A particular focus of the 2023 Annual Meeting, reflecting the interests and activities of the host institutions in Slovakia, will be on droughts and drought-related challenges. Multiple mechanisms trigger droughts: shortfall of precipitation, soil moisture deficits, or reduced moisture supply from snowmelt. Consequently, a holistic and multidisciplinary approach is needed to understand and predict droughts and to develop preparedness, adaptation, and mitigation strategies. In addition, many rivers and river catchments cross country borders, which calls for transboundary cooperation and action. Therefore, we intend to address drought-related challenges from several angles; session convenors are welcome to consider addressing specific aspects of this additional focus if it is relevant to the scope of their session; however, this is no requirement.