News & Media

VIENNA, 20 March (Vienna International Centre) – The growing disparities in water access around the world and the escalating impacts of climate change on the Danube River Basin are some of the most pressing challenges of our time, says the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) as it joins the global community in commemorating World Water Day 2026 on Sunday, 22 March. This year’s theme, "Where water flows, equality grows," highlights the indispensable role of equitable water management in fostering social justice, economic stability, and environmental resilience across the Danube region.

Vienna, 20 March 2017 - Wastewater from homes, cities, industry and agriculture flowing back to nature without being treated or reused pollutes the environment in many regions. Without proper wastewater treatment we are losing valuable nutrients and releasing dangerous substances. Beside significant threats to human health, the impact on water resources and ecosystems is tremendous.

In 2015 significant parts of the Danube River Basin were affected by droughts which negatively impacted different water-dependent economic sectors, vegetation and the aquatic environment. This is the latest of a series of drought events which occurred in Europe during the last decade.