UNIS/OUS/445
23 January 2025

Slovenia succeeds Slovakia in ICPDR Presidency for 2025

VIENNA, 23 January (UN Information Service) – Slovenia is taking over the Presidency of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) for 2025. Lidija Globevnik, Director General of the Slovenian Water and Marine Directorate under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning of Slovenia, will serve as its new President. The annual transition in leadership reflects the ICPDR’s ongoing dedication to successful transboundary water management.

The handover was commemorated with a ceremony at the Vienna International Centre (VIC), followed by a reception at the Permanent Mission of Slovakia to the United Nations, OSCE and other International Organizations in Vienna. In a ceremonial highlight, Ms. Globevnik received a bottle of Danube water from outgoing President Vladimír Novák of Slovakia. The traditional exchange of the water bottle is a symbolic gesture of an enduring ICPDR tradition to emphasize the ICPDR President’s commitment to shared responsibility and ensuring the sustainable management of the Danube River Basin.

Reflecting on the past year, outgoing President Vladimír Novák said: “2024 has been a milestone year for the ICPDR, celebrating 30 years since the signing of its convention and twenty years of dedicated youth outreach. Under the Slovak presidency, we have made significant strides in preserving the Danube for future generations, amplifying the impact of the Joint Programme of Measures and preparing for the landmark Joint Danube Survey 5, continuing our commitment to the Danube’s health and sustainability.” He expressed his gratitude for the collective efforts of the ICPDR and extended his best wishes to Ms. Globevnik as she assumed the Presidency.

Ms. Globevnik brings extensive experience in environmental sciences and water management to the position, having made notable contributions to hydrology, aquatic ecosystems, and sustainable resource strategies during her career. “It is a privilege to take on this role in the ICPDR,” said Ms. Globevnik. “Together, we will address critical challenges and work toward a sustainable and resilient future for the Danube River Basin and its communities.”

As President, Ms. Globevnik will oversee key ICPDR initiatives, such as enhancing water resilience in the Danube River Basin on local, national, and transboundary levels by applying tailored solutions, enabling a water management approach from source to sea to improve quality of life along shared rivers and coasts, and improving intersectoral and intergenerational cooperation with youth involvement in decision-making processes to enhance climate resilience.

Ms. Globevnik’s leadership comes at a pivotal time, as she takes over the Presidency ahead of the Joint Danube Survey 5 (JDS5) which is scheduled to start on July 1, 2025. This Joint Survey is the world’s most comprehensive surface water monitoring effort, providing critical insights into the health of the Danube and setting the stage for informed policymaking and sustainable water management across the Danube River Basin. Furthermore, her leadership aims to strengthen the ICPDR’s role as a cornerstone of international cooperation in water management.

The ICPDR presidency rotates annually, providing each member state the opportunity to guide the organization’s strategic direction. Slovenia’s leadership marks a continued commitment to advancing sustainable policies and protecting the Danube River Basin for future generations.

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For information, please contact:

Hélène Masliah-Gilkarov
Public Participation & Communication
ICPDR Secretariat at UNOV
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-4373
Fax: (+43-1) 26060-5895
Mobile: (+43 676) 845 200 220
E-mail: helene.masliah-gilkarov[at] icpdr.org
Web: www.icpdr.org