News & Media

Vienna, 1 July 2025 (Motto am Fluss) - Held every six years, the Joint Danube Survey (JDS) builds on the legacy of its predecessors and brings together experts from across the Danube River Basin and beyond for its implementation. The Survey conducts the most comprehensive scientific analysis of Europe’s second-longest river. Today marks the official launch of the fifth edition of this unique initiative: JDS5.

Paris, 12 June 2025 – As UNESCO celebrates 60 years of global water science and the 50th anniversary of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP), the ICPDR proudly contributed to this international milestone by co-hosting a side event that placed the Joint Danube Survey 5 (JDS5) firmly in the spotlight.

The Danube Strategy Priority Area on Water Quality (EUSDR PA4), together with the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) as co-conveners, are pleased to announce an upcoming online workshop on sewage sludge management, taking place on 20 June 2025, from 10:00 to 13:00 CEST.

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.

VIENNA, 29 June – The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) announces festivities for Danube Day 2024.

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.

In 2019, World Water Day is focusing on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6: “water for all by 2030”.