An estimated 2.2 billion people worldwide still lack access to safely managed drinking water, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The figure underscores the urgency of tackling water scarcity, particularly as climate change intensifies droughts, floods, and resource competition.
This year’s 35th World Water Week (24–28 August in Stockholm) is being held under the theme “Water for Climate Action.” The gathering highlights how secure, sustainable water access is central not only to survival, but also to socio-economic development, food and energy security, and healthy ecosystems.
Water at the Core of Climate Adaptation
Safe and reliable water supply lies at the heart of global efforts to adapt to a warming planet. From agriculture to energy production, water access underpins resilience in nearly every sector.
At the same time, lack of sanitation and clean water continues to fuel poverty, disease outbreaks, and gender inequality, disproportionately affecting women and girls in vulnerable communities.
Lessons From Landlocked Developing Countries
Despite the challenges, some landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) are making progress. On Wednesday, UN-Water convened governments to share lessons from Bhutan, Rwanda, and Saudi Arabia, each of which has achieved notable improvements in water access and sustainable management.
The session aimed to inspire other LLDCs to adopt effective strategies to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on water and sanitation.
Financing the Future of Water Access
A key theme at this year’s discussions is closing the financing gap in water and sanitation. While billions still lack safe water, global investment in infrastructure and services remains far below required levels.
On Thursday, UN-Water and its partners will rally donors and private stakeholders to explore:
- Innovative funding mechanisms for water projects.
- Collaborative alliances to scale solutions.
- New financial models to ensure universal access by 2030.
Such efforts are vital to deliver safe water, dignity, and opportunity to communities most affected by scarcity.
The Way Forward
As the climate crisis worsens, ensuring universal access to safe drinking water is no longer a distant goal but an urgent necessity. With 2.2 billion people still left behind, World Water Week 2025 serves as a reminder that water security must be placed at the center of climate adaptation, global health, and sustainable development strategies.