evaluation of the study visit - Mekong River Commission

MRC Study Visit to the Danube River Basin 2012
mainstream, experience of this project on establishing environmental baselines could be applied
in the LMB.
� BDP and MRC could learn from the approaches for environmental baseline/reference condition
assessment applied in the DRB by the ICPDR and the respective contracting parties.
� As a follow-up it was proposed to update the respective MRC technical guidelines for this
purpose and to initiate technical case studies to extend experience.
� It is considered important to take into account all relevant biological and physic-chemical
parameters for environmental baseline assessments despite the strong MRC focus on hydrology.
� The strong need to fill data gaps on environmental information and baselines in the LMB were
emphasised by the participants.
Transboundary issues, conflict management and transboundary assessment of significant water
infrastructure projects
Taking into account the MRC framework/link and learning points highlighted by the Study Visit
participants, it can be concluded:
� As mentioned above, the international cooperation mechanisms in the LMB and DRB are similar
and contribute respectively to transboundary issues and conflict management.
� It was concluded that tools applied in the DRB for transboundary issues and conflict
management could be screened in more detail for MRC purposes as a follow-up activity
especially related to issues of environment impact assessments. This includes the content and
objectives of the UNECE ESPOO convention and the EU Directive on Strategic Environmental
Planning.
� The ICPDR Joint Statement for Navigation and Ecology that aims for sustainable development
was considered useful tool for applied sustainability and transboundary conflict prevention. In
addition, the on-going ICPDR process regarding hydropower in the DRB was seen as an issue to
be followed-up in more detail.
� It was highlighted that the data gathering in the LMB for transboundary issues in particular
regarding the assessment of significant water infrastructure project is weak and that
improvement is needed. The approaches that have been applied in the DRB and for the DRBM
Plan could be screened in more detail for possible BDP/MRC adaptation.
� River Basin wide information and monitoring tools such as the ICPDR Transnational Monitoring
Network, the flood early warning system and the alert system for accidental pollution are rated
as important to reduce the risks of international conflicts.
Flood/drought forecasting and control
Taking into account the MRC framework/link and the learning points (Annex 6), it can be concluded:
� Flood management approaches applied in the DRB and its countries were considered as possible
case examples for the LMB.
� In particular it was raised, screen the flood management approaches in the Tisza River Basin in
more detail for possible implementation in the 3S sub-basin in the LMB.
� Approaches to implement the EU Flood Directive within the basin-wide frame of the ICPDR but
also the DRB countries could be screened in more detail for LMB implementation relevance.
� The Alert system applied in the DRB and ICPDR was considered interesting and useful for more
detailed screening.
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