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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 Joint Danube Survey 5 (JDS5), the world’s most comprehensive investigative surface-water monitoring effort, will officially kick off on 1 July 2025 in Vienna. This large-scale scientific survey will bring together experts from 14 countries to assess the health of the Danube River and its major tributaries.

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.

Discover how an extraordinary boat race using discarded plastic has become a symbol of hope and action in the fight against pollution. Supported by the ICPDR, this remarkable initiative has removed hundreds of tons of waste from tributaries of the Danube River and inspired thousands to join the mission for cleaner waters. From its humble beginnings to becoming an EU flagship project, learn how one man's vision has transformed river cleanups into a powerful community movement.

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.

Addressing transboundary riverine litter pollution demands a multifaceted strategy, incorporating harmonized actions, standardized measurements, advanced waste management techniques, and heightened awareness on an international scale.
Our new publication fills a critical gap, emphasizing the need for regulatory frameworks to establish effective waste management systems and deter illegal waste disposal.

Despite the EU's advanced waste management and ambitious recycling objectives, studies still indicate the presence of macro and microplastic pollution in EU rivers. The Tid(y)Up project focuses on improving water quality and reducing plastic pollution in the Tisza River, which is long considered one of Europe’s most heavily contaminated rivers.

The new Bathing Water Report published at the beginning of June by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission (EC) reveals that the quality of Europe’s bathing waters has improved dramatically in recent decades. According to European Union standards that classify the waters as “excellent”, “good”, “sufficient” or “poor”, almost 85% of the European bathing sites now ranks as “excellent”.

VIENNA – 29 April 2021. Coordinated with the ICPDR, many hundreds of experts in the countries of the Danube River Basin as well as other actors engaged in the fourth Joint Danube Survey – JDS4 – in 2019 and 2020. The final results have now been published and made available to the public and scientific communities online.

VIENNA, 22 March 2021 – World Water Day 2021 is focusing on valuing water and celebrating this precious resource we work to protect.