GFFA 2026: Why Agriculture Plays a Key Role in Global Water Policy

Without water, there can be no harvests: this message is the focus of our Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) 2026 – the world's largest informal conference of agriculture ministers, attended by around 70 agriculture ministers from across the globe. We want to strengthen the voice of agriculture in the run-up to the UN Water Conference in 2026. After all, agriculture needs sufficient water to be able to produce food and contribute to food security. For this reason, and because it can contribute in many ways to strengthening water resilience, agriculture deserves to have a seat at the table when it comes to international water policy.

Water is not just a resource. It is the basis of all life and economic activity. Access to sufficient water of good quality is therefore closely linked to the right to food. That is why we have given the GFFA 2026 the title: “Water. Harvests. Our Future.”

More than two billion people are already affected by water stress today – and the challenges continue to grow. The reasons include climate change, overuse and pollution of water resources, and growing competition for water among various sectors. Even at temperate latitudes, water shortages are becoming increasingly common, albeit temporarily and regionally.

Globally, agriculture is the largest user of water – although there are, of course, significant differences in different parts of the globe. This is why agriculture is particularly affected by water scarcity, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events. At the same time, agriculture can be a key player here, making a big difference and decisive contribution to solving the global water crisis with sustainable and efficient methods. We must succeed in producing enough food for the growing world population while conserving valuable water resources. This dual challenge makes water resilience one of the most important global issues of our time.

GFFA 2026: Agriculture and water as a central theme

The GFFA 2026, which my ministry organizes, addresses precisely this issue. Following the historic UN Water Conference in 2023, which provided a strong impetus for greater commitment and cooperation in water policy, we want to use the GFFA 2026 to build on this momentum and direct its focus towards agriculture. The aim is to bring a strong voice for agriculture and fisheries to the international dialogue and to raise the profile of water and food security as an issue internationally. As the world's largest informal conference of agriculture ministers, we also have the necessary gravitas to send a strong signal right at the beginning of the year. We will focus on four key topics:

1. Using water sustainably

Prudent use of water resources is becoming increasingly important in order to tackle the global water crisis and meet rising water demand worldwide. We need smart solutions that strengthen the water resilience of agriculture while helping to protect natural resources. These can include sustainable agricultural production methods that improve soil water retention and contribute to pollution-free groundwater and surface water. Nature-based solutions also play a crucial role. Examples include promoting humus content, preserving wetlands and forest areas, and forest conversion. Other important factors are practice-oriented interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, the expansion of efficient infrastructure, and innovative technologies. At GFFA 2026, we will see what these solutions can look like in concrete terms based on best practice examples.

2. Promoting the blue bioeconomy

Maritime regions and the use of aquatic resources are another key element in overcoming the global water crisis. The blue bioeconomy deals with the sustainable use of marine and aquatic resources. This offers opportunities to tap into new sources of income while also protecting the environment. The cultivation of seagrass, algae, and mussels can not only contribute to carbon sequestration and improve water quality, but also create jobs and income opportunities in rural coastal regions, especially in the Global South. That is why we want to use the GFFA 2026 to initiate an international dialogue on the opportunities and challenges of the blue bioeconomy.

3. Finding constructive solutions to competing uses

Promoting sustainable and resilient water management requires a strong legal framework, well-equipped institutions, clear agreements, and cooperation among all stakeholders. That is why, at GFFA 2026, we want to discuss solutions for avoiding or constructively resolving conflicts of use between different sectors. Clear and secure water rights are also crucial to ensuring access to water for vulnerable groups. We also want to examine and discuss the connection between water, food security, and political stability in more detail.

4. Strengthening international water governance

International water policy is crucial to effectively combating water stress. International cooperation, governance, and knowledge exchange are of the utmost importance, especially when it comes to such a complex and transboundary issue as water. We can and want to improve in this area together. After all, international water governance can still appear piecemeal in certain regards. The GFFA 2026 offers an opportunity to develop new approaches to international cooperation and discuss how we can work together to overcome fragmentation in international water governance. A key focus will be on how agriculture, as a key player, can better position itself in the field of water policy.

Working with agriculture to find ways to increase water resilience

The world faces a double challenge: how can we meet the growing demand for water and food while using and protecting water resources sustainably? The GFFA 2026 offers a unique opportunity to discuss this at the global level and develop solutions that take into account the regionally diverse needs of agriculture and fisheries.

The GFFA 2026 can make a decisive contribution to solving the global water crisis – through stronger international dialogue and the promotion of sustainable and efficient practices and technologies. At the GFFA, the international community will come together to find ways to increase water resilience. Agriculture plays a key role in this – and will receive the attention it deserves at the GFFA 2026.

I look forward to welcoming you to the 18th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture in Berlin this January!