ICPDR President Reaffirms Commitment to Danube River Basin Sustainability at UNECE's MOP10
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia – In a powerful address at the 10th Meeting of Parties (MOP10), ICPDR President Vladimír Novák of Slovakia reaffirmed the ICPDR’s commitment to safeguarding the Danube River Basin for future generations, particularly as climate change accelerates. This past June marked the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Danube River Protection Convention (DRPC). Signed in Sofia, Bulgaria, the DRPC laid the foundation for the ICPDR’s mission of transboundary cooperation in water management for the Danube River Basin.
Reflecting on three decades of progress, President Novák focused on the ICPDR’s key pillars: a Cleaner, Healthier, and Safer Danube. Through initiatives aimed at reducing pollution, enhancing ecosystem health, and managing flood risks, the ICPDR remains at the forefront of sustainable water management. “As climate change accelerates,” said Novak, “cooperation is not just a choice, but a necessity.” His message reinforces that the ICPDR’s efforts benefit both present and future generations.
The ICPDR has integrated climate adaptation strategies into its Danube River Basin Management Plans and Flood Risk Management Plans to strengthen resilience across the entire region. As it progresses through a new management cycle concluding in 2027, the ICPDR anticipates that climate change and extreme weather events will take on an even more prominent role in the 2027 update of these plans.
The celebration of Danube Day’s 20th anniversary, alongside the 20th anniversary of the Danube Art Master youth competition celebrated with an open-air exhibition in Bratislava, organised under the Slovak Presidency, showcased the vibrant partnerships and cultural ties that unite the Danube River Basin countries in a shared responsibility for the Danube. These initiatives highlight the importance of engaging young people, emphasizing the ICPDR’s commitment to protecting water resources for this generation and the next.
