THE WORLD BANK GROUP - WATER STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN - WATER FORWARD - Investing in Water for People, Food, and Planet

Jul 19, 2026

The World Bank Group Water Strategy Implementation Plan outlines the Water Department’s approach to advancing water security as a foundation for growth, jobs, and a livable planet. It sets out a three-pillar agenda spanning Water for People, Water for Food, and Water for the Planet, combining financing, global knowledge, and implementation expertise. The plan defines WBG targets, client and partnership focus, impact enablers such as scalable solutions and a knowledge bank, and steps for operationalization, resourcing, and a results framework with annexes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages43

Reading Time1 h 48 min

Executive Summary

Chapter 1: The Current Context: Water Security for a Changing World

Global Context

Water and Jobs

The Water Challenge and the Need for a World Bank Group Approach

Chapter 2: WBG Ambition on Water: The Water Strategy Implementation Plan

WBG Targets

Client Focus

Partnership Focus

Chapter 3: Enablers of Impact

Enabler 1—Scalable Solutions

Enabler 2—WBG Knowledge Bank for Impact at Scale

Enabler 3—Programmatic Approaches and Partnerships

Chapter 4: Resourcing the WSIP: Better WBG to Scale with Urgency

Chapter 5: Operationalization of WSIP

Annexes

Annex II: WSIP Results Framework

Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized THE WORLD BANK GROUP WATER STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN WATER FORWARD Investing in Water for People, Food, and Planet DECEMBER 2025 About the World Bank Group Water Department The World Bank Group Water Department leads the institution’s efforts to advance water security as a foundation for growth, jobs, and a livable planet. The Water Department brings together financing, global knowledge, and implementation expertise to deliver transformative and scalable solutions across three pillars—Water for People, Water for Food, and Water for the Planet—to help countries build the capacity to meet global water challenges. Please visit us [at www.worldbank.org/water or follow us](at www.worldbank.org/water or follow us) on : @WorldBankWater. THE WORLD BANK GROUP WATER STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN WATER FORWARD Investing in Water for People, Food, and Planet DECEMBER 2025 © 2026 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 [Internet: www.worldbank.org](Internet: www.worldbank.org) This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the data included in this work and does not assume responsibility for any errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the information, or liability with respect to the use of or failure to use the information, methods, processes, or conclusions set forth. The boundaries, colors, denominations, links/footnotes and other information shown in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. The citation of works authored by others does not mean the World Bank endorses the views expressed by those authors or the content of their works. Nothing herein shall constitute or be construed or considered to be a limitation upon or waiver of the privileges and immunities of The World Bank, all of which are specifically reserved. Rights and Permissions The material in this work is subject to copyright. Because The World Bank encourages dissemination of its knowledge, this work may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for noncommercial purposes as long as full attribution to this work is given. Any queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; fax: 202-522-2625; e-mail: pubrights@ [worldbank.org](worldbank.org). Cover image: © World Bank. Adapted from art generated using Microsoft Copilot in November 2025 from the prompt “An abstract image that evokes water, progress, and prosperity with dynamic flowing water, upwardmoving patterns, and vibrant green and blue hues symbolizing growth and success.”Human-introduced modifications subsequently made. Contents List of Acronyms iv Executive Summary 1 Chapter 1: The Current Context: Water Security for a Changing World 3 Global Context 3 Water and Jobs 3 The Water Challenge and the Need for a World Bank Group Approach 4 Chapter 2: WBG Ambition on Water: The Water Strategy Implementation Plan 5 WBG Targets 5 Client Focus 6 Partnership Focus 10 Chapter 3: Enablers of Impact 11 Enabler 1—Scalable Solutions 11 Enabler 2—WBG Knowledge Bank for Impact at Scale 20 Enabler 3—Programmatic Approaches and Partnerships 21 Chapter 4: Resourcing the WSIP: Better WBG to Scale with Urgency 26 Chapter 5: Operationalization ofWSIP 27 Annexes 29 Annex I: Summary of WBG Corporate Water

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Water Strategy Implementation Plan (Water Forward)?

It guides the World Bank Group Water Department in advancing water security through coordinated financing, knowledge, and implementation expertise under the Water Forward agenda.

What are the three pillars of the strategy?

The agenda is organized around Water for People, Water for Food, and Water for the Planet.

How does the plan support scaling impact?

It emphasizes impact enablers such as scalable solutions, a knowledge bank for impact at scale, and programmatic approaches and partnerships, alongside operationalization and resourcing steps.

Jul 19, 2026

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