First edition of the Danube Water Forum on “The Importance of Water Sector Data in the Digital Age”

We are pleased to invite you to participate in the first edition of the Danube Water Forum on “The Importance of Water Sector Data in the Digital Age” to be held on 27-29 October, 2020.

Given the unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the event will go virtual, holding its premiere edition as a three-day series of webinars.

The Forum will draw an audience of distinguished stakeholders in the water service sector to discuss the key role of high-quality water sector data as a basis for smart policies, strong utilities and sustainable services.

The Danube Water Program, run by IAWD and the World Bank and co-funded by the Austrian Government, invites you to consult the attached invitation and draft agenda for further details.

Join an audience of distinguished stakeholders in the water service sector for comprehensive information and productive discussions. We are pleased to offer you free-of-charge Forum participation. Make your registration to join the Danube Water Forum now!

In addition, please find your invitation to participate in the Danube Water Forum Lounge, your opportunity to meet all your friends and acquaintances from everywhere in the Danube region. Please mind that access is limited, so make sure you register early.

Further details will be announced on the Voice of the Danube website. Take the opportunity and sign up as registered user to receive regular updates on the status of the event.

If you have any other queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We look forward to your participation in the Danube Water Forum!

The Danube Water Program team

Tuesday, 27 October

13:30 Opening and Keynote: The relevance of data for water management and sustainable service provision

The Opening will introduce the hosts of the Danube Water Forum and provide an overview of the agenda. It will be followed by a keynote speech and a panel discussion on the subject.

14:45 Break

15:00 The bigger picture: water data in the intersectoral context Addressing the importance of data in the context of Integrated Water Resources Management and achieving water security.

16:15 Close of Day 1

Wednesday, 28 October

13:30 Data counts: Sound data for smart policies Showcasing how smart water sector policy and regulation based on sound data availability can contribute to sustainable water service delivery.

14:45 Break

15:00 Data transparency: the value of performance indicators for municipal governments and the general public Highlighting the importance of data reporting to municipal governments for addressing additional financing needs as well as to the general public.

16:15 Break

16:30 Danube Water Forum Lounge Getting together in spite of it all

17:00 Close of Day 2

Thursday, 29 October

13:30 Utility strengthening: Improving performance through data collection Addressing the relevance of data collection as a basis for utility performance improvement in the context of the Utility Benchmarking Program.

14:45 Break

15:00 Closing of Danube Water Forum Summarizing the key take home messages.

16:15 Close of Day 3