UNIS/OUS/433
23 March 2023

The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) celebrates World Water Day 2023

VIENNA, 22 March (UN Information Service) – The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) is proud to join the world in celebrating World Water Day. The theme for this year's celebration is "Be the Change," highlighting the vital importance of water and how to protect and manage this precious resource for future generations.

As an international organization dedicated to the protection and sustainable management of the Danube River Basin and its resources, the ICPDR recognizes the significance of water in our lives. Our work is guided by the principles of sustainable development, which recognizes the interdependent relationship between environmental, social, and economic factors.

For World Water Day, the ICPDR reaffirms its commitment to protecting the Danube River Basin and its resources for the benefit of the present and future generations. We acknowledge the importance of effective water management, the need for increased access to safe water and sanitation, and the essential role of cooperation among stakeholders.

The ICPDR recognizes that the challenges facing our water resources require a collaborative effort. We work in partnership with our member states, international organizations, stakeholders, and civil society to achieve our objectives. The ICPDR is proud to have contributed to the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and we remain committed to working towards their realization.

The ICPDR also supports the UN-Water's campaign for World Water Day 2023, which encourages individuals and communities to value water and make a difference by taking action to protect and conserve water resources.

ICPDR President Vedrana Ilić said: “As one of the most globally connected river basins, the health and vitality of the Danube is inextricably linked to the state of our planet's oceans and seas. With the effects of climate change becoming increasingly apparent, the Danube River Basin is not immune to their impacts. As a result, prolonged droughts and competition for water resources may lead towards water scarcity. We must take action to safeguard the future of this vital shared basin and the communities that depend on it.”

As we celebrate World Water Day, it's important to recognize the critical role that the ICPDR plays in preserving the health of our planet's waterways. Through its ongoing efforts to improve the ecological and environmental status of the Danube River, the ICPDR is actively supporting Goal 14 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources. We invite the public to join us in raising awareness about water-related issues and supporting our efforts to safeguard the future of the Danube and its communities, not just today, but for generations to come.

Join the ICPDR in celebrating World Water Day 2023 by taking action to protect and conserve water resources.

For more information on the ICPDR's work and the Danube River Basin, please visit: 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