Pretoria and Stockholm, 22 May 2025
In a landmark moment for global water governance, over 150 GWP Partners from more than 85 countries today unanimously adopted transformative Resolutions at the General Assembly of the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO). These include endorsing a bold Global Transformation Agenda for Water Investments, approving the relocation of GWPO’s headquarters from Stockholm, and the establishment of the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments.
The adoption of these Resolutions represents the strongest mandate yet for GWPO’s evolution into a globally networked, regionally empowered, investment-focused intergovernmental platform.
The Resolutions also formalised the establishment of a GWPO Headquarters Transition Office in Pretoria, South Africa, and the designation of a new Host Country—soon to be announced—from among the G20 Member States. This move follows Sweden’s conclusion of its long-standing Host Country role.
Hon. Pablo BereciartuaMinister of InfrastructureCity of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Hon. Pablo Bereciartua, Minister of Infrastructure of the City of Buenos Aires in Argentina and Chair of the Global Water Partnership, stated:
“This is not just an institutional transition—it is a historic turning point. With a unanimous vote by Partners from around the world united in support, we are moving forward with renewed legitimacy, purpose, and global momentum.”, he added.
Global Outlook Council: A High-Level Platform for Action
GWPO’s transformation includes the creation of the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments, co-convened by GWPO, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and partners. This high-level Council will convene Heads of State, institutional investors, and private sector leaders to elevate water to the top of the global political and economic agenda—including at the G20 Africa Water Investment Summit, COP 30, and the UN 2026 Water Conference.
H.E. Jakaya KikweteFormer President of Tanzania
Following the General Assembly, H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, Former President of Tanzania and Co-Chair of the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments, delivered a keynote address at the High-Level Leaders Water Dialogue in the context of G20, co-convened by GWPO and WMO.“This is a decisive moment for global water security. The Global Transformation Agenda for Water Investments is a bold call to scale and systematise water investment globally.”
“Water is not a side issue. It is central to our collective future. We must stop treating it as a development afterthought—and start financing it as the engine of resilience, security, and prosperity,’’ added H.E. Jakaya Kikwete.
Retno L.P. MarsudiUN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Water
Retno L.P. Marsudi, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Water, welcomed the initiative:
‘’The Global Outlook Council on Water Investments is not just another initiative. It is a platform to mobilize political leadership, unlock financing, and drive measurable results. The G20 has the power to connect global vision with national leadership and local implementation. It must lead the charge in closing the water investment gap.
The establishment of the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments and the Africa Water Investment Summit are powerful steps in generating waves of political and financial commitment. Let me reaffirm my full commitment to working closely with the Global Outlook Council to advance water financing globally. I believe this initiative will generate tangible progress in the global water agenda and inspire broader international cooperation.”, said the UN Water Envoy.
The Netherlands, Hungary, and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)—all GWPO founding members—welcomed the Global Outlook Council and the United Call to New Countries to join the Organisation as Sponsoring Partners, helping shape a renewed global movement for water investment.
Henk OvinkCo-Chair, UN 2023 Water Conference; Executive Director, Global Commission on the Economics of Water
“Water receives less than 1% of climate finance, yet it underpins health, equity, and resilience. Let’s move from recommendations to real action—local, national, and global”, said Henk Ovink, Co-Chair, UN 2023 Water Conference; Executive Director, Global Commission on the Economics of Water
Stefan UhlenbrookDirector of Hydrology, Water and Cryosphere, WMO
Underlining the need for the work of the Global Transformation Agenda and the Water Investment Programme, Stefan Uhlenbrook, Director of Hydrology, Water and Cryosphere, WMO, expressed:
“WMO’s latest water report shows a planet under stress — and the solution begins with data-informed water investments”.
GWPO Transition Office in South Africa.
Hon. Pemmy MajodinaMinister of Water and Sanitation of South Africa
In March this year, Hon. Pemmy Majodina, Minister of Water and Sanitation of South Africa, welcomed the establishment of the GWPO Transition Office in Pretoria and joined the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments in her capacity as Minister of water in the Presidency of the G20-South Africa.
“We are honoured to partner with GWPO to drive the global water transformation agenda. This partnership will position water in the G20 as part of the Africa Water Investment Summit convened by South Africa, African Union, International High Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa in collaboration with GWP and Africa Water Investment Program (AIP) partners.
Formal Partnership with Cape Town established
Leonardo Manus, Executive Director for Water and Sanitation, City of Cape Town
As part of this transition, on 8 May this month, GWPO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Cape Town, designating the city as a strategic partner in advancing water investments across Africa and globally.
“The partnership with GWPO and its global network underscores Cape Town’s leadership in water resilience and reflects South Africa’s growing role in global water diplomacy”, said Leonardo Manus, Executive Director for Water and Sanitation, City of Cape Town.
A Decade of Impact: Scaling What Works
Since 2014, GWP has directly and indirectly enabled more than €2 billion in water-related investments, and during its current Strategy (2020-2025) facilitated 200+ water governance improvements. Over time, GWP has supported water sector reforms across 90+ countries and 25 transboundary basins, helping secure access to climate finance for infrastructure and resilience. In 2023 alone, GWP influenced nearly €272 million in investments, with the Zanzibar Water Investment Programme mobilising over $180 million from global partners.
As President Kikwete powerfully concluded:
“Let us not be remembered for the warnings we ignored, but for the infrastructure we built, the communities we empowered, and the world we secured. The time to act is now. Let us transform ambition into action.”
Media Contacts:Monika Ericson, Senior Communications SpecialistEmail: monika.ericson@gwp.org
Page last edited: 05/22/2025