It is essential to sustain the political momentum of the UN 2023 Water Conference, to accelerate actions for clean water and sanitation for all by 2030. The EU’s commitments to the Water Action Agenda show its determination to take action.
What’s at stake?
Without water there is no life. Access to water is a human right. It is also an indispensable resource for the economy – for food, energy and industry.
Water stress is increasing worldwide. It is driven by overdemand, mismanagement and the impacts of the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Unless we act now, almost half of the world’s population will suffer acute water stress by 2030. Urgent global action is needed to turn this around.
We need water for…
Food security: climate change and overuse of water can affect the availability and price of food.
Energy security: less water is used for renewable energy sources than fossil fuels, but challenges remain.
Health: clean, safe and affordable water is essential for people’s health.
Peace: transboundary water cooperation can be a catalyst for peace, rather than conflict.
Nature: thriving healthy ecosystems require clean water and can help mitigate the effects of climate change.
EU vision for 2050
The EU commitments to the Water Action Agenda aim to achieve
- water security for all
- global resilience to water stress
- the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation, without compromising the rights of future generations
- protected and restored aquatic ecosystems
- a fair balance between water supply and demand
EU priorities
- access to safe drinking water and sanitation as a human right
- protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems for sustainable development, climate mitigation and adaptation
- promoting a more integrated approach to the management of water resources across sectors
- promoting circularity in the use of water for industry, energy and agriculture by increasing water efficiency and water reuse
- developing transboundary water cooperation, as a catalyst for peace and security
- mobilising public and private finance, research and innovation, and knowledge sharing
Upcoming events
Delivering the science we need for the ocean we want (Barcelona, Spain)
EU commitments to the Water Action Agenda
One of the main outcomes of the UN 2023 Water Conference is the Water Action Agenda with over 750 voluntary commitments, pledges and actions from public, intergovernmental, private and civil actors, from all over the world.
The European Commission has presented 33 commitments for concrete and transformative actions. The aim is to further increase political attention, visibility and public awareness of global water challenges and to learn from our partners worldwide.