The World Economic Forum 2025 witnessed a pivotal session at the India Pavilion titled “India’s WASH Innovation: Driving Global Impact in Climate and Water Sustainability.” The event underscored India’s pioneering advancements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and their transformative impact on global climate resilience and sustainable development.
Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil, delivered a compelling keynote address, highlighting the nation’s achievements under flagship programs such as the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). These initiatives have revolutionized sanitation coverage and access to safe drinking water for millions of rural households, setting new benchmarks for sustainable water management.
Patil emphasized India’s commitment to addressing global water challenges exacerbated by climate change, overpopulation, and resource overuse. “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is driving a transformative revolution in water conservation. Strengthening international cooperation is vital to tackle water scarcity, a universal challenge,” he said.
Since the JJM’s launch in 2019, the percentage of rural households with functional tap water connections has surged from a mere 17% to an impressive 79.66%. This milestone has not only improved health and hygiene but also reduced the daily burden of fetching water, saving rural communities 55 million hours every day. These saved hours, Patil noted, translate into greater workforce participation and productivity, particularly among women.
The keynote also highlighted India’s sanitation progress under SBM. By constructing over 95 million toilets, the mission has achieved open defecation-free status in many regions. This achievement has significantly improved public health, especially for women and children. According to the World Health Organization, improved sanitation in India has averted 300,000 child deaths under the age of five in the last decade.
The session also featured two dynamic panel discussions. The Water Panel, themed “Bringing Global Impact in Water Sustainability,” included experts from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), UNICEF, and WaterAid. They discussed innovative strategies for global water management. The Sanitation Panel, titled “Innovation in Global Health Through Sanitation,” brought together notable figures such as representatives from the Gates Foundation, Capgemini, and actor-policy advocate Vivek Oberoi. They explored cutting-edge sanitation technologies and their implications for global health.
India’s scalable WASH models, grounded in community engagement, technology, and behavior change, were lauded as blueprints for other nations. The discussions emphasized the critical role of public-private partnerships in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
The session concluded with actionable insights and commitments from participants, reaffirming India’s leadership in global WASH innovations. The World Economic Forum emphasized that tackling the global water crisis demands collaborative action, and India’s initiatives offer valuable lessons to inform international strategies.
India’s efforts continue to transform lives, fostering improved health, economic opportunities, and climate resilience, while strengthening its position as a global leader in sustainable development.
