In this first episode of 'Ambassador On The Line', Ambassador Nieuwenkamp outlined the many water challenges that Argentina faces. Climate change is driving more extreme weather events, and droughts and floods are both common phenomena, depending on where you are in the country. The economic and social implications are significant, particularly in the agricultural sector, on which Argentina is heavily dependent. “This is not just a simple challenge, this is an existential challenge for Argentina,” Ambassador Nieuwenkamp stated.
These challenges, however, also create opportunities. The Ambassador believes that the expertise of the Dutch water sector in the fields of both technology and governance can offer truly differentiating solutions to Argentina’s water-related challenges. “We have to work together, nobody can solve these problems alone.” As an example, Ambassador Nieuwenkamp mentions the Arroyo Morón project in the city of Buenos Aires in which Dutch partners, supported by the Partners for Water Programme, not only brought technical and planning expertise, but an innovative stakeholder approach to help clean the heavily polluted river.
Ambassador Nieuwenkamp on the line
In this up-close conversation, Ambassador Nieuwenkamp grants us his personal insights on the bilateral collaboration between Argentina and the Netherlands, drawn from his personal experiences since arriving in the country. His wide ranging subjects include the challenges of the Argentinian water sector and advice on doing business there. In just over 30 minutes, Ambassador Nieuwenkamp shares his views on many topics, all of which have a common factor: water.
