Mr. Chair, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia^*, Montenegro^*, Serbia^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^* and Georgia, as well as Andorra, Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement. 

The EU and its Member States would like to congratulate Senegal and the United Arab Emirates for their ambition in selecting the themes of the Interactive Dialogues of the 2026 UN Water Conference in an inclusive and consultative manner. 

We fully support the six themes as proposed in the background note.

We also appreciate the element of continuity as the themes build on the themes and outcomes from the 2023 Conference.

In addition, we consider the suggestions and perspectives of the contributing member states and stakeholders to be well reflected. This adds to the ownership of the process by all relevant actors, which is key for the success of the 2026 Conference. 

We are therefore pleased that the themes were adopted today by consensus.

In terms of next steps, a timely and transparent process to select the co-chairs of the Interactive Dialogues is essential. We need to ensure enough time for an ambitious and comprehensive preparatory process. 

In our joint efforts towards an action- and solution-oriented Conference in 2026, the expected outcomes of each of the Interactive Dialogues and follow-up processes need to be clearly formulated in the concept notes for each of the dialogues. The opportunities and challenges outlined in the background note provide a solid foundation in this regard.

For a truly inclusive and consultative preparation of the dialogues, we would also suggest the following. First, in addition to the High-level meeting in Dakar, more opportunities to discuss action-oriented outcome of the dialogues, possibly in the form of pre-dialogues. Second, the setting up of thematic civil society working groups aligned with the six interactive dialogue topics to enable substantive and meaningful contributions from stakeholders. 

In conclusion, we would like to thank the co-hosts once more for their inclusive approach so far. Close collaboration between the co-hosts, the UN Special Envoy on Water, UN DESA and UN Water also remains essential. The EU and its Member States stand ready to contribute to this process and to make the 2026 UN Water Conference a success.

I thank you.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.