Statement by Commissioner Roswall on World Water Day

Water is essential to all life. A stable global water cycle is crucial for the health and prosperity of both people and the planet. For saturday’ s World Water Day, we focus on glaciers – an important part of this cycle. They are vital freshwater reserves that support ecosystems and communities. The European Copernicus Earth observation program is key to monitor global glacier evolution.

Climate change, pollution, and unsustainable practices are disrupting the water cycle, leading to more extreme weather, accelerated glacier melt, and increased water scarcity. Given these challenges, urgent, coordinated action is needed. The EU is committed to working on this with global partners like the UN and delivering on an actionable agenda for the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Water must remain a priority in global discussions. We urge future events like the third UN Ocean Conference and COP30 to prioritize freshwater issues, including source-to-sea approaches and cooperation across borders.

The EU’s upcoming Water Resilience Strategy will aim to boost resilience in Europe and beyond by stepping up cooperation at all levels and moving to a water-smart economy. Every drop counts, and every action matters. We call on all to strengthen water and climate policies. Together, let’s ensure water drives prosperity and peace.

Source: Europen Commission