Water Europe played a pivotal role at World Water Week 2025, leading critical discussions and championing the EU Water Resilience Strategy as a vital framework for navigating global water challenges. Across multiple high-level sessions, the organization’s leadership and ambassadors shared a unified vision for a sustainable, competitive, and water-smart future, grounded in science, innovation, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
A cornerstone of Water Europe’s participation was the convening of the SIWI Seminar series, “Strategic water and climate actions within planetary boundaries.” This multi-session event examined the critical intersection of water management, climate resilience, and ecological limits, aiming to identify actionable strategies for governance, resource recovery, and innovation.
Driving the Discussion on Policy, Innovation, and Governance
In the seminar’s second session, focused on “Policy, Innovation, and Case Studies,” a delegation of Water Europe ambassadors provided expert insights on building a resilient water future.
– Executive Director Durk Krol joined a key panel discussion, underlining that systemic water governance is essential if Europe is to remain within safe planetary boundaries.
– Director of Operations Andrea Rubini presented the crucial role of Water-Oriented Living Labs (WOLLs) in addressing pollution and co-creating fairer water futures through place-based solutions.
– Water Europe board member Pär Larshans highlighted the importance of resource recovery and pollution prevention from sewage and marine environments.
– Stefan Wall Qvist, speaking on behalf of the Water Europe Expert Group on Zero Pollution and Health, shared innovative solutions for tackling emerging pollutants and the regulatory challenges they pose.
Key takeaways from the session emphasized the need to act on novel pollutants before they enter water systems, establish wastewater reuse as a standard practice, and recognize biodiversity and natural ecosystems as critical infrastructure for resilience.
Presenting a Blueprint for a Water-Smart Economy
In the seminar’s third session, “Responding to Risks to Freshwater Planetary Boundary: Strategic Actions from Global to Local,” Executive Director Durk Krol delivered a detailed presentation on how the EU Water Resilience Strategy provides a blueprint for action. He outlined key steps to keep Europe’s freshwater use within planetary boundaries while boosting competitiveness and global cooperation:
– Restoring the water cycle through a holistic source-to-sea approach.
– Building a water-smart economy with a focus on efficiency, reuse, sectoral transition packages, and better data.
– Securing clean and affordable water for all by aligning with the One Health approach.
– Financing resilience with a suite of tools, including the EIB’s €15 billion facility, Cohesion and Recovery funds, and Horizon Europe.
The session underscored that freshwater risk is systemic and requires coordinated, data-driven action grounded in local realities and equitable outcomes.
Accelerating Climate Action Through Cross-Sector Partnerships
Water Europe’s participation concluded with a powerful keynote from Andrea Rubini in the session on “Accelerating Climate Action: Cross-Sector Partnerships for Water Resilience.” His address stressed that achieving NetZero and building a resilient future requires breaking down silos between sectors and borders.
Mr. Rubini reiterated the three interconnected pillars of the EU Water Resilience Strategy: restoring the water cycle, securing clean and affordable water for all, and building a Water-Smart Economy and Society. He framed innovation, governance, and financing as the core enablers of this transition, noting that while water resilience is a global goal, its challenges must be addressed locally through platforms like Water-Oriented Living Labs.
Throughout World Water Week 2025, Water Europe consistently drove the message that with ambitious policy, targeted innovation, and robust collaboration, it is possible to turn strategic goals into tangible, place-based solutions and build a truly Water-Smart Society.
