Water Europe, alongside with key partners WaterAid and Wetlands International, met on April 22 with the cabinet of Jozef Sikela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, to advocate for the strategic positioning of water as a cornerstone of sustainable development, economic diplomacy, and global cooperation within the EU’s external actions.
The delegation, which included Durk Krol (Director General, Water Europe), Alexandra Chevalier (Senior EU Policy Officer, WaterAid), and Martina Kurten (Head of Global Policy, Wetlands International), delivered a clear message: water security is fundamental to achieving broader EU objectives internationally.
Durk Krol emphasized the potential of existing EU mechanisms to drive progress. “Through initiatives like the Global Gateway, Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships, and Team Europe Initiatives, Europe possesses the strategic tools to foster a resilient, just, and water-secure future,” stated Krol. He underlined the interconnectedness of water with global stability, adding, “Investing in water is not solely a humanitarian imperative—it is a matter of shared prosperity and geopolitical stability.”
During the meeting, the water stakeholders presented key recommendations to the Commissioner’s Cabinet aimed at integrating water more effectively into EU policy and programming:
– Mainstream Water & WASH: Ensure water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are central components of EU development, peacebuilding, and humanitarian programmes.
– Coordinate UN Water Conference Commitments: Enhance coordination with DG Environment (DG ENVI) regarding the EU’s role and the tracking of commitments leading up to the 2026 UN Water Conference.
– Advance Gender Equality: Promote gender equality in the water sector through improved access to education, certification programs, and tailored funding mechanisms specifically for women-led organisations.
– Promote Nature-Based Solutions (NbS): Champion the use of Nature-based Solutions and integrate the conservation and restoration of wetlands into Global Gateway corridors and Team Europe Initiative (TEI) investment pipelines.
– Support Sustainable Water Management: Integrate sustainable water management practices into clean technology initiatives, raw materials sourcing, and strategic partnerships facilitated by Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships.
– Enhance Local Funding: Develop funding mechanisms designed to better reach local civil society actors, thereby strengthening community-based implementation of water projects.
The meeting underscores the growing recognition among water sector leaders and policymakers of the critical need to prioritize water action to achieve sustainable development goals and ensure global stability. The participating organizations look forward to continued dialogue and collaboration with the European Commission to translate these recommendations into tangible actions.
