The European Union, speaking at the sixth annual SDG 6 Special Event of the UN High Level Political Forum on 7 July 2026, urged a course correction on water and sanitation goals, citing the newly launched 2026 SDG 6 Synthesis Report as an evidence base for action. Roderick Harte, First Secretary at the EU Delegation to the UN, delivered the statement on behalf of the EU and its Member States, emphasizing the need for integrated water management and stronger transboundary cooperation.
The statement welcomed the Synthesis Report as a timely contribution to the Forum's in-depth review of SDG 6, which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Harte highlighted the strong interlinkages between water, climate, food systems, energy, health, biodiversity, and resilient ecosystems, calling for science-based policy responses. He also stressed the value of peer learning and country acceleration efforts, including SDG 6 case studies, to translate global commitments into scalable national and local solutions.
Progress, Harte argued, will not be possible without stronger transboundary water cooperation and increased financing from all sources. The EU expressed readiness to work with all partners to ensure that the 2026 UN Water Conference turns the Synthesis Report's findings into enhanced implementation, accelerated action, strengthened accountability, and practical solutions at scale. The statement did not announce new EU funding or legislative measures but reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to multilateral water governance and the 2030 Agenda.