Have you ever wondered what secrets a single drop of water from the Danube River might hold? This year again, the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) invites you to find out at the Long Night of Research on Friday, 24 April 2026, at the Vienna International Centre (VIC).
VIENNA, 20 March (Vienna International Centre) – The growing disparities in water access around the world and the escalating impacts of climate change on the Danube River Basin are some of the most pressing challenges of our time, says the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) as it joins the global community in commemorating World Water Day 2026 on Sunday, 22 March. This year’s theme, "Where water flows, equality grows," highlights the indispensable role of equitable water management in fostering social justice, economic stability, and environmental resilience across the Danube region.
The 5th Joint Danube Survey (JDS5) has reached a significant milestone by incorporating citizen science into its outreach activities for the first time. Under the Motto "Let's Go Sampling Together", this activity Coordinated by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission and supported by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), engaged schools across the Danube Basin in a collaborative effort to monitor and protect the river's ecological health.
The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River is organising a 1.5-day event on 2-3 June 2026 in Vienna in the framework of the Project Tethys (DRP0200037), funded by the Interreg Danube Region Programme.
Award ceremonies are taking place across the Danube River Basin, facilitated by relevant ministries in the winning countries. Over the coming months, further national award presentations will follow, highlighting young perspectives from across the basin.
VIENNA, 16 December 2025 – The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) proudly announced the winners of the 2025 Danube Art Master competition during its 28th Ordinary Meeting, held 11-12 December at the Vienna International Centre.
VIENNA, 11 December (Diplomatic Academy of Vienna) – Ukraine will take over the Presidency of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) in January 2026. Mariia Shpanchyk, Head of the Department of Water Management at the State Agency of Water Resources of Ukraine, will serve as its new President for one year. The annual transition in leadership reflects the ICPDR’s ongoing dedication to successful transboundary water management.
The ICPDR is pleased to share a first glimpse into the microbiological findings emerging from the Joint Danube Survey 5 (JDS5) — the world’s largest river basin monitoring programme carried out on a single river system. While full results will only be available once all samples from the 108 sampling sites have been analysed, early data from the microbiology component show encouraging trends across the entire Danube Basin.
A remarkable discovery has been made in the Drava River: an angler in Croatia recently caught a ship sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris), a species long believed to be extinct in the Danube River Basin. Measuring 176 centimetres and weighing 35 kilograms, the fish was safely released back into the river after being identified by local authorities. The sighting is encouraging as it marks the first confirmed record of the species in many decades.
The ICPDR applauds the recent signing of the"goMURra" Declaration by Austrian Water Minister Norbert Totschnig and Slovenian Minister for Natural Resources Jože Novak. The declaration, signed on 11 November 2025 at the UNESCO 5-Country Biosphere Reserve, marks a significant step forward in transboundary water management and ecological restoration in the Danube River Basin.
We invite you to browse through our website and sincerely hope we can inspire you to learn more about how the ICPDR works tirelessly towards cleaner, healthier and safer waters in the Danube River Basin, for everyone to enjoy.
Ms. Maria Shpanchyk
ICPDR President 2026
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