Ukraine prepares for the ICPDR Presidency in 2026

On 30 September 2025, Uzhhorod hosted a trilateral meeting of Slovenia, Austria and Ukraine within the framework of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), dedicated to Ukraine’s upcoming Presidency in 2026.

The Ukrainian delegation was represented by Iryna Ovcharenko (Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture), Ihor Hopchak (Head of the State Water Resources Agency), Mariya Shpanchyk (Head of the Water Resources Department, future ICPDR President in 2026), Vitaliy Zhuk (Deputy Head of the Department for Water Resources and Marine Ecosystems), as well as experts from the Tisza Basin Water Resources Administration.

On behalf of the ICPDR, the meeting was attended by Birgit Vogel (Executive Secretary), Monika Mört (Head of the Austrian Delegation), Mitja Briel (Head of the Slovenian Delegation), and Konrad Stanya (Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management of Austria).

Key messages

• Ukraine emphasized its progress in implementing the EU Water Framework Directive, having approved River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) and Flood Risk Management Plans for all nine river basins.
• Special attention was paid to the vulnerability of the Danube Delta, which suffers from daily drone and missile attacks by russia.
• Mariya Shpanchyk underlined that the Presidency is a unique opportunity to strengthen Ukraine’s position in the “Water Quality” sector and to align national policies with EU standards.

Priorities identified for Ukraine’s Presidency

• River Basin Management Plans implementation and updates;
• Monitoring of water quality;
• Addressing the environmental consequences of the war;
• Climate change adaptation (droughts and floods);
• Strengthening the resilience of the Danube Delta.

IDR Comment

According to the Institute of Danube Research (IDR), Ukraine’s Presidency in the ICPDR in 2026 is not only a symbolic event but also a strategic opportunity:

• to consolidate progress on EU integration reforms;
• to draw international attention to the environmental consequences of war;
• to shape a roadmap for green recovery and resilience in the Danube Basin.