Championing Water Resilience at the EU Level: SIWI meets with Commissioner Hoekstra
On 24 April 2025, SIWI’s Senior Manager for International Policy and Processes, Maggie White, will meet with the Cabinet of Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra in Brussels. This high-level engagement marks a pivotal moment in SIWI’s efforts to advocate for the central role of water in the European Union’s climate leadership.
The meeting is part of a broader initiative led by the Water Resilience Coalition—of which SIWI is an active member—to shape the EU’s new mandate (2024–2029) through the development of a European Water Resilience Strategy.
Read SIWI’s full contribution to the EU’s call for evidence: Download PDF
As the EU works towards climate neutrality, water must be at the heart of resilience strategies. SIWI’s position paper, submitted in March 2025, emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen water governance and integrate water-smart solutions across EU policies and investments.
SIWI’s Key Messages to Commissioner Hoekstra
Maggie White will spotlight how water resilience underpins successful climate action and delivers a just transition, calling for:
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Water-smart investments in both climate adaptation and mitigation.
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Enhanced transboundary water diplomacy to secure peace and regional stability.
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Nature-based solutions to restore ecosystems and reduce urban vulnerabilities.
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A unified voice for water at COP30, building on the Baku Declaration on Water for Climate Action and the Water for Climate Pavilion momentum.
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Inclusive, multistakeholder momentum toward the UN 2026 Water Conference.
These recommendations align closely with SIWI’s long-term mission: to promote sustainable water management as a lever for climate resilience and social equity.
This engagement builds on SIWI’s participation in the high-level stakeholder consultation in Brussels on 6 March and its co-leadership in the Water for Climate Pavilion at COP events, fostering coordinated action across the international water community
“As we look toward COP30, Europe has a unique opportunity to lead with a unified voice on water. Resilient water systems are essential to climate justice, and the EU must champion them on the global stage.”
Join the Movement
Water connects sectors, borders, and solutions. SIWI invites partners, policymakers, and citizens to help elevate water on the climate agenda. Continue the conversation at the Water for Climate Pavilion and stay tuned for post-meeting reflections.
Read SIWI’s full contribution to the EU’s call for evidence
- Agriculture and water
- Transboundary Water Cooperation
- Stockholm Water Prize
