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DRAFT REPORT (2025/2216(INI))

On a European Parliament recommendation to the Council, 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

AFET-PR-779681

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Leoluca Orlando

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This draft report recommends that the Council, Commission and High Representative promote transnational water governance to prevent conflicts and build peace. It calls for increased funding, expanded geographic scope, stronger multilateral cooperation, better data sharing, and an EU Special Representative for water conflicts.

Committee position. The rapporteur recommends that the Council, Commission and High Representative adopt a series of measures to promote transnational water governance for conflict prevention and peace.

Key points

  1. Increase the role of transboundary water governance in EU external action as a tool for conflict prevention and resolution, especially in climate-vulnerable areas.
  2. Address the lack of operational agreements between governments sharing transboundary basins and provide EU expertise and financial assistance to establish such arrangements and river basin organisations.
  3. Strengthen the role of transnational water governance in EU diplomacy by providing the EEAS and EU Delegations with financial and human resources for water diplomacy activities.
  4. Ensure increased and steady funding for EU transboundary water management under the next multiannual financial framework.
  5. Expand the geographic scope of EU transboundary water projects beyond Africa and Central Asia to the Americas, Middle East, North Africa, East and South Asia.
  6. Strengthen multilateral cooperation on water, including globalising the UN Water Convention and supporting SDG6 on clean water and sanitation.
  7. Invest in a transparent overview of EU support for transboundary water management and ensure coherence across Directorates-General, EEAS and Commission.
  8. Work to ensure clean water, promote sustainable management, and implement innovative technologies including nature-based solutions.
  9. Address data gaps by equipping partner countries with resources to monitor water levels and quality, and by exchanging data and fostering common standards.
  10. Promote intergovernmental and regional cooperation for fair water distribution, and support local governance structures for inclusive decision-making.
  11. Strengthen EU monitoring and early warning capacities through digitalisation, including monitoring water-related conflict risks and weaponisation of water.
  12. Incentivise research on sustainable transboundary water management, including through Horizon Europe, and appoint an EU Special Representative for water conflicts.

Who is affected

  • Governments sharing transboundary water basins will receive EU assistance to establish agreements and river basin organisations.
  • EEAS and EU Delegations will get resources to initiate water diplomacy activities in partner countries.
  • Partner countries will be equipped with technical resources to monitor water levels and quality.
  • Local and community governance structures will be supported for inclusive water management.

Figures and deadlines

  • 60 % of the world's freshwater flows are in transboundary aquifers, lakes and river basins.