On 10 and 11 December 2024, the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) convened in Vienna for its 27th Ordinary Meeting, bringing together stakeholders to discuss key developments in the protection and sustainable management of the Danube River.
The inland waterway transport (IWT) sector participated in the meeting as an observer and acknowledged the significant work undertaken by the ICPDR. Key highlights included:
- The presentation of the Drought Overview Report in its updated version.
- Progress on the Joint Statement on Navigation and Environmental Protection, which aims to align efforts to achieve both Good Navigation Status (GNS) and Good Ecological Status (GES). This joint initiative involves the ICPDR, the Danube Commission, and the Sava Commission.
A follow-up workshop is scheduled for 31 January 2025, during which a second draft of the updated Joint Statement will be presented for further discussion.
From the perspective of the IWT sector, a balanced approach that equally considers economic and ecological aspects is essential for the success of this initiative. Ensuring that navigation development and environmental protection progress hand-in-hand remains a pivotal objective.
This meeting underscored the importance of collaboration between stakeholders in achieving sustainable development along the Danube, ensuring that both navigation and environmental goals are met effectively.
Copyright: ICPDR
