Welcome · Journalism · Keynotes · Diplomacy

Claude Piel, accredited journalist, in the press conference room at the UN Ocean Conference, Nice (9–13 June 2025), co-hosted by France and Costa Rica.

Hello, I’m Claude Piel, an independent journalist, author, and keynote speaker specialising in the major issues of water and the oceans. My multilingual research links the local to the global and fosters dialogue among civil society, academia, diplomacy and business.

I am a member of the Diplomatic Council, a Civil Society Organisation in Consultative Status with the United Nations. My work is registered with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs in the field of sustainable development. My book „The Battle for Water“ has been officially presented at the UN Water Conference 2023. My book on the oceans will be published in 2026.

Books

The Battle for Water, Buch It was presented at the UN 2023 Water Conference, held from 22 to 24 March 2023 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The session was registered as an official World Water Day (22 March 2023) side event and was organized by the Diplomatic Council.

My books support decision-making on water and the oceans. Built on months of analysis and fieldwork, multilingual and across several continents, they turn research into action. They are published in French, German, and English.

They clarify drinking-water policy and water security, analyze ocean policy and the blue economy, and map pathways aligned with SDG 6 and SDG 14, from conflict to cooperation, toward an evidence-based water and ocean diplomacy.

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Keynote

Most talks fade as routines resume. My keynotes break that cycle: interactive, research-grounded and bespoke, they turn listeners into participants and ideas into next steps. Delivery is concise and lucid, story-led, evidence-based, and dialogue is integral, so your questions shape the room.

Core themes include water security, the oceans, resilient supply systems, and climate and sustainability. As a prominent example, the United Nations SDG Partnerships platform (UN DESA) lists my initiative #SDGAction50561, linked to my book The Battle for Water. This reflects my approach to the profession: Active journalism — from words to action. I work with municipalities and public authorities; associations, foundations, universities and businesses; and the public.

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Presenter

Moderator Claude Piel at the Landtag for the opening of “Tell Me About Europe”, alongside Eka von Kalben (Vice President of the Landtag Schleswig-Holstein) and Karl-Heinz Lambertz (former President, EU Committee of the Regions from Belgien), 8 May 2024.
Schleswig-Holstein Landtag: “Tell Me About Europe” with Eka von Kalben and Karl-Heinz Lambertz (Belgium), 8 May 2024. © Frank Platthof

I’m a multilingual presenter and moderator in English, French and German. I run policy forums, European election debates, and resource-security panels with evidence-based facilitation, sharp questions, and decision-grade synthesis. Think applied journalism, focus, empathy, curiosity, on water security, ocean governance, climate policy, and European democracy. Sessions are structured, fair, and actionable; audiences engage, not just watch. Invite me to moderate with a custom agenda and Q&A plan.

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Videos

This short film was shown at the side event of the United Nations 2023 Water Conference in New York on World Water Day, and it introduced the dialogue that followed. I also produce executive-grade corporate videos that explain your company with precision. I oversee end-to-end delivery—from concept and scripting to interviews, filming and rights clearance, backed by cross-media experience with ARTE, ZDF, SR, SWR, RFI and France.tv, and a professional crew. The result is clear storytelling and measurable impact, made by professionals for professionals.

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Journal

Whitewater on the Vindelälven in the boreal forest of the Mårdseleforsen Nature Reserve, Västerbotten, Sweden.
Whitewater on the Vindelälven in the boreal forest of the Mårdseleforsen Nature Reserve, Västerbotten, Sweden.

Explore my multilingual blog of selected appearances and reports. I share highlights from talks, panels, and interviews, frequent travel means not every event is posted, but the best moments are.

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