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, back to back with back to back with a Board meeting of the International Water Association (IWA) as well as the annual UBP Danube Hub workshop and several business meetings.  

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. 

Forum Venue

The venue is the Hotel Kronwell  (7 Garii BVD, Brasov, 500203, Brasov. The building is located in walking distance to Brasov's main train station and located a short bus ride from the city center. 

The airport of Brasov is only served by a limited number of airlines. For international guests of the Forum, we suggest to travel via Bucharest, which can be reached by several airlines and to continue to Brasov via train or shuttle. The logistic guidelines will inlcude detailed information and will be made available with the beginning of the official registration.

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 April 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 30 April 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 

We thank our institutional partners and conference supporters who help us to make this meeting possible and keep admission fees affordable. We are able to offer you a two-day ticket for €260, with a discount for members of IAWD.

Members as well as  presenters will receive a Discount Code via email, which shall be applied during the registration process. 

All registrations for Romanian residents and companies will be handled by ARA, please contact daniel.craia@ara.ro if you wish to participate. 

The fee includes participation in the Danube Water Forum including two social events as well as lunch and coffee breaks. Please note that the registration to the conference does not include travel or accommodation.

To confirm your participation, please register by 16 May 2024 by clicking the "Register" button on this page. Further information on the registration process can be found in the "How to Register Guide" under the links below.

If, for any reason, you would like to join the Forum, but the registration fee prevents you from doing so, please reach out to us (office@danube-water-program.org) and we will try our best to accommodate on an exceptional basis. 

Conference Dinner

Next to interesting presentations and professional networking, the Danube Water Forum will also include opportunities for participants to enjoy themselves and socialize with fellow “water people” in a nice atmosphere.

The Conference Dinner will be hosted at the Belvedere Restaurant overlooking the city of Brasov: On May, 29 after the opening of the Forum, participants are invited to join for an evening of good food and drinks, music and wonderful views. 

When registering, please tick the box for the Dinner, included in your registration fee, to reserve your seat.

Hotel booking

Please note that the Danube Water Forum organizers have pre-booked a number of rooms in different hotels close to the conference venue. More information about suitable hotels and deadlines for booking the rooms is available in the Logistical Guidelines Document provided via the Pre-Event files further down.

Why visit Brasov 

„In the center of Romania, there is Brașov City, a harmonious mixture of traditional charm and city modern life. You can go by double decker around the city in order to orientate or to admire the buildings, and then you can descend for sneaking on Sforii Street, the narrowest street in Europa”.

Tripadvisor (Brașov, rank 21)

In the Middle Ages, the city of Brașov was one of the most important towns in Transylvania, as well as an economical fortress in the period of XIV – XVI centuries. It was founded by the saxon colonists and the town was populated by 3 different communities: Romanians, Hungarians and Saxons.

The city’s architecture is composed by an impressive fusion of styles and ages. The Brașov’s Fortress, surrounded by massive walls, it is a historical testimony for the medieval age and is home for historical buildings well preserved.

Founded in 1948, Transylvania University is one of largest universities in Romania, with 18 depratmens and a total of 20.000 students per year. 

Without a doubt, the Bran Castle is one of the most popular visiting places nearby Brașov and a delight for tourists from around the world. It is popular abroad for the Dracula’s legend, the fictive character from the novel written by Bram Stocker. There are over 1 million visitors in Bran Castle last year.

Speakers 

Session 1
2024 Danube Water Forum Opening Session

29 May,15:00 - 16:30

Session 2
Networking and Poster Session

29 May, 16:30 - 18:00

Session 3
Setting the Scene: The Sector's challenges in a new climate reality

30 May, 09:00 - 10:30

Session 4 and 5
Circling the drain - Trends in wastewater treatment, water reuse and circular economy

30 May, 11:15 - 13:15

Session 6
Be prepared - Proactive management of water resources in a changing climate

30 May, 11:15 - 12:15

Session 7
Maximizing revenue - Minimizing loss: Strategies for climate resilient water service delivery

30 May, 12:15 - 13:15

Session 8
Why work with water - Creative ways to engage and grow talent

30 May,14:45 - 15:45

Session 9
Back to the future - New approaches and technologies for sustainable utility management

30 May,14:45 - 15:45

Session 10
Walk the talk - Enhancing water services through effective communication & 2024 Danube Water Forum Closing

30 May,15:45 - 16:45

Forum Hosts

Co-Organizers

Institutional Partners

Corporate Partners

Premium Partner

Partners