Towards a new EU Blue deal to combat drought and water shortages

Seminar organised in Brussels in the framework of the 21st European Week of Regions and Cities

Date: 10 October 2023

On 10 October, EA Group organised a seminar "Towards a new EU Blue Deal to combat drought and water shortages" in the context of the European Week of Regions and Cities.

Chaired by the EA President Karl Vanlouwe, the seminar saw the participation of high-level speakers, including European Commission's DG Environment Director Veronica Manfredi, Tom De Vits, Special Advisor to Flemish Minister for Environment and Energy Zuhal Demir and Druk Krol, Executive Director of Water Europe.

Regions across the EU have been experiencing recurring droughts and water shortages which are becoming more regular and severe, causing huge socio-economic problems and increasing the probability of natural disasters.

Dry riverbeds, depleted water reserves are putting huge strain on our ecosystems, economy and communities. We can no longer afford to remain passive observers” said EA President Karl Vanlouwe, while opening the seminar.

Ms Manfredi, European Commission Director in DG Environment pointed out that 30% of treated water gets lost and that we need a systemic transformation as to how water is used and valued to protect ecosystems.

Flanders' Blue Deal Strategy was also presented as a case of best practice to tackle drought and water shortages. Flanders government special advisor Tom De Vits pointed out that with this strategy Flanders will ameliorate water retention, restore wetlands and promote circular use of water in industry and agriculture.

Mr Druk Krol, Executive Director of Water Europe presented Water Europe Manifesto for a Water Smart Strategy that highlights the importance to deal with cross sectoral water risk and challenges and to take into account of its crucial contribution to EU competitiveness.

The EA Group in the CoR call for an EU Blue Deal and coordinated action at European scale to address water crisis as a priority. We hope this will become one of the top priorities of the next, concluded the EA President Karl Vanlouwe.

Documents:

Agenda of the seminar
Presentation by Tom De Wits, Policy Advisor to the Flemish Minister of Environment and Energy
Presentation by Durk Krol, Executive Director at Water Europe