Water security takes centre stage at Berlin confab

Agriculture ministers from 59 countries converged in Berlin for the 18th Berlin Agriculture Ministers’ Conference under the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA), issuing a strong call for urgent global action to secure water for food production in the face of mounting climate, environmental, and demographic pressures.

Meeting under the theme “Water. Harvests. Our Future,” the ministers warned that water stress has become one of the defining threats of the 21st century, already affecting more than two billion people worldwide and placing unprecedented strain on agriculture, fisheries, and aquaculture, which remain the backbone of global food security

In their final communiqué, the ministers stressed that while agriculture is the largest user of freshwater globally, it also plays a decisive role in the water cycle and in delivering ecosystem services essential for sustainable development. Climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and unsustainable consumption patterns were identified as key drivers intensifying both water scarcity and excesses such as flooding. Against this backdrop, the conference positioned agriculture not as a passive victim of water crises but as a central actor in shaping international water policy, arguing that food systems must sit at the heart of global water governance if the world is to meet future demand safely and equitably

Building on momentum from recent global initiatives, including the UN Water Action Decade and preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference, ministers committed to aligning agricultural water management with major international frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

Particular emphasis was placed on improving water-use efficiency through context-specific solutions ranging from precision irrigation and water-saving technologies to sustainable soil management, wastewater reuse, and reductions in food loss and waste. The communiqué underscored that boosting productivity must go hand in hand with protecting public health, food safety, and ecosystems

The conference also highlighted the growing risks posed by both water scarcity and excess water, calling for stronger investment in flood risk management, water harvesting, retention infrastructure, and nature-based solutions such as wetland restoration and sustainable forest management. Ministers warned that continued deforestation and land degradation are undermining water quality and availability, with direct consequences for agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.

 In response, they pledged to promote regenerative and conservation agriculture, agroecology, and climate-resilient practices that strengthen soil health and water infiltration while safeguarding biodiversity

 A significant pillar of the communiqué focused on innovation, research, and finance. Ministers emphasized the role of digital tools, artificial intelligence, and improved data systems in closing information gaps around water availability, climate risk, and agricultural performance. They called for scaled-up public and private investment in resilient infrastructure and renewable energy solutions that enable efficient water management. In parallel, the conference reaffirmed support for a sustainable blue bioeconomy, recognizing the potential of fisheries, aquaculture, algae production, and aquatic biomass to enhance food security, diversify incomes, and reduce pressure on land-based resources while contributing to a circular economy.

Looking beyond sectoral boundaries, the ministers stressed that competition over water resources can only be managed through integrated, cross-sectoral, and transboundary cooperation. They endorsed integrated water resources management and participatory allocation systems that ensure equitable access for vulnerable groups, including smallholder farmers, Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth. Access to water was reaffirmed as a human right and a foundation for social stability, with the communiqué warning that water and food insecurity can fuel unrest and migration if left unaddressed.

The communiqué concluded with a strong appeal to the international community ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference, co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal, urging governments and global institutions to elevate agriculture, fisheries, and aquaculture within water policy decisions. Reaffirming solidarity and shared responsibility, the ministers declared that no food can be produced without water and pledged continued cooperation to equip farmers with the tools needed to produce more food with ever-scarcer water resources.

The participating countries at the conference were Albania, Angola, Armenia, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, the Central African Republic, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, the Syrian Arab Republic, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Uzbekistan.