UNIS/OUS/443
29 June 2024
VIENNA, 29 June (UN Information Service) – Marking its 20th anniversary, the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) invites the 79 million people living in the 14 Danube countries to take part in this year’s Danube Day celebration and outdoor events. There will be a variety of activities on the Danube riverbanks supporting the mission to #KeeptheDanubeBlue.
Since its establishment in 2004, Danube Day has been a significant event, commemorating the signing of the Danube River Protection Convention (DRPC) on 29 June 1994 in Sofia, Bulgaria. It's a day to celebrate the Danube and its tributaries, which play a vital role in people’s lives by providing water, food, power, recreation, and livelihood.
Danube Day 2024 will be a special celebration as it marks both the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Convention and the 20th anniversary of Danube Day. Over 20 years, Danube Day has become the world’s largest international river festival, populating riverbanks with events and activities from the Black Forest to the Black Sea to celebrate the Danube’s cultural diversity. At the international level, events are coordinated by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) from the Permanent Secretariat in Vienna, Austria. ICPDR member countries and partners also organize events at the national level, putting to use their local knowledge side-by-side with international cooperation.
ICPDR President Vladimír Novák said: “Danube Day marks the significant involvement of civil society in protecting our precious water resources. It showcases our efforts in sustainable development and our commitment to environmental awareness, and most importantly, it celebrates our sense of community and connection. As we mark this milestone, we take pride in our achievements and look forward to continuing our mission for a cleaner, healthier, and safer Danube. Whether you're a concerned citizen, a dedicated environmentalist, or someone who loves the Danube, your participation makes a difference."
The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River is an international organization consisting of 14 cooperating states and the European Union. Since its establishment in 1998, it has grown into one of Europe's largest and most active international bodies engaged in river basin management. Its activities relate to the Danube River and the tributaries and groundwater resources of the entire Danube River Basin, with additional close links with the Black Sea.
For more information about Danube Day 2024 and events taking place throughout the Danube River Basin, visit www.danubeday.org and www.icpdr.org.
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For further information, please contact:
Hélène Masliah-Gilkarov
Public Participation and Communication
ICPDR Secretariat at UNOV
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-4373
Mobile: (+43 676) 845 200 220
Email: helene.masliah-gilkarov[at]icpdr.org
Web: www.icpdr.org
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