The 2024 Danube Water Forum "Riding the wave: Water Sector Innovations for a new Climate Reality" will convene on 29 and 30 May, 2024 in in the city of Brasov, Romania.   

The Forum is organised by the Danube Water Program, run by IAWD and the World Bank, and co-funded by the Austrian Government, in cooperation with the Utility of the Future – Center of Excellence. Local hosts of the event are IAWD members Compania Apa Brasov and the Romanian Water Association, ARA.

Water and climate change are inextricably linked. Extreme weather events are making water more scarce, more unpredictable, more polluted or all three. These impacts throughout the water cycle threaten sustainable development, biodiversity, and people’s access to water and sanitation. Water and wastewater utilities in the Danube region suffer from high energy costs, an aging workforce, a constant under investment into the sector, all while adapting to a new climate reality.

The Danube Water Conference will focus on the impact of a changing climate on the region’s water sector with sessions exploring recent developments and their effects on utilities and highlighting best practice examples how to face them. The conference's objective is to foster cooperation and knowledge exchange to tackle the emerging challenges faced by the Danube region's water sector.

The Forum will draw more than 150 senior water professionals and provide sufficient opportunities to network and make valuable connections. 

The Forum's language will be English with translation into Romanian. Only physical participation will be possible. 

More information on the official website. You can download the Draft outline agenda here. 

Call for Poster Submissions

The Danube Water Program encourages the submission of an outline paper to present a poster presentation in a dedicated poster session on 29 May.

Thematic scope for Outline Papers

The Forum programme will cover the following themes: Climate crisis and it's impact on the water sector; Utility management and operation; Integrated water management and planning; and Governance and policy. Contributions are sought inline with the outlined themes (and related to the sessions outlined in the Agenda) on best practice, applied research, policy developments and solutions relating to challenges faced by water professionals in the Danube region and can incorporate in particular the following topics: Circular economy, Climate smart approaches to water and sanitation, Digital transformation, Innovation in technology and policy, Nature-based solutions in water services, Inclusiveness and equality.

How to submit an Outline Paper

To submit a proposal, please use the template available here. Your initial submission must be in the form of an outline paper: 1-2 A4 pages of text (max. 1,000 words) plus up to two additional pages of tables/figures. The outline paper must persuasively summarise your proposed presentation and shall be submitted to office@danube-water-program.org before 15 March 2024.  

How are submissions selected?

Your submitted proposal will be peer reviewed by the Danube Water Program team. Presenters will be notified of acceptance / rejection by 31 March 2024. Selected poster presenters will be required to register as a paying delegate, who are eligible for a discounted registration fee. Presenters are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses.

Registration Process and Fees

The registration to the 2024 Danube Water Forum will open end of February. 

More informationon the official website.