**4.1.3 Cross-cutting issues**

In the field of **information management**, the *Sava GIS Strategy* (ISRBC, 2008b) has been developed, taking into account the *EU INSPIRE Directive* and the Water Information System for Europe. Subsequently, the implementing documents for the Sava GIS establishment have been prepared, the funding for the initial phase of the GIS establishment secured, and the initial phase launched.

As for the **hydrological and meteorological issues**, advances in the exchange of hydrometeorological information and data within the basin have been made, including a revival of the *Hydrological Yearbook of the Sava River Basin* (ISRBC, 2010b) after more than 20 years.

Integrated Water Resources Management as a

Basis for Sustainable Development – The Case of the Sava River Basin 37

Given the overall goal of the *FASRB* in the field of **navigation** (i.e. the establishment of the international regime of navigation on the Sava river and its navigable tributaries), as well as interests of the Parties related to other water uses, the future efforts should be oriented to: - further unification and upgrading of the administrative and legal framework with the aim to increase navigation safety and remove administrative obstacles for navigation; - rehabilitation, development and proper maintenance of the Sava river waterway with






In order to support the *FASRB* implementation and the achievement of its main objectives,




development of a water pollution contingency management plan for the basin; - establishment of a system for sustainable management of floods in the Sava river basin, by development of a common *Sava Flood Risk Management Plan* in accordance with the *EU Flood Directive* and in line with the *UNECE Water Convention*, as well as by

the aim to increase commercial traffic and improve navigation safety;

protect the water against pollution from vessels;

Sava river basin, the future activities should be focused on:

adaptation of flood management to climate change.

forecasting and warning system for the basin;

development of the Sava GIS;

the future activities related to the **cross-cutting issues**, should target:

in the basin;

Sava river as an important regional transport corridor; - development of nautical tourism in the Sava river basin, and

Preliminary agreements have been made upon basic elements of a system for the exchange of hydrological and meteorological information and data within the basin. Preparatory activities have been undertaken toward the implementation of two important projects, namely a new *Hydrological Study for the Sava River Basin* (to be the first study for the whole basin since 1976), and the development and upgrade of the hydro-meteorological information and flood forecasting and warning system for the basin.

**Cooperation** of the ISRBC with a large number of international organizations and institutions has been established and maintained, with a special emphasis on those specified in the *FASRB*. The basis for cooperation with the ICPDR and Danube Commission has been strengthened by signing memoranda of understanding on cooperation with each of the two commissions. The support of the European Commission to the *FASRB*-related projects is becoming steady and their recognition of several priority projects of the ISRBC in the context of the *EU Strategy for the Danube Region* indicates a good will for a continued support. A good cooperation with the UNECE and their support to the projects of the ISRBC should be mentioned, as well. Cooperation with the institutions of the Parties responsible for the *FASRB* implementation has been established and maintained, as well as with other national institutions, such as agencies, offices, services, institutes and universities.

In order to ensure **public participation and stakeholder involvement** in major activities related to the *FASRB* implementation, cooperation with non-governmental organizations and other institutions and local actors from the Sava river basin has been established, a network of observers to the ISRBC has been created, and a number of mechanisms for information and consultation of stakeholders and/or wide public have been established, including the official web-site, the *Sava NewsFlash* bulletin, publications and promotion material of the ISRBC, celebration of the Sava Day (June 1), press releases, press conferences and media briefings, organization of consultation workshops, public presentations and other meetings with stakeholders by the ISRBC, or participation in ceremonies, conferences and other events, and contributions to bulletins and web-sites of other organizations/ institutions.

A good example of stakeholder involvement is the process of development and implementation of the *Joint Statement on Guiding Principles for the Development of Inland Navigation and Environmental Protection in the Danube River Basin* (ICPDR et al., 2008), led jointly by the ICPDR, Danube Commission and the ISRBC, where the issue is continuously discussed by a variety of stakeholders from navigation and environmental sector.
