Institute of Danube Research Thanks the International Partners of DANUBE PARTICIPATION DAY 2026

The Institute of Danube Research expresses its special gratitude to the distinguished guests and international partners who took part in DANUBE PARTICIPATION DAY 2026, held in Odesa.

The participants included:

— Iryna Ovcharenko, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine;

— Mária Špánčiková, President of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River;

— Birgit Vogel, Executive Secretary of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River;

— Ihor Hopchak, Head of the State Agency of Water Resources of Ukraine;

— Claudia Singer-Smith, Coordinator of Priority Area 10 of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, “Institutional Capacity and Cooperation”;

— Stefan August Lütgenau, President of the Danube Civil Society Forum and Director of Foster Europe — Foundation for Strong European Regions.

The participation of representatives of Ukrainian public authorities, international institutions and civil society gave the discussion particular practical significance. The presentations focused on integrated water resources management, the development of institutional cooperation, the protection of Danube ecosystems and the strengthening of Ukraine’s role in implementing the EU Strategy for the Danube Region.

“We sincerely thank our distinguished guests and international partners for their insightful presentations, professional dialogue and consistent support for Ukraine.

The DANUBE PARTICIPATION DAY 2026 in Odesa demonstrated that Ukraine is not merely a participant, but an important component of the strategic Danube area.

Joint efforts by public institutions, international organisations, the expert community and civil society create the necessary conditions for strengthening water security, developing cross-border cooperation and advancing Ukraine’s European integration.

Your presentations, expert assessments and support have reinforced our shared objective — to make Ukraine a significant, active and influential part of the Danube Region.”