The European Council’s conclusions on water diplomacy pledge to promote accessions to existing international conventions on transboundary water cooperation.
The statement notes the potential for water insecurity to influence migration flows, with direct implications for the EU, and welcomes recent UN Security Council discussions linking water, climate, peace and security.
19 November 2018: EU foreign affairs ministers have adopted a set of conclusions on water diplomacy, calling for high-level political engagement to prevent and alleviate potential international tensions over the water-related consequences of climate change.
In their statement, ministers affirm several international agreements, initiatives and global goals on water, including SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation). They pledge to promote accessions to existing international conventions on transboundary water cooperation, including the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Water Convention and the UN International Watercourses Convention.
The Water Convention provides a tremendous opportunity to strengthen multilateral responses to water challenges.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council convened from 19-20 November in Brussels, Belgium. The Council’s statement notes the potential for water insecurity to influence migration flows, with direct implications for the EU, and welcomes recent UN Security Council discussions linking water, climate, peace and security. The Council declares its intention to enhance EU diplomatic engagement on the governance of water around the world, including in Central Asia and on the Nile and Mekong rivers. It reaffirms the EU’s commitment to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation, including through further financial and technical cooperation with partner countries.
The UNECE Water Convention, known in full as the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, or the Helsinki Water Convention, opened for global signature in 2016. Responding to the Council’s statement, the UNECE emphasized the effectiveness of the Water Convention as a platform for water cooperation and “a tremendous opportunity” to strengthen multilateral responses to water challenges. The UN regional commission also noted that the EU has recently confirmed its continued support for the Water Convention’s 2019-2020 work programme.
The eighth meeting of the Parties (MOP-8) to the Water Convention convened from 10-12 October 2018 in Astana, Kazakhstan. [EU Press Release] [Council Conclusions on Water Diplomacy] [Foreign Affairs Council Meeting Web Page] [UNECE Press Release]