26 June 2025

EU statement

Mr. President,

The EU thanks the OHCHR for organizing this panel discussion and appreciates the active participation of the Sherpas of the upcoming 2026 UN Water Conference.

Given the existing challenges on the realization of the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, the upcoming conference provides a unique opportunity to make sure that all discussions on water maintain a strong focus on Human Rights. 

Water must remain available to all human beings. It must be made accessible and kept affordable and be provided in a way that protects human dignity. And none of these dimensions can be achieved without ensuring that the quality and quantity of water resources worldwide – even in times of competing uses and needs – remain fit for human consumption. 

The EU aims to keep water high on the global political agenda, therefore we look forward to mainstreaming these criteria at the 2026 water conference and call for regular UN Conferences on water that will allow Member States and stakeholders a continuous dialogue on water, the promotion of partnerships and solutions to overcome the global water challenges and to promote the fulfillment of the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation.

Thank you.