The need to address the deepening global water crisis moved water sector leaders and policy makers to convene for a High-Level Leaders Water Dialogue, taking place ahead of the 2025 G20 Summit. The Dialogue provided a platform for sending out a united call in global efforts to treat water not as an afterthought, but as a central pillar of climate resilience, economic stability, and sustainable development.
Held simultaneously in Stockholm, Sweden, and Pretoria, South Africa, this high-level dialogue laid the groundwork for the launch of the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments—a visionary initiative designed to unite Heads of State, financial leaders, and development champions to close the USD 114 billion annual gap in water infrastructure and services financing.
“Water is not a side issue. It is central to our collective future,” said H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, Former President of Tanzania, Chair of GWPSA, and Co-Chair of the newly established Global Outlook Council on Water. “We must stop treating it as a development afterthought—and start financing it as the engine of resilience, climate action, food security, and long-term global prosperity.”
A Wake-Up Call to the Global Community
Over two billion people still lack access to safely managed drinking water, while nearly half the global population faces severe water stress. Despite the urgency, water receives less than 1% of climate finance, even as water-related disasters account for 90% of climate-related catastrophes.
“This is not just a gap—it’s a global failure in priorities,” emphasised Kikwete. “Let us not be remembered for the warnings we ignored, but for the infrastructure we built, the partnerships we forged, the communities we empowered, and the water-secure world we delivered for future generations.”
The Dialogue is showcasing transformative water solutions that align with G20 development priorities and is spotlighting the upcoming Africa Water Investment Summit, scheduled for 13 - 15th August 2025 in Cape Town, under South Africa’s G20 presidency. The Summit aims to mobilise at least USD 30 billion annually for water and sanitation investment across Africa.
“Africa must not be forgotten in the water action agenda,” urged H.E. Retno Marsudi, UN Special Envoy on Water. “Water investment must benefit African nations and be embedded across all sectors: climate, food, health, gender, and education.”
From Fragmentation to Partnerships & Collaboration
A key feature of the dialogue is a call for coherence in global water governance. With overlapping efforts and siloed initiatives, leaders are calling for alignment.
“Fragmentation is our biggest risk,” warned Mr. Henk Ovink, Executive Director of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water. “Now is the time to align towards a single water mission and a unified global agenda. Water must be seen as a global governance challenge, not a siloed issue. We need to rethink how we govern and revalue the water cycle—economically, socially, and environmentally.”
Dr. Stefan Uhlenbrook of the WMO added that “we can’t manage what we don’t measure,” underscoring the need to invest in hydrological data and early warning systems to unlock bankable water projects. WMO’s latest water report shows a planet under stress, and according to Dr. Uhlenbrook, the solution begins with data-informed water investments.
“Without quality water data, bankable projects stall,” he said. “Investing in monitoring and data must come first. WMO stands ready to support the global push for water security. From monitoring to early warnings, our work helps protect societies and ecosystems and turn data into impact.
Mr. Péter Kovács, Water Director, General Directorate of Water Management in Hungary, concurred with his colleagues, saying water solutions exist and it's time for stronger partnerships, better project pipelines, and bold cooperation.
“The future of water is built on science, not guesswork. Let’s invest in evidence-based projects, data-driven systems, and regional collaboration to transform outcomes. Science, political will and cross-border cooperation are the only way forward,” said Kovács.
Ms. Ildiko Ipolyi, Regional Coordinator of Global Water Partnership for Central & Eastern Europe, said the region was stepping up with strong networks, research capacity, and integrated water governance. She said the region is driving solutions that align with global water goals.
“Water is a finite resource—but integrated water management ensures it’s used sustainably. Central & Eastern European countries are proving how science, youth inclusion, and policy can work together to close the water investment gap,” Ms. Ipolyi.
Cape Town: A Global Symbol of Water Risk and Resilience
The City of Cape Town is being held up as a model of innovation and resilience following its near-disastrous “Day Zero” crisis in 2018.
“Cape Town is living proof of climate change since the city's reliance on surface water has been severely affected since 2015,” said Leonardo Manus, who is leading Cape Town’s Water & Sanitation transformation. “The city’s relationship with wastewater changed dramatically—now, it's regarded as a valuable resource. Cape Town’s crisis taught us to think differently about risk, water, and resilience. Engineers, scientists, and policymakers now sit at one table. ”
A United Call to Action
As a key outcome of the dialogue, the GWPO has issued a United Call for Global Water Investment Leadership—a shared political appeal to governments, banks, businesses, and philanthropies to scale investments, align financing frameworks, and build national water project pipelines.
On 2 June 2025, GWPO opens its intergovernmental MoU for new signatures. This is more than joining a network — it’s co-steering a global alliance for water investments and resilience.
“For the first time in 20+ years, the Global Water Partnership is issuing a United Call for Global Water Investment Leadership — not just a statement, but a shared political appeal to treat water as a driver of stability and resilience. The United Call is a historic moment to lead, not observe. This isn’t just about water. It’s about lives, economies, and ecosystems,” said Hon. Pablo Bereciartua, Minister of Infrastructure for the City of Buenos Aires - Argentina and Chair of GWP.
With support from the G20, COP30, UN Water 2026, and other global forums, the Global Outlook Council aims to drive a long-overdue transformation in how the world values, funds, and governs water.
“The Global Transformation Agenda is more than a vision—it is a concrete framework to turn global water fragmentation into focus, pledges into pipelines, and ambition into measurable progress toward SDG 6 and beyond,” concluded H.E. Jakaya Kikwete.