mobilize basin organizations in the service of the two sustainable development goals (SDGs) directly concerned: integrated water resources management and transboundary approaches. About 100 signatories from about 50 countries.