6. Conclusion

From being the sewer of Europe in the 1960s and 1970s, the Rhine has now become one of the cleanest international rivers in Europe. The Rhine and its densely populated catchment area have experienced heavy pollution and impressive restauration.

[2] ICPR. Convention on the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine against Pollution (Treaty of Berne). (Convention on the Protection of the Rhine, renewed Treaty of Berne, 1999). 1963. Available from: https://www.iksr.org/en/international-cooperation/legal-

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[4] ICPR. Page on the "Rhine Action Programme" [Internet]. 2017. Available from: https://www. iksr.org/en/international-cooperation/rhine-2020/history-1986-2000/index.html [Accessed:

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[7] ICPR. Brochure "The Rhine and its Catchment – A Survey" (Balance of the implementa-

[8] Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy. 2000

[9] Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007

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[12] Page on the Conference of Ministers with the Communiqués [Internet]. 2017. Available from: https://www.iksr.org/en/international-cooperation/conferences-of-ministers/index.

[14] ICPR. ICPR Report 239. Development and Assessment of the Rhine Water Quality 2013–

[15] ICPR. Internationally Coordinated Management Plan 2015 for the International River

[16] ICPR. ICPR Report 203. Integrated Assessment of Micro-pollutants and Measures Aimed

[17] ICPR. ICPR Report 240. Strategy for Avoiding and Reducing Micro-Pollutants of Diffuse

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What started with the development of a joint monitoring strategy in the 1950s and 1960s has developed into a comprehensive integrated management strategy of the Rhine, comprising aspects of water quality, emission reduction, ecological restoration and flood prevention.

This development was guided by a process of "learning by doing" which was triggered by some major disasters (Sandoz accident 1986, floods in 1993 and 1995). These disasters have dramatically changed the political will in all states in the Rhine watershed. Public pressure after the disasters has been key to find common solutions towards restoring the Rhine river.

Since the beginning of the 1990s, the work of the ICPR has triggered the integrated water policy in the European Union. Today, basin-wide and transboundary approaches in water management and the required cooperation between all countries in a catchment are a European obligation.

The functions of the Rhine river, drinking water, water for agriculture and industries, water transportation, water power plants, recreational fishery, recreation and tourism, must be harmonised with ecosystem protection. The ICPR can look back upon a long tradition of cooperating with stakeholders like nature protection and different user associations.

This good transboundary cooperation was based on political willingness and the conscience of common interest, developed on strong pressure from public participation, good multilevel governance, the respect and solidarity of the countries within the basin and a high-level permanent secretariat.

Strong international coordination and cross-border cooperation have set the basis for the future development of the Rhine catchment and its related socio-economic and climate change challenges.
