In order to advocate for the application of IWRM principles in the design of waterways and their operation, GWP Romania took part in the government-organised 13th Shipping Conference on 2-3 December 2009.

The GWPO Network Officer Mr. Bjorn Guterstam, accompanied by GWP CEE Chair Mr. Liviu Nicolae Popescu, presented the statement on behalf of observer organizations to ICPDR at the Ministerial Meeting on 16 February in Vienna, Austria. At the meeting, Ministers endorsed detailed actions for environmental protection in the Danube River Basin.

GWP Slovakia, GWP Hungary and GWP Ukraine worked with municipalities, river basin organisations, NGOs, farmers and urban planning authorities to develop a workable partnership to manage flood risks in the transboundary Bodrog River Basin.

GWP Slovakia has been introducing the IWRM approach to the Association of Municipalities, using the guide Sustainable Sanitation in Central and Eastern Europe prepared by GWP Central and Eastern Europe as a key resource.

GWP Bulgaria is helping local groups see how they fit into broader regional perspectives such as the European Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Promoting the IWRM approach means first making those involved in water management aware of IWRM principles, how they can be applied in their context and the main benefits of doing so.

GWP Bulgaria hosted a technical visit of 9 experts, including Kosovo Water Director, from Prishtina based Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning Water Department on September 29 - October 2.

GWP Inter-Regional Workshop will be held on 25-27 May 2009 in Kiev, Ukraine.