A great start to the year at NWP’s New Year reception

The reception offered a valuable opportunity to reconnect after the holidays, strengthen existing relationships and expand networks. The strong turnout and lively conversations reflected the diversity, engagement and international character of the NWP network. It was an encouraging start to the year ahead.

Reflections on connection and collective action

In his New Year speech, Rick Elmendorp, Director and Chair of NWP, reflected on the global context in which the water sector operates. With ongoing geopolitical tensions, conflicts, inequality, biodiversity loss and climate change, the scale of today’s challenges can feel overwhelming.

He shared a simple but powerful observation from the recent snowfall across large parts of Europe. Without planning or coordination, people slowed down, helped one another and found creative ways to enjoy the moment. What stood out was not the snow itself, but what it revealed – the power of human connection, real relationships and spontaneous collective action.

This, Elmendorp noted, is also a choice. While the challenges facing the world are real, structural and persistent, we can choose how we respond. Instead of focusing only on what is going wrong, we can ask ourselves: What can I do? What can you do? What can we do together?

The role of the water sector

As a sector, the Dutch water community has a critical role to play. Water may not always be at the top of political agendas – until there is too little of it, too much of it, or it becomes unsafe. Over the past year, joint efforts by the Dutch water sector have shown that when we act together, our voice carries. Through collaboration, the sector has made itself heard in Parliament and will continue to do so as a new government is formed.

Water is not a standalone issue. It underpins food security, climate resilience, energy systems, public health, economic stability and trade. Fragmentation poses a real risk, while collective action remains one of the sector’s greatest strengths.

Partnerships at the heart of NWP

At NWP, members are central to everything we do – not as a slogan, but as a working principle. Our members represent the full diversity of the water sector: public and private, large and small, established leaders, and young professionals. NWP’s role is not to replace that diversity, but to connect it – creating focus where needed and translating expertise into shared action.

In 2026, NWP will continue to place strong emphasis on partnerships. Over the past two years, partnerships beyond the traditional water sector have been intentionally strengthened. A recent example is the formalised collaboration with Dutch Greenhouse Delta which reflects the strategic choice to position water where it creates leverage – across sectors such as agriculture, energy, nature, urban development and industry.

This year, NWP will further invest in a thematic and cross-sectoral approach – not to talk more, but to connect better. Alignment between sectors and government does not happen automatically, and NWP will continue to play a connecting role by linking sector expertise with public institutions strategically and in a focused way. Not to speak for the sector, but to help the sector speak with greater clarity, coherence and impact.

Investing in people and the future

The future of the water sector is not only about policies or technologies – it is about people, continuity and leadership. On 1 January, NWP started YEP Phase 3 together with NFP and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: seven more years of investing in young professionals, with a strong focus on Water and Agro, and on an active and growing alumni network.

Throughout the year, NWP will continue to bring people together through its platforms, coordinated missions, and Dutch pavilions at international events, and it will connect the Dutch water sector with international partners.

Looking ahead

As Elmendorp concluded, meaningful change does not always start with a grand plan. Sometimes it starts with a small interaction, a shared point in time and a willingness to act together. In an uncertain international landscape, joint action – and joint presence on international stages – is not an option, but essential.

By choosing collaboration over fragmentation, connection over isolation, and action over hesitation, the Dutch water sector can continue to create impact. The future of water will be shaped by those who take responsibility, make choices and act together.

The New Year reception ended with a toast to a successful, connected and water-driven 2026.

Read Rick Elmendorp’s speech.