News and Events

DAM THREATENS MONTENEGRO’s TARA RIVER

A hydroelectric dam is planned on the Tara River, which runs more than 100km through one of the deepest canyons in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The dam is opposed by local protesters as well as by UNESCO, which fears that it will swamp a large part of the Tara, turning the river into a lake. The dam would meet Montenegro’s need for more power, especially for its aluminium plant near Podgorica, which uses nearly half the country‘s electricity.

For more information, please visit:
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3743698.stm

CROATIA ADOPTS THE NATIONAL ECOLOGICAL NETWORK

Some 47% of Croatian territory is now part of the Croatian National Ecological Network, following a proposal by Croatian scientists and the State Institute for Nature Protection. The network includes sites important for threatened species. At the same time, Croatian NGOs express concerns about the intensive use of the Drava River for gravel extraction, river regulation and unsustainable land use planning – practices which have led to the destruction of several sand martin colonies.

For more information, please visit:
www.cro-nen.hr

NEW GENERAL DIRECTOR FOR DANUBE COMMISSION

István Valkár of Hungary has replaced Danail Nedialkov as General Director of the Secretariat of the Danube Commission. The Danube Commission, established in 1948, consists of representatives of each of the 11 Member States – Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, Slovakia, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine – and works to ensure best conditions for shipping on the Danube. The Secretariat has a staff of 11 international civil servants and 19 employees.

For more information, please visit:
www.danubecom-intern.org

DANUBE BOX RECOGNISED FOR SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVE

At the Global Bottle Water Congress held in Mexico City in September, Coca-Cola HBC received a prestigious Bottledwaterworld Awards for the Danube Box. The award was selected from 162 submissions by leading companies from 32 countries, and recognised the Danube Box as an initiative “which is delivering the most significant environmental benefit”. The Danube Box was also accepted as a presentation at the ‘CSR solution’ Conference for the European Marketplace on CSR on November 29 in Brussels.

For more information, please visit:
www.bottledwaterworld.com/bbwinner9.asp

30/1/2008 – 1/2/2008, MALAGA, SPAIN

WEX 2008 – THE WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL EXCHANGE

WEX is an action-oriented international summit, where over 1000 representatives and senior decision makers throughout the global water sector will meet under the slogan ‘Where water does business – building stakeholder collaborations’. Sessions include panel debates, workshops and round table discussions with internationally recognised speakers.

For more information, please visit:
www.w-e-x.com

7-12/9/2008, VIENNA, AUSTRIA

IWA WORLD WATER CONGRESS AND EXHIBITION

The conference, organised by the International Water Association, brings together 3000 leading water professionals to exchange ideas and debate the key issues underlying the science and practice of water. The global event will also focus on cross-cutting themes such as climate change, sustainable
development and watershed management, using the Danube as an example.

For more information visit:
www.iwa2008vienna.org

 

ALL THE BEST FOR SYLVIA KERSCH!

For six years Sylvia Kersch has supported the work of the ICPDR. Sylvia’s contribution was important for the smooth and successful operation of the ICPDR Secretariat. We would like to express our thanks for her efforts and wish her all the best for the future!

 

SERBIA:
NIKOLA MARJANOVIC TO MOVE ON

Nikola Marjanovic led the Serbian Delegation to the ICPDR for over six years. During this period, Serbia actively cooperated in the work of the ICPDR and worked to fulfil all EU Water Framework Directive requirements. We would like to thank Nikola for his professional and personal contributions and hope that in his new position as General Director of Serbia Waters he will continue to be a “voice for the Danube”. The new Head of the ICPDR Delegation to the ICPDR is Aleksandar Prodanovic.

 Next: Danube Day 2007