From Scarcity to Solutions 2025

Foreword Global food and water systems are at a critical inflection point. Today, agri-food systems alone are responsible for 70% of freshwater use. By 2050, sustaining 9.7 billion people will require more resources even as climate change intensifies water scarcity, soil degradation and ecosystem collapse.1 Solutions remain alarmingly fragmented, often treating food and water as if they are disconnected challenges. This report redefines the paradigm by proposing long-term solutions and an investment case that bridges the food-water nexus. The new paradigm rests on two pillars: Integrated solutions: We propose moving beyond isolated technology fixes to emphasize an ecosystem of action with enablers, such as policy coherence, blended finance and farmer-centric design. Scaled-up water investments: China has achieved 90%+ grain self-sufficiency with 6% of the world’s freshwater; the Middle East now dominates solar-powered desalination with 40% of global output. These are not case studies but successful blueprints that are scalable and applicable, especially in emerging markets. They reveal how constraints fuel ingenuity and investing in food systems requires investing in water.2,3,4 The World Economic Forum’s Food Innovation Hubs reflect this integrated approach – connecting start-ups, corporates, farmers and policy-makers to pilot and accelerate solutions. This is just the beginning and the potential for scaling-up the networks is immense. This white paper is a landscaping study that underscores the related opportunities in food and water and building a healthy ecosystem for transformation. First, collaboration to manage risk, designing for co-investment and adoption of solutions. Second, to position the food-water nexus as a critical impact multiplier to achieve growth through sustainable and resilient economies. The future of food and water is not a choice but an imperative and an opportunity. We hope this report promotes greater understanding of how we can win together.From Scarcity to Solutions: Food-Water Innovation in Asia and the Middle EastJune 2025 Sebastian Buckup Managing Director, World Economic Forum Yvonne Zhou Managing Director and Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group Gim Huay Neo Managing Director, Chair of Greater China, World Economic Forum From Scarcity to Solutions: Food-Water Innovation in Asia and the Middle East 3