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Water Diplomacy
In July 2013, the EU has adopted Council Conclusions on water diplomacy which lay out the strategic framework and the policy objectives and priorities of the EU on water diplomacy.
With 60% of the oceans relying outside nations jurisdiction, ensuring good governance at sea and securing the maritime domain becomes a challenge for every international actor. With a revised Action Plan and a Maritime Security Strategy under the umbrella of the Global Strategy, the EU has been working closely with international partners towards a safer maritime environment and a sustainable use of its resources.
A combination of a growing population and climate change makes water one of the most pressing challenges the world faces in the 21st century. The EU is committed to enhancing its diplomatic engagement to make water a tool for peace, rather than a source of tension. We shall use many means at our disposal to promote and protect the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation.
The sales are on and after a day's successful shopping spree you return home with bags full of bargains. Now what happens to the plastic bags and wrappers thoughtlessly tossed aside? Out in the ocean floating islands of plastic waste reach hundreds of miles, and plastic bags play heavily among them… Plastics are even reaching people's lungs and dinner tables, with micro-plastics in the air, water and food having an unknown impact on their health and playing havoc with marine life. Tackling the plastics problem is a must.
A healthy world ocean is critical to our survival. Every year, World Oceans Day provides an opportunity to honour, help protect, and conserve our world’s shared ocean, which connects us all.
How many of us take water for granted? If we turn on the tap and no water comes out, we panic, even if there is simply no hot water but only cold water, we panic… Water is an essential building block of life. Access to water, in particular safe drinking water, is a fundamental right, yet, it is still a challenge in many parts of the world.
