The 2018 Danube Water Conference on “Achieving sustainable water and sanitation for all: progress, challenges and future actions in the Danube Region” was held on May 2-3, 2018 in Vienna, Austria. The Danube Water Conference, organized by IAWD and the World Bank with funding from the Austrian Government and support from the German and Swiss governments, is the Danube Water Program’s flagship event, taking place in Vienna every May since 2013.

This year’s conference brought together 165 participants from national and local governments, regulatory agencies, water utilities and professional associations as well as academia coming from 16 countries in the Danube region.

Based on the feedback received in the evaluation forms of the last conference, this year’s conference offered more time and space for interactive sessions including roundtable sessions and increased time for Q&A. The sessions included a number of best practices and case studies presentations and had a strong focus on capacity building.

An important element of the conference was the inclusion of Young Water Professionals (YWP) by implementing a chair/co-chair system as well as offering the YWP an opportunity to present, moderate and rapporteur during the event.

In total, two keynotes, 27 presentations, four panel discussions, two roundtable discussions and five poster presentations took place in ten sessions.

Some feedback collected from participants via Poll.Ev during the closing sessions:

“Collaboration on regional level is best practice of exchanging the experience ….. This network will build the future of the Danube region…”

“Investment in youth is critical”

“I liked very much the involvement of the Young Water Professionals in the Conference. Thanks very much…!”

“DWC2018 excellent organization, topics, excellent speakers, congratulations to all.”