At last, water is on the political agenda. This is all the more true in the old continent, where 2012 has been declared the European Year for water. It will see the unveiling of the European Union's Fitness check & Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water. Through these exercises, Europe will assess existing water legislation and policy, suggest further improvements, recognize the global aspects of EU water policy and reinforce the European Union's commitment to the water-related Millennium Development Goals. Also in 2012, the 20th anniversary of the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes which has greatly facilitated transboundary water cooperation in the Pan-European region presents an opportunity to consider achievements and future challenges. In addition, the sixth World Water Forum is the first time since the Hague edition in 2000 that a European Union country hosts the World Water Forum. Hence, it is a unique occasion to present what has been achieved since then and what remains to be done. This introduction session intends to lay the foundation for comprehensive discussions in the European process throughout the week. It will consist of 2 parts: EU 3: Adapting to climate change in Europe EU 12: Cooperation with third countries