Why Davos 2026 Is All About Water

At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, water has emerged as a defining theme of 2026.

Known as “Blue Davos,” the focus reflects growing concern that the planet’s water cycle — spanning oceans, rivers, lakes, and the atmosphere — is increasingly out of balance.

The year 2026 is being framed as a global “Year of Water,” culminating in December with the UN Water Conference in the United Arab Emirates.

At Davos, a series of sessions, reports, and initiatives will highlight how water issues now intersect with economic stability, food systems, global trade, and climate resilience. Recent extremes — from historic droughts to severe flooding — have underscored how both water scarcity and excess are becoming more frequent and disruptive.

Blue Davos brings attention to freshwater access, ocean protection, and the role of “blue foods” such as fish and algae in global nutrition. Organizers say the goal is to connect governments, businesses, and innovators to accelerate action across water systems, from financing infrastructure to protecting marine ecosystems.

With water challenges affecting billions of people worldwide and exposing large parts of the global economy to future risk, Davos 2026 positions water not as a niche environmental issue, but as a core pillar of global stability and long-term prosperity.