News

On March 15, 2023, the Neptune Water Prize winners, including the Neptune State Prize, were announced by Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig, along with the partners of the Neptune State Prize for Water and other Austrian water representatives. Participants competed in five categories: WasserGEMEINDE, WasserWIEN, WasserFORSCHT, WasserBILDUNG, and WasserKREATIV, with prizes awarded every two years to outstanding water-related projects.

(Press Release) VIENNA, 22 March 2023 – The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) is proud to join the world in celebrating World Water Day on March 22, 2023. The theme for this year's celebration is "Be the Change," which highlights the vital importance of water and how we can protect and manage this precious resource for future generations.

On March 4th, 2023, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) drafted a new agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

With the start of her tenure as our Executive Secretary last summer, Birgit Vogel has set out to prioritize building solid professional relationships with ICPDR stakeholders and members, planning to personally visit as many Danube countries as possible. Ms. Vogel met with Uroš Brežan. Slovenian Water Minister, and a broad range of water actors on her latest visit to Slovenia.

(Press Release) VIENNA, 28 February (International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River) – Serbia has now taken over the Presidency of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) and has announced its priorities for the upcoming term. Incoming President Vedrana Ilić who is Serbia’s Assistant Minister responsible for international relations at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, presented Serbia’s goals hopes for its tenure, during an online ceremony.

A recent large-scale modelling study has shown that restoring floodplains and reconnecting cut-off water bodies with the Danube River, and its tributaries could play a significant role in improving water quality and removing nitrate pollution in the Danube River Basin.

The Danube Declaration 2022, the result of the 4th ICPDR Ministerial Meeting, presents a comprehensive overview of crucial initiatives and goals for the region. To make the Declaration more accessible to the general public, the ICPDR's Public Participation Expert Group has condensed its content into a concise summary. The outcome is a 3-page brochure that summarizes the main messages and implications of the Declaration in an easy-to-understand format.

Vienna, 17 December 2014. The Danube River Basin Management Plan Update 2015 and the 1st Flood Risk Management Plan for the DRB are published here for comments until 22 July 2015.

Vienna, 10 December 2014. Croatia will take over the ICPDR Presidency 2015. In the frame of the 17th Ordinary Meeting of the commission, incoming president Mr. Drazen Kurecic received a bottle of Danube water as a symbol for the presidency from acting president Ms. Emilia Kraeva of Bulgaria.

Belene, 18 November 2014. WWF has released some 5,000 sterlets into the Danube River today as part of a 50,000-strong sturgeon restocking programme. This is the first restocking of endangered sturgeons performed by a non-government organization in Bulgaria, after years of scientific research, climatic and biological challenges.