Serbia and Hungary monitor Tisza river to predict droughts and floods – Euronews.com

Report on the ADAPtisa Project: Transboundary Water Management and Sustainable Development

Project Overview and Strategic Context

A cross-border initiative, the ADAPtisa project, has been established to foster integrated water management of the Tisza River basin. The project represents a significant partnership between the Republic of Serbia and Hungary, addressing shared environmental challenges such as floods and droughts. This collaboration directly supports the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by focusing on shared natural resources.

Key stakeholders in this initiative include:

• Research institutions from both nations
• Universities contributing academic expertise
• National and regional water management organisations

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The ADAPtisa project is fundamentally aligned with several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrating a commitment to integrated and sustainable policy-making.

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The project’s core mission to create an integrated river basin management platform directly addresses Target 6.5, which calls for implementing integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action: By developing systems to better manage floods and droughts—extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change—the project serves as a critical climate adaptation strategy, contributing to Target 13.1 to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Enhanced management of the Tisza River will reduce the risk of water-related disasters for communities in the border region, aligning with Target 11.5 to significantly reduce the number of people affected by such events.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The project is a prime example of Target 17.16, which encourages and promotes effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, built on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. This bilateral cooperation is essential for achieving sustainable development in a shared river basin.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land: Sustainable river management is crucial for protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems, directly supporting Target 15.1 concerning the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.

Core Objectives and Activities

The primary objective is the creation of a unified data-sharing platform to facilitate joint monitoring and management of the Tisza River. This involves several key activities:

• Harmonizing data collection methodologies between Serbian and Hungarian organisations.
• Developing a shared digital platform for real-time data analysis and forecasting.
• Conducting joint research to understand the hydrological dynamics (“pulse”) of the river.
• Building institutional capacity for coordinated responses to water-related challenges.

Expected Outcomes and Impact on Sustainability

The successful implementation of the ADAPtisa project is expected to yield significant long-term benefits for the region. The primary outcome will be an enhanced framework for integrated river basin management that improves the resilience of both the ecosystem and local communities. This will lead to more effective flood and drought mitigation, safeguarding lives, infrastructure, and agricultural productivity, thereby advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals in the Hungary-Serbia border region.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article highlights issues that are directly connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

   • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The core focus of the article is on water management, specifically the “integrated river basin management” of the Tisza River. This directly relates to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water.
   • SDG 13: Climate Action: The full article link provided in the summary explicitly mentions “floods and droughts,” which are climate-related hazards. The project’s goal of integrated river management is a key strategy for adapting to the impacts of climate change and strengthening resilience against such natural disasters.
   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article describes a cross-border partnership, the “ADAPtisa project,” which “brings together researchers, universities and water management organisations from both countries” (Serbia and Hungary). This collaboration to “share data” and achieve a common goal is a clear example of the partnerships required to achieve sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

   • Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.
     • Explanation: The article’s central theme is the creation of a “platform for integrated river basin management” through a cross-border project between Serbia and Hungary, which directly aligns with the implementation of integrated water resources management through transboundary cooperation.
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
     • Explanation: By creating a shared data platform for managing the Tisza River, the project aims to better handle climate-related hazards such as floods and droughts (as mentioned in the full article link). This directly contributes to strengthening the region’s resilience and adaptive capacity.
   • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms.
     • Explanation: The ADAPtisa project is a form of regional cooperation between Serbia and Hungary. It involves multiple stakeholders who “share data” and collaborate on a scientific and technological platform, which is a direct application of this target’s goal of enhancing knowledge sharing and cooperation.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article implies indicators that can be used to measure progress:

   • Indicator for Target 6.5 (related to Indicator 6.5.2: Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation):
     • Implied Indicator: The existence and operational status of the “ADAPtisa project” and its “platform for integrated river basin management” serve as a direct, qualitative indicator. The project itself is an “operational arrangement for water cooperation” covering the transboundary Tisza River basin between Serbia and Hungary.
   • Indicator for Target 13.1:
     • Implied Indicator: The development and implementation of the “platform for integrated river basin management” is an indicator of progress. It represents a concrete strategy and tool put in place to enhance adaptive capacity to floods and droughts in the border region.
   • Indicator for Target 17.6:
     • Implied Indicator: The successful establishment of the ADAPtisa project, which facilitates data sharing among “researchers, universities and water management organisations” from two countries, is a clear indicator of a functioning mechanism for international cooperation and knowledge sharing.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (as identified or implied in the article)
   SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation	Target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation.	The existence of the “ADAPtisa project” as an operational arrangement for transboundary water cooperation on the Tisza River.
   SDG 13: Climate Action	Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.	The creation of a “platform for integrated river basin management” to manage floods and droughts.
   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	Target 17.6: Enhance regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing.	The collaborative ADAPtisa project involving researchers, universities, and organizations from Serbia and Hungary who “share data.”

Source: euronews.com