With the words “we want cities to lead the European Urban Water Agenda 2030”, Karen Dalgaard-Sanning from the Directorate-General European Commission, DG Environment, set the tone for discussions at ICLEI’s latest Breakfast at Sustainability’s session, which took place in Brussels (Belgium) on 28 June 2017.

Exchanging perspectives on the needs and interests of ‘Cities driving integrated urban water management’, representatives from over 30 cities and other stakeholder institutions gathered to examine the opportunities presented by the Urban Water Agenda 2030. The initiative was established with the support of the European Commission in early 2016.

Many European cities have already taken big strides towards making sustainable water management a reality. Six of them – Copenhagen (Denmark), Genk (Belgium), Leeuwarden (The Netherlands), Oslo (Norway), Paris (France), and Stockholm (Sweden) – shared their perspectives on what is needed at the local level to make this happen, whilst expressing their readiness to play an active role in the Urban Water Agenda 2030 process.

“We want to develop a comprehensive approach to water”, said Arnaud Stotzenbach, Deputy Director for Water and Sanitation for the City of Paris. The five strategic directions presented as part of the draft agenda were received well by participants. Potential additional agenda points mentioned in discussions included the need to integrate water across various urban management sectors, link up existing water-related initiatives, and build an effective governance system.

The draft Urban Water Agenda 2030 is open to public consultation until 31 July 2017: European cities, water utilities and operators, and other water sector experts are invited to comment. On behalf of the European Commission, ICLEI and EUROCITIES are conducting an online survey to collect their opinions. Its results will help guide the agenda's future development.

To participate in the survey and for more information about the consultation process and EU Urban Water Agenda 2030, click here or contact water@iclei.org.