# Year of Water Every economy. Every business. Every person. [Work with us](https://centres.weforum.org/centre-nature-and-climate/home) **1/4** people lack access to safe drinking water **$2.5T** in global trade is generated from the ocean economy **3/4** coastal aquifers will face seawater intrusion by 2100 **8x** growth in industrial water reuse by 2040 ## Restoring the balance The global water cycle is out of balance, and restoring it requires a systemic approach. Collective action now can help build a connected water system, from source to sea, that sustains both people and planet for generations to come. ## Connecting across the water cycle ### Collaboration Multistakeholder collaboration is key to transforming how the world manages water. Current pressures on freshwater and marine ecosystems affect security, stability and resilience. Long-term solutions to these systemic issues require collaboration across the public, private and civil society sectors. ### Finance Water is part of our infrastructure, assets and economy. Financing water at the scale the world depends on requires solutions spanning the entire water cycle, from freshwater to oceans, and unlocking private investment. ### Innovation Innovation is addressing water challenges through reuse, desalination and precision irrigation across urban infrastructure, industry and agriculture. These technologies can strengthen water-system resilience while responding to growing demands, including those linked to AI. ## Collaboration Multistakeholder collaboration is essential to developing solutions across the water system and sustaining the health of people and the planet for generations to come. ### Water Futures: Mobilizing Multistakeholder Action for Resilience This report outlines key pathways to strengthen water resilience, through private sector and multi-stakeholder action, and secure the future of water for society and the global economy. [Read the report](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/11/from-rivalry-to-resilience-geopolitics-in-the-green-transition/) ### One water cycle: Why connecting the ocean and freshwater will allow the economic benefits to flow Ocean and freshwater are part of one interconnected hydrological cycle but are often shortsightedly managed through separate policy and investment systems. [Read the blog](https://www.weforum.org/stories/food-water-air/water-cycle-ocean-freshwater-economy/) ### ACT Ocean Initiative This initiative connects leaders from business, government, science and civil society to advance sustainable ocean stewardship and support long-term economic value and resilience. It helps translate insight and collaboration into practical business and policy action that can attract investment and scale. [Learn more](https://initiatives.weforum.org/ACT-Ocean/home) ### Water Futures Initiative The Forum’s multistakeholder platform connects leaders to advance solutions and finance for water resilience. It supports public-private collaboration across three priority pathways: fit-for-purpose finance, basin partnerships and stronger connections between innovation and policy. [Learn more](https://initiatives.weforum.org/water-futures/home) ## Finance Water sustains every economy, yet attracts only a fraction of the investment it warrants. Financing solutions can help address infrastructure gaps and build a safer, more equitable future. ### Adaptation through Water: Scaling Private Sector Finance for Climate Adaptation in Southeast Asia This report highlights the key enablers of bankable Adaptation through Water (AtW) solutions globally, including translating resilience into financial value, aggregating projects, aligning risk-return profiles with different forms of capital and establishing robust impact measurement frameworks. [Read the report](https://www.weforum.org/publications/adaptation-through-water-scaling-private-sector-finance-for-climate-adaptation-in-southeast-asia/) ### Bridging the €6.5 Trillion Water Infrastructure Gap: A Playbook The report aims at sizing the global water infrastructure gap and assesses its socio-economic impacts in order to accelerate equity, resilience, circularity and innovation in the lead-up to the UN Water Conference. [Read the report](https://www.weforum.org/publications/bridging-the-6-5-trillion-water-infrastructure-gap-a-playbook/) ## Innovation Purpose-driven innovation helps accelerate industries and economies to adopt more resilient, efficient and sustainable approaches to water management. ### Meet the 10 Water Resilience Challenge Winners The Water Resilience Challenge, led by UpLink in partnership with HCL Group, identifies and supports early-stage solutions that strengthen water resilience across infrastructure, industry, agriculture and urban systems.The 40 Aquapreneurs in the initiative have helped save over 14 billion litres of water and raised more than USD 125 million to scale their solutions. [Learn more](https://uplink.weforum.org/systems-industries-water-water-resilience) ### Investing in Blue Foods: Innovation and Partnerships for Impact This report focuses on one of the most promising food systems opportunities: the development of the blue foods sector, which has the capacity to drive economic growth, improve nutrition and strengthen climate resilience. [Read the report](https://www.weforum.org/publications/investing-in-blue-foods-innovation-and-partnerships-for-impact-2026/) ### 5 technologies reshaping water security at industrial scale New technologies, international frameworks and blended finance structures are accelerating the regenerative transition, but fracturing multilateralism, ecological tipping points and a financing gap threaten to stall progress. [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/5-water-security-technologies/) ## Leadership voices on the Year of Water ### Matt Damon and Gary white podcast Water.org’s co-founders, Matt Damon and Gary White, share their efforts to fix the "financial plumbing" connecting people and capital, helping to bridge the water gap for 85 million people around the world, and discuss the role that the public campaign, Get Blue, can play in accelerating action. ### Ocean explorer Sylvia Earle: the best time to be alive is now Despite huge damage to nature and the growing impact of climate change, marine biologist and oceanographer Sylvia Earle believes there is not better time in history to be alive. Now 90, the pioneering ocean explorer has this message of hope for humanity. ### Water in the Balance As water risks intensify, leaders at Davos discuss the innovations, investments and partnerships needed to build a more secure and prosperous water future. Speakers: Richard Dickson, Aulani Wilhelm, Matt Damon, Kris Licht, Jennifer Morris, Haslinda Amin ### An Innovator Explains - How to purify water with sunlight UpLink Venture Xatoms CEO and Co-founder Diana Virgovicova explains how AI and quantum chemistry are transforming water treatment with breakthrough purification technologies. ## Editor's picks ### What is the 'Year of Water' - and how can it address the water crisis The full water cycle is the foundation of economic stability, food security and social resilience. Learn more about the ‘Year of Water’ campaign and the Forum's wider Blue Agenda. [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/stories/nature-and-biodiversity/what-is-the-year-of-water/) ### World Ocean Day: Why ocean health is key to global prosperity World Ocean Day occurs every year on 8 June, encouraging action throughout the year to meet global ocean goals. This year's theme is 'Reimagine: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean'. [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/publications/from-risk-to-reward-unlocking-private-capital-for-climate-and-growth/) ### What is World Water Day? World Water Day is held on 22 March every year. Learn why this day is so important and how this year's theme, Water and Gender, explores the relationship between water, women and equality. [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/publications/unlocking-asia-pacific-as-a-first-mover-australia-s-green-iron-opportunity/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ### What is Blue Davos and why is 2026 the 'Year of Water'? Everything you need to know The water crisis was high on the agenda at the Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, with the launch of major new initiatives that aim to move the world forward. [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/stories/food-water-air/what-is-blue-davos-everything-you-need-to-know/)