EESC PLENARY: Interview with rapporteur Anastasis Yiapanis on the EU Water Resilience Strategy

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We spoke with Anastasis Yiapanis, the rapporteur for the EESC opinion NAT/973 on 'EU Water Resilience Strategy and European Climate Resilience and Risk Management Integrated Framework'.

Watch his video statement on the opinion and read the interview below:

What are the three main findings of this opinion?

First, the opinion finds that water resilience has become a strategic priority for the European Union. Climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and the unsustainable use of water are putting increasing pressure on water resources, affecting both water availability and quality. At the same time, extreme weather events such as droughts and floods are becoming more frequent, which is creating new risks for people, ecosystems and economic activities.

Second, the opinion points out that current policies remain too fragmented. Responsibilities are spread across different sectors and levels of governance, while data, monitoring systems and investment are often insufficient or poorly coordinated. These weaknesses reduce Europe’s ability to anticipate and manage water-related and climate-related risks effectively.

Third, the opinion underlines the need to place water much higher on the EU’s political agenda. Water must be treated as a shared and strategic resource that requires long-term planning, stronger protection of ecosystems and more efficient use across all sectors of the economy. Without a coordinated European approach, pressures on water resources will continue to increase.

What are the main recommendations or proposals of the opinion?

The opinion calls for a strong and comprehensive European Water Resilience Strategy that ties in closely with the EU Climate Adaptation Strategy and other international commitments. Prevention and preparedness should become the main guiding principles of EU water policy.

A key recommendation is to improve governance and coordination. This includes better data-sharing, harmonised monitoring systems and interoperable early-warning tools that help authorities respond more quickly to droughts, floods and other climate risks. Stronger cross-border cooperation is also essential because many European river basins are shared between several countries.

The opinion also proposes introducing a ‘water test’ in EU policy-making so that new legislation in sectors such as agriculture, energy, industry and transport is assessed for its impact on water resources.

Finally, the EESC is calling for clearer rules on water use. It recommends establishing a hierarchy that prioritises essential human needs, ecosystem protection and sustainable economic activities. The opinion also encourages wider use of water efficiency measures, water reuse, nature-based solutions and sustainable agricultural practices.

After the adoption of this opinion, what have you done/will you do to promote it?

Following the adoption of the opinion, I will actively promote its conclusions through dialogue with the European Commission, the European Parliament and national authorities. The aim is to ensure that the recommendations of the EESC contribute to the development of the upcoming European Water Resilience Strategy.

I also intend to engage with stakeholders from agriculture, industry, civil society and local authorities to highlight the importance of water resilience and to encourage practical cooperation across sectors.

In addition, communication and outreach activities will continue within the EESC network and at public events in order to raise awareness of the need for stronger and more coordinated European action on water and climate resilience.

The EESC opinion on 'EU Water Resilience Strategy and European Climate Resilience and Risk Management Integrated Framework' was presented and adopted at the EESC plenary session in March 2026. Read it at: https://link.europa.eu/NdwchM 

Anastasis YIAPANIS (Cyprus)

Member, EESC Civil Society Organisations' Group

Secretary-General, Panagrotikos Farmers' Union of Cyprus