The need to strengthen Europe’s resilience to water scarcity and the impacts of climate change was highlighted on Thursday by European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis, who referred to the new European framework for climate resilience. Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Christos Senekis said the Government was reviewing the organisation of the water sector, as well as different options for its future oversight and regulation.
The two officials were speaking at the international Circular Water Economy Conference 2026, held at the University of Cyprus, with the participation of representatives of European and national institutions, the academic and research community, businesses and water management organisations.
In his address, Kadis referred to the new European framework for climate resilience, noting that tackling water scarcity was emerging as a key strategic priority.
“Europe can no longer afford to take water for granted,” he stressed, pointing out that protecting water resources was an environmental priority, an economic necessity and a matter of strategic security.
He said the wildfires, droughts and water shortages experienced during the summer had underscored the urgent need to strengthen Europe’s resilience, as water is essential for citizens, agriculture, energy, industry and ecosystems.
The European Commissioner also referred to the planned European Water Initiative, announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the Union address. He explained that the initiative would complement the European Water Resilience Strategy, aiming to accelerate action to address water scarcity and climate risks.
Referring specifically to Cyprus, he pointed out that the country’s longstanding experience in tackling water scarcity, water reuse and desalination could also benefit other coastal regions of the European Union facing similar pressures. He clarified, however, that desalination should complement water conservation and reuse, in line with the water-efficiency-first and do-no-significant-harm principles.
On his part, Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis stressed that the water challenge facing Cyprus had become structural, due to prolonged droughts, variable rainfall, growing demand and climate change.
He said addressing the problem required long-term planning to strengthen water supply security, protect natural resources and build the country’s resilience to future challenges.
He noted that no single water source, technology or infrastructure project could provide the solution on its own, emphasising the need for an integrated approach combining diversified water sources, reduced network losses, protection of surface water and groundwater, effective demand management and the safe reuse of reclaimed water.
The Minister said the Government was reviewing the organisation of the water sector, with the aim of creating a more coherent, efficient and resilient system based on clear responsibilities, stronger coordination, accountability and evidence-based solutions.
In this context, he pointed out that the Water Development Department continued to play a central role in national water policy and the sustainable management of water resources. At the same time, he noted that the District Local Government Organisations created new opportunities for economies of scale, stronger technical capacity and better investment planning in water supply and sewerage services.
He added that different approaches to the future oversight and regulation of the sector were being considered, clarifying that any new mechanism should have clearly defined responsibilities, avoid duplication and deliver genuine added value.
Referring to pricing policy, the Minister stressed that water was a social good and a fundamental natural resource, but that its safe and reliable supply required infrastructure, energy, expertise and continuous investment. He explained that pricing policy should balance efficient water use and financial sustainability with affordability, social cohesion and the protection of vulnerable groups.
He acknowledged that some necessary decisions would be difficult, as conservation measures, pricing reforms and stronger protection of water resources might require changes to established practices.
He stressed, however, that the Government had a responsibility to make such decisions on the basis of scientific evidence, transparency and social sensitivity.
Common challenges for the Mediterranean and Northern Europe
The need to strengthen European cooperation on water resource management was highlighted by the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Cyprus, Wouter Plomp.
He noted that the Netherlands, which had traditionally focused on flood protection and ensuring water quality, was now also facing the need to retain sufficient quantities of water.
He pointed out that climate change was creating increasingly common challenges for Northern European and Mediterranean countries, making the exchange of expertise and experience essential.
He said that even the Netherlands was now experiencing periods when conditions resembled those of the Mediterranean, increasing the importance of water conservation and retention for agriculture, industry and consumption.
The Dutch Ambassador stressed that European and Mediterranean countries had much to learn from one another, as the challenges they faced in water management were becoming increasingly similar.