International governance and the challenges of sustainable water management

Water is a global common good. Yet we are facing a structural ‘water crisis’: 2.1 billion people still do not have reliable access to safe drinking water, and ecosystems are collapsing. Stating that water is a priority is essential, but it is not enough: it is imperative to recognise water as a vital resource, central to all development models across all economic sectors and human activities: agriculture, energy, land use planning, health, industry and international solidarity.

Ahead of the 3rd United Nations Water Conference (Abu Dhabi, December 2026), the EESC is assessing the capacity of the current international governance framework to address the challenges of water management. The aim is to draw up practical proposals to strengthen the effectiveness, coherence and legitimacy of multilateral action.