Commissioner Jessika Roswall delivered a keynote address at a United Nations side event on September 25, 2025, focusing on global water resilience and security. Her speech outlined the EU’s approach to tackling water-related challenges amid increasing droughts, floods, and escalating economic damages linked to climate extremes.
EU Water Resilience Strategy: Three Core Pillars
Roswall presented the European Water Resilience Strategy adopted in June 2025 as a concrete roadmap. This strategy aims to restore and protect the water cycle, build a water-smart economy enhancing competitiveness, and ensure clean, affordable water access for all. It is supported by a concrete commitment from the European Investment Bank to invest €15 billion over 2025-2027 to address Europe’s water crisis.
Policy Orientation and Cleavages
Roswall’s proposal reinforces the integration of EU powers in water management, emphasizing a shift from national sovereignty towards coordinated European and global cooperation. It elevates regulatory and investment roles of EU institutions and marks a strong call for enhanced international diplomacy on transboundary water issues. The strategy highlights an increase in funding and institutional strength, notably with the EIB’s financial commitment and the EU’s leadership ambitions.
Stakeholder Impact
For the EIB and EU regulatory bodies, the strategy entails sizeable financial and operational involvement. National EU authorities face increased coordination demands and integration pressures. Water-dependent industries may see elevated compliance costs but could benefit from innovation-driven competitiveness improvements. EU citizens stand to gain from improved water access and resilience, though these benefits depend on successful implementation.
Global Dimension
Roswall stressed the necessity of global cooperation, proposing support for worldwide water infrastructure and integrated water resource management, which could bridge international finance gaps and amplify EU diplomatic engagement. The speech anticipated the upcoming 2026 UN Water Conference as a critical platform for reinforcing action.
Commissioner Roswall’s speech framed water security as a multifaceted challenge demanding bold, unified responses anchored in science, technology, and diplomacy. Her concrete proposals signal a notable expansion of EU engagement and investment in water governance both domestically and globally.