NWP leads policy dialogue with the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Aid

The meeting followed the Dutch water sector’s introductory letter to the Dutch Cabinet in September and NWP’s discussion with the Committee on Foreign Trade and Development Aid of the Dutch House of Representatives in October. The attendees included notable people from the private sector, civil society, and academia, such as Toine Ramaker (VEi), Johannes Boonstra (Wetsus), Anne Loes Nillesen (Defacto Urbanism, TU Delft), Lisa Brand (LG Sonic), Michel Riemersma (Royal Haskoning DHV), Jacob Jan Vreugdenhil (Woord & Daad), Marieke van Nood (Dutch Water Authorities), Henk Nieboer (Adaelta, NWP), Dorien Lugt (HKV), Frank Goossensen (Topsector Water & Maritime, Arcadis), and Rick Elmendorp (NWP). 

Creating maximum impact with limited resources 

In her letter, Minister Klever recognised the opportunity to enhance the Netherlands’ global leadership in water management through targeted international cooperation in areas where the Netherlands has historical expertise and significance. She stated: "International water collaboration is a cornerstone of our foreign and trade policy. Together, we must innovate to achieve the greatest possible impact with fewer resources while showcasing the unique strengths of the Dutch water sector."

Discussions explored how the Dutch water sector can continue addressing global water challenges, with Rick Elmendorp, Director & Chair of NWP, affirming that "The Netherlands is uniquely positioned as a Centre of Excellence for Water. Our sector unites businesses, knowledge institutes, public organisations, and NGOs to deliver sustainable water solutions worldwide. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing this leadership and contributing to the sustainable and economic development of the Netherlands and partner countries.”

Key messages

Representatives of the Dutch water sector emphasised the urgency of sustainable and innovative solutions as global pressure on water resources intensifies due to climate change, population growth, and urbanisation. They recommend the following key messages.

1. Keep the well-oiled machine running. The Dutch approach's strength lies in collaboration between the public and private sectors and across all levels of the water sector. This collaboration is essential for maintaining the Netherlands’ global impact. 
2. Integrate water into other policy areas, including those addressing climate, migration, and economic opportunities. This will enhance policy impact and reduce risks.
3. Align policy and instruments both with each other and with other funding opportunities to boost earning potential and innovation capacity. The representatives advocated for greater access to alternative financing mechanisms such as EU funds, Invest International, and international financial institutions (IFIs); aligning and enhancing existing subsidies, such as Partners for Water, to scale up Dutch contributions; focusing on priority countries; and, leveraging established networks like Blue Deal, YEP, IHE, and WaterWorX. Embassies play a key role in supporting Dutch companies (SMEs, consultants, and contractors) to access international opportunities. Embassies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ongoing programmes abroad, and the private sector need to align their policies and activities.
4. Leverage existing networks built over the years through programmes that are of great value to the Netherlands. Embassies and their thematic experts also play a crucial role, ensuring focus and coordination when making policy decisions and determining priority countries.

The representatives also stressed that trade promotion efforts should highlight the Netherlands’ knowledge-intensive and innovative expertise, such as flood early warning systems, nature-based solutions, and unique SME products. Public-private collaboration is essential to mobilise investments and drive cross-sector innovation. Furthermore, water diplomacy offers opportunities to promote other Dutch interests and policy areas internationally. It is universally recognised that the Netherlands has much to offer in the water sector, making it relatively easy to engage in dialogue and build relationships through water collaboration.

Water management was also identified as a crucial pillar of stability. Poor water management exacerbates challenges such as migration, food insecurity, and health crises. The Dutch water sector’s expertise in integrated water solutions can be pivotal in promoting stability in climate-vulnerable regions, offering sustainable solutions that benefit both partner countries and the Netherlands.

Recommendations for future action

The session concluded with several key recommendations. Efforts should focus on priority countries with established local networks built through existing programmes and sector activities. The role of embassies as gateways to international collaboration was emphasised. There was also a call to enhance access to international investment programmes to improve market access and scale up innovations, particularly by collaborating with international development banks early in their investment planning. Further, improving access to climate-related investments, such as those from the Green Climate Fund and regional development banks, was recommended to leverage Dutch expertise in climate-resilient projects.

Conclusion

The Dutch water sector has significant opportunities to enhance its global impact. Improved access to international funding and better coordination of government policies can greatly expand these opportunities. By positioning water as a strategic priority, the sector can amplify its success and influence internationally. This collaborative meeting has set the stage for refining the Netherlands’ development aid strategy for 2025, ensuring that Dutch water expertise remains central to global progress.