Food security and integrated water resources management are high on the development cooperation agenda of the Netherlands Embassy in Mali. One of the most important programmes in Mali is the Programme Conjoint d'Appui à la Gestion Integrée de l'Eau, PCA-GIRE. The PCA-GIRE is a cooperation between the Dutch, Swedish and Malian governments. It aims to further implement good water governance within Mali and improve river basin management of the Niger river.
In the policy note of Ms Kaag, the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso and the Sahel region are specifically identified as focus regions for foreign policy. This will boost the cooperation on water between Mali and the Netherlands. In its role in the Water Support Programme, NWP strengthens the water relationship between the Netherlands and Mali and stimulates cooperation with the country. NWP organises the Country Platform Mali to inform the Dutch water sector on the developments in Mali and to stimulate cooperation on water management between both countries.