SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: ADVANCING U.S.-DUTCH

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000835

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT PASS TO USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SENV NL
SUBJECT: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: ADVANCING U.S.-DUTCH
COOPERATION IN WATER MANAGEMENT



1. This is an action request. Please see paragraph 7.


2. Summary. The Dutch have been strong and consistent allies
in global discussions on sustainable development. Post has a
strong interest in advancing U.S.-Dutch cooperation in this
area. Recent meetings between Ambassador Sobel and senior
Dutch officials have identified a number of areas for
collaboration. Post requests Washington assistance in the
development of concrete proposals on water, innovative
financing, and capacity building to present to Dutch leaders.
End summary.


3. Embassy The Hague has been working for some time to
broaden and deepen our cooperation in development with the
Netherlands, the world,s sixth largest aid donor. One
promising area is that of water management, in which the
Dutch have a particular expertise. To that end Embassy The
Hague has held a series of discussions with Dutch officials
about the possibility of expanding cooperation in the field
of water/sanitation. Specifically, we have floated the idea
of forming a partnership in one or more specific sectors that
would promote the development of water/santitation
initiatives in developing countries.


4. On February 26, the Ambassador met with Crown Prince
Willem-Alexander, where they discussed the Crown Prince's
role at the Commission on Sustainable Development and
prospects for broader cooperation between the USG and the
Netherlands. (The Crown Prince will lead the Dutch delegation
to the CSD meetings in New York.)


5. On March 11, Ambassador Sobel met with Dutch Development
Minister Agnes van Ardenne. Ambassador Sobel proposed to
Minister Van Ardenne that the U.S. and the Netherlands strike
a cooperative agreement in the area of water/sanitation. Van
Ardenne endorsed the idea and pledged to work with the USG to
further develop the concept.


6. On March 12, Ambassador Sobel met with Dutch Special
Coordinator for Sustainable Development Ton von Ochssee. Von
Ochssee, who has held regular consultations with the U.S. on
sustainable development, pledged his support for expanded
U.S.-Dutch cooperation and demonstrated interest in three
U.S. initiatives: expert teams for national level capacity
building on Integrated Water Resource Management; the West
Africa Water Initiative; and innovative financing mechanisms.
Von Ochssee took the opportunity to encourage the U.S. to
engage the Global Water Partnership as an implementing
partner on the expert teams program.

Action Request
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7. The Dutch have requested that the U.S. provide concrete
proposals on these initiatives and other areas where
U.S.-Dutch cooperation could advance sustainable development
including a brief description and next steps on
implementation. Post requests Department and USAID assistance
in preparing these proposals and outlining next steps for
engagement. Post stands ready to assist the Department and
USAID in advancing these initiatives.




SOBEL