The preventive approach of the Delta Programme as an example for the UN
On 27 May, the High-Level Experts and Leaders Panel on Water and Disasters (HELP) held a working meeting in the Rotterdam Town Hall. Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen chaired the meeting and Mayor Aboutaleb gave the welcome address. Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick of the US Army Corps of Engineers also addressed the meeting.
This international working group consists of politicians and administrators from various authorities and international organisations. Its goal is to draw political attention to the importance of public support for sound water management, climate adaptation measures and aid in the event of disasters.
Delta Commissioner Wim Kuijken was the invited keynote speaker and he presented the approach of the Dutch Delta Programme. The programme is a global model of a preventative approach to flooding, drought and related disasters. The Delta Commissioner: “On average, the Netherlands is hit by severe floods every 40 or 50 years. We aim to put a stop to this through our preventive delta approach.” A proactive approach leads to a solid safety level, cost savings and stimulates economic development and the development of sustainability. Wim Kuijken invited the participants to lend their cooperation by saying: “This preventive and adaptive approach is working well in the Netherlands. It is now important that other countries also benefit from our knowledge.” In addition to the multi-layer safety approach, he also emphasised the need for sound administrative and institutional organisation.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment and the Delta Programme make their knowledge and experience available in order to support other countries in developing a sound climate adaptation strategy. An ideal opportunity for the Dutch water sector to expand its arena of activity and to become actively involved abroad. Among other things, the recommendations of HELP will be reported to the Secretary-General of the United Nations in the form of a strategic action plan, and they will contribute to shaping the Sustainable Development Goals (the follow-up to the Millennium Development Goals after 2015).