Past and future united at Fifth National Delta Conference in Amersfoort
The Fifth Delta Conference took place in the Rijtuigenloods in Amersfoort on Thursday 6 November. The conference focused on the Delta Programme 2015, presented on Prinsjesdag, the state opening of Parliament in September. It outlines the decisions and strategies aimed at protecting our country against flooding in the decades ahead and ensuring a sufficient supply of fresh water. Together with day chair Helga van Leur, Jaap Schoof, the former Director of the Flood Disaster Museum, and Chair of the Youth Water Board Nina ter Horst opened the Delta Conference. They jointly represent the experience on which we build and the future for which we are working within the context of the Delta Programme.
Delta Parade and break-out sessions
Following the brief plenary opening session, the day offered plenty of time and opportunities to exchange know-how and experiences in an inspiring and informal manner at the Delta Parade: the presentation of the nine sub-programmes, focusing on the Delta Decisions and preferred strategies. By pressing a button, Minister of Security and Justice Ivo Opstelten launched the new version of the Delta Viewer, which, among other things, explains the Delta Decisions. Subsequently, the Minister walked around the Delta Parade. Mr Opstelten: ‘The Delta Plan is vitally important and merits the support of the entire country.’
The Delta Parade focused attention on the five Delta Decisions. The Flood Protection Programme presented Delta Commissioner Wim Kuijken with its 2015 Projects Book. ‘The Flood Protection Programme is one of the key implementation programmes within the Delta Programme and it makes me very proud,’ Mr Kuijken commented. Attention was also paid to spatial adaptation. Pier Vellinga, Director of the Knowledge for Climate research programme, announced the six nominees for the Peilstok award of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, awarded to the best project in the field of spatial adaptation.
Delta Commissioner Wim Kuijken looks back on a highly successful conference: ‘When I see how committed and involved all the collaborating partners are, how much interest this conference attracts and how much joint brainpower there is today, I have every confidence that the Delta Programme and the Delta Decisions will be taken up enthusiastically across the country. Together we will ensure that the Netherlands remains safe and habitable.’