ICPDR Executive Secretary Calls for Stronger Coordination in Drought Management Across the Danube Basin

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six persons sitting on a panel in front of an audience
High Level Panel on Climate Change featuriung ICPDR Executive Secretary, Birgit Vogel

At the recent High-Level and Technical Conference in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia, ICPDR Executive Secretary Ms. Vogel underscored the important need for stronger coordination in drought management across the Danube region. The conference brought together regional and international organizations to address climate change adaptation challenges in South-Eastern Europe.

The high-level segment of the conference provided important conclusions, setting the stage for the technical discussions that followed. These discussions aimed to enhance regional collaboration and resilience against droughts, building on broader initiatives in climate adaptation. 

Strengthening Drought Resilience in the Danube Region

Ms. Vogel took part in a panel discussion on "Fostering Regional Drought Resilience in South-Eastern Europe," alongside representatives from the WMO, Global Water Partnership Central and Eastern Europe (GWP CEE), the Drought Management Centre for South-Eastern Europe (DMC SEE), and other key organizations, where she emphasized several critical areas of focus:

  • Empowering Drought Resilience: Developing robust strategies to strengthen the region’s ability to withstand and manage drought conditions.
  • Enhancing Drought Monitoring: Improving systems for tracking and predicting drought patterns.
  • Strengthening Risk and Impact Assessments: Creating more accurate methods to assess and mitigate drought impacts and risks.
  • Advancing Proactive Drought Management: Implementing forward-thinking measures to manage drought more effectively.

She stressed the need for greater cohesion in drought management across the Danube, stating:
"Drought management across the Danube needs improvement. We need stronger coordination at both national and basin levels to tackle this challenge head-on."

Ms. Vogel also praised ICPDR’s collaboration with GWP CEE and the DMC SEE. She highlighted that the 2024 ICPDR Overview Report on Droughts and Low Water Levels in the Danube River Basin offers a solid foundation for future initiatives.

Leveraging Data and Lessons from DriDanube

Building on the legacy of the DriDanube project, Ms. Vogel emphasized the importance of data-driven planning to help Danube countries strengthen their drought policies:
"DriDanube results can also support future activities in the region, in conjunction with other initiatives. The ICPDR Drought Overview Report for the Danube River Basin serves as our foundation, outlining our 10 key suggestions to be prioritized for action to enhance drought management and address people's needs."


ICPDR’s Role in Regional Water and Drought Policy

As the key coordinating body for water management in the Danube Basin, the ICPDR plays a crucial role in addressing drought as a major water management challenge. Its efforts focus on recognizing climate change effects as a Significant Water Management Issue (SWMI) and tackling drought from a basin-wide perspective. 

Through strategic initiatives and strong partnerships with organizations such as GWP CEE and DMC SEE, the ICPDR is paving the way for a more drought and water resilient Danube region. As Ms. Vogel emphasized, turning these insights into tangible action will be essential in addressing the growing challenges posed by climate change and drought events. 


For more information on the conference, visit: https://community.wmo.int/en/news/high-level-conference-climate-challenges-south-eastern-europe-reinforces-regional-cooperation

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