On Friday 19 November, the European Development Ministers discussed the strategic importance of water as part of international relations and the European Union’s external policy for achieving the UN’s sustainable development objectives and green recovery.
This debate focused on Central Asia, ahead of the 17th EU/Central Asia Ministerial Meeting due to be attended by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen. The meeting is scheduled to take place from 21 to 24 November in Dushanbe (Tajikistan) (see EUROPE 12833/28).
In conclusions adopted the same day, without being debated, the EU Council underlines the strategic importance of water as a human right, and its importance for sustainable development, poverty reduction, food and nutrition security, climate action and biodiversity, humanitarian action, peace and stability.
It reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to water diplomacy, in particular for fostering cross-border cooperation and as a tool for peace, security and stability, while also calling for increased synergies between water, climate and energy diplomacy.
The EU Council expressed concerns that the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) – ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for everyone – is not on track and is underfunded.
It has therefore called for a stronger focus on water in the EU’s external action and in the UN programmes, more in line with the overall framework for accelerating SDG 6.
The EU also stressed the need to achieve concrete results at the UN Water Conference in 2023, which will mobilise all stakeholders and sectors.
See the conclusions: https://bit.ly/3kS9QUX (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)