Flood events are a part of nature. They have existed and will continue to exist. As far as feasible, human interference into the processes of nature should be reversed, compensated and, in the future, prevented

Human uses of floodplains should be adapted to the existing hazards. Appropriate instruments and measures should be developed for all flooding related problems: flooding, rising groundwater tables, sewage network disruption, erosion, mass deposition, landslides, ice flows, pollution, etc.

Flood strategy should cover the entire river basin area and promote the coordinated development and management of actions regarding water, land and related resources

Mitigation and non-structural measures tend to be potentially more efficient and long term more sustainable solutions to water-related problems and should be enhanced, in particular to reduce the vulnerability of human beings and goods exposed to flood risk

Considering the evolution and trends, the approach to natural hazards requires a change of paradigm. One must shift from defensive action against hazards to management of the risk and living with floods, bearing in mind that flood prevention should not be limited to flood events which occur often. It should also include rare events.

Transnational efforts should be intensified to restore rivers' natural flood zones in order to reactivate the ability of natural wetlands and floodplains to retain water and alleviate flood impacts.

Structural measures (defence structures) will remain important elements and should primarily focus on the protection of human health and safety, and valuable goods and property. We will have to keep in mind that flood protection is never absolute, and may generate a false sense of security. The concept of residual risk, including potential failure or breach, should therefore be taken into consideration

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