United Nations (UN) Water Envoy, Retno Marsudi, visited the Dutch Water Authorities (Unie van Waterschappen) on Thursday 3 July. Within the UN, Marsudi is responsible for water, including the implementation of the SDG agenda. Additionally, she leads preparations for various high-level international water conferences, such as the UN Water Conference, which will take place in the United Arab Emirates in 2026.
(pictured: UN Water Envoy visits Dutch Water Authorities)
International interest in Dutch Water Authorities
The Dutch Water Authorities hold an autonomous position in water management. This unique position, combined with its specific tax system, has resulted in significant international attention on Dutch water management.
An opportunity to discuss the Dutch approach to water management and financing was one of the reasons of Marsudi’s visit to the Dutch Water Authorities. Discussions also covered her priorities for the UN Water agenda and how the Dutch Water Authorities (DWA) can contribute.
Luzette Kroon, who oversees the international portfolio as a board member of the Dutch Water Authorities, welcomed Marsudi during her visit. She provided the UN Water Envoy with an overview of the origins of the Dutch Water Authorities and elaborated on their water management practices.
Dutch Water Authorities Bank
Lidwien van Velden, Chair of the NWB Bank (Dutch Water Authorities Bank), explained how the bank contributes to financing the Dutch water management system. Dennis van Peppen, Director of the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Impact Assessment (NCEA), was also present. He emphasised the importance of good cooperation between governments, the private sector, the knowledge sector, and civil society.
The various presentations provided Marsudi with a deeper appreciation for the strength and resilience of the Dutch water management model. Perhaps even more significantly, she acquired valuable insights into how affordable financing can be secured for critical water infrastructure projects.
Contribution to the UN Water Conference
Through the Blue Deal programme, the Dutch Water Authorities support the strengthening of international water authorities and partners around the world, including in the area of financing. This includes not only the use of tariffs and taxes but also the development of innovative private financing models. These themes will take center stage at the UN Water Conference 2026, where the Dutch Water Authorities are eager to contribute their expertise.
As part of the Blue Deal Peru project, six water experts from the Peru's National Water Authority (ANA) and the Binational Project Puyango-Tumbes visited the Netherlands from 16 to 20 June. This working visit fostered a dynamic exchange of experiences between Peruvian and Dutch water authorities, focusing on governance, climate-resilient water management and institutional coordination.
They were representatives from the National, Regional and Local authorities responsible for the planning and implementation of the National Water Resources Management Systems, the water distribution plans in the regions, institutional coordination within the Watershed Councils and execution of strategic regional-based water projects.
The five-day programme was jointly organised with the delegation and by various Dutch Water Authorities. The programme included relevant themes for the activities and challenges faced by our partners in Lima, and in the regions of Piura and Tumbes. These areas are particularly vulnerable to floods and droughts, so particular attention was given to water safety and flood control, water governance and institutional arrangements for management and distribution plans among different water uses in the context of climate change.
Key Themes and Insights
Water Governance and Institutional Roles
A recurring theme throughout the visit was the importance of effective governance structures. Discussions highlighted the role of board members in Dutch water authorities, such as at Rivierenland, where Melinda Boons explained how elected officials contribute to strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. This sparked meaningful dialogue on how similar governance models could enhance institutional coordination and accountability in Peru’s water management system. At Noorderzijlvest water authority, Director Bas Tammes led a discussion with the Peruvian and Dutch colleagues what mutual learnings could be taken from each other’s processes. Topics of interest were: governance structures, interaction with board members, finances, management and water distribution plans in the Netherlands and in Peru.
Interactive Learning through Serious Games
To explore the complexities of water planning through a practical approach, the delegation participated in a serious game simulating the role of city and environmental planners. This hands-on experience emphasised the importance of balancing competing interests, managing stakeholder dynamics, and planning under climate stress – lessons that resonated with the Peruvian context.
Pictured: The delegation plays a Serious Game
Climate Adaptation and Resilience
The delegation had the opportunity to explore several innovative Dutch projects focused on climate resilience. At Noorderzijlvest, they visited De Onlanden project – a great example of nature-based solutions that integrate climate adaptation, flood protection for the city of Groningen, and opportunities for nature and recreation. Additional water retention measures were showcased in the surrounding area of Veenhuizen (Drenthe), where collaboration with local farmers plays a key role.
