Last month, Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the composition of the new European Commission for the 2024-2029 mandate. Water Europe welcomes the appointment of Jessika Roswall as Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, which has been a key request from Water Europe in its manifesto along with a Water Strategy and a Blue Transition Funds.
Water Europe and its members have been advocating and working together to push forward for a Commissioner in charge of water. The appointment of Ms. Roswall demonstrates the growing interest in water-related dossier and the importance to holistically deal with water. This new step must nevertheless lead to concrete action and not be just window-dressing and a succession of nice statements. Ms Roswall will report to the vice-president Tibera in charge of the just transition. However there is no clear connection with further commission, except Mr. Hansen in charge of agriculture. The socio-economic value of water should not be forgotten in the development of the Water Resilience Strategy.
The next step is the hearings of the new commission from the 4th to the 9th November in the European Parliament. The Member of the Euroepan Parliament will grill the different commissioner in their capacity to achieve their missions allocated by Ursula von der Leyn in their letters. The Commission is expected to begin its official duties on December 1st.
We are looking forward to working with her towards achieving a water-smart, water-resilient Europe, as supported in our vision. Read here the European Commission’s press statement.
