On a European Parliament recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on promoting transnational governance on water in the interests of conflict prevention and peace
A-10-2026-0150
Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Leoluca Orlando
- Voted on · Adopted 431–111–103 · See the decision →
- Full procedure 2025/2216
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Parliament recommends that the Council, Commission and EU foreign policy chief make transboundary water governance a central tool of EU external action for conflict prevention and peace, addressing water stress as a security risk and supporting cooperation agreements, funding, and monitoring worldwide.¶¶¶ It calls for integrating water diplomacy into EU policies, expanding projects to more regions, strengthening multilateral cooperation, and ensuring accountability for the weaponisation of water, including support for legal justice and compensation.¶¶¶
Key points
- Recommends recognising water stress as a major security, geopolitical and humanitarian risk and integrating water-related conflict prevention into EU foreign, security and development policy.¶
- Calls for EU support to help governments establish operational agreements and river basin organisations, respecting partner countries' sovereignty, and raising water governance in bilateral dialogues.¶
- Urges providing the EEAS and EU Delegations with financial and human resources to support transboundary water management and develop blue diplomacy.¶
- Demands adequate funding under the next multiannual financial framework via Global Europe and Global Gateway, ensuring investments align with international law and do not undermine transborder water relations.¶
- Calls for strengthening support for environmental rights defenders and civil society in water governance, involving them in EU support and increasing funding for NGOs in fragile regions.¶
- Asks to expand EU transboundary water projects to the Americas, Middle East, North Africa, and East and South Asia, using a Team Europe approach.¶
- Recommends integrating water cooperation into partnerships, supporting capacity building, and tailoring investments to local contexts to make water an instrument of peace.¶
- Calls for stepping up globalisation of the UN Water Convention, supporting SDG 6, and preparing for the 2026 UN Water Conference.¶
- Urges implementing the EU Water Resilience Strategy's global actions, including supporting access for at least 70 million people and engaging in forums like G7 and G20.¶
- Calls for improving data sharing and monitoring of transboundary basins, using digitalisation and satellite surveillance to prevent cross-border pollution and track water-related conflicts.¶¶
- Recommends strengthening international law, condemning the use of water as a weapon, and supporting legal initiatives for justice and compensation for destruction of water infrastructure.¶¶
Who is affected
- Partner countries sharing transboundary water basins, which would receive EU assistance for cooperation agreements and capacity building.¶¶
- Environmental rights defenders and civil society organisations working on water issues, who would gain EU support and protection.¶
- The EEAS and EU Delegations, which would get more resources for water diplomacy.¶
- Countries in regions like the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, where EU water projects would expand.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 70 million people: target for EU support to access water and sanitation under the Water Resilience Strategy.¶