The 2025 Danube Water Conference "Looking back, Looking forward: A State of the Sector Update" will convene from 14 to 16 May, 2025 in Vienna, back to back with IAWD and World Bank business meetings as well as the annual UBP Danube Hub workshop and a Young Water Professionals pre-event.
The Forum is organised by the Danube Water Program, run by IAWD and the World Bank, and co-funded by the Austrian Government.
The Danube Water Conference will focus on both existing and emerging obstacles of the region's water sector. Through sessions exploring best practice examples and interactive discussions aimed at identifying new solutions, the conference will seek to provide valuable insights and innovative strategies to help ensure that the water sector in the Danube region continues and further expands to deliver high-quality service provision amidst a constantly changing environment.
As part of its ongoing efforts to support the region, the World Bank is currently working on updating the State of the Sector Report, building on previous editions from 2015 and 2018. Draft results from this ongoing work will be presented and discussed at the conference, providing a foundational overview of the sector's progress, challenges, and future opportunities.
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.
Forum Venue
The venue is the conference center Twelve in Vienna, Austria. The building is close to Vienna’s train station Meidling and is within easy reach of the city centre by public transport.
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 16 May.
Thematic scope for Outline Papers
The conference programme will cover the following themes: 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@iawd.at before 15 March 2025.
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 2025. 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 €390, with discounts available for members of IAWD.
| Type of participant | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular Attendee | 390€ |
| IAWD Member (Utility/Association) | 312€ |
| IAWD Member (Corporate/Research) | 351€ |
| Regular Presenter | 312€ |
| Invited Presenter | 0€ |
The fee includes participation in the Danube Water Conference including the Welcome Reception as well as lunch and coffee breaks. Please note that the registration to the conference does not include travel or accommodation.
Registration will is possible in the period 3 March to 3 May 2025!
Conference Dinner
Next to interesting presentations and professional networking, the Danube Water Conference will also include opportunities for participants to enjoy themselves and socialize with fellow “water people” in a nice atmosphere.
The conference dinner will be held at the Chadim restaurant, close to the conference venue: On 15 May participants are invited to join for an evening of good food, drinks and music.
For joining the conference dinner, we will ask you to pay a complementary fee of 30€. When registering, please tick the box for the dinner to reserve your seat.
Institutional Partners
