Drought and water restrictions: What Munich is banning – and why this matters for the Danube River Basin
Hot summers and recurring droughts are no longer a marginal phenomenon in southern and central Europe.
Hot summers and recurring droughts are no longer a marginal phenomenon in southern and central Europe.
On Friday, 26th June, the Marble Hall of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management (BMLUK) was filled with familiar faces and new energy as the International Association for Danube Research (IAD) and its Austrian Committee marked a double anniversary: 70 years of the IAD and 50 years of its Austrian Committee.
VIENNA, 29 June 2026, the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) invites the 79 million people in the 14 Danube countries to take part in Danube Day – this year under the motto: “United by Danube”. On 29 June, communities from the Black Forest to the Black Sea will share celebrations on riverbanks, in parks, and at local venues to honour the Danube River and its vital role in providing water, food, power, recreation, and livelihood.
Uzhhorod, Ukraine, 11–12 June 2026 – The ICPDR has held its 24th Standing Working Group (SWG) Meeting in a hybrid format, bringing delegations and observers together in person in Uzhhorod, Ukraine, and online from across the Danube River Basin.
With just one month to go until Danube Day 2026, preparations are well underway across the Danube River Basin. On 29 June, countries, communities, schools, institutions and organizations throughout the region will come together to celebrate the Danube and the shared responsibility to protect it.
Have you ever wondered what secrets a single drop of water from the Danube River might hold? At this year’s Long Night of Research on 24 April 2026, the ICPDR invited visitors to find out at the Vienna International Centre (VIC).
On 29 June 2026, countries across the Danube River Basin will once again come together to celebrate Danube Day, an annual tradition launched by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) in 2004.
The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) successfully launched its webinar series “It Takes Two to Tango” on 28 April 2026, bringing together about 100 participants from across the Danube River Basin and beyond. This initiative seeks to address the growing challenges of water scarcity, pollution, and climate change that threaten both water resources and food security in the Danube River Basin.
Award ceremonies are taking place across the Danube River Basin, facilitated by relevant ministries in the winning countries. Over the coming months, further national award presentations will follow, highlighting young perspectives from across the basin.