News

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.

On October 3, 2024, Budapest hosted an important conference, “From Source to Tap,” focused on microplastics in drinking water, one of the most pressing environmental concerns faced today. This event brought together leading experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the rising concern of microplastics and the challenges of ensuring safe and clean drinking water for the Danube region. With more than 110 registrations, the conference indicated a significant public and professional interest on the matter.

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.

The ICPDR held a highly successful workshop titled "Sustainable Hydropower Development and Environmental Objectives – Framework, Challenges, and Ways Forward" on 4-5 June 2024 at the BOKU River Lab in Vienna. Building on workshops from 2017 and 2021, the event brought together experts from energy and environmental policy sectors, the hydropower industry, NGOs, and researchers.

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.

Controlling hazardous substances in the Danube River Basin is challenging due to knowledge gaps, limited understanding, and weak institutional capacity. The ICPDR's new policy paper, based on the Danube Hazard m3c Project's findings, offers solutions from a collaborative effort with ICPDR experts.

The ICPDR looks back proudly at Austria’s Long Night of Research! Held at the Vienna International Centre on 24th May, this event invited curious minds to engage with the brilliant scientists and researchers shaping our future. Along with other Vienna-based UN organizations, the ICPDR participated in this year's Austria-wide event, which included more than 200 institutions opening their doors to the public.

Brno, 14 November 2011. The recent publication of a Czech version of the PLATINA Manual is a major step in promoting good practices in inland navigation and waterway planning. The translated manual was presented in the framework of the PLATINA Interactive Conference and Workshop held in Brussels on 15th November 2011. It can be downloaded from a link provided below.

Brussels, 15 November 2011. A groundbreaking conference in Brussels has seen two traditionally opposing waterways groups come together to discuss how to co-operate for the benefit of Europe’s rivers and canals.