METEET initiative: First workshop on the Integrated Planning of Inland Waterways Transport Projects hailed a success
The Croatian Agency for Inland Waterways in Vukovar hosted a two-day workshop on 28-29th September 2017 with the Mixed Environment Transport External Expert Team (METEET). The objective: to enhance the integrated planning of inland waterways transport (IWT) projects.
The goal of the METEET initiative is to assist the competent inland waterway transport authorities, who on a voluntary basis, work towards developing and fostering an integrated approach to the development of infrastructural projects in the field of inland navigation.
The METEET initiative is managed by a steering committee composed of representatives from the Danube Commission Secretariat (DC), the ICPDR Secretariat, and the European Commission Directorates for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE), the Environment (DG ENV) and Regional Policy (DG REGIO). The International Sava River Basin Commission (ISRBC) is also an observer. Activities are financed by the European Commission. The aim of the workshop was to provide guidance for the various competent authorities in addressing environmental issues that may arise during the planning and implementation of inland navigation projects in the Danube region, while taking into account the need to adhere to European environmental legislation. The workshop was guided by two external experts from the fields of transport and the environment and was observed by the European Commission, the Danube Commission, the ICPDR, and the ISRBC.
Over two days, the participants enhanced their knowledge of European legislation concerning transport and the environment along with the Platina Manual on good practices in sustainable waterway planning and the Joint Statement on Guiding Principles for the Development of Inland Navigation and Environmental Protection in the Danube River Basin.
METEET builds on the successful implementation of the 2007 “Joint Statement on Guiding Principles for the Development of Inland Navigation and Environmental Protection in the Danube River Basin”, launched by the ICPDR in cooperation with the Danube Commission and the ISRBC.
All participants found the workshop extremely useful, especially the advice, guidance and presentations provided by experts. This newly gained knowledge will be extremely useful in the future for the integrated planning of inland navigation projects.
Source: AGENCIJA ZA VODNE PUTOVE,
Editorial: ICPDR
