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Vienna, 11 December 2006. “Two young Romanians have won the ‘International Danube Art Master 2006’ competition, for their creation titled ‘The Danube Flows Through Us’’, announced Philip Weller, Executive Secretary of the ICPDR today. Mr. Weller made the announcement at the Annual Meeting of the Delegations to the ICPDR being held at the Vienna International Centre.

Vienna, 14 October 2005. ICPDR President 2005 István Őri announced the winner of the International Danube Art Master Competition in Budapest: A German School (6 A, Secondary School "Auf der Schanz") wins the competition, which made part of the Danube Day celebrations 2005. As in 2004, this competition was carried out jointly by the ICPDR and the Danube Environmental Forum in all 13 Danube countries.

The habitats created by the Danube and its tributaries host a unique mix of species. But many habitats are degraded by man-made changes to the river profile and width, water depth and flow velocity following the construction of dams, weirs and canals. Many migratory fish including sturgeon species and the Danube Salmon are endangered or close to extinction by being disconnected from their spawning grounds and habitats or by being over-exploited.

A river does not end at its bank. The Danube and its tributaries form many diverse riverine habitats, including intricate networks of water bodies, creeks and channels, floodplain forests, water meadows, lakes, gravel islands, sandy banks and the unique delta habitats by the shores of the Black Sea.

The Danube and its tributaries host a variety of fascinating and diverse ecological territories with many unique plants and animals. The rich and unique biodiversity and riverine habitats have been under severe pressure due to human activities for centuries. However, today the protection of environment and biodiversity is on the political agenda of the different Danubian States.