From 16 to 18 June, the annual conference of Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE; https://naturalmineralwaterseurope.org/news/nmwe-annual-meetings-2026-working-together-for-water-sustainability-and-resilience/), which this year was dedicated to the issue of nature conservation and strengthening the water cycle, as well as the role of the economy in achieving environmental goals. The event also placed particular emphasis on the recently launched European project ‘Sources for Nature’, which NMWE is implementing in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

 At the invitation of the organisers, Dr Sašo Šantl from the Water Research Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (IzVRS), who presented Slovenian approaches to water management and the protection of aquatic ecosystems, and outlined opportunities for more effectively involving businesses and their commercial interests in achieving national and local environmental goals.

The key message of the presentation was that national strategies do not in themselves bring about change, but rather set the direction for development, whilst businesses, through their knowledge, innovations, financial resources and operational capabilities, make a significant contribution to their realisation. Business objectives must therefore be aligned with local and national environmental objectives, and sustainability measures must be geared towards measurable improvements in the condition of water bodies, ecosystems and the resilience of local communities.

IzVRS’s participation in the conference provided an opportunity to present Slovenia’s experience in the field of water management and to exchange views on how the business sector can contribute more effectively to the protection of water resources, nature conservation and the achievement of broader sustainable development goals in Europe.