Europe’s cornerstone legislation on water, the Water Framework Directive, is now being implemented, and the European Commission is also unrolling its action plan on water scarcity and drought to define Europe’s approach.

This broadly constitutes Europe’s response to reducing pollution, promoting sustainable water use, protecting the aquatic environment, and mitigating the effects of floods and droughts. But is it enough? Will it enable Europe to reduce its water footprint while meeting economic and societal needs? Should current economic models be adapted, and in the context of the millennium goals and the principle of access to water, is there an opportunity for Europe to develop governance rules that could be applied to alleviate the global challenge of access to water?

Featuring:

Anders Berntell, Executive Director of the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) Peter Borkey, Water Team Manager for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Antoine Frérot, CEO of Veolia Water and Author of Water – For a culture of responsibility Peter Gammeltoft, Acting Director of Water, Chemicals and Cohesion, European Commission Directorate General for the Environment

Moderated by Giles Merritt, Secretary General of Friends of Europe

18.30 - 18.45    Welcome of Participants

18.45 - 19.45    Evening Debate

19.45 - 20.15    Networking Cocktail