No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.
Mission & Goals
The Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA) is an international, members-based network working to build a water-resilient world by mainstreaming water resources management into climate and development decisions. AGWA provides tools, partnerships, guidance, and technical assistance to strengthen water governance under climate change. Its work spans network convening, knowledge sharing, and advocacy, alongside policy support, methodological development, capacity building, and training. AGWA links water with energy, agriculture, trade, ecosystems, and sustainable development, ensuring climate and water policies reach resilient communities and institutions. Guiding values: sustainable water management underpins development, climate action, and risk management; policies should be robust yet flexible under climate uncertainty; ecosystem resilience is fundamental; and adaptation and mitigation should advance socio-economic and environmental outcomes.
EU Legislative Interests
AGWA's interest representation activities focus on mainstreaming water resilience across European Union water policy, climate adaptation, research and innovation, and external action. The most recent and ongoing EU files targeted by AGWA's engagement are: Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the European Water Resilience Strategy (adopted 4 June 2025), including the associated Water Resilience Strategy Actions Tracker, the biennial Water Resilience Forum, and the Water Resilience Stakeholder Platform. European Parliament Resolution of 7 May 2025 on the European Water Resilience Strategy (procedure 2024/2104(INI), rapporteur Thomas Bajada), and the accompanying report of the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (A10-0073/2025). Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (Water Framework Directive), including its potential revision under the European Water Resilience Strategy, and Directive 2007/60/EC on the assessment and management of flood risks (Floods Directive). Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2024 on the restoration of nature, specifically its water-related provisions and the national Restoration Plans to be developed by 2026. The forthcoming European Climate Adaptation Plan, announced under the European Commission 2024 to 2029. Political Guidelines and expected in the second half of 2026. The forthcoming integrated framework for European climate resilience and risk management, due at the end of 2026. The forthcoming Water Resilience Research and Innovation Strategy, to be adopted by the end of 2026. Horizon Europe Missions on Adaptation to Climate Change and Restore our Oceans, Seas and Waters, the European Partnership Water Security for the Planet (Water4All), and the forthcoming Knowledge and Innovation Community on Water, Marine and Maritime Sectors and Ecosystems under the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. The European Economic and Social Committee's Blue Deal initiative on water policy, as a reference framework linking water, climate, and economic resilience. The European Environment Agency's 2024 assessment Europe's state of water: The need for improved water resilience, in its function as the evidence base underpinning current and forthcoming EU water and climate files. The external dimension of European Union water policy, including water-related components of the Global Gateway Strategy, water programming under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument Global Europe, Team Europe Initiatives on water, and the European Union's positioning on water under the Global Goal on Adaptation within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including European Union submissions and interventions at the 29th and 30th Conferences of the Parties. AGWA's contributions to these files are anchored in the Water Resilience Tracker methodology, the Water Resilience for Economic Resilience initiative, and expertise in climate-resilient water management, ecosystem-based approaches, and resilience indicator frameworks.
Communication Activities
AGWA's communications on EU water and climate policy appear on its Resilient Waters blog and in associated publications, webinars, and events. Main entries over the past five years: BLOG POSTS AND POSITION PAPERS "Mistaking Instrumentation for Resilience: A Water-wise Alternative" (11 February 2026). Reflection on the first EU Water Resilience Forum and critique of the Water Efficiency First principle, positioning the EU Water Resilience Framework as a paradigm shift beyond technical efficiency. https://www.alliance4water.org/blog-posts/mistaking-instrumentation-for-resilience-a-water-wise-alternative "A note on the European Water Resilience Strategy from a water resilience perspective. A turning point?" (6 November 2025), on behalf of AGWA with the Water Resilience for Economic Resilience initiative. Analytical response to the adopted Strategy, assessing it against the resilience dimensions of robustness, adaptability and transformability. Reference piece informing a formal letter to MEP Pernille Weiss. https://www.alliance4water.org/blog-posts/a-note-on-the-european-water-resilience-strategy-from-a-water-resilience-perspective-a-turning-point "The EU Water Resilience Strategy: United in Diversity" (19 February 2025). Pre-adoption analysis of the ENVI draft report under MEP Bajada, the Water Framework Directive implementation gap, the EIT Water Knowledge and Innovation Community, and the European Citizens' Initiative for a Water-Smart and Resilient Europe. https://www.alliance4water.org/blog-posts/the-eu-water-resilience-strategy-united-in-diversity "The Future of Finance: Integrating Water and Nature into Central Bank Strategy" (27 May 2025). Webinar summary engaging the European Central Bank, De Nederlandsche Bank, the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition, and the