The meeting addressed the issue of water as a factor of instability, as well as a security challenge, and looked at both global trends and regional case studies. It studied water as an opportunity for cooperation and considered both legal and politico-diplomatic developments. By exploring the positive developments, lessons learnt and challenges in promoting water diplomacy, it aimed to draw conclusions and recommendations for EU policy makers with a view to shaping a cooperative and multi-level system of water governance within and beyond Europe.