ICPDR

The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) is an intergovernmental organization established to coordinate and harmonize efforts to protect and sustainably manage the Danube River Basin. It originated with the Danube River Protection Convention (DRPC) signed in 1994 and entered into force in 1998. The ICPDR's Secretariat is based in Vienna, Austria, and it brings together the Danube River Basin states and the European Union.

The commission's mandate covers water quality, ecological integrity, flood risk management, and sustainable use of the river's resources. It coordinates data collection and monitoring, develops joint policies, and supports implementation of national and transboundary measures. A central instrument of its work is the Danube River Basin Management Plan and associated Program of Measures, aligned with the EU Water Framework Directive for EU members and adapted for non-EU states.

The ICPDR operates through ministerial and technical bodies, including a Ministerial Conference and a Secretariat, along with technical Working Groups and Task Teams. It facilitates information exchange, joint assessments of status and trends, and coordinated actions such as pollution reduction, biodiversity protection, and flood risk mitigation. The organization also supports public participation and transparency in the basin’s management and publishes regular reports, inventories, and the Joint Danube Surveys.

The ICPDR’s work aims to prevent cross-border pollution, protect aquatic ecosystems, and ensure sustainable development of the Danube Basin for present and future generations.