OECD on water-related risks to price and financial stability. https://www.alliance4water.org/blog-posts/the-future-of-finance-integrating-water-and-nature-into-central-bank-strategy "Conclusions and Recommendations, Water Resilience for Economic Resilience in the Context of Climate Change" (25 November 2024). Madrid seminar outcomes with the Bank of Spain, the University of Alcalá and the Botín Foundation, referencing the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. https://www.alliance4water.org/blog-posts/conclusions-recommendations-water-resilience-for-economic-resilience-in-the-context-of-climate-change-october-2024-event-spain "Hydrating the Global Goal on Adaptation" (21 March 2025), co-authored with WaterAid and Sanitation and Water for All. Covers EU positioning within the UNFCCC Global Goal on Adaptation. https://www.alliance4water.org/blog-posts/hydrating-the-global-goal-on-adaptation "2025 Year in Review" (21 January 2026). Records AGWA's accession to Water Europe, its first EU-based staff, the WR4ER response to the European Water Resilience Strategy, and the early-stage formation of an AGWA EU sister organisation. https://www.alliance4water.org/blog-posts/2025-year-in-review ASSOCIATED EVENTS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS Speaker contribution to the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) EU Policy Dialogue on Climate Adaptation (March 2026). Panel input on the Water Resilience Tracker, the national-to-local governance gap, and the REAL rubric (Resilience, Equity, Agency, Lived Experience). European Water Resilience Strategy Stakeholder Workshop, Brussels, 5 to 7 March 2025. Submission to the Have Your Say consultation on the European Water Resilience Strategy (feedback reference F3523057, February to March 2025). First European Water Resilience Forum, Brussels, 8 December 2025, participation. Panel participation alongside MEP Pernille Weiss at the Alliance for Water Stewardship webinar on the European Water Resilience Strategy (early 2025).
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
Formal memberships: Water Europe, UN-Water (as Partner), UNEP (as observer). Focal point and standing roles: Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action (water focal point); UAE-Belém Work Programme on the Global Goal on Adaptation (technical contributor). Co-developed methodologies and frameworks: Water Resilience Assessment Framework (WRAF) (with CEO Water Mandate, IWMI, WRI, Pacific Institute, Alliance for Water Stewardship) https://ceowatermandate.org/resilience-assessment-framework/ Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA) (with UNESCO IHP, ICIWarm, Deltares) https://www.unesco.org/en/crida Implementing partnerships in active programmes: Water Resilience for Economic Resilience WR4ER (funded by Dutch, German, Spanish government) https://www.alliance4water.org/wr4er Water4Future (with GIZ) https://www.alliance4water.org/water4future Just Transitions for Water Security consortium (with Fair Water Footprints, Water Resilience Accellerator, funded by FCDO) https://www.jtws.co.uk Water Resilience Tracker (with Arup, Deltares, IWMI, funded by FCDO) https://www.waterresiliencetracker.cc
Organisation Members
AGWA MEMBERS AGWA is a global network of over 2,700 individual and institutional members across more than 100 countries. The membership spans governments and national ministries, international organisations, development banks, river basin organisations, utilities, non-governmental organisations, academic and research institutions, private sector entities, and individual experts, decision-makers, and practitioners working at the intersection of water, climate, and development. Membership is open and free. Individuals and institutions join by completing the sign-up form on AGWA's website and by adhering to AGWA's Community of Practice Charter, which sets out shared principles on sustainable and resilient water resources management. Members participate in the Annual Members Meeting, typically held in conjunction with Stockholm World Water Week, are eligible to vote at that meeting, and contribute to AGWA's programmes, working groups, and policy dialogues. AGWA does not publish its full membership list. Details on membership, including how to join and the Community of Practice Charter, are available at: https://www.alliance4water.org/join-us https://www.alliance4water.org/core-documents GOVERNANCE BODIES AGWA is governed by a Board of Directors and receives thematic guidance from a Strategic Advisory Council. Day-to-day operations are carried out by the Secretariat. Governance documents, including the AGWA Charter and Annual Reports, are published on AGWA's website. Board of Directors: https://www.alliance4water.org/board-of-directors Strategic Advisory Council: https://www.alliance4water.org/strategic-advisory-council Secretariat: https://www.alliance4water.org/secretariat Governance Documents and Major Funders: https://www.alliance4water.org/core-documents AGWA ASSOCIATES AGWA Associates is a category of senior experts and practitioners who contribute to AGWA's programmes, advisory work, and network engagement on a sustained basis. Details are published at: https://www.alliance4water.org/agwa-associates EU SISTER ORGANISATION (IN FORMATION) AGWA is in the early stages of establishing a sister organisation registered in the European Union and intended to be based in Brussels. Once established, the EU entity will operate under the same governance principles and Community of Practice Charter as AGWA and will form part of the AGWA network.
Additional Information
AGWA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation in the United States (tax ID 83-3732786), operating on a calendar-year financial cycle. Funding categories above reflect the consolidated budget of AGWA Global. An EU-based sister organisation is in the early stages of formation and is not yet operational in the reporting period.