On 16 June 2026, the EUIWTP was represented by Geert Snoeij, Secretary of the EUIWTP Infrastructure Committee, at the Plenary Meeting of the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR). The meeting provided an opportunity to follow discussions on key developments affecting the Rhine basin and to strengthen contacts with national delegations and other stakeholders involved in Rhine governance.
A central topic was climate adaptation, which is expected to feature prominently at the next Rhine Ministers’ Conference, scheduled for late 2027 in Luxembourg. Given the growing impact of climate change on water availability, low-water periods and navigability, these discussions are of increasing relevance to inland waterway transport. From the Platform’s perspective, we therefore welcome the attention being given to this issue. We support the focus on this matter and continue to emphasize that navigation is a non-consumptive water user.
The Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR) provided updates on several ongoing initiatives, including work on strengthening the resilience of the Rhine as a transport corridor and the development of transport volume forecasts towards 2050, drawing on ICPR water management scenarios.
The plenary also reviewed progress on water quality issues, including micro-pollutants, industrial emissions and discussions on PFAS and their possible inclusion on the Rhine substances list. In addition, working groups reported on topics such as water availability, flood and low-water management, and ecological developments within the Rhine basin.
Alongside the formal agenda, the meeting offered valuable opportunities to exchange views with representatives from national delegations and other organisations on the role and importance of inland navigation within the Rhine region.
On this occasion, we specifically expressed our appreciation that the IWT sector has a seat at the table in various decision-making processes. In light of climate change, such involvement will become increasingly important, also in other river basins/regions.
