World Vision is convening the Global WASH Forum 2025 from January 27 to 31—an annual, high-level gathering that brings together our global WASH team from more than 40 countries, along with key partners and thought leaders in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector. Held each year to align our collective vision and strategy, the forum plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of WASH programming across World Vision and among our collaborators. The 2025 forum is especially significant, as it will drive the development of our next five-year Global WASH Business Plan and set the course for impact through 2030.
This year’s theme, “Mapping the Blue Thread,” underscores the essential role water plays in every aspect of development—from sanitation and hygiene to health, education, food security, economic growth, and climate resilience. Through this theme, we will explore how local efforts in WASH contribute to global transformation. The forum will focus on operationalizing the blue thread across our programming and deepening our commitment to water as the foundation of human flourishing.
At the heart of the 2025 forum is a place-based approach, ensuring our strategies are locally driven, context-specific, and centered on the needs of the most vulnerable communities. Field teams will collaborate in small-group working sessions to refine country-level WASH business plans, with an emphasis on adaptable and resilient methodologies. Large-group sessions will provide space to align on shared strategies and explore how place-based models drive sustainable and measurable results.
The forum also provides a vital platform for cross-sector integration and learning, spotlighting how WASH intersects with other critical areas of development and supports World Vision’s broader partnership campaigns. Participants will share lessons learned, elevate local expertise, and explore innovations that can be scaled across geographies. The forum will also highlight how our WASH programs align with Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all.
While this is an internal event, we’re excited to share its significance with our wider audience. The Global WASH Forum 2025 affirms World Vision’s role as a global leader in WASH, uniting technical excellence, evidence-based strategies, and grassroots innovation. Stay tuned for key takeaways and insights as we continue our mission to bring life-saving WASH services to children and families in every corner of the world.
