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The City of Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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The City of Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Urban Resilience

Urban areas and large cities are facing challenges brought on by population pressure, congesting infrastructure, rising sea level and weather changes. These challenges are accelerated by climate change and more than ever it is necessary to join forces. 

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Discussing cases at the AIWW 2017
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Discussing cases at the AIWW 2017

Finance for Water

Water projects are disproportionally financed with public money. The worldwide water challenges of the future can never be met by the public sector alone, and certainly not in emerging markets. We need to bridge the gap between the financial sector and the water sector worldwide.

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UV filters
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UV filters

Water & Technology

Worldwide, an estimated nine billion people will live in large urban areas by 2050. Clean water for people, industry, and food will become a challenge. The Dutch are experts on specific niches within water technology and embrace new trends on water and technology.

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Rice farmers in Vietnam
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Rice farmers in Vietnam

Water & Agrifood

Living below sea level made us experts in dealing with water related challenges and makes us an innovative worldwide partner for water. Water management is one of the greatest challenges facing the agrifood sector today. The Dutch water and agriculture sectors can be instrumental internationally in boosting food security worldwide. 

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The Elbe river in Germany
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The Elbe river in Germany

Climate Adaptation

Climate change is evident in water scarcity, sea level rise, extreme storms, floods, salinisation and pollution and is affecting more and more livelihoods. The situation may be complex, but adaptation, knowledge exchange and cooperation are key. The Netherlands is always looking ahead, finding innovative ways to adapt to the new reality. 

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Room for the River project near Nijmegen
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Room for the River project near Nijmegen

Integrated Water Management

In the Netherlands, we believe that bringing together various stakeholders and looking at water challenges from different perspectives are essential to designing suitable solutions that fit local circumstances.

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Men fetching water
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Men fetching water

SDG6

More than a billion people around the world do not have access to clean water and sanitation, with more than 40 per cent of the global population affected by water scarcity. For the Netherlands improved water management is a priority in our development aid policy. 

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The Sandmotor at the Dutch coast
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The Sandmotor at the Dutch coast

Coastal Management

As a country with three major rivers flowing through it and with 523 kilometres of coastline, the Netherlands is a frontrunner in coastal management. Because our country is a low-lying delta, we have lived with water for centuries. A delta in combination with our geographic location makes it very vulnerable to inundation. 

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Stream of water in landscape
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Stream of water in landscape

Groundwater

Groundwater as a vital source of water is under threat. Population growth, rapid urbanisation and economic development are putting increasing pressure on groundwater. Although groundwater is invisible, its impact is visible everywhere.