Brussels, 8 December 2025
SEMIDE took part in the Water Resilience Forum organised by the European Commission in Brussels. The event gathered EU institutions, regional authorities, researchers, and industry leaders to advance the implementation of the EU Water Resilience Strategy.
EU representatives stressed that water resilience is essential for Europe’s climate goals, competitiveness and long-term sustainability. The Commission announced several initiatives for 2026, including a Digital Water Action Plan, an EU Water Academy, a Water Resilience Platform, and a Water Resilience Investment Accelerator.
Discussions also highlighted the need to restore the water cycle, strengthen governance, tackle emerging pollutants, and reopen the Water Framework Directive.
Breakout sessions addressed:
- Water efficiency from agriculture to industry, including reuse, leak detection, nature-based solutions and innovative technologies.
- The upcoming EU Water Academy, focused on training, skills and knowledge transfer.
- Digital transformation, with emphasis on scaling existing tools, interoperability and workforce digital skills.
- Financing water resilience, stressing better governance, improved risk data and recognition of water as a strategic priority in the next EU budget.
- Industrial Challenges and Opportunities – How can the Water Resilience Strategy boost EU competitiveness
- Urban Water Resilience
By participating in the Forum, SEMIDE strengthened cooperation with European water actors and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting knowledge exchange, innovation and improved water governance across the Mediterranean and Europe.
