More than 50 high-level experts from across the EU water sector gather today (21 Sep) in Brussels for the first meeting of the Water Resilience Stakeholder Platform.
The European Commission launched it together with the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Committee of the Regions. The European Water Academy will hold its inaugural meeting in the afternoon.
The launch comes just days after President von der Leyen put water firmly on the EU’s political agenda in her State of the Union address, announcing a new European Water Initiative.
After a summer of extreme heat and record droughts, Europe’s need for water resilience has never been clearer. From farmers facing dwindling water resources to energy producers reducing output because of shortages, changes in the water cycle are affecting society and the economy.
The Commission is therefore stepping up efforts to ensure that no community is left behind and that the Water Resilience Strategy is implemented effectively and fairly across the EU.
Achieving Europe’s water resilience objectives by 2050 will require transformational change at every level. Member States, cities and regions will play a key role, alongside businesses, academia, young people, civil society and financial organisations. Europe’s strongest path forward remains fully implementing the EU’s water legislation and the Water Resilience Strategy.
To support this effort, the new Platform will bring together a broad range of European stakeholders, including business representatives, the water sector, civil society, regional and local authorities, and Member State governments. It will focus on selected priority areas linked to strengthening water resilience, including digitalisation and water efficiency, as well as opportunities to accelerate water reuse.
The Platform will help identify implementation barriers, propose practical solutions and ensure that the Strategy’s actions reflect a wide range of public and sectoral interests.
Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Seamus Boland, and Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Carlos Moedas, will launch it jointly. The three institutions will serve as co-chairs throughout the Platform’s mandate.
“This summer of extreme heat and drought has underlined more than ever how fundamental our water agenda is to increasing our resilience, and the renewed political ambition set out in the State of the Union confirms this.
To advance our EU Water Resilience Strategy, we are launching two key initiatives today. By kicking off the European Water Academy and the Water Resilience Stakeholder Platform, we are gathering everybody around the table to turn our ambitions into actions and ensure that implementation delivers results.”
European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall
“Through the EU Blue Deal, the EESC has consistently championed water as a strategic priority for Europe. Today’s launch of the stakeholder platform is an important milestone in translating that ambition into action. As a farmer and as President of the EESC, I am proud to join forces with the European Commission and the CoR on an issue that touches every aspect of people’s lives. Together, we are building the partnerships needed to secure Europe’s water future.”
President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Seamus Boland
Europe has set the direction on water resilience. Now the European Union must turn that strategy into investment, innovation and action on the ground, empowering cities and regions to protect citizens and build more resilient territories.
Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Carlos Moedas
Today’s launch opens a series of stakeholder consultations taking place in September to advance the Water Resilience and Zero Pollution agendas.
The launch will be followed by the first meeting of the European Water Academy. A flagship action under the Water Resilience Strategy, the Academy aims to build on Europe’s world-leading water sector and wide expertise, upscale Europe’s response to the water crisis, and boost preparedness and professional skills.
Earlier this month, the Commission also launched a Water Resilience Investment Accelerator under Green Assist. The accelerator aims to support 20 innovative pilot projects focused on natural water retention and water efficiency. It will bring together local water investors, solution providers and those facing water-related challenges to inspire similar action across the EU.
Tomorrow, as part of the wider zero pollution agenda, the first meeting of the revamped Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform will take place, with a renewed membership. The Platform will continue supporting the European Commission in realising the objectives of the Zero Pollution Action Plan.
More information
Water Resilience Strategy | European Commission
European Water Academy | European Commission
Zero Pollution Action Plan | European Commission
Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform | European Commission