News & Media

VIENNA, 11 December (Diplomatic Academy of Vienna) – Ukraine will take over the Presidency of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) in January 2026. Mariia Shpanchyk, Head of the Department of Water Management at the State Agency of Water Resources of Ukraine, will serve as its new President for one year. The annual transition in leadership reflects the ICPDR’s ongoing dedication to successful transboundary water management.

The ICPDR applauds the recent signing of the"goMURra" Declaration by Austrian Water Minister Norbert Totschnig and Slovenian Minister for Natural Resources Jože Novak. The declaration, signed on 11 November 2025 at the UNESCO 5-Country Biosphere Reserve, marks a significant step forward in transboundary water management and ecological restoration in the Danube River Basin.

We’re pleased to feature an insightful article on the newly released book, “The Danube River and The Western Black Sea Coast: Complex Transboundary Management,” which delves into the complex dynamics of the Danube River Basin and the Black Sea. The book, co-authored by leading experts in the field offers crucial perspectives on sustainable water management, environmental challenges, and the socio-ecological linkages between these vital regions.

The 23rd Standing Working Group (StWG) meeting of the ICPDR took place 17-18 June 2025 in Postojna, Slovenia, gathering representatives from across the Danube River Basin to review progress and align on next steps.

Ukraine, one of the 15 ICPDR contracting parties, has officially adopted all its nine River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs), marking a significant step towards sustainable water management in line with European Union (EU) and international standards.

VIENNA, 23 January (Permanent Mission of Slovakia to the OSCE and other International Organizations in Vienna) -
Slovenia is taking over the Presidency of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) for 2025. Lidija Globevnik, Director General of the Slovenian Water and Marine Directorate under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning of Slovenia will serve as its new President. The annual transition in leadership reflects the ICPDR’s ongoing dedication to successful transboundary water management.

On Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 December 2017, the ICPDR held its 20th Ordinary Meeting in Vienna. Beside the heads of delegation and representatives of 13 of the contracting parties to the ICPDR, around 85 participants from all Danube countries, observers and invited guests attended this important event.

On Monday, 23 January, the European Union takes over the annual Presidency of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR).
Incoming President Peter Gammeltoft has set three main priorities for his term: strengthening of financial support for the ICPDR, assessing the impact of agricultural activities on the Danube River Basin environment, and increasing the visibility of the ICPDR.

On 6 and 7 December 2016 the ICPDR held its 19th Ordinary Meeting in Vienna.
Beside the heads of delegation and representatives of the 15 contracting parties to the ICPDR, about 60 participants from all Danube countries, observers and invited guests attended this important event.