Water plays a crucial role in all the major challenges we are facing today. These challenges require holistic and sustainable solutions which call for cooperation, and the exchange of knowledge and expertise. As a renowned leader in water management The Netherlands is an active player in global water cooperation and climate adaptation.
The Netherlands was prominently represented at the ASIA WATER exposition this year from the 7th December to the 9th of December. A delegation of Dutch companies and water experts participated in the exhibition with a large pavilion as part of a four-day trade mission to Southeast Asia. In conjunction with the mission, the embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Malaysia hosted a series of events at this prominent water exhibition.
One of the key events that caught the interest of visitors was the Netherlands Water Innovation
Forum on Wednesday. The session showcased unique expertise the Dutch water sector has to offer. H.E. Jacques Werner, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Malaysia highlighted the Dutch journey in dealing with water challenges. In this forum Dutch innovative solutions on important themes such as flood resilience, advanced water and wastewater technologies and data-driven solutions were showcased.
The highlight of ASIA WATER took place on Thursday when Ambassador Jacques Werner and Dutch Risk Reduction (DRR) team leader Marco Hartman handed out the DRR report about flood mitigation to YB Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change. The report is the result of the Dutch Risk Reduction team mission that was deployed to Malaysia earlier in September. The Dutch Risk Reduction ( DRR) is a programme by the Netherlands government to prevent and reduce the impact of water disasters worldwide.
Foreign governments can ask DRR-Team for help and advice through the Dutch embassy in their country. This is the second DRR team that offered assistance to Malaysia. Previously, the Netherlands supported a similar DRR mission to Penang in 2018. Following the handover of the recent DRR report, the 5th Malaysia- The Netherlands water Dialogue on 9 th December featured more discussions on the recommendations of the Dutch team. The Dialogue session also featured prominent speakers from Malaysia including and the Netherlands on water and climate change.
Some of the ideas that was discussed include the incorporation of nature based solutions for flood protection projects. The Netherlands hopes to continue the cooperation with Malaysia on tacking flood challenges and climate change.
Considering the complex challenges of and opportunities for international water issues, the UNGA proclaimed in 2016 the period from 2018 to 2028 as the second International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development”. Together with the United Nations and the embassy of Tajikistan in Malaysia, the Netherlands embassy in Malaysia also organized a special session ‘The Road towards UN Water Conference 2023’, at ASIA WATER. Presentations were given by Ambassador Werner, Ms. Karima El Korri, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam and Deputy Ambassador to Tajikistan Mr. Bahodur Rahmoniv.
“Water is a recurring theme for the Netherlands. It has shaped our history and is in our DNA. As a low-lying delta with a long coastline, we are extremely vulnerable to floods. Our history is dotted with floods and fighting against them has long been a priority. Large infrastructure projects are keeping us safe. Today, the Netherlands is the best-protected delta in the world,” H.E. Jacques Werner, Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherland in Malaysia remarked.
Like the Netherlands, Malaysia is also a coastal, maritime nation, which depend on access to the seas for much of its prosperity. The two countries joined forces and organized the 5th edition of the Malaysia- The Netherlands Water Dialogue. During the panel discussion the importance of a long-term planning for effective flood risk reduction and climate resilience was highlighted.
