News

To ensure that water and sanitation are available and sustainably managed for everyone, the European Union (EU) has collaborated with the international community to present a Water Action Agenda at the UN Water Conference on World Water Day. The EU has announced 33 commitments that reflect its vision for a world that can withstand water stress and offer water security to all.

On March 15, 2023, the Neptune Water Prize winners, including the Neptune State Prize, were announced by Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig, along with the partners of the Neptune State Prize for Water and other Austrian water representatives. Participants competed in five categories: WasserGEMEINDE, WasserWIEN, WasserFORSCHT, WasserBILDUNG, and WasserKREATIV, with prizes awarded every two years to outstanding water-related projects.

(Press Release) VIENNA, 22 March 2023 – The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) is proud to join the world in celebrating World Water Day on March 22, 2023. The theme for this year's celebration is "Be the Change," which highlights the vital importance of water and how we can protect and manage this precious resource for future generations.

On March 4th, 2023, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) drafted a new agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

With the start of her tenure as our Executive Secretary last summer, Birgit Vogel has set out to prioritize building solid professional relationships with ICPDR stakeholders and members, planning to personally visit as many Danube countries as possible. Ms. Vogel met with Uroš Brežan. Slovenian Water Minister, and a broad range of water actors on her latest visit to Slovenia.

Samsun, 30 October 2009. International Black Sea Action Day will be celebrated on October 30-31 in Samsun, Turkey, with activities jointly organized by the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forest and the Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (Black Sea Commission). Within this context, a two-day workshop is being organized where the threats facing the sea, efforts to cope with these threats in various fields and the current situation of the Black Sea will be discussed.

Vienna, 29 September 2009. 15 year-old Vasyl Vataman from Ukraine has won the International Danube Art Master 2009 Competition. The winning submission was created shows a miniaturist recreation of the Danube ecosystem, presents the strip of the Danube that is familiar to the artist: his village cut in half by the river with its particular features like a wooden bridge, fountain, a small house and roads.

The European Commission launched the PLATINA project to implement efficiently actions and measures promoting inland waterway transport. The project brought together 22 partners from 9 European countries and aimed to serve as a platform for helping to implement the European inland navigation programme NAIADES.

Danube Basin, 26 June 2009. The joint responsibility for the river’s water and resources by all countries and communities is the focus of the 6th Danube Day on 29 June. The highlight is the ICPDR Stakeholder Forum, which will be held on 29-30 June in Bratislava.
Interested stakeholders from sectors including agriculture, industry and environmental organizations will discuss the draft Danube River Basin Management Plan.

Vienna, 27 January 2009. Slovakia takes over the Presidency of the ICPDR for the year 2009 at a ceremony held today. Olga Srsnova, General Director of the Division of Waters and Energy Sources at the Slovak Ministry of Environment will serve as President and guide the activities of the ICPDR. “During my presidency, I am committed to promoting development that meets the needs of both the people and the environment”, said Ms. Srsnova.