In May 2002, the Tumen River Commission visited the ICPDR to share experience and exchange knowledge. A Delegation of the University of Cansas visited the ICPDR in June 2002. Also in June, representatives of the Ecuadorian Embassy in Vienna, including the President of the Commission for Health and Environmental Protection, met with the staff of the Secretariat in order to gain first-hand experience on water management issues.
More than 30 journalists gathered to discuss water issues in the Danube River Basin. Topping the agenda were preparations of the region for the EU Water Framework Directive.
The main aims of the conference were to discus the EU Water Framework Directive, as well as to share strategies of the international water commissions on how to ensure the institutional framework for its implementation. Joachim Bendow, ICPDR executive secretary, and Ursula Schmedtje, river basin management expert, participated on behalf of the ICPDR.
In response to the devastating floods in Europe, the German Government organised a high-level conference focusing on flood protection. Joachim Bendow, ICPDR executive secretary, and Igor Liska, ICPDR hydrological expert, represented the ICPDR at this important conference. A Five-Point Programme to improve flood protection was presented by the German Government. According to this programme, all river expansion schemes will have been reviewed by the beginning of 2003; natural retention areas (such as floodplains) will be increased and the construction of new settlements and industrial sites in inundation areas will be avoided. In addition, national and regional co-operation on flood protection programmes should be increased.
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) hosted its second Biennial International Waters Conference to review GEF's global International Waters portfolio (over 600 Mio US$ allocated) and to share experiences and best practices for international waters management.
The DABLAS Task Force, established in 2001, assures the co-ordination of water-related issues in the Danube and the Black Sea regions. The Working Group reviewed industrial projects and defined criteria for prioritisation.