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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 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.

The We Pass 2 project, an ambitious initiative to restore fish migration routes at the Iron Gate Dams on the Danube River, has reached a successful conclusion. Building on the achievements of the original We Pass project, We Pass 2 focused on creating preliminary designs and cost estimates for solutions to enable fish passage at Iron Gate 1 and 2, which sit on the border between Romania and Serbia.

The ICPDR serves as a conduit for collaboration between Danube countries and the Black Sea region in matters necessitating coordinated action. It also collaborates with other international organizations in other river basins to tackle emerging challenges linked to water management (e.g., climate change adaptation). Partnerships with relevant international organizations to effectively address emerging challenges associated with water management, such as climate change adaptation are also part of the ICPDR's coopertaion activities.

The ICPDR has established itself as a reputable, impartial, non-profit international organization committed to fostering the sustainability of the Danube Basin. This distinguished reputation has been nurtured through continuous efforts, as the ICPDR collaborates with governments, the private sector, community organizations, and individuals to enhance the well-being of the Danube Basin. The ICPDR also actively collaborates with multiple commissions on specific subject matters.

The EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) is an essential framework that strengthens cooperation and supports existing institutions in the Member States for the effective implementation of EU legislation. Recognizing the significance of the Danube River and its basin, the EUSDR fosters collaboration among the countries within the region to address common challenges and achieve shared objectives. By promoting integrated approaches, the EUSDR aims to enhance economic, social, and environmental development while preserving the unique natural and cultural heritage of the Danube region.

Rivers are a natural resource that have been a focal point of transboundary governance for centuries. It is challenging to manage them for the benefit of riparian communities – especially if they are transboundary. This requires the development of a water infrastructure to harvest the socioeconomic benefits, while at the same time protecting the ecosystem for future generations.

River Basin Organizations (RBOs) have been established in many of the world’s basins to better coordinate different stakeholders’ actions and foster cooperation instead of conflict. Based on the experiences of several RBOs worldwide, several key characteristics for their effectiveness can be identified.