Opening speech by the Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment, Melanie Schultz van Haegen, at the Urban Water Workshop, São Paulo

Toespraak | 20-04-2012

Ladies and gentlemen,

I want to start by thanking you for your commitment to developing our countries’ relationship in the field of water management.
You are strengthening the ties of friendship between us and enhancing our combined knowledge of the subject.
Our two countries can learn a lot from each other.
For example, about urban water, drainage and storage.

I would like to thank Mr Miguel Bucalem in particular for inviting me to open this workshop.
I understand that he was closely involved in the Brazilian-Dutch dialogue.

This workshop is an excellent follow-up to that dialogue, aimed at achieving more concrete cooperation. I understand that in Sầo Paulo a number of Dutch and Brazilian parties are already actively working together.
Deltares is working within a Brazilian-Dutch consortium to develop a third master plan for the micro-drainage of the Tietê river basin.
And Arcadis is active in the same river basin with a project that will give both the river and nature more room. This is a concept that has worked well in the Netherlands, and I was closely involved in its development. My Ministry is now working with Sầo Paulo to develop a comprehensive master plan for the Cabaҫu de Cima.
The focus is on water management and infrastructure, the fields my Ministry deals with.

We also want to strengthen our ties at government level, and we are developing a partnership with the Agência Nacional de Águas [ANA]
geared to flood management and early warning.

We – Brazil and the Netherlands – will have to work together if we are to meet the challenge of ensuring safe cities with clean water.
Population growth in our urban areas and climate change are challenges that can be tackled more effectively through closer international cooperation.

São Paulo and the Netherlands are faced with challenges that are almost identical, despite their geographical and demographic differences.
Population density in the Netherlands is also high.
And its economy is highly industrial.
Just like São Paulo.

In the past decades, the Netherlands has built up a lot of technological know-how.
And wide experience of dealing with water management issues.
The Netherlands lives and breathes water management.

The main feature of good water management is an integrated approach.
Everything is linked to everything else.
This approach is the guiding principle.
For example, in developing master plans;
in funding urban measures in the field of water management;
and in designing urban water storage and flood early warning systems.
You will no doubt be examining these issues in more depth in the next few days.

Ladies and gentlemen,
To conclude:
I am convinced that Brazilian-Dutch relations in the field of urban water management will prove extremely successful.
By exchanging knowledge we will find better solutions faster.
And we will strengthen our ability to innovate.

This workshop is another positive contribution to further cooperation between our two countries.
So I wish you inspiring and informative discussions.

Thank you.
Obrigada!