Water Futures Initiative

Water Futures Initiative

A trusted platform for public-private cooperation that connects leaders to address emerging systemic water challenges.

We connect stakeholders to deepen shared understanding of emerging water challenges and advance the global water agenda through public-private cooperation.

Water is the foundation of life. It is essential for human prosperity, ecosystem health and economic development. With the economic value of water estimated at $58 trillion, its critical importance and the scale of the challenge cannot be overstated.

Water Futures supports global water commitments and helps businesses enhance and rethink sustainable water management practices. The initiative advances the global water agenda by integrating with existing and emerging multilateral processes and goals, leveraging private sector expertise to contribute to global agreements and accelerate solutions.

Water Futures works to

Explore fit-for-purpose financing

Convene investors, philanthropies and experts to explore financing approaches that can help unlock capital for water resilience. By enabling collaboration and knowledge exchange, we help shape practical financing pathways that can inform the agenda leading to the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Accelerate basin-level partnerships and adaptive governance

Facilitate cross-sector dialogue to help scale basin-level partnerships and advance adaptive governance for integrated water management. This work supports coordination platforms such as the Water Resilience Coalition and helps share practical lessons across regions.

Enable policy and innovation collaboration

Bring together policymakers, innovators and ecosystem partners to explore policy approaches that enable innovation and support the uptake of scalable water solutions. Through the UpLink HCL Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative and its partner network, we help connect innovation ecosystems and highlight pathways for regional action on water innovation.

Year of Water

Every economy. Every business. Every person. The Year of Water addresses challenges across the entire water cycle to help build a safe and resilient future for all.

An initiative of the Centre for Nature and Climate

Accelerating net-zero climate action, regenerating food, water and ocean systems, and promoting circular economies.

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Whether you want to access the latest expert opinions and analyses, follow our events, or take action through our initiatives, by becoming a member of our community you will join a global network for impact.

Water Futures Initiative

A World Economic Forum Initiative
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