ENG
SLO
HRV
BIH
SRB16.9.2026.
Events
17th Joint Statement Follow-up Meeting Held in Zagreb
The International Sava River Basin Commission (ISRBC), in cooperation with the Danube Commission (DC) and the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), hosted the 17th Meeting on the Follow-up of the Joint Statement on Guiding Principles on the Development of Inland Navigation and Environmental Protection in the Danube River Basin on 16-17 September 2026 in Zagreb. The event brought together more than 50 participants, representatives of European institutions, international organizations, national authorities responsible for navigation, water management and environmental protection, academia and non-governmental organizations.
The meeting focused on the transition from the adoption of Joint Statement 2.0 to its practical implementation through the exchange of national experiences, presentation of ongoing infrastructure and cross-sectoral projects, and strengthening cooperation between the navigation, water management and environmental sectors. Particular attention was given to the Joint Statement Manual and the Online Knowledge Management System, as well as to the joint proposal of the three river commissions concerning its further development, governance, financing and long-term sustainability.
The European Commission presented the First Work Plan of the Rhine-Danube European Transport Corridor, highlighting the strategic importance of inland waterways and the need to balance navigation development with environmental objectives.
Participants were informed about key projects and initiatives across the Danube and Sava River basins, including waterway improvement projects, sediment management initiatives and climate adaptation measures. The second day was dedicated to the extreme low-water conditions experienced across the basin during the summer of 2026, their consequences for navigation and the environment, and possible measures to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of inland navigation.
A key conclusion of the meeting was that recent developments in the EU regulatory framework further reinforce the role of river commissions in addressing transboundary impacts and coordinating international cooperation. This is particularly important for balancing the needs of inland navigation, water management and environmental protection, while supporting sustainable development across the Danube and the Sava River Basins.
The meeting focused on the transition from the adoption of Joint Statement 2.0 to its practical implementation through the exchange of national experiences, presentation of ongoing infrastructure and cross-sectoral projects, and strengthening cooperation between the navigation, water management and environmental sectors. Particular attention was given to the Joint Statement Manual and the Online Knowledge Management System, as well as to the joint proposal of the three river commissions concerning its further development, governance, financing and long-term sustainability.
The European Commission presented the First Work Plan of the Rhine-Danube European Transport Corridor, highlighting the strategic importance of inland waterways and the need to balance navigation development with environmental objectives.
Participants were informed about key projects and initiatives across the Danube and Sava River basins, including waterway improvement projects, sediment management initiatives and climate adaptation measures. The second day was dedicated to the extreme low-water conditions experienced across the basin during the summer of 2026, their consequences for navigation and the environment, and possible measures to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of inland navigation.
A key conclusion of the meeting was that recent developments in the EU regulatory framework further reinforce the role of river commissions in addressing transboundary impacts and coordinating international cooperation. This is particularly important for balancing the needs of inland navigation, water management and environmental protection, while supporting sustainable development across the Danube and the Sava River Basins.
| Start | 16.09.2026. |
| End | 17.09.2026. |