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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.

From October 20-26, 2024, more than 100 young people from across Europe are meeting in Budapest and Szolnok, Hungary to take part in the 16th European Youth Parliament for Water (EYPW). Since 1998, these parliaments have provided a platform for young people to discuss and act on critical water-related issues. This year’s event focuses on the connection between water and biodiversity, a growing concern due to pollution, over-extraction, and climate change.

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has released its latest report, “Europe’s State of Water 2024: The Need for Improved Water Resilience,” shedding light on the growing challenges to Europe’s water security. The report, which draws on data from the 3rd River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs), highlights significant pressures on surface and groundwater bodies across Europe, emphasizing the need for immediate action to strengthen water resilience.

The ICPDR supports the active involvement of stakeholders and civil society on all levels of its work. Two of the most important plans to the ICPDR are the Danube River Basin Management Plan and the Flood Risk Management Plan, aiming to implement the legal requirements of Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Floods Directive (FD), comprising strategic guiding plans for water management over the course of six years. Both are to be updated with a range of public consultation measures.

The ICPDR is proud to announce its appointment as the formal host and Non-Country Member of the newly established Danube WILDisland Ramsar Regional Initiative (RRI). Approved by the 63rd meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on Wetlands, this initiative becomes the 22nd Ramsar Regional Initiative globally and the first river-based RRI in Europe.

We are thrilled to report the immense success of the recent Danube Art Master exhibition held in Bratislava. The exhibition ran for one week, from 20-26th June, at the iconic location of Hviezdoslav Square in the old town of Bratislava. A special visit took place during the ICPDR's annual plenary, the 22nd Standing Working Group (StWG) meeting, traditionally hosted by the country holding the ICPDR Presidency, which this year is Slovakia.

VIENNA, 29 June – The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) announces festivities for Danube Day 2024.

Water has an economic value in all its competing uses and therefore needs to be recognized as an economic good. In order to protect water as a valuable ressource, investments are needed to be implemented by Danube countries. The implementation of measures is beneficial for all sectors including water-related ecosystems.