US embassy cable - 04THEHAGUE835

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