News & Media

The UN 2023 Water Conference took place at UN Headquarters in New Yor City this past 22-24 March 2023, the midterm of the International Decade for Action on "Water for Sustainable Development" (2018-2028). It was the first conference dedicated to freshwater since 1977.

To ensure that water and sanitation are available and sustainably managed for everyone, the European Union (EU) has collaborated with the international community to present a Water Action Agenda at the UN Water Conference on World Water Day. The EU has announced 33 commitments that reflect its vision for a world that can withstand water stress and offer water security to all.

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.

Melbourne, 9 October 2012. The Willamette River Initiative of Oregon, USA, was awarded the 2012 Thiess International Riverprize for excellence in river management by the International River Foundation (IRF).

Regensburg, 27/28 November 2012. The first Annual Forum on the EU Strategy for the Danube Region will take place in Regensburg on 27 and 28 November 2012. It will deal with the question of how the Danube Region can help to build a more competitive Europe.

Geneva, 17 March 2012. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (UNECE Water Convention), adopted in Helsinki, Finland on 17 March 1992, celebrates its twentieth anniversary today. It is the only international framework agreement in force on transboundary freshwater.

Danube Basin, 27 June 2012. One year after the launch of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) and upon the occasion of Danube Day, EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn, is making a tour of the region to meet those who are putting the plan into action. He will discuss how to accelerate implementation of the EUSDR, which can be an important instrument in creating jobs and growth.

Istanbul, 21 April 2012. The Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (Bucharest Convention) celebrated its 20th Anniversary. Since the signing in Bucharest, the Convention has become a powerful instrument of International Environmental Law in the Black Sea Basin.