To secure the 'good status' of the Danube River Basin by 2015, it is important to discuss the analysis of the river basin at the Stakeholder Conference and not lose the big picture.

Water is everybody's issue.
Countries are not alone in protecting shared water resources, they need to cooperate with actors from different sectors. The ICPDR Stakeholder Conference will provide a forum to discuss basin issues openly and to develop solutions which will influence the next steps taken at the international level. The Danube River Protection Convention includes the involvement of the public in its framework. Today, 11 organisations have taken advantage of this opportunity and have been granted observer status to the ICPDR.

This approach has been enlarged by the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive, which encourages all stakeholders to participate actively in its implementation. As we all use water in our daily lives and work - whether it is in a factory, farm or office - it is important to involve each person accomplishing the objective of the legislation: the achievement of 'good status' of all water by 2015. Clearly, the participation of the public is crucial at the national and local level, where numerous actions will take place in the upcoming years. However the ICPDR, as a platform for coordinating issues of international importance, must also face this challenge and improve the dialogue with stakeholders.

Finding solutions together.
In March 2005, the ICPDR finalised the first roof-analysis of the Danube River Basin, providing a clear overview of the most challenging issues in the basin. These include the impact of organic pollution and hazardous substances, the hydromorphological alterations of the main river and its tributaries, as well as the missing connectivity. But what does this mean? What activities have and can be started to meet these challenges? What impacts might these have on the agricultural sector, on inland navigation or energy production? How can we achieve the balance of interest between the environment and those who depend on it?

The ICPDR invites all interested groups representing the wide range of stakeholders to actively participate in the two-day Stakeholder Conference to jointly develop ideas for the sustainable use of the Danube and its tributaries.

For detailed information about the ICPDR Stakeholder Conference and how to attend, see www.icpdr.org.

Jasmine Bachmann
works on Public Participation and Public Relations in the ICPDR Permanent Secretariat,
and is the Executive Editor of Danube Watch.