World Water Day – 22 March 2024

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“Truly, groundwater is earth’s last lifeline in the face of the onslaught of climate change and population growth. This invisible resource is essential to the survival of our planet and to the millions who desperately thirst for peace.”- David K. Kreamer, President of the International Association of Hydrogeologists.

World Water Day 2024 brings to focus the theme of ‘Water for Peace’, shedding light on the transformative power of water cooperation in fostering harmony, prosperity, and resilience to global challenges.

Working together on water across borders and sectors can accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals, bolstering food security, sustaining healthy livelihoods and ecosystems, enhancing resilience to climate change, reducing disaster risks, harnessing renewable energy, supporting cities and industries, and promoting regional integration and peace.

The European Union has engaged in a number of projects to support integrated and transboundary water management, both domestically and globally. In particular, the Team Europe Initiative on Transboundary Water Management in Africa and the Team Europe Initiative on Water-Energy-Climate Change in Central Asia are supporting integrated water-energy resources management, promoting regional transboundary water governance, improving continental policies and enabling cooperation and peer learning among transboundary basin bodies.

In neighbourhood countries, the EU supported Albania to align the integrated water resources management principles of its National Water Reform Strategy with the EU’s Water Framework Directive (WFD), thus advancing its EU accession process. Since 2009, the EU has been working with the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), to assist small and medium sized municipalities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in developing sustainable water and sanitation services, in accordance with EU accession conditions. 

In conflict zones like northwest Syria, eastern Ukraine, and Palestine, the EU is working together with its Member States and humanitarian agencies to repair and rehabilitate water networks. 

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In northwest Syria, the EU and GOAL have ensured that 250,000 people have access to drinking water.

In Ukraine, the ongoing conflict continues to cause damage to housing, schools, health facilities and water and electricity supply. With EU humanitarian funding, civilians living in the shadow of conflict can have at least access to water.

In Palestine, the EU, its member States and the Palestinian government, launched in 2023 a new Team Europe Initiative for Water Resources Management – Wastewater Treatment and Reuse. 

As we commemorate World Water Day 2024, and in line with our commitments to the Water Action Agenda, let us act to realise water as a human right through water cooperation. 

For further assistance or guidance with INTPA and NEAR water and sanitation actions, the EU Greening Facility is ready to provide support. If you have any questions or require advice, contact us by writing to INTPA-GREENING-FACILITY@ec.europa.eu | NEAR-GREENING-FACILITY@ec.europa.eu