Two High-Level Panel Sessions hosted at the 2021 European Development Days

During the upcoming 2021 European Development Days, two virtual High-Level Panel Sessions on WASH (June 15) and Transboundary Watersheds (June 16) will be hosted.

Organised by the European Commission, the European Development Days brings the development community together each year to share ideas and experiences in ways that inspire new partnerships and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. The event is fully digital, and the theme this year is "The Green Deal for a Sustainable Future".

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Innovations for Inclusive Growth

How WASH can build economic opportunities while advancing sustainable development

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 14:55 to 15:55 CET

Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is closely linked to the Green Deal, contributing to human development, climate resilience and economies. It is a human right and critical to preventing disease and death. Yet billions of people still do not have access to safe WASH.

This session will explore how innovations – whether technology, business models or policy – can play a game changing role in the WASH sector to achieve SDG 6 targets, reach those left behind, and to meet future challenges with greater inclusion, resilience and sustainability.

High-Level panelists will discuss how innovations like circular sanitation economies and climate resilient infrastructure, paired with governance, technology and investments, can reduce water scarcity, improve sanitation and build a more sustainable future.

• More information about the session is found here.
• Watch video from the High-Level Panel here.
• UNICEF and the Global Water Partnership in Africa issue a joint call to action.

Transboundary watersheds: sharing basins for people, planet, prosperity and peace

Transboundary water cooperation, hydro-diplomacy and integrated basin management as drivers of sustainable development, peace and security within the framework of the development-humanitarian-peace nexus 

Wednesday, June 16, 2021 13:45 to 14:45 CET

Around 60% of global freshwater and 40% of global population are in transboundary basins. Transboundary cooperation, as required by SDG target 6.5, is one of the key means through which to tackle the global water crisis. The 2018 EU Council Conclusions on Water Diplomacy recognize that transboundary water cooperation is critical to ensuring water and sanitation for all (SDG 6) and for achieving other SDGs including climate action, sustainable energy, food security and peace. The Council Conclusions also promote Legal and intergovernmental frameworks for transboundary cooperation, such as the Water Convention.

This session will discuss how transboundary water cooperation, hydro-diplomacy and integrated basin management concretely help to address climate change, prevent conflicts and help achieve the SDGs and EU Green Deal.

High-Level panelists will debate how to strengthen transboundary cooperation, including the role of legal and institutional frameworks, such as the Water Convention.

• More information about the session is found here.