18/06/2026.- On 18 June in Brussels, the IUCN European Regional Office forum “Blue Threads: Water Resilience, Ecosystem Restoration and Global Leadership” brought together policymakers, experts and stakeholders to discuss the future of water governance and resilience in Europe and globally.
The discussions took place against growing political and societal momentum around water as a strategic priority, at the intersection of environmental protection, economic resilience and international cooperation. Key reference points included the EU Water Resilience Strategy and preparations for the UN Water Conference 2026.
Nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration in focus
In the session on ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions, Adam Gono, Deputy Secretary General of NMWE, contributed the perspective of the natural mineral water sector, highlighting its ongoing engagement in the pilot application of the IUCN biodiversity guidance.
He underlined the importance of turning global biodiversity and water frameworks into practical, operational approaches for economic actors whose activities depend directly on healthy ecosystems.
As he stated: “Private businesses are ready to take their part in protecting ecosystems and deploying nature-based solutions for water resilience. This, however, won’t be possible without alignment and collaboration among all the actors –private, public, academia or civil society-.”
Water as a systemic priority
Participants broadly agreed that water must be treated as a systemic priority, requiring integrated governance across policy areas and stronger collaboration between public authorities, businesses, science and civil society.
Nature-based solutions were highlighted as a key lever to support ecosystem restoration and long-term water resilience.