Alexander F. Stemmer Budapest, September 17th, 2013 Danube Commission , Budapest

1. ActivitiesoftheDanubeCommission (DC) Alexander F. StemmerBudapest, September 17th, 2013 DanubeCommission, Budapest

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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 Benczurutca25 Workshop 2013 - a prosperous future for the Danube navigation Budapest, September 17th, 2013