Water security

With over 70 percent of the planet covered by water, Earth is also known as the blue planet. Water connects and sustains us, but at the same time 90 percent of major disasters are water related. And climate change is accelerating the challenges of too much, too little and too dirty water.

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 Netherlands is a global pioneer in water management."

OECD

OECD report: Water governance in the Netherlands

Water Action Agenda

Last year the world came together during the UN 2023 Water Conference convened by the UN General Assembly. The parameters of the outcomes of this conference are described in General Assembly resolution 75/212.

Clear commitments, pledges and actions, are needed across all sectors, industries and interests, uniting nations, stakeholders and professionals on actions that help deliver on the water actions in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, actions that can be scaled and replicated in the years to come. Such commitments will be compiled in the Water Action Agenda, another key outcome of the Conference. Recognizing the growing challenge of water scarcity the UN General Assembly launched the Water Action Decade on 22 March 2018, to mobilize action that will help transform how we manage water.