From Scarcity to Solutions 2025

Images: Getty Images Disclaimer This document is published by the World Economic Forum as a contribution to a project, insight area or interaction. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are a result of a collaborative process facilitated and endorsed by the World Economic Forum but whose results do not necessarily represent the views of the World Economic Forum, nor the entirety of its Members, Partners or other stakeholders. © 2025 World Economic Forum. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system.Contents Foreword Executive summary 1 A holistic framework to transform food-water systems 1.1 Shared challenges, unequal burdens 1.2 Holistic framework to transform food and water systems 1.3 Innovation with practical implications for emerging economies 2 Food-water innovation in action: lessons learned from industry practices 2.1 Where innovation meets impact: the 12 technologies transforming food-water systems 2.2 Innovation at the crossroads: industry applications and lessons learned 3 Five-step blueprint for green food-water transformation Enabling action #1 Build a holistic policy framework Enabling action #2 Forge a robust financial ecosystem Enabling action #3 Cultivate food-water-centric strategic clusters Enabling action #4 Leverage private sector to scale-up food-water technology Enabling action #5 Upskill value chain and bolster consumer acceptance Call to action Contributors Acknowledgements Endnotes3 4 6 6 7 10 13 13 17 33 34 37 39 41 43 43 44 44 46 From Scarcity to Solutions: Food-Water Innovation in Asia and the Middle East 2