News & Media

Ice control has a long history on the Danube river. The extremely low temperatures experienced in the past weeks throughout the Danube River basin which have been causing continuous ice formation on the Danube are reminding us of the importance of cross-border cooperation.

On Monday, 23 January, the European Union takes over the annual Presidency of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR).
Incoming President Peter Gammeltoft has set three main priorities for his term: strengthening of financial support for the ICPDR, assessing the impact of agricultural activities on the Danube River Basin environment, and increasing the visibility of the ICPDR.

On 6 and 7 December 2016 the ICPDR held its 19th Ordinary Meeting in Vienna.
Beside the heads of delegation and representatives of the 15 contracting parties to the ICPDR, about 60 participants from all Danube countries, observers and invited guests attended this important event.

Vienna, 25 January 2016. Peter J. Kalas of the Czech Republic is ICPDR President 2016. He took over from Croatia’s Drazen Kurecic in a meeting and ceremony in Vienna today.

Vienna, 5 February 2015. Following a ceremonial passing of a bottle with Danube water at the Ordinary Meeting last December, Mr. Dražen Kurečić has now formally taken office as ICPDR President 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.

Luxemburg, 13 May 2014. According to an EU Audit, the union has only partially succeeded in integrating water policy goals into the common agricultural policy (CAP). The audit highlighted weaknesses in the two instruments currently used to integrate water concerns into the CAP and pointed out delays and weaknesses in the implementation of the WFD.

Zagreb, 4-5 Feb 2014. The 5th Follow-up of the Joint Statement Meeting was held in Zagreb on 4-5 February. Hosted by the International Sava River Basin Commission, representatives from navigation and environment discussed projects and policies.

Vienna/Sofia, 28 January 2014. “Continuity, Coherence, Cooperation from the Black Forest to the Black Sea” – this is the motto of the Bulgarian presidency of the ICPDR, starting on 27 January. Deputy Minister of the Environment and Water Atanas Kostadinov will chair the ICPDR for the organisation’s 20 year anniversary.

Sarajevo, 19 June 2013. As an essential step in maintaining a dialogue with the hydropower sector, the ICPDR's Standing Working Group has adopted the "Guiding Principles on Sustainable Hydropower Development in the Danube Basin". The document is available for download here.