This week, DANUBEPARKS participated as an Observer in the 6th Ordinary Meeting of the Steering Committee of the UNESCO Five-country Biosphere Reserve Mura-Drava-Danube, held on 12 and 13 October 2026 in Mohács, Hungary. The meeting was organised and hosted by the Danube-Drava National Park Directorate.
Designated by UNESCO in 2021, the Mura-Drava-Danube Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (TBR MDD) is the world’s only biosphere reserve shared by five countries: Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and Serbia. Covering approximately 930,000 hectares along the Mura, Drava and Danube rivers, it brings together a rich mosaic of floodplain forests, wetlands and river habitats.
The reserve provides a framework for cross-border cooperation that combines biodiversity conservation with sustainable regional development, research and education. It highlights the importance of working across national borders to protect and manage shared river ecosystems.
Representatives of all five countries presented annual reports on their activities and projects in protected areas along the Mura, Drava and Danube. Discussions also addressed possible arrangements for the TBR MDD’s Coordinating Management Body. DANUBEPARKS’ participation as an Observer reflects the network’s commitment to connecting protected areas and supporting transboundary conservation throughout the Danube region.
The event also featured a presentation of LIFE RESTORE for MDD, an EU co-funded project dedicated to preserving and restoring floodplain forests along the three rivers. Running from 2023 to 2028 and coordinated by WWF Austria, the project brings together 17 partners from all five countries. Its activities include reconnecting river side channels, restoring oxbows, improving natural river dynamics and restoring native floodplain forests. By combining practical restoration with cross-border planning, the project aims to improve habitats and strengthen cooperation across the biosphere reserve.
We thank the Danube-Drava National Park Directorate for organising the meeting and for their hospitality. As our hosts celebrate their 30th anniversary, we extend our warm congratulations and best wishes for their continued work in protecting the region’s natural heritage.