Partners for Water

Yesterday marked the final day at the Netherlands Pavilion at COP16 Colombia wrapping up with a rich, diverse programme! 🌿 First up, an insightful session on Landscape restoration in Latin America and the Caribbean, and a recently launched Landscape Finance Report was discussed. The main takeaway was that landscape restoration finance is feasible when there's long-term commitment to bring together key stakeholders. 🫱🏻🫲🏽 The GREEN LIVELIHOODS Alliance discussed best practices for human rights-based, gender-responsive biodiversity efforts. A critical conclusion was that funds must flow directly to local beneficiaries and stakeholders. They also highlighted the need for policies and actions to reverse the impact of plastic pollution on the marine ecosystem. Representatives from Curaçao presented their new Nature Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). They concluded their session with a powerful reminder: 💬"The power of change is within your hands; only by taking the first step can this be accomplished". The day concluded with a screening of North Sea Untamed (now in theaters, partly supported by Ministerie van Landbouw, Visserij, Voedselzekerheid en Natuur) and networking drinks. 🥂 Throughout COP, The Netherlands Pavilion welcomed UN Youth Representatives on Biodiversity, who shared their insights on their work at COP in an interview. Find out what Bine Liem, Ida Simonsen have to say in the video below ⤵️ Stay tuned! Next week, we'll share a comprehensive recap of the Netherlands Pavilion's two weeks at COP16, highlighting key insights gained and remaining questions to explore. Bine Liem, Liliane Geerling, Tamar Meibergen, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) | Partner in Sustainable Development, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Inclusive Green Growth Department, Netherlands

As COP16 Colombia draws to a close, the Netherlands pavilion experienced another dynamic day on Wednesday. Participants from around the world both contributed to and attended our sessions, forging valuable connections to the ongoing negotiations.💧🌿 While COP15 introduced greening finance, the water-biodiversity-food nexus, and landscape-based approaches as related themes, COP16 has seamlessly integrated these topics into daily sessions. The key question remains: how do we scale up biodiversity enhancement and stewardship within our work? Key takeaways: ✅ Share risks across the entire value chain ✅ Focus on soft rather than hard contracts, allowing for necessary programme or project adaptations ✅ Implement proven biodiversity assessment tools - for example, ASN Bank discovered an unexpected significant impact on groundwater through their portfolio analysis Join us for the Netherlands pavilion's final day, featuring a packed schedule culminating in a screening of "North Sea Untamed" and networking drinks at 18:00 COT Time. 👋🏼 ⚠️For the programme of today, please look up our previous LinkedIn post. We've made some last minute changes to today's programme. Liliane Geerling, Tamar Meibergen, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) | Partner in Sustainable Development, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Inclusive Green Growth Department, Netherlands, Felix Lomans, Annemieke Beekmans, Daniel Zimmer, SNV, AGRI3 Fund, Deniz Harut, True Price Foundation , Roel Nozeman, Maurits Appeldoorn, Bosco Lliso

Last chance to join the Rwanda water platform meeting in The Hague on 12 November!💧 During this event you will have the opportunity to explore and discuss emerging opportunities in Rwanda’s water sector, gain insights into the latest developments, and connect with organisations already working in or interested in Rwanda. This event is organised by the Water Support Programme, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The event will be conducted in English and moderated by Don Offermans, Strategic Advisor to the Water Support Programme in Rwanda. 📝 Registration is open until 1 November 2024 ➡️https://lnkd.in/efNG2cbV Don't miss this chance to engage with key players in the Rwandan water sector! Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) | Partner in Sustainable Development, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Fernanda van der Velde, VEI, Climate Fund Managers (CFM), #WaterSupportProgramme #FutureWater

⚠️ Important: programme changes for the Netherlands Pavilion on Thursday 31 October! Planning to visit the Netherlands Pavilion in the Blue Zone on Thursday, 31 October? Please note some last-minute programme changes. Find the latest schedule below: 🕛 13:00 - 14:15: Plastics in NBSAPs: Centralising a Life-Cycle Approach to Drive Ecosystem Integrity and Address Climate Change. The NBSAPs offer a crucial framework for implementing target 7, with measurable indicators and cohesive policy alignment between the CBD and the Global Plastics Treaty. This interactive session brings together experts to discuss synergies, innovative ideas, and strategies for radically reducing plastic pollution and advancing the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). 🕛 15:00 - 16:15: Development of NBSAP for Curaçao - A Small Island State within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Curaçao, abundant in biodiversity both on land and at sea, shares responsibility for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework as part of the Dutch Kingdom. Integrated into the Nature Policy Plan 2024-2030, this framework guides the National Biodiversity Strategies. Join us to discuss Curaçao’s biodiversity, policy development, and related challenges and opportunities. 🕛 17:00 - 18:00: North Sea Untamed: A Challenging Reference for Protection and Nature Regeneration. 🕛 18:00 onwards: Networking drinks at the Netherlands Pavilion.🥂 ❌ Cancelled: Reversing the Impact of Plastic Pollution on Ocean Biodiversity (originally scheduled from 15:00 to 16:15). For the complete programme visit the link below⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eszhxEkm Liliane Geerling, Tamar Meibergen, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) | Partner in Sustainable Development, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Inclusive Green Growth Department, Netherlands, COP16 Colombia

Yesterday, WWF and the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Netherlands Pavilion during COP16 in Colombia, pledging to promote Nature-based Solutions (NBS) across Europe to tackle both climate change and biodiversity loss.🌿 The day featured numerous engaging discussions and workshops focused on water, biodiversity and food systems, generating new insights and raising crucial questions. For instance, target 15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity requires businesses to assess, disclose, and reduce biodiversity-related risks and negative impacts.💧🌿 Lucian Peppelenbos from Robeco demonstrated a smart tool for measuring biodiversity impacts in the food and financial sectors. "Even with a lack of data, one can start assessing with what one has.” 💬 "How can harmful subsidies be prevented?" asked Farooq Ullah from International Institute for Sustainable Development, concluding with: "What we need is a coalition of the ambitious, or maybe even crazy people - a dedicated group willing to take bold action in reforming Environmentally Harmful Subsidies (EHS)." 💬 “Nobody loves carbon but everyone loves nature,” stated Koos Biesmeijer of Naturalis Biodiversity Center while plediging for nature postive food production. The day concluded with an engaging workshop led by UN youth delegates on biodiversity. Their key conclusion? "Biodiversity de-risks the food system of the future." A critical question emerged: how can we develop innovative financing mechanisms that are accessible to young farmers? Share your thoughts and solutions in the comments below! 💭 🎥 Marcel Beukeboom from FAO and Willem Schoustra from SeedNL demonstrated how NBS can effectively restore ecosystems and biodiversity in saline soils. Liliane Geerling from Partners for Water discussed their view on this important topic. Watch the video to learn more! Join us at the Netherlands Pavilion over the next two days for more discussions on water, biodiversity, food systems, and sustainable finance. 👋🏼 For the complete programme visit the link below⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eszhxEkm #PartnersforWater #COP16 #Biodiversity #WaterBiodiversityFood #WaterSecurity #WaterDiplomacy #SDG6 #WaterActionAgenda #DutchWaterSector #ClimateResilience #WaterInfrastructure #EcoSystemServices Tamar Meibergen, Liliane Geerling, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) | Partner in Sustainable Development, Inclusive Green Growth Department, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, COP16 Colombia, Netherlands, PINO, Lynn van Rennes

This Monday was food day at COP16 Colombia Biodiversity in Cali! 🍎 🌿 The Netherlands Ambassador to Colombia and food expert Reina Buijs visited the Netherlands pavilion, and we hosted engaging discussions. Our sessions on the water-biodiversity-food nexus addressed crucial questions: What would our economy look like if biodiversity were fully integrated into mainstream practice by 2040? How can we support plant genetic resources? And how can measuring biodiversity in food products and food systems drive transformative change? 💬 "Return on Inspiration (ROI) is where landscape restoration begins. However, making it happen requires at least a 20-year commitment – we must move beyond short-term projects," noted Willem Ferwerda from Commonland. 💡Not familiar with ROI? It’s the first of Commonland's four returns in landscape restoration, and reflects the belief that local communities must believe in a better future to make restoration succeed. The topic of mainstreaming biodiversity sparked lively discussions. William V. from Naturalis Biodiversity Center pointed out that implementation often fails because we're unable to make the right adjustments. "We need both vertical and horizontal integration!" 💬 "One path to mainstreaming biodiversity is to shift toward more localized food systems and cherish local diversity and species richness,” stated Stef de Haan from CGIAR 🎥 A crucial part for mainstreaming biodiversity is stortytelling. Why? Liliane Geerling from Partners for Water discussed this question with William V. from Naturalis. Watch the video to learn more! More engaging discussions and presentations in the coming days! If you’re here, visit the Netherlands pavilion. 👋🏼 For the complete programme visit the link below: https://lnkd.in/eszhxEkm 📸 credits to Dennis Rua!   #PartnersforWater #COP16 #Biodiversity #WaterBiodiversityFood #WaterSecurity #WaterDiplomacy #SDG6 #WaterActionAgenda #DutchWaterSector #ClimateResilience #WaterInfrastructure #EcoSystemServices #storytelling Partners for Water, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) | Partner in Sustainable Development, Tamar Meibergen, Liliane Geerling, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Inclusive Green Growth Department, Netherlands PINO, Lynn van Rennes,

Promoting water efficiency and biodiversity on Colombian coffee farms at COP16☕🌿 As COP16 Colombia unfolds in Cali, Colombia, learn how a Partners for Water-funded project is advancing sustainable water management and biodiversity in Colombian coffee production. We spoke with Keje Nagel, coordinator at AidEnvironment and part of the project consortium, about the innovative approaches shaping this collaboration. ☕ The "Improving Water Efficiency in the Coffee Sector in the Magdalena Region" project spans 18,000 hectares of coffee farms, engaging over 5,000 small-scale farmers in efforts to boost water efficiency, reduce waste, and protect local ecosystems. Ø Striking a balance between economic growth in coffee production and the need for downstream ecosystem preservation, this initiative is making vital strides in sustainable farming. 🔗 Read the full article to discover more about these eco-friendly practices and insights from Keje Nagel ➡️https://lnkd.in/eSJxDzXr Keje Nagel, Maarten Onneweer, AidEnvironment, Fundacion Herencia Ambiental Caribe, Deltares, Robert Proos, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) | Partner in Sustainable Development

Friday, 25 October, was Water Day at the Netherlands Pavilion at COP16 on Biodiversity in Colombia! 💧💡 The Netherlands Water Envoy Meike van Ginneken, opened Deloitte’s session on approaches to advance sustainable development at the food-climate-nature nexus. Meike pointed out that “agronomists look at a different scale than water managers,” highlighting a gap that must be bridged. In a conversation led by Liliane Geerling, Meike van Ginneken shared her thoughts on the powerful connection between water and biodiversity—see her inspiring perspective in the video below. She concluded that “landscape binds people, binds knowledge, binds nature,” which was the perfect prelude to our final session on landscape-based solutions. This session closed with a heartfelt water ritual by Sandra Chasoy, Juan Coneo, and Marcello, inspiring everyone to join forces in tackling the water and biodiversity crises. The Living Planet Report on food and finance provided further insights, sparking deeper discussions. The day ended with an energetic Blue Drinks session, where water professionals connected through storytelling. 🤝 Stay tuned for more exciting activities in the days to come! If you’re in Cali, drop by the Netherlands Pavilion for more inspiring presentations, dialogues, and workshops ➡️https://lnkd.in/eszhxEkm Liliane Geerling, Tamar Meibergen, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) | Partner in Sustainable Development, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Inclusive Green Growth Department, Anna Vreeburg, Ivo Walsmit, Iris Bijlsma, Bram van der Wielen, Netherlands, COP16 Colombia, Sanne Kruid, Thari Hermsen, Lynn van Rennes, PINO

Amidst the lively negotiations of COP16's Blue Zone, countries are bringing their unique perspectives to life through dedicated pavilions. As the host country, Colombia showcases its rich biodiversity—the world’s second largest—through a stunning pavilion. With forests, savannas, páramos, wetlands, and other unique landscapes, the pavilion reflects Colombia’s natural heritage, home to approximately 6,337 endemic species of flora and fauna, including around 4,300 unique orchid species.🌿 Take a look at the pavilion’s cinematic representation in the video below.⬇️ Meanwhile, the Netherlands pavilion celebrates a successful first week, filled with insightful talks and dynamic meetings. If you're in the Blue Zone in Cali next week, be sure to stop by! We have an exciting lineup—check our website for the full programme: https://lnkd.in/eszhxEkm Liliane Geerling, Tamar Meibergen, Lynn van Rennes, PINO, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) | Partner in Sustainable Development, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Inclusive Green Growth Department, Anna Vreeburg, Ivo Walsmit, Iris Bijlsma, Bram van der Wielen, Netherlands, COP16 Colombia, Sanne Kruid, Thari Hermsen

Highlighting yesterday's special session on landscape-based solutions for biocultural diversity at the Netherlands Pavilion at COP16 Biodiversity in Colombia.💧🌿   During the session, leaders from various Colombian regions shared Indigenous examples of water management solutions, including spiral gardens, indigenous maps and other traditional water practices.   We learned about the Zenu case study, where ancient landscape patterns with canals were revived to prevent flooding while supporting agriculture and aquaculture simultaneously.   ✅ The key takeaway? All examples demonstrated the importance of viewing landscapes from a collective rather than individual perspective.   🎥 Liliane Geerling from Partners for Water continued the discussion about incorporating Indigenous knowledge into landscape-based approaches with four experts present at COP16. Check out the video below!   Featured speakers: Nico Tillie, Rosa de Wolf, Prof. Dr. Steffen Nijhuis, Joe Ray, Cristal Ange   More sessions on landscape-based solutions for biocultural diversity are coming up! If you're here, stop by the Netherlands pavilion for more interesting presentations, dialogues, and workshops. 👋🏼   Check out our event page for today’s programme: https://lnkd.in/e7ZTKpP4   Yesterday’s speakers:  Jessica, Wilmer, Marcello en Juan, IDEAM Colombia, SarVision, Carlos Castaño-Uribe, Vivian Galvis, Delft University of Technology, Fundacion Herencia Ambiental Caribe, Koos Biesmeijer, Marten Schoonman, Lena Dempewolf, Egbuwalo Sikeade, Silvia Castro, Jago Wadley, Oliver Oliveros, Frison Emile, Amélie Steu 🌱, EcoAgriculture Partners, Sara Scherr, French Water Partnership, Aloïs Aguettant, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Biovision Foundation, John Garcia Ulloa, Ida Simonsen, Wijnand Broer, Roel Nozeman, ASN Bank Thelma B., FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, Marie-Claire Franzen-Aerts, Rabobank, Arthur Campredon, CDC Biodiversité, Mahima Sukhdev, #PartnersforWater #COP16 #Biodiversity #WaterBiodiversityFood #WaterSecurity #WaterDiplomacy #SDG6 #WaterActionAgenda #DutchWaterSector #ClimateResilience #WaterInfrastructure #EcoSystemServices