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The EU Water Initiative
No strategy for the reduction of poverty can ignore people�s vital requirements for water, and
sustainable development policies must address the need for equitable and sustainable management of
water resources in the interests of society as a whole.
Therefore, at the 2002 World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg (WSSD), the EU launched a Water Initiative (EUWI) designed to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and WSSD targets for drinking water and sanitation, within the context of an integrated approach to water resources management. The EUWI is conceived as a catalyst and a foundation on which future action can be built to contribute to meeting the water and sanitation MDGs.
Goals
The EU is committed to contribute to achieving the following international goals:
- To halve by 2015 the proportion of people who are unable to reach or afford safe drinking water and the proportion of people who do not have access to adequate sanitation
- To establish national water resource management plans by 2005
These commitments have been reconfirmed in a keynote speech by Mr Adrian Wood, Chief Economist and acting Head of Policy Division, Department for International Development. The speech was held on August 25 at the Multi Stakeholder Forum in Stockholm. Download the speaking notes ...
Documents
- Uk_Presidency_Aug_05_EU_WATER_INITIATIVE_MSF, 5 pages, PDF-Document
Background
Freshwater is a finite and precious resource essential for sustaining life, ensuring sustainable social welfare and economic prosperity, and ecosystem health. No strategy for the reduction of poverty can ignore people’s vital requirements for water. Hence, policies for sustainable development must address the need for equitable and sustainable management of water resources in the interests of society as a whole.
There is evidence of an emerging global water crisis that threatens lives, sustainable development and even peace and security. Population growth coupled with rapid urbanisation, changing lifestyles and economic development has led to increasing pressure on water resources everywhere and especially in developing countries. Today over 1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, over 2.4 billion people do not have adequate sanitation, and 2.2 million people in developing countries, most of them children, die every year from diseases associated with lack of access to safe water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene, namely preventable diseases.
EU member states are among the most important donors in the water – development sector and can draw on a wealth of experience in international development cooperation and water management.
Against this background the EU Water Initiative was launched at the Johannesburg Summit in 2002. The EU Council resolution of 30 May 2002, which has endorsed the EU Water Initiative and its focus on poverty reduction, also highlights the importance of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), emphasises the need to balance human water needs and those of the environment and refers to the EU experience in river basin management.
Approach
The EUWI uses a modular or building block approach. It puts together a cluster of building blocks that assist in bringing different stakeholder activities within a common framework. The EUWI aims to add value to ongoing activities within the EC and EU Member States to improve collaboration with partners in other regions. It seeks to provide an enabling environment for complementary actions within the thematic areas. A set of demonstration projects helps to provide examples of good practice.
The EUWI is based on a participative multi-stakeholder approach. Various strategic partnerships in specific regions draw together government, civil society, private sector and other stakeholders. A number of working groups has been established. Working groups have either a regional/thematic focus (e.g. Water Supply and Sanitation in Africa) or they concentrate on cross-cutting issues (e.g. Research, Finance). An advisory board and a steering group ensure coherence of all EUWI activities.
The main focus of the Water Initiative will be to:
- reinforce political will and commitment to action,
- promote improved water governance, capacity-building and awareness,
- improve the efficiency and effectiveness of water management through multi-stakeholder dialogue and coordination,
- strengthen coordination through promoting river basin approaches, and
- identify additional financial resources and mechanisms to ensure sustainable financing
The EUWI is an innovative attempt to focus increased attention on water-related issues, embracing a broad selection of stakeholder interests and concerns, for purposes of social and economic development and protection of the environment. Its immediate actions are to:
- develop an overview of the situation of different regions and countries with an analysis of major gaps and accompanying organisational, knowledge and financial needs,
- prepare a co-ordinated action programme with a long term-financial strategy providing concrete benchmarks and building blocks until 2015,
- establish a monitoring and reporting mechanism to measure progress in implementation and to steer further action, and
- prepare a work programme for the following years, with specified targets and responsibilities.
EUWI booklet
Download the EUWI brochure ...
Have a look to the EUWI website presentation!
DOWNLOAD IT BELOW
Documents
- EUWI website presentation, Power Point-Presentation
