Activities of the Danube Commission (DC) Alexander F. Stemmer Budapest, September 17th, 2013 Danube Commission, Budapest

Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation ACTIVITIES OF THE DC derive from the tasks specified in Art. 8 of the Belgrade Convention from 1948 regarding the regime of navigation on the Danube define the plan of big works on the Danube river development of a unified system of signals and pilot services harmonisation of rules coordination of hydrometeorigical data deliver advice, recommendations provide statistical data on Danube navigation publications As facilitator/ service provider/ working platform of the DC and to carry out the above tasks, the secretariat of the DC has been established in accordance with Art. 9 of the Belgrade Convention (BC) Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation Budapest, September 17th, 2013

Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation ACTIVITIES OF THE DC Having in view its tasks, the DC is actively cooperating with the help of its secretariat in various international fora primarily on: professional matters of navigation safety of navigation development of navigation infrastructure fleet matters environmental issues At the same time DC is since the 90‘s engaged in an internal reform process of its conventional base. Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation Budapest, September 17th, 2013

Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation ACTIVITIES OF THE DC on international scale UNECE – Geneva Inland Transport Committee, WP Inland Water, WP on standardization of technical and safety requirements WP on Transport Statistics Joint meeting of experts on ADN CEVNI Expert Group regional economic and transport organisations RAINWAT – Regional Arrangement on Communication on inland waterways BSEC – Black Sea Economic Cooperation Org. – sectorial partnership Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation Budapest, September 17th, 2013

Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation ACTIVITIES OF THE DC on EU scale DG Mobility and Energy - MOVE, focussing on common activities or WGs on professional and training standards in inland navigation( to be revised according to Directive 96/50/EC) Inland navigation related projects financed and conducted by EU programs like: EUSDR(steering commitee Area 1a – Inland Water Transport), NAIADES, PLATINA, NEWADA, WANDA, DaHar, NELI etc. EUSDR as an example: DC contributed a package of proposals with regard to the plan of major works on the Danube river and its recommendations on minimum requirements for standard fairway parameters etc. on the Danube. Also a list of national infrastructure projects has been submitted to the EU. Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation Budapest, September 17th, 2013

Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation ACTIVITIES OF THE DC European River Commissions CCNR, ISRBC, ICPDR, Moselle Commission - A renowned joint statement on guiding principles for the development of inland navigation and environmental protection in the danube river basin has been agreed with ICPDR and ISRBC! other International River Commissions Mekong River Commission, Niger Basin Commission, Oranje River Commission Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation Budapest, September 17th, 2013

Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation ACTIVITIES OF THE DC DC‘s secretariat aims to be present in various circles to contribute wherever discussions go about internal navigation in Europe and on the Danube river. In doing so the main focus and stress is laid on the harmonisation of rules improvement of navigation standards support in managing infrastructural challenges on the river dialogue with the stakeholders of Internal Navigation in Europe Problems? Secretariat‘s role for the implementation of the provisions of the BC Plenty of experience, but lack of accessible funds to unblock bottlenecks in the time of financial crises Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation Budapest, September 17th, 2013

Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation ACTIVITIES OF THE DC To fulfill a prominent task – Publications - DC has to provide, on the basis of members‘ data contributions, a lot of (print) materials for the navigation sector. maps, indicators, statistics, requirements for personnel etc. market observation ( in future?) website information, integrated interactive electronic mapping ( tbd) electronic data bases(tbd) Most publications are also available electronically following a growing users‘ demand. Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation Budapest, September 17th, 2013

DC will have to follow on this way! ACTIVITIES OF THE DC In conclusio: DC is today more and more involved in European internal navigation programs The rising number of internat. projects or initiatives shows a growing demand for coordination – but to some extent also lack of orientation in IN! Therefore more international coordination is needed More exchange, communication and reference between policymakers and market users needs to be stimulated. DC will have to follow on this way! Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation Budapest, September 17th, 2013

Thank you for your attention! Alexander F. STEMMER Deputy Director-General for Administration and Finance Secretariat of the Danube Commission stemmer@danubecom-intern.org H-1068 Budapest Benczur utca 25 Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation Budapest, September 17th, 2013