To keep global warming within safe limits, science has made clear the world needs to set significantly higher ambitions. Bold action should be taken on the same scale as the crisis itself to ensure a sustainable planet for future generations. The necessary transitions will not be easy, but there is no alternative. The cost of inaction will simply be too high.

Fortunately, ambitious climate action can go hand-in-hand with economic growth and job creation. Green investments will make our economies more resilient to future shocks and are the best way to create well-paid local jobs that boost economic growth. Taking concrete measures today has clear co-benefits like healthier cities, increased food security and innovative sustainable business opportunities.

This is why the climate agenda is a priority for the Dutch government. We aim to significantly reduce our own emissions and strive for climate neutrality in 2050. This is not an easy task, but we are pragmatic and determined, tackling this challenge in close cooperation with business and civil society. In the same spirit, we are ready to work in partnership with you to make the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future and deliver on the Paris Agreement goals and the 2030 Agenda.

Tackling water and maritime challenges can help address climate change and the other global challenges. But the Netherlands cannot do this alone. We need to work together, share knowledge and harness the power of technology. Only together can we manage water and maritime resources integrally and sustainably.
 

The Netherlands’ location as a densely populated, low lying delta has impacted our history, culture, society and democracy. The Dutch may be famous for building dikes and reclaiming land, but centuries of dealing with water challenges has brought us new insights. Today, the Netherlands harnesses nature itself to build resilient cities and coastal defences.  
 

Water challenges have taught us to cooperate, to include everyone in the solution and to look beyond our borders for novel solutions. How do we do this? Through partnership, knowledge exchange and collaborative innovation. In return, we are willing to share our advanced water management, delta and maritime technology. Port development, fishing, shipbuilding, dredging are among the many maritime industries that could benefit from global cooperation. Ultimately society itself benefits as integrated water management improves water supplies and sanitation. While wastewater management returns clean water to its natural cycle, enhancing diversity and replenishing this valuable and finite resource.

The Dutch government is committed to contribute to safe and secure water worldwide. That's why in 2023 the Netherlands co-hosted the UN Water Conference with Tadjikistan. We invite our global partners to join us in our quest.

Let’s value water for a water-secure world.

The digital world also enables us to transform cities and communities with sustainability at the forefront as well as bringing positive change across all industries on a global scale (SDG 11). In the Netherlands, digital technology enables us to bring supply and demand  together more quickly in order to implement successful innovations in short cyclical terms.

In digital transformation, peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16) need our commitment more than ever. To achieve this, fair access to justice and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels is essential. The Netherlands is able to capitalise on the economic and social opportunities of digitalisation, and ensures that it’s done in a safe and innovative manner.

By working together, we can foster continuous, inclusive and sustainable economic growth as well as decent jobs for everyone (SDG 8). By 2030, security organisations in the Netherlands will collect new and better data, so that they are always one step ahead.

Together with our international partners, the Netherlands wants to create a coalition of the willing to drive our industries into a new era. One of zero emissions, zero waste, zero kilometres. We will do this through the development of renewable and sustainable systems, through resource recovery and through inclusivity.

We aim to ‘flip the script’– instead of being part of the problem, let’s find solutions to address global challenges facing us today. None of us have the whole answer, but together, we can change the direction the planet is heading. To shift from a linear to a circular economy.

Each of us has a part to play to create innovative solution for the wellbeing and prosperity of people and our planet.

Let's empower our digital future!