Why water should be in the center of the development policy?

The 8th edition of the REFLECT programme (Reflecting on Experience For Learning, Enhancing Capacity and Uptake) took place on Tuesday 25.10.2016 with Andre LIEBAERT as a guest speaker. Building on his knowledge and experience as an expert on water policy Andre LIEBAERT provided the participants with interesting insights around the nature of current and future global water related problems and offered us his advice on the ways to improve effectiveness of EU development policy in the field.

Andre LIEBAERT, served the E.C.’s development related topics for 29 years (1987-2016). André LIEBAERT is Civil engineer. He worked for UN agencies in different African countries and for the Belgian cooperation before he joined the European Commission in 1987. He spent his whole career in the development DGs, starting with DG8, as manager of infrastructure projects in ACP countries. Until 2000 (DG8/DG Development): Management of projects in water and sanitation and water resources management in ACP (Africa, Caribbean & Pacific) countries and regions. Since the creation of DG Development in 2000, André LIEBAERT has been in charge of water policy, representation in international fora, including coordination of the EU Water Initiative and establishment of the ACP-EU Water Facility, launched at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, permanent member of Troika for EUWI Africa Working Group. Since October 2015 he was deputy Head of Unit in DEVCO/C5 – Water Infrastructure and Cities.

Water constitutes a major element of inter-linkages between many SDGs.

More than half of all illnesses in developing countries are caused by poor water and sanitation conditions. It is common for women and children to have to walk several kilometres every day to fetch water for their families.

Water is a key factor influencing local political and socio-economic dynamics and relations. It may be a source of cooperation or a source for destabilisation and conflict, both within or between states. Unfortunately, all is not well with this vital resource. People are using more water than ever before. The functioning of ecosystems and, thus, existing water supplies are increasingly under stress due to agricultural production, industrial activities, energy production, urban development, population growth, unsustainable consumption and insufficient waste and pollution management. By 2025, two thirds of the world population could live under water stress conditions. The situation of water scarcity and extreme water-related events is further aggravated by changes in climate, which are already influencing both the quality and quantity of available water, within Europe and across the world.

Summary of the presentation. Having been involved in the water sector throughout most of his working time, Andre focused his presentation on the ‘Role of water in development cooperation’, stressing the multidimensional character of water. Here are some reflections and advocacy, with a genuine concern about the continuity of his actions.

Water is life, peace and dignity, a source of growth and cooperation.

Access to drinking water and sanitation represents the social dimension and is recognized as a human right. It was part of the MDGs, leaving an important unfinished work, particularly on sanitation. WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) contributes to poverty alleviation, improved health, nutrition and education with a strong gender aspect and is an important element of both rural and urban development.

The management of water resources addresses all social, economic, environmental and political dimensions. The world’s water resources are under rapidly growing pressure, which is recognized as a major global risk. Sustainable growth relates to the nexus between water, energy and food security, requiring investment in multi-purpose infrastructure. Healthy aquatic ecosystems are essential for the water cycle, and the environment in general. The links are also strong with climate change, and with migration aspects, in areas of high water stress such as North Africa, the Sahel and the Middle East.

Cooperation on trans-boundary waters is politically sensitive, but is potentially an important factor of regional integration and peace. Andre referred to the specific case of the Nile, one of the most interesting and challenging files he had to deal with, under which all these dimensions are coming forward, constituting a primary case for ‘water diplomacy’ and development acting together. He highlighted some of the lessons related to the benefits of cooperation between riparian countries through a shared vision, joint strategies and investment projects. Integrated water resources management has proven to be an effective adaptation mechanism to build resilience to climate change.

Considering this multidimensional character, water and its nexus with many other sectors must be seen as a priority area for addressing inter-linkages between SDGs. Andre expressed the recommendation and hope that this issue will be taken into account in the ongoing revision of the development policy agenda.

His second point was to recall how he was involved in representing DEVCO in the work of the international water community, underlining the added-value of this presence in terms of coordination, coherence and complementarity of policies and strategies to achieve the multidimensional goals mentioned before. This covers the cooperation and synergies with international networks and partnerships, the close interaction with EU Member States and the different stakeholders. A multi-stakeholder approach is very relevant and constructive in this field. Here also, his recommendation was to maintain a certain focus on this dimension of the work, with appropriate human and financial resources.

Finally, he expressed how much he has felt privileged to have been able to concentrate his professional career on this field of work. It allowed him acting with a long-term commitment, which makes much sense for water-related issues. He strongly believes that such a perspective has a value for assisting the colleagues working in the field and in other areas within shorter rotation patterns, and to ensure coherence in the work being developed by the institution. While sharing his positive feelings about this role as a sector specialist during his time in the development cooperation departments of the EC, from DG8 to DEVCO, Andre wanted to call on the Commission to further allow and valorize this type of very rewarding expert professional career.

Further discussion. Andre's rich presentation stimulated the thoughts of participants and an inspired Q&A conversation followed.

Departing from an overview and assessment of the nature of current and future global water related problems, André offered us his advice on the ways to improve effectiveness of EU development policy in the field. Although water is a well-known problem since a long time it’s still not resolved. Drinking water and sanitation and sustainable management of water resources are essential for poverty alleviation, health, sustainable growth and productivity, as well as prevention of conflicts and natural disasters. A policy mix including strong dialogue with civil society as well as with the more complex role of the private sector is necessary. The importance of water as a human right inside and outside the EU is reflected in the mobilisation through the European Citizens Initiative and its significance and implications at the high political level. The crucial water topic has to be integrated in the strategic and program evaluations by encapsulating the key elements in awareness and knowledge sharing. With water at the very core of sustainable development, SDG 6 has strong linkages to most of the other SDGs. Meeting SDG 6 would go a long way towards achieving much of the 2030 Agenda.

Sustainable Development Goal 6 — “Ensure access to water and sanitation for all.”

The SDGs covers a wide range of drivers across the three pillars of sustainable development, and include a dedicated goal on water and sanitation (SDG 6) that sets out to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”. SDG 6 expands the MDG focus on drinking water and basic sanitation to now cover the entire water cycle, including the management of water, wastewater and ecosystem resources.