On January 30th representatives of DANUBEPARKS, the Donau-Auen National Park, Duna-Ipoly National Park and viadonau attended the second Stakeholder Workshop for updating the Joint Statement on Navigation, initiated by the Sava Commission, Danube Commission, and ICPDR. The event was formally hosted by the Danube Commission in Budapest and held as a hybrid event with a possibility for online participation.
The workshop was devoted to discussing the second draft of the "Joint Statement on Guiding Principles for the Development of Inland Navigation and Environmental Protection in the Danube River Basin," which is currently undergoing a revision and update in order to better address new challenges, including climate change impacts, sustainable transport, and innovative river management solutions.
The launch of the process signifies a commitment to fostering a resilient and sustainable future for inland navigation and environmental protection in the Danube River Basin. It aims to integrate new European policies and respond to climate change impacts on navigation and river ecosystems, ensuring a balanced approach that supports both ecological integrity and economic viability.
Stakeholders from the Danube countries and various sectors are invited to participate in this pivotal workshop, contributing to developing a robust framework that will guide the sustainable management of the Danube and Sava rivers in the coming years. As organizations actively working for the restoration and conservation of the Danube and addressing the threats posed by navigation under the umbrella of the DANUBEPARKS Association, two of our members, all partners of the WILDisland project and implementing on-site conservation measures, as well as the Austrian waterway navigation company viadonau were also present at the meeting.
This is a wonderful opportunity to sit together at one table and actively work for compromises and win-win solutions in transborder and cross-sector contexts, building a sense of stewardship and mutual trust and we are very grateful for the opportunity!
We are delighted to join the process and will keep you posted!