In a powerful gathering from September 29 to October 3, over 100 conservationists united in Podgorica, Montenegro, for the Balkan River Summit 2024. The summit, themed “Uniting Voices for the Blue Heart of Europe,” focused on halting the damming of Balkan rivers and addressing the repression environmental defenders face.
Participants included international experts, scientists, and activists who discussed the severe threats posed by hydropower projects to the region’s rivers. They also highlighted the increasing intimidation tactics against environmental advocates, such as SLAPP cases, media smear campaigns, and physical threats.
A key outcome of the summit was a joint statement calling on governments, regional authorities, and corporations to end the harassment of environmental activists and uphold their rights. “It’s vital that we unite for our rivers and ensure that both nature and the defenders of these ecosystems are safeguarded from harm,” stated Amelie Huber of EuroNatur, the summit’s lead organizer.
The event also featured a public kayak flotilla on the Morača River, demonstrating solidarity and raising awareness about river conservation. Jelena Popovic from the Montenegrin Ecologists Society emphasized the importance of hosting the summit in Montenegro to spotlight local river issues and advocate for more robust protective measures.
Ulrich Eichelmann from Riverwatch encapsulated the summit’s sentiment, stating, “The rivers of the Balkans are natural jewels for the whole of Europe. Our fight to protect them determines not only the fate of these rivers, but the future of a Europe we want to live in. Do we want a continent with living rivers or not?“
The summit underscored the united stance of the river protection community and called for immediate action to preserve these critical ecosystems. EuroNatur, Riverwatch, the Montenegrin Ecologists Society, and the Save Komarnica initiative organized the event, marking a significant step in the ongoing fight to protect the Balkan rivers. For more information, read the article published by Save the Blue Heart of Europe, available here: https://balkanrivers.net/en/news/100-people-unite-to-protect-balkans-wild-rivers-and-their-defenders?mc_cid=cdf7657255&mc_eid=55852d27e2
