Water resilience should be regarded as a national security priority, delegates at the British Water International Forum 2026 were told during the event held in London.
Andy Roby, senior water resources advisor at the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), said water security is becoming increasingly important in national resilience planning and could create new opportunities for water sector suppliers.
Roby explained that a portion of government defence and resilience spending could support projects related to water infrastructure and climate resilience.
“Some 4.5% of the government’s GDP spending goes on defence, and a portion of that will be for what is being referred to as resilience,” Roby told delegates. “Water resilience will be a key part of that spending and there is a big market opportunity there.”
He also highlighted the need to integrate water-related risks into economic decision making, noting that climate change impacts are heavily linked to water systems.
“The global financial system is not fit for climate change, which is 80% water related. We need to integrate water related risks and opportunities, ensuring water is valued and accounted for in economic and financial decision making,” Roby said.
Water security and global economic resilience
The 2026 UK National Security Assessment on Global Ecosystems identifies the importance of water security in protecting global food systems and climate stability.
Speakers at the forum emphasised that water insecurity is already affecting businesses and supply chains.
Tom Arnot, founder of the Water Innovation & Research Consortium at the University of Bath, urged organisations to place water risks at the centre of business strategy.
He said companies that rely heavily on water resources must ensure water security becomes a priority in board-level decision making.
Arnot also suggested companies explore non-traditional funding opportunities, including resilience and defence budgets, to support water infrastructure investment.
International collaboration in the water sector
The British Water International Forum brought together global stakeholders across the water sector to discuss innovation, collaboration and investment opportunities.
During the event, three memorandums of action were signed between British Water and international partners including the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, the Catalan Water Partnership and the Aquatech global water events platform.
These partnerships aim to strengthen international collaboration and create new opportunities for UK water sector companies seeking to expand into global markets.
Beverley Ferrara, British Water business development lead for Europe and the Commonwealth, said global water infrastructure investment is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades.
According to industry estimates, the global water and wastewater market is valued at more than US$800 billion annually, while future infrastructure investment is expected to reach trillions of dollars.
Lila Thompson, chief executive of British Water, said the organisation’s international partnerships are designed to help members access new markets and investment opportunities.
“This is a critical time for our members in identifying new investment opportunities, better ways of working, and productive collaborations and partnerships with companies and organisations globally,” she said.
The new partnerships are expected to help British Water members access international funding frameworks, pilot projects and new market opportunities.
