With the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set to be reviewed in September 2010, the European Commission is calling for an increased focus on access to water and sanitation, as the achievement of other UN development goals depends on it.

Climate change will significantly alter the EU’s aid policy and “water and land use will gain in importance,” said Luis Riera Figueras, director at the European Commission’s development department, addressing the European Parliament’s intergroup on water on 24 February 2010. The mid-term review of MDGs presents an opportunity to integrate a comprehensive water strategy into development strategies across the world, he suggested.
Peter Gammeltoft, the head of the EU executive’s water unit, highlighted the need for more funding, improved “absorption capacity” and less fragmentation of aid.

As part of this year’s mid-term review of the MDGs, the European Commission will adopt a ’spring package’ on development by the end of April 2010, including the first assessment of the EU’s contribution to the MDGs.

Related news: ACP-EU Water Facility: €200 million call for proposals planned for beginning 2010, Source Weekly, 17 Sep 2009

Related web sites:

• EU Water Initiative (EUWI)
• ACP-EU Water Facility

Source: EurActiv, 01 Feb 2010

Tags: policies & legislation, water supply