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Bucharest, Romania – Nine countries along the Danube River have joined forces to protect some of Europe’s most endangered species: the sturgeons. On 9–10 July, thirteen project partners and strategic allies – including national ministries, universities, NGOs and research bodies – gathered in Bucharest to launch “MonStur in the Danube,” a new cross-border effort to monitor and protect these ancient migratory fish.

Sturgeons, the most endangered group of species worldwide, are facing a perilous situation in Europe. These migratory species, which once freely swam from the Black Sea up to Germany, now find their ecological corridors severed by multiple barriers. Human interventions - such as hydropower, sediment extraction, navigation, river channelisation, by-catch and illegal fishing - are exerting severe pressure on habitats and populations, calling for immediate, coordinated actions.

Building on the successes of the Danube Hazard m3c project, the Tethys project was launched in January 2024. Funded by the Danube Regional Programme, Tethys will bring together 13 project partners and 10 associated strategic partners to address hazardous substances pollution in the Danube River Basin.

Building on the successes of the Danube Hazard m3c project, the launch of the Tethys project is set to take place on April 11-12, 2024, in Vienna. Funded by the Danube Regional Programme, Tethys will bring together 13 project partners and 10 associated strategic partners to address hazardous substances pollution in the Danube River Basin.

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 UN 2023 Water Conference took place at UN Headquarters in New Yor City this past 22-24 March 2023, the midterm of the International Decade for Action on "Water for Sustainable Development" (2018-2028). It was the first conference dedicated to freshwater since 1977.

To ensure that water and sanitation are available and sustainably managed for everyone, the European Union (EU) has collaborated with the international community to present a Water Action Agenda at the UN Water Conference on World Water Day. The EU has announced 33 commitments that reflect its vision for a world that can withstand water stress and offer water security to all.

On March 15, 2023, the Neptune Water Prize winners, including the Neptune State Prize, were announced by Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig, along with the partners of the Neptune State Prize for Water and other Austrian water representatives. Participants competed in five categories: WasserGEMEINDE, WasserWIEN, WasserFORSCHT, WasserBILDUNG, and WasserKREATIV, with prizes awarded every two years to outstanding water-related projects.