Peter Glas to take over from Wim Kuijken with effect from 1 January 2019

Peter Glas (62) studied mathematics, natural sciences, and Dutch law in Leiden. Subsequently, he held various positions at, inter alia, Delft Hydraulics (now: Deltares) and the Directorate General for the Environment at the then Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment. As from 1 March 2003, he was appointed by Royal Decree as Chairman of the De Dommel water board, his current primary post. In the period 2004-2015, he sat on the board of the Association of Dutch Regional Water Authorities, serving as national Chair for the latter five years. Since 2013, he has also served as international Chair of the OECD Water Governance Initiative.

Wim Kuijken ‘I am very pleased with the appointment of Peter Glas as the Delta Programme Commissioner. From the very start, Peter has been closely involved in the Delta Programme in his capacity as water board chair, and in the initial years also as the Chairman of the Association of Dutch Regional Water Authorities. We are faced with a major challenge of preparing our country for increasingly frequent weather extremes. The Delta Programme has been in place since 2010. Its course will be reviewed in 2021. Furthermore, we will need to prepare for a potential acceleration in sea level rise after 2050, whilst issues such as droughts, freshwater availability, and spatial adaptation also require urgent attention. I am convinced that Peter is the right man to address such issues, in collaboration with the delta community.’

Peter Glas: ‘Collaboration between all the governments, NGOs, citizens, and the business community is the only way to keep our delta safe and liveable. The Delta Programme sets out the course for these efforts and connects all the stakeholders in the implementation of the projects required to this end. I consider it an honour to commit myself in the years ahead, together with the delta community, to keeping our delta safe and liveable.’

The duties and authorities of the Delta Programme Commissioner are embedded in the Delta Act, which entered into force on 1 January 2012. The Delta Programme Commissioner directs the Delta Programme under the responsibility of the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management. He submits an annual proposal for the Delta Programme and fosters consultations with the administrative bodies, businesses, and NGOs concerned. In addition, the Delta Programme Commissioner is tasked with monitoring the progress of the Delta Programme, on which he reports to and advises the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management and other Cabinet members involved.