11th World Water Forum

The World Water Forum is the largest international platform on water, held every three years since 1997 by the World Water Council with a host country. Its 11th edition comes to Riyadh in March 2027, co-hosted by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and marking the Forum's 30th anniversary under the theme "Action for a Better Tomorrow". Organizers expect more than 20,000 participants from over 150 countries.

Programme

Five days of sessions are organized through political, thematic and regional processes plus youth and intersectoral collaboration programmes, prepared over two stakeholder consultation meetings in 2025 and 2026. The thematic process is built around six themes:

• Water security
• Water finance
• Water for people and ecosystems
• Water governance and diplomacy
• Innovation for water management
• Value of water

Exhibition and country pavilions

A Forum exhibition of about 100 booths covers innovation and digital solutions, utilities and infrastructure, finance and investment, youth-led solutions and public engagement, with a Saudi water sector showcase. Countries can present their national water experience in dedicated country pavilions, and side events, technical visits and cultural programmes run alongside.

Who attends

Ministers, parliamentarians, local and regional authorities, basin organizations, international organizations, financial institutions, water utilities, companies, researchers, civil society, youth and media. A ministerial conference is expected to adopt a declaration during the Forum.