Commissioner Roswall's opening speech at the event, 'Water Innovation Europe 2026'

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I am delighted to be back in Dublin and happy to once again open the Water Innovation Europe conference.

Let me begin by thanking Water Europe for bringing us together to discuss one of the most important topics of our time.

And for the opportunity to highlight water as the basis for our economic security, energy and food security, competitiveness, health and environment.

These rely on water resilience, but also on our ability adapt and react to changes or crises – and that's what today's discussion is all about.

Ireland is the perfect place to discuss the power of water.

Irish literature and landscapes are full of rivers and lakes, sacred wells, and bogs.

In fact, William Butler Yeats once said that water shaped Irish identity.

And in Irish mythology, water is associated with wisdom.

Because if water is wisdom, then protecting it is the smartest step we can take.

And if water is wisdom, then water innovation is the future.

In this room, we have the experts, industry, investors, and entrepreneurs that we need to do both – to protect water today and develop water innovation for tomorrow.

This summer's drought, heatwaves and wildfires scarred us all.

Tens of thousands of people died and hundreds of billions of euros have gone up in smoke.

Our crops withered in our fields, our supply chains were broken and our rivers shrank.

According to one estimate – 180 billion euro was lost due to extreme heat alone.

This summer and the floods that followed were a stark warning: our water cycle is broken.

That's why this conference's focus on the Water Framework Directive is so important and timely.

Let me highlight two areas where more action is essential – and where we need your input and expertise.  

Water resilience is an investment – not a cost. And it is one that will repay us thousandfold.

But today, an investment gap exists across all Member States.

Our internal figures put that gap at 23 billion euros per year – at the very least.