The group also showed great interest in learning about the construction techniques, materials, and maintenance practices used in these projects, including the challenges posed by dike systems along the Wadden Sea coast, which serve as a critical line of defense.
These experiences underscored the potential of land use changes and the importance of considering diverse water interests – agriculture, urban development, and ecosystems – especially under the growing pressures of climate change. They illustrated how infrastructure, spatial planning, and community engagement can be effectively aligned to enhance both flood safety and drought resilience.
Pictured: A visit to Markermeerdijk in North Holland with colleagues from Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier
Dutch Water Engineering in Practice
In addition to governance and climate adaptation, the delegation explored the technical foundations of Dutch water management. They learned about the critical role of pumping stations and traditional water mills in regulating water levels in the polders – low-lying tracts of land reclaimed from the sea.
A particularly memorable moment came during a visit to North Holland, where the group discovered that some areas lie as deep as 6.63 meters below sea level. This striking fact offered a powerful illustration of the Netherlands’ long-standing expertise in living with water and left a lasting impression on the Peruvian experts.
International Collaboration and Mutual Learning
The exchange underscored the shared challenges both countries face – ranging from localised droughts to institutional fragmentation – and the value of international cooperation, highlighted by Tjitske Brand from the management team of Wetterskip Fryslân. The delegation left with new perspectives and practical ideas to strengthen Peru’s water governance and resilience strategies.
This visit is part of the Multi-Annual Plan (MAP) 2023–2030 of the Blue Deal Peru Project and reflects the ongoing collaboration between ANA and Dutch Water Authorities, coordinated by Waterschap Noorderzijlvest.
Pictured: The Peruvian delegation with the Peat Mobile at Wetterskip Fryslan
In the city and region of Pekalongan, residents face annual flooding, severe land subsidence, and poor surface water quality. While the local government is investing heavily in infrastructure there’s a growing recognition that sustainable water management isn’t just about infrastructure - it’s about people. Community involvement is essential to finding lasting solutions, with children and students as key players in protecting the environment and improving quality of life.
Our partners are embracing this shift, developing tools and initiatives to actively involve these social groups in water-related challenges and solutions.
To raise awareness, a video campaign was launched featuring a local influencer and produced in partnership with Blue Deal. Using humor, a relatable tone, and clear expert insights into the key issues, the video explains the challenges and highlights how residents can contribute to improvements. The campaign was officially launched by the Mayor of Pekalongan during the most recent Blue Deal visit.
Trailer for awareness video in Pekalongan 2025
As part of the same awareness campaign, the Dutch Water Authorities (DWA) team was invited to give a guest lecture on water management at a local secondary school – empowering the next generation with knowledge and inspiration.
Pictured: A guest lecture at a local secondary school
Tangerang: Youth in Action
In Tangerang, youth engagement took center stage during a Blue Deal visit in May. A dynamic workshop with high school students kicked off with an introduction to water management and solid waste issues. Students were then challenged to develop ideas to improve their local environment.
Through brainstorming sessions and school-based follow-ups, students presented a wide range of creative and enthusiastic solutions just days later. Together with our local partner, represented by the head of Bappeda, we are now exploring how to embed these types of awareness activities into a structured, long-term programme.
A cross-cutting theme within the Blue Deal programme is social inclusion. This example from our Indonesia partnership shows that the future belongs to the young generations – and they are ready to lead!
Pictured: Students present their solutions during workshops in Tangerang
From 3 to 5 June 2025, Dutch Water Authorities participated in the fourth partner meeting of the ResNRJwater project, held in Arbon, Switzerland. The event brought together international partners and experts to exchange knowledge and experiences in the field of renewable energy production at wastewater treatment plants.
The programme included inspiring presentations and discussions on topics such as net zero ambitions for wastewater treatment plants, identification of renewable energy sources, aquathermia, smart energy storage systems, and the development of training materials for water authorities. In addition, participants visited innovative sites, including the Altenrhