Published on: 14/10/2024
On Wednesday 2nd October, the Dutch Parliament, the Tweede Kamer, had a meeting about water as part of its international development and cooperation portfolio. The Commission on International Trade and Development Aid met with three representatives from the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP). IRC contributed to preparation of this session via the NWP-NGO platform.
NWP's brief on the matter highlights the ruling Coalition Agreement's acknowledgement of the Dutch Government's contribution to global food security, water management, and as a consequence, their stability.
The brief declares that the Dutch Government's focus and support is crucial in the face of immense global challenges related to water management, including scarcity, droughts, floods, access to drinking water and sanitation, and infrastructure development, all exacerbated by climate change. Climate change, in many ways, is a water crisis. Failing to address these issues could have serious consequences for the world and the Netherlands, including reduced agricultural production, disrupted trade chains, increased refugee flows, and rising conflicts due to water insecurity.
NWP also emphasises that water challenges are both local and global, and underscores that it is in the Netherlands' interest to continue its international leadership role in this area.
In discussions with the International Trade and Development Aid Committee, NWP explored the need to maintain and strengthen Dutch leadership in achieving international water goals.
Representatives from NL education (IHE) civil society (NWP NGO Platform) & private sector (Arcadis) present at the Dutch parliamentary session on international cooperation in the water sector.