The Global Water Organization (GWO) today (June 30) convened representatives of its eight founding member states - Greece, Kuwait, Mauritania, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal and Spain - in Jeddah to review progress since the group's charter was signed last year. 

The meeting took place during the Saudi Water Week, which runs until July 2, and was attended by non-member countries, United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks and regional and international organisations, thus reflecting the growing interest in GWO’s mandate.

According to the organisation, delegates reviewed progress made since the GWO Charter was signed in Riyadh in May 2025, including the adoption of its governance framework, bylaws, financial and administrative regulations, and a four-year strategy focused on research and innovation, data and insights, policy and governance, and financing.

The GWO said it had also expanded its international engagement through participation in water-related conferences and meetings in Dakar, Madrid, Dushanbe and Jeddah as it works towards holding its inaugural General Assembly.

“This meeting reflects the collective commitment of our Member States to shaping a stronger, more coordinated global water sector. Over the past year, we have worked closely with countries and partners to lay the foundations of GWO, and we look forward to advancing the next phase together,” said the GWO’s founding team.

The meeting concluded with member states reaffirming their support for the organisation's development and for closer international cooperation on water governance and management, it added.

As the first global intergovernmental organisation dedicated solely to water, GWO was established in September 2023 as an intergovernmental organisation focused on water cooperation, with the aim of promoting collaboration on water governance, innovation, financing and knowledge sharing.