Brussels: The European Parliament has taken a significant step by urging the European Union to intensify its external actions against the weaponisation of water, which has increasingly become a tool for coercion and conflict across the globe. This call was made during a plenary session where Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) expressed concern over the growing use of water as an instrument for political pressure and warfare.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the report, which was adopted with 431 votes in favor, 111 against, and 103 abstentions, highlights the need for the EU to incorporate water-related risks into its conflict prevention and peacebuilding strategies. The report emphasizes that approximately 2.2 billion people currently lack access to safe drinking water, while 3.5 billion people are without adequate sanitation services, underscoring the urgency of the matter.
Furthermore, MEPs have acknowledged the insufficiency of water cooperation despite the escalating pressure on shared water resources. With only 43 agreements in place for shared transboundary waters, they have called upon the EU to assist partner countries in negotiating and implementing effective transnational water governance. This, they argue, can play a pivotal role in reducing tensions, fostering regional cooperation, and ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources.
The report also stresses the importance of ensuring proper funding for water governance under the next long-term EU budget. This includes support through the Global Europe and Global Gateway programmes, as well as increased EU investment and partnerships in climate-resilient water management and sanitation infrastructure. Such measures are deemed crucial, especially in fragile and conflict-affected regions, to help mitigate the risk of displacement and violence.
In addressing justice and accountability, MEPs have pointed to instances such as Russia's reported destruction of Ukraine's water infrastructure and the control imbalances in the Middle East affecting Palestinian communities. They emphasize the necessity for accountability for any deliberate targeting or denial of access to water infrastructure during conflicts. The MEPs also support legal initiatives to ensure justice and compensation for affected communities and stress the importance of strengthening international law and the role of competent criminal courts.
Rapporteur Leoluca Orlando (Greens/EFA, Italy) stated, "Access to water is a human right and a prerequisite for stability and peace. Yet it is coming under increasing pressure." He highlighted the challenges posed by overexploitation, pollution, population growth, and climate change, which are contributing to severe water scarcity and fueling crises and conflicts globally. The report offers proposals for long-term action to prevent such crises and calls for the strengthening and better integration of existing foreign policy instruments. Orlando urged European leaders and institutions to prioritize the transnational governance of water resources within the EU's foreign policy framework.
The growing pressure on water resources, driven by factors like population growth and unsustainable industrial practices, continues to contribute to water scarcity, food insecurity, and conflict. With around 4 billion people experiencing severe water scarcity for at least one month each year, the report underscores the critical need for coordinated international efforts to address these challenges.