A small country that dreamed big: the Netherlands lays claim to countless business successes. It’s home to major multinationals, cutting-edge startups and a culture that welcomes innovation and collaboration.

Seventeen goals for a better world. The SDGs serve as a compass for countries and businesses worldwide in addressing the most urgent challenges of our times. In the Netherlands, the 2022 SDG Action Days theme is ‘Turn it Around’. Because addressing global challenges takes a paradigm shift: instead of being part of the problems, how can we solve them together?

More than three years ago, international delegations, experts and activists flocked together in Egypt to agree on next steps to take to limit climate change. Agriculture is part of the problem, but also part of the solution. Since the conference in Sharm el Sheikh, the Dutch agrifood sector started working together with partners in Egypt and beyond to develop solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation. And more often than not, these strategies and technologies revolve around sustainable soil and water management.

Over the past two days, the Netherlands and the UK have come together to explore the future of sustainable urban mobility and artificial intelligence. Both huge enablers to ensure a sustainable future. The Tabacco Dock in London saw businesses, knowledge institutes and government representatives unite to ensure we reach our net zero goals, together.

In the podcast series Entrepreneurial Journeys, eight entrepreneurs share their dreams and efforts to help make the world a better place, today and in the future.

In the run up to the COP27 in Egypt -with water being one of the main themes- and with the 2023 UN Water Conference in view, the Netherlands called on photography enthusiasts from around the world to create and share inspirational and thought-provoking environmental photography in our Water = Life photo competition. Photos that encourage us to take care of water, photos that help us understand water challenges better, photos that inspire us to take action. Here are the winners...