World Water Council Calls for Innovative Water Order at Cairo Water Week

A Call for a New Water Order

On October 26, 2026, the World Water Council kicked off the 9th Cairo Water Week with a powerful address from its President, Loïc Fauchon. He highlighted the urgent need for the international community to adopt a new doctrine for water management, aimed at creating an innovative water order in response to increasing global challenges, including climate change and rapidly changing societal needs.

Fauchon opened his address with a striking observation: "The world is in trouble." He pointed out that while poverty is declining and advancements in technology are evident, the management of the world’s natural resources remains a significant challenge. He emphasized that climate disruptions, droughts, floods, and the rise of megacities are pushing outdated methods of handling water to their limits.

Shift in Water Management

For too long, the focus globally has been on water supply, Fauchon argued. Now, he asserts, it is essential to proactively manage water demand. The new doctrine proposes a collaborative approach to both mobilizing water resources and controlling demand, ensuring that the needs of nature are respected. His succinct message can be distilled into three guiding principles: Preserve, Reserve, Distribute.

Fauchon also called for various practical solutions that are already at our disposal, such as the careful use of deep groundwater, inter-regional water transfers, low-cost desalination techniques, and especially the recycling of wastewater, which he dubbed “the water revolution of this century.” He emphasized that recycled water should first serve agricultural and industrial needs, and eventually cater to domestic uses as well.

Additionally, he highlighted the necessity for a new generation of smart reservoirs, designed to respect biodiversity while ensuring water and energy supplies. These reservoirs represent tangible tools that can be implemented globally, from urban centers to rural basins. Egypt, as the host country, has set a commendable example with a facility that treats wastewater, generates electricity, and reuses water effectively, along with plans for a pumped-storage hydroelectric project.

Addressing Water Loss and Waste

However, simply ensuring supply is inadequate. Fauchon stressed the importance of reducing losses through digital management of leaks, deploying water-saving technologies extensively, and altering the way societies value water. He urged reassessment of the water footprint across agriculture, livestock, industry, and tourism, while also initiating a worldwide campaign against food loss and waste. Alarmingly, he noted that about 40% of food produced, translating to 2.5 billion tons annually, is never consumed, warranting serious consideration within the Sustainable Development Goals.

Engaging Youth and International Cooperation

The World Water Council operates under two primary obligations: fostering enhanced international cooperation to share best practices across continents and actively involving youth in its initiatives. Fauchon emphasized, "No grand vision can be crafted without the youth of the world."

Committed to hydrodiplomacy, the Council advocates for peaceful relations along watercourses and rejects water-related conflicts. Furthermore, in collaboration with Saudi partners and the broader water community, the Council aims for the 11th World Water Forum, scheduled in Riyadh for March 2027, to be a landmark event in the global history of water management.

In conclusion, the call for a new water doctrine resonates with urgency against the backdrop of pressing environmental challenges, aiming for a cohesive strategy that harmonizes water preservation with demands and innovates current practices in water management across the globe.