Have you planned your trip to Vienna yet? Transport? Accommodation? Sights too see and people to meet? No? Seriously no? Please read on about the Danube Water Conference you must not miss, and then hurry to register and make last minute arrangements – for a long list of convincing reasons, among them a new conference venue, the world-famous Viennese hospitality, a couple hundred very important people you really, really need to meet during this year's biggest event for the Danube region Water Sector – and, yes, a distinguished speaker roster.

One speaker we are really excited to present is Michel Sponar, Deputy Head of Unit at the European Commission's Directorate General for the Environment. His 22-person team is involved in several files such as the revision of the Drinking Water Directive, the review of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and of the Bathing Water directive but also the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Mr. Sponar will give us first-hand account of the changes brought by, and the consequences to be expected of, the revised EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.

We will also have to pleasure to introduce Ms. Verena Hagg, Deputy Director for International Financial Institutions at the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance, a highly experienced expert for international relations and negotiations. At the Conference, Ms. Hagg will represent one of our most important and long-standing supporters, the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Austria.

Message of special significance will be brought by Ms. Viktoriia Humenna, Deputy Head of the Investment Policy Department and Head of the Unit for Projects with International Financial Institutions Ukraine, who will contribute the perspective of her war-torn country to the session on service delivery in times of crisis.

Furthermore, the 2025 DWC will continue the widely appreciated tradition of the Friday Poster Breakfast. We will convene over coffee and small treats to enjoy altogether ten poster presentations dealing with a wide range of themes from integrated water resources management, solar energy use in water infrastructure, or water reuse in a circular economy framework to specialized environmental diagnostics. This will also be a stage for the representatives of the Young Water Professionals, who will again give invaluable support to the organizing team.

All this is just a tiny "for instance" out of a huge program. You got to see it for yourself, and late registration is still open - but only until May 3^rd. So hurry up!