The World Water Council’s mission is to gather the international community to convince decision-makers that water is a political priority for the sustainable and equitable development of the planet.
The World Water Council is a committed advocate for water. As a platform that brings together the international community, we drive meaningful change through the World Water Forum and promote political action, advocacy, and hydro-diplomacy in our daily activities.
For more than 25 years, the World Water Council has worked to ensure the recognition of water’s central importance on the global agenda. Established in 1996 as an independent, impartial, and not-for-profit organization headquartered in Marseille, France, the World Water Council represents over 240 member organizations across 51 countries. These members actively shape the World Water Council’s strategy and programs by participating in a variety of working bodies.
Through collaborative efforts, they dedicate their skills, experience, and time to advancing the global water agenda and addressing complex water challenges worldwide.
The World Water Council is officially recognized by the United Nations, holding Associate Status with UNESCO and Consultative Status with ECOSOC, which firmly embeds our voice in UN processes and events. Through strong partnerships with key UN agencies, we actively amplify the global water agenda and drive impactful action worldwide.
The World Water Council’s mission is to gather the international community to convince decision-makers that water is a political priority for the sustainable and equitable development of the planet.
Three main missions guide its activities :
The first mission of the World Water Council is to bring together the international community to convince decision-makers that water is a political priority for the sustainable and equitable development of the planet.
The World Water Council aims to mobilize political actors at all levels to guarantee the right of access to water and sanitation for all and to promote hydro-diplomacy in order to contribute to peace and in resolving water-related conflicts around the world.
To do this, the World Water Council seeks to:
To achieve water security in the face of population growth and climate crises, all stakeholders must work together to increase water supply while promoting water savings. The World Water Council therefore strongly encourages its members to develop innovative approaches, concrete solutions and responses on the ground, by improving knowledge, finance and governance.
Comprehensive and equitable water management is vital for human beings as well as for nature, including ecosystems and biodiversity.
By encouraging innovations in water management, such as the use of unconventional water resources, water-saving measures and nature-based solutions, the World Water Council seeks to contribute to make water security an achievable goal.
Every 3 years, the World Water Council organizes the World Water Forum with a host country and city. With this international event, the World Water Council aims to catalyze collective action for water and achieve concrete results on the ground. The 10th World Water Forum took place in Indonesia in 2024, the next one will be held in Saudi Arabia in March 2027.
Public agencies, ministries, regional and local authorities, municipalities, basin authorities, parliamentary associations, national development agencies.
Water supply and sanitation companies and public services, including those partly owned by the State.
Become a member and help secure water access for every community, everywhere.
