Water Security Financing Report 2024

August 29, 2025
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The Joint MDB Water Security Financing Report 2024 marks a milestone in collective action by ten Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to strengthen global water security. Building on commitments made at COP28 and the One Water Summit, the report sets a baseline for tracking investments and collaboration across the water sector. In 2024 alone, MDBs approved USD 19.6 billion in water-related financing, with 14.4 billion focused on low- and middle-income countries. This first-of-its-kind report reflects the MDBs’ shared ambition to improve access to safe water and sanitation, promote sustainable water resource management, and scale up support for climate-resilient irrigation systems.

 

The report highlights the urgent need for increased investment and reform in the water sector. Despite growing demand and climate pressures, many countries face significant financing gaps—particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and fragile contexts—where spending must increase dramatically to meet Sustainable Development Goals. The MDBs are responding with a mix of sovereign and non-sovereign financing, technical assistance, and innovative instruments to crowd in private capital. They are also supporting policy and institutional reforms to improve service delivery, financial sustainability, and governance in the sector.

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