Weserbund

The Weserbund is a German non-profit interest association (eingetragener Verein) founded on 15 December 1921 in Minden, in the East Westphalian region, to promote the development of the Weser river region. Its founding meeting took place in the 'Weserklause' in Minden and was attended by representatives of the city and district of Minden, Bremen, many other towns in the Weser area, and the Reich Ministry of Transport. Its first managing director was Heinrich Flügel. Among its predecessors was the Bremer Kanalverein, which had lobbied for a Hansa canal. The association describes itself as a lobbying organisation for the Weser region, which stretches over more than 1,000 river kilometres and a water-management catchment area of around 42,000 square kilometres, home to roughly seven million people. Its stated mission is to reconcile economy and ecology and to contribute to the positive development of the Weser area, working with partners from companies, associations, municipalities and individual members, independently of state and administrative borders. Its core objectives include preserving and maintaining the landscapes along the Weser, managing the river's water flow for flood and coastal protection, improving water quality and the natural environment of the Weser, promoting cycling and hiking trails for public recreation, and improving the use of environmentally friendly and safe waterways to relieve pressure on land transport. Its most important historical goal — the canalisation of the Middle Weser and the connection of the seaports in Bremen and, via the Elbe, Hamburg — was achieved. Current projects focus on the salt load of the Weser caused by salt discharges in its upper reaches, the further development of the inland waterway for longer ships, a balanced approach to water management and shipping on the Upper Weser, the expansion of the sea shipping route on the Outer and Lower Weser up to Brake, advice on regional planning and flood protection areas, and implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive. The Weserbund works closely with the Wirtschaftsverband Weser e.V. (Weser Business Association). Together they bundle and protect the interests of the river region. The board is composed of politicians, business managers and administrators. As of the source, the chairman is Uwe Beckmeyer (SPD), former Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (2013–2017); the deputy chairman is Peter Kienzle (CDU), councillor of the city of Minden; the treasurer is Robert Howe, managing director of bremenports GmbH & Co. KG. The honorary chairman is Klaus Wedemeier (SPD), former mayor of Bremen. In January 2020 Thomas Voigt was appointed managing director, succeeding Ralf Rüdiger Heinrich, who retired. The association is active in numerous committees in the Weser region and organises events such as the Wesertag. The Wesertag 2026, held in Hameln under the theme 'The Upper Weser as a capable inland waterway – economy, water balance, climate resilience', sent a clear signal that the Upper Weser must be preserved and further developed as a capable inland waterway.

The Weserbund was founded on 15 December 1921 in the 'Weserklause' in Minden, in the East Westphalian region of Germany. The founding meeting was attended by representatives of the city and district of Minden, from Bremen and many other towns in the Weser area, as well as the Reich Ministry of Transport. Its first managing director was Heinrich Flügel. Among its predecessors was the Bremer Kanalverein, which had lobbied for a Hansa canal. The association was established to promote the Weser region, including its source rivers Werra and Fulda. Its most important early goal was the canalisation of the Middle Weser, which would connect the seaports in Bremen and, via the Elbe, the seaport in Hamburg. This goal was achieved. From its founding, the Weserbund's board was composed of politicians, business managers and administrators, reflecting its role as a lobbying organisation. It has been represented in many committees of the Weser region. The association works closely with the Wirtschaftsverband Weser e.V. (Weser Business Association). Together they bundle and protect the interests of the river region, aiming to reconcile economy and ecology and to contribute to the positive development of the Weser area, working with partners from companies, associations, municipalities and individual members, independently of state and administrative borders. Over the decades, the Weserbund has focused on a range of issues. Its stated goals include preserving and maintaining the landscapes along the Weser, managing the river's water flow for flood and coastal protection, improving water quality and the natural environment of the Weser, promoting cycling and hiking trails for public recreation, and improving the use of environmentally friendly and safe waterways to relieve pressure on land transport. Current projects include addressing the salt load of the Weser caused by salt discharges in its upper reaches, where the association calls for the gradual development of the Werra and Weser into near-natural water bodies while seeking to preserve potash production as far as possible. Other projects include further developing the inland waterway by preparing the Middle Weser for longer ships, pursuing a balanced approach to water management and shipping on the Upper Weser, expanding the sea shipping route on the Outer and Lower Weser up to Brake, advising on regional planning and the designation of flood protection areas, and implementing the EU Water Framework Directive. In January 2020, Thomas Voigt was appointed managing director, succeeding Ralf Rüdiger Heinrich, who retired. The board includes Uwe Beckmeyer (SPD), former Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (2013–2017), as chairman; Peter Kienzle (CDU), councillor of the city of Minden, as deputy chairman; and Robert Howe, managing director of bremenports GmbH & Co. KG, as treasurer. Further board members include district administrators and municipal leaders from Hameln-Pyrmont, Verden, Bremerhaven, Kassel and Höxter, as well as a representative of the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics. Klaus Wedemeier (SPD), former mayor of Bremen, is honorary chairman. The Weserbund organises events such as the Wesertag. The Wesertag 2026, held in Hameln under the theme 'The Upper Weser as a capable inland waterway – economy, water balance, climate resilience', brought together representatives from politics, science and other sectors to discuss the future of the Upper Weser, sending a clear signal that it must not gradually disappear from view and must be preserved and further developed as a capable inland waterway.

• 2026

  Wesertag 2026 held in Hameln under the theme 'The Upper Weser as a capable inland waterway – economy, water balance, climate resilience'.

• 2020

  Thomas Voigt appointed managing director, succeeding Ralf Rüdiger Heinrich.

• 1921

  Weserbund founded in the 'Weserklause' in Minden; Heinrich Flügel becomes first managing director.

• Canalisation of the Middle Weser achieved, connecting the seaports in Bremen and, via the Elbe, Hamburg.

Non-profit, cross-state interest association and lobbying body for the economic, ecological and infrastructural development of the Weser river region.

1. 1Wirtschaftsverband Weser | Weserbund | Gemeinsam für die Weserregionwv-weser.de
2. 2Weserbund – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Weserbund – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org