EUWI+ took part in several events organised on the occasion of Danube Day in Giurgiulesti (Moldova) and Kiliya (Ukraine) with its partners: the State Agency of Water Resources of Ukraine (SAWR), the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine (MENR), the Lower Danube basin authority and Kiliya local authorities, and the EU-UNDP project “Improving Environmental Monitoring in the Black Sea: Selected Measures”.
Improving water quality through transboundary cooperation
Danube Day celebrations took place at the same time as the 4th edition of the Joint Danube Surveys in Kiliya, which is the biggest investigative monitoring survey from the Danube’s source to its delta. Comprehensive water sampling was organised almost simultaneously in 13 Danube countries, using the same EU methods to give a full picture of the “health” of the Danube all along the water course.
As a partner of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), which implements the Joint Danube Survey, EUWI+ took part in the press conference organised back to back with Joint Danube Survey sampling on the river bank.
More photos of the Joint Danube Surveys in Kiliya in our album on EUWI+ Facebook page
The presence of Moldovan representatives at this event was very important to underline the need for cooperation between the two countries in this part of the basin. The event in Kiliya was attended by Moldovan representatives Radu Cazacu, deputy head of the Apele Moldovei Agency, and Andrian Delinschi, head of water policy management at the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment (MARDE).
Ukraine and Moldova are riparian countries of the Danube river basin, which includes the Danube delta. Kiliya is part of this largest remaining natural wetland, a unique ecosystem that forms a buffer zone, filtering out pollutants from the River Danube, and helping to improve the water quality of the north-western Black Sea.
EUWI+ is a key Ukrainian partner for improving water management in the country
The event was an occasion to draw attention to the fact that Ukraine recently adopted a new state water monitoring system compliant with EU standards. Moreover, with the support of EUWI+, the EU is investing around 0.5 million euro to establish a modern water quality laboratory in Ukraine. As a result, Ukraine’s water analysis capacities will increase significantly in the future.
Johannes Baur, Head of Energy, Environment, Transport Section, EU Delegation to Ukraine.
Celebrations and festivities to promote a sense of community in the Danube basin
Danube Day has been celebrated by all 14 Danube countries since 2004 to raise public awareness on water-related environmental issues.
This year, events at many locations featuring contests and festive concerts were organised for children and city residents.
Visitors specifically enjoyed being photographed at the Danube basin passport photo zone, where they received their passport of “Honorary citizen of the Danube basin".
More photos of the event on our album on EUWI+Facebook page
___
On Sunday 7 July, it will be Kiev’s turn to celebrate Dnipro day. Click on the links above for more information: