World Bank President Stresses Importance of International Partnerships to Address Water-Related Challenges

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga stressed the importance of international partnerships to address water-related challenges, expressing his thanks to the Kingdom, France and Kazakhstan for their efforts in organizing this summit.

This came during his speech at the One Water Summit hosted by the Kingdom with international participation.

The World Bank Director praised the progress achieved by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the fields of desalination and transportation, in addition to reducing production costs and energy consumption, considering these efforts a model for other countries to follow, noting that water is the basis of life, as it maintains human health, the sustainability of ecosystems, and economic growth.

He pointed out that more than two billion people lack safe drinking water, while 70% of fresh water is used in agriculture, which requires promoting sustainable agricultural practices to reduce waste, warning of the effects of climate change that exacerbate the water crisis, including rising temperatures and disruption of ecosystems.

The President of the World Bank Group explained that current efforts to solve the water problem are often fragmented and inconsistent between countries and different sectors, calling for the adoption of a comprehensive global strategy, stressing that the World Bank Group is working to remove obstacles that hinder international cooperation and enhance the use of available financial resources, noting the importance of cooperation with the private sector to develop innovative solutions. He explained that investing in water infrastructure, improving irrigation systems, and strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors can achieve economic and environmental benefits, stressing that water is not just a development issue, but a humanitarian and environmental issue that affects the future of the entire world. The President of the World Bank concluded his speech by stressing the importance of joint work between governments and international organizations to address water challenges and achieve sustainable development.