I inform you that the next «EUROPE-INBO 2009» international conference, organised by the «Group of European Basin Organisations for the Implementation of the Water Framework Directive - WFD», will take place this year within the World Water Week in Stockholm, at the invitation of the Swedish River Basin District Authorities.

This conference is an official meeting of the Swedish Presidency of the European Union which opens on next 1^st July.

The programme will proceed over three days:

Wednesday 19 August:

• 14:00-17:30: Seminar on the control of emissions of hazardous substances (presentation of European case studies based on Management Plans),

• 17.45-18.45: Side event: «Recommendations from the GWP/INBO handbook on Integrated Water Resources Management in basins» (responsibilities of District Authorities, financing, etc.)

The seminar and side event of 19 August are open to all the participants of the World Water Week.

Thursday 20 and Friday 21 August:

These two days are specifically dedicated to the District Authorities in charge of implementing the Water Framework Directive in river basins: INBO objective is to allow the European Basin Organisations to meet regularly, in an informal manner, to share their practical experience.

In 2009, the District Authorities have to present their first Basin Management Plans and Programmes of Measures. The conference objective is thus to organise the sharing of experience on this challenge. A large part of the programme is devoted to group discussions and round tables in order to facilitate exchanges.

Three workshops are organised:

•1.     Management Plans - focus on public participation and transboundary challenges

•2.     Climate Change - challenges to water management

•3.     Programmes of Measures - economic aspects

The conference will end on Friday 21 August afternoon by a meeting of the Bureaus of INBO European Regional Networks (EUROPE-INBO, CEENBO and MENBO).

I hope that you will be able to participate in this conference and will take this opportunity to attend the entire World Water Week in Stockholm.

Participation in this conference on the European Water Framework Directive is free of charge.

As a participant in the «WFD» conference, you can benefit from a 25% discount on the registration fee for the World Water Week.