The Netherlands has assured Bangladesh of every support to implement ‘Delta Plan 2100’ to reduce the threat posed by sea-level rise.
Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment Melanie Schultz van Haegen gave the assurance at a programme – ‘The Delta Plan Approach’ – at Grand Hotel Amrâth Kurhaus The Hague on Wednesday morning (local time).
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was present, among others.
Both countries are situated in large river deltas and exposed to the threat of sea-level rise.
The Netherlands is known for its expertise in delta management.
Bangladesh in 2012 had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Dutch government to formulate a nearly 100-year perspective plan.
In the programme on Wednesday, Dutch Minister Haegen spoke about her country’s experience in reclaiming land.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol was built on a piece of land reclaimed from water, she said.
“The Dutch cooperation in Bangladesh water sector development has been continuing since long. We will also help implement Bangladesh’s Delta Plan 2100 by providing all sorts of support,” the Dutch minister said.
She thanked the Bangladesh government for sharing experience.
Joint Chief of the General Economic Division of the Planning Commission, Bangladesh, Mafidul Islam, gave an overview on Bangladesh’s Delta Plan 2100.
Earlier, Haegen and Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen had called on Hasina at the hotel.
The prime minister was scheduled to visit The Delta Works and FutureLand in the afternoon.
Before taking part in a dinner hosted by her Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte, she will also meet Queen Maxima of the Netherlands at the Royal Palace.
Source: bdnews24
