The Government of the Netherlands, headed by Carola van Rijnsoever, Director of Inclusive Green Growth at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with UN Environment, led by Deputy Executive Director Ibrahim Thiaw, for the bilateral consultation on 9-10 October 2017. Belgium, represented by Annemarie van der Avort of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, joined as an observer.
The Dutch reaffirmed their support to the Medium Term Strategy 2018-2021 and UN Environment’s role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals with an increased Environment Fund contribution to about EUR 8 million to the Environment Fund (pending parliamentary approval). Parties agreed to continue close collaboration, in particular on Global Centre of Excellence on Climate Adaptation, bringing in environmental aspects of security to the Security Council’s agenda, working with industry sectors particularly on mining and renewable energy, managing landscapes and natural capital and aiming for a pollution-free planet.
UN Environment values the continued partnership with and leadership of the Netherlands. It also appreciates Belgium’s contributions to the consultation discussions and its commitment to contribute EUR 4 million annually to the Environment Fund over a four-year period 2017-2020.
