Speaking notes at the UN HELP lunch event on innovative practices in Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Response, New York

Toespraak | 20-11-2015

Mr. Ambassador, Dr Han, ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this lunch event
Our focus today is on reducing disaster risks and in better disaster response – and in doing so in innovative ways.
The Netherlands has been very active in this field, because the issue runs close to heart of our Kingdom.
70% of our GDP is earned below sea level.
And 9 million people in The Netherlands live in urbanized, flood prone areas.
But we have also learned that worldwide challenges regarding water safety, water security and water quality are all intertwined.

What is the issue?

Our planet is called the Blue Planet – there is water in abundance.
But only 3% of water on earth is fresh water.
Water is not equally distributed – and many countries and regions face flood, drought our pollution issues.
800 million people on earth are without drinking water.
2 billion people are without safe drinking water.
2,4 billion people are without adequate sanitation.
Worldwide trends in climate change, urbanization and increasing food and energy demand show us that there is increasing demand, while water supply remains unreliable.
This means growing risks for societies and economies.
These facts can only lead us to one conclusion:
Water is one of the most pressing issues when it comes to geopolitical stability and worldwide economical development.

How can we help solve it?

1) Setting Clear goals

Just two months ago the international community adopted 17 new Sustainable Development Goals.
One of them (#6) is dedicated to sustainable water management and another (#11) to safe and sustainable communities and reducing disaster risks.
Besides, the UN conference in Sendai, Japan adopted a new framework for reducing disaster risks.
These are important milestones to focus our attention, action and finances towards solving water-related challenges.

2) Translating goals into action

But this is not enough – in the end it is results that count.
In The Netherlands we learned this in a very practical way.
The Dutch have been working and living with water risks for centuries.
We translated our knowledge into a comprehensive plan for water safety only after a devastating flood in 1953.
We are currently implementing the second generation of this strategy – the Dutch Delta Program.
In this phase we have moved our focus from water safety to combining multiple challenges: flood prevention, water supply, spatial and urban quality.
And in the mean time we have also adopted a new approach to our rivers - giving them more space when they need it – called ‘Room for the River’.
So, for the Dutch to give more space to water instead of less is a big change in our thinking about a sustainable water future.

3) Translating action into innovation

Again, this is not enough.
The new Dutch Delta Program focuses on cooperation between national, regional and local governments – and in securing implementation by a special Delta Fund.
We could not have innovated without cooperation.
Currently, Dutch water experts are working around the globe – literally on every continent.
We do this not just to share our approach, but also to learn in turn.
Because you all have the same challenges and we can learn a lot from cooperation abroad.
Our own knowledge and approach needs constant updating as well.
The action taken after Hurricane Sandy – here in New York – for example is a beautiful example, offering mutual benefits.
Our cooperation with the UN (HELP, for example) and the World Bank is also crucial.
We strongly believe that a global shift towards prevention and preparedness is needed.

[Slot]

Well, ladies and gentlemen, in this session you will hear from Dutch experts and from the international partners I just named (UN, World Bank, etc.).
Water will be central in our meetings on water and disasters (WASH, pollution, waste water, IWRM, on governance).
Water still causes to much problems: too much, too little, too dirty.
In water we feel the negative impacts of climate change the most.
But water is also crucial for development, water is contributing to the realiziation of a number of SDGs.
Energy, food and water are crucial factors in solving global conflict situations).
And that is why the Kingdom of The Netherlands puts such an accent on water security.
And if you elect us to the UN Security Council, we will take a leading role in the links between water and climate, environment, development and security.
The Kingdom of The Netherlands is a partner for peace, justice and development – and water is a main theme in that.
So, ladies and gentlemen, I look forward to our discussion, to hear strategies, examples and practical solutions.
Enjoy your food, although I heard eating is prohibited in this room.. and enjoy our speakers.
Thank you very much.

vrijdag 20 november 2015