Water in the European Union's external action - Council Conclusions under the Slovenian Presidency

On 19 November 2021, the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union under the Slovenian Presidency adopted new conclusions on Water in the EU’s External Action. The conclusions stress the strategic importance of water for sustainable development, poverty reduction, food and nutrition security, human development, climate action, environmental protection, biodiversity and ecosystem preservation, humanitarian action, peace and stability.

During its presidency, Slovenia has contributed its water expertise to ensure that, through development and humanitarian aid and water diplomacy, the EU can implement a comprehensive policy for water across its external action.

The Council conclusions look ahead to the United Nations 2023 Water Conference as an opportunity to catalyse political momentum on water with one EU voice, and call for concrete outcomes, to accelerate the achievement of water-related goals and targets and get Sustainable Development Goal 6 back on track.

The EU's comprehensive approach to water will increase the efficiency of its external action, contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development commitment to ‘leave no one behind’ and strengthening the resilience of society to water-related challenges, including the impacts of climate change.

Click to here read the Council conclusions on Water in the EU’s External Action: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/fr/press/press-releases/2021/11/19/water-in-diplomacy-council-confirms-eu-s-commitment-to-enhanced-eu-engagement/