The fourth meeting of DIKTAS II experts and the third meeting of the DIKTAS II Steering Committee took place in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on 8 to 10 July 2026. Representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Montenegro met with UNESCO and UNDP to assess the work at the project’s midpoint and agree on priorities for the period ahead.
Over 3 days, intensive discussions highlighted progress across the project’s technical components, including groundwater monitoring, the state of the region’s biodiversity, water governance, legal cooperation, stakeholder engagement, and gender-focussed issues. Each is fundamental to the success of DIKTAS II, helping move towards a more integrated approach to managing the transboundary Dinaric Karst Aquifer System.
Analyses across the different fields demonstrated common governance challenges among the participating countries. Draft legal agreements continue to evolve with the support of national consultative bodies, while proposed monitoring networks are becoming increasingly detailed. All the processes described are carried out with a specific focus on groundwater management. UNESCO, through its Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme, provides scientific and technical expertise on groundwater and hydrology, while UNDP offers oversight of Global Environment Facility implementation, regional policy support, and quality assurance.
From Stocktaking to Action
The meeting also focused on the DIKTAS II’s next phase and formally requested an extension until 2028. Discussions centred on priorities for the coming year and the expected outcomes.
Experts committed to turning progress into concrete actions by strengthening karst system monitoring, finalising bilateral and multilateral agreements between the karst system countries, expanding training activities, and completing the Joint Action Programmes.
At the same time, participants stressed that this work must continue beyond the conclusion of DIKTAS II. The project must have a lasting legacy that ensures sustainable management of the aquifers for the years to come. Sustaining the results will require continued commitment and support from the participating countries to safeguard this shared water resource.
