A kick-off meeting marking the official launch of preparations for the 11th World Water Forum, scheduled for March 2027, was held on April 14–15 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event convened a diverse group of stakeholders from around 60 countries, including government officials, representatives of international organizations, private sector leaders, researchers, and youth, to discuss the Forum’s overarching framework and priority themes.
The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from the Forum’s co-hosting organizations. Loïc Fauchon, President of the World Water Council (WWC), underscored the need to place water at the forefront of the global agenda. He emphasized that the collaboration with Saudi Arabia would yield a comprehensive framework for the 11th Forum—one that integrates thematic, regional, and political dimensions.
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, H.E. Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, emphasized the urgent need for integrated water resources management and strengthened international cooperation. He showcased key initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030, including the development of a long-term national water demand and supply plan, the launch of the Global Water Organization to promote international collaboration, and the establishment of an International Water Research Center focused on water economics, water security, advanced technologies, and digital transformation.
A high-level panel discussion followed, featuring:
- H.E. Hani Sewilam, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Egypt
- H.E. Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Dieye, Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senegal
- H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Shaibani, Vice Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Saudi Arabia
- Mr. Wu Wenqing, Chief Planner, Ministry of Water Resources, China
- Mr. Mohammad Zainal Fatah, Director General, Ministry of Public Works, Indonesia
- Prof. Henk Ovink, Chair of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water
Minister Sewilam of Egypt emphasized the urgency of sustainable water management and international cooperation, noting Egypt’s global leadership through AMCOW, Cairo Water Week, and its COP27 presidency. He called for accelerated action on water security, climate adaptation, and river basin cooperation, while advocating for nature-based solutions and locally-driven innovations.
Vice Minister Al-Shaibani reaffirmed that access to water is a basic human right and a cornerstone of economic development. He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s National Water Strategy, which spans water production, distribution, and reuse. He called for greater investment, innovation, and diplomacy in water management, grounded in environmental sustainability.
Mr. Wu Wenqing of China expressed concern over the lag in achieving SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), advocating for new international agreements and stronger collaboration. He shared China’s approaches in water conservation, spatial planning, and integrated governance, driven by both public and market mechanisms.
Mr. Mohammad Zainal Fatah of Indonesia reflected on the 10th World Water Forum and emphasized the power of international dialogue in promoting prosperity through water. He outlined Indonesia’s integrated water-energy-food nexus approach, support for small island states, and commitment to capacity building, sediment control, data systems, and private sector engagement. He emphasized the importance of political will and innovative financing in advancing water diplomacy.
The overarching theme and sub-themes of the 11th Forum were introduced by Dr. Abdulaziz Ali Alqahtani, Director of Water Research and Modeling at the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, and Ms. Yoonjin Kim, Director of Strategy and Development at WWC. The Forum’s central theme is:
“Actions for a Better Tomorrow”
Under this banner, six sub-themes will guide discussions:
- Water Security
- Financing Water
- Water Diplomacy
- Water for People and Nature
- Valuing Water
- Water Innovation
Breakout sessions for each sub-theme facilitated active discussions on foundational structures, key ideas, and potential topics. In parallel, sessions focused on shaping the Forum’s political process framework.
During the plenary session on the regional process, the regional process coordinators of the 10th World Water Forum shared lessons from regional contributions to the 10th Forum. Asia-Pacific outcomes were jointly presented by Ms. Yumiko Asayama, Chief Manager of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF), and Dr. Cho Yong Deok of the Asia Water Council. The Arab Water Council has expressed its intention to lead the regional process for the Middle East once again.
In closing, WWC Vice President Éric Tardieu summarized the outcomes of the two-day meeting, calling for collective momentum through a “Positive Action Agenda.” He proposed three cross-cutting pillars for the 11th Forum: Engagement, Integration, and Action, and stressed the need to turn dialogue into measurable impact.
Looking ahead, the thematic, political, and regional processes will continue in coordination to shape actionable solutions to global water challenges, paving the way to a meaningful and impactful 11th World Water Forum.
General Agenda
(Reported by Yumiko Asayama, Chief Manager)
