Why European Union Ministers Should Be in Madrid This October
Spain addresses the 2025 SMM at the 2026 Water Conference preparatory meeting in New York.
In October 2025, the Government of Spain, in collaboration with the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) partnership and UNICEF, will host the Sector Ministers Meeting (SMM)—and for the first time, this high-level convening will take place in Europe. Bringing together ministers for water, sanitation, environment, and climate, it offers a rare opportunity to advance Sustainable Development Goal 6 - water and sanitation for all - alongside the recognised human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, and to align these with urgent priorities in climate resilience, resource security, and geopolitical stability.
The stakes could not be higher. Climate change is reshaping the water cycle, creating new pressures on water availability and quality. For European governments, the 2025 Sector Ministers Meeting is a timely opportunity to work with global partners on water and sanitation challenges, align policies, and target support where it is most needed. While it will not solve these issues immediately, it can build the momentum and trust required for sustained action — turning water insecurity from a risk into a driver of resilience and cooperation, and helping Europe manage risks such as migration, supply chain shocks, and geopolitical tensions.
For EU countries, the 2025 SMM is not simply a development meeting—it is a diplomatic and strategic opportunity.
1. Strengthening Global Water Security
Water is at the heart of peace, security, and prosperity. Yet, water scarcity is driving health crises, displacement, and fragility in climate “hot spots” such as Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America—regions that together hold 55% of the developing world’s population.
Without urgent, coordinated action, the World Bank estimates up to 143 million people could be displaced by 2050 due to climate impacts on water resources. The SMM provides EU ministers with an opportunity to initiate and deepen collaboration with representatives from 80 UN Member States, focusing on the underlying factors of water insecurity that contribute to instability and migration.
2. Advancing the EU Water Resilience Strategy
The EU’s recently-launched Water Resilience Strategy needs a strong international dimension to succeed. The SMM offers the perfect platform to:
Share case studies of EU innovations in water efficiency, governance, and climate-smart infrastructure.
Promote integrated approaches that link water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) with water resource management and climate action.
Align with global partners to set common standards for resilient water governance.
3. Boosting Team Europe Initiatives
Participation in the SMM can catalyse a Team Europe Initiative on Water, Sanitation, and Climate Adaptation — uniting EU diplomacy, climate financing, and development. Such an initiative could bridge climate adaptation, integrated water resource management, and WASH services—ensuring that EU investment delivers measurable results.
4. Coordinating Aid and Investments for Greater Impact
With 80 UN member states and major financing partners in the room, the SMM enables unprecedented coordination. This is a chance to:
Pool resources and avoid duplication in Official Development Assistance.
Explore blended finance models combining public and private investment.
Expand the EU’s Global Gateway partnerships to include water resilience alongside energy and digital connectivity.
5. Demonstrating EU Leadership on Climate Adaptation and Finance
The water and sanitation sector remains critically underfunded in climate adaptation efforts. By using the SMM to commit new resources—aligned with the Global Goal on Adaptation’s water and sanitation target—the EU can lead in ensuring vulnerable partner countries have the infrastructure they need to withstand climate shocks.
How EU Countries Can Engage at the SMM
Send a high-level representative—ideally the minister responsible for water, sanitation, environment, or climate.
Showcase EU leadership through plenary interventions and ministerial dialogues on circular water economy, digital water systems, resilient infrastructure, and financing solutions.
Activate embassies and development agencies in SWA partner countries to participate in preparatory dialogues.
Madrid 2025 provides the EU with a chance to advance water and sanitation as integral to climate, development, and security agendas. By building durable partnerships and aligning policies, European governments can help lay the groundwork for long‑term stability and resilience at home and abroad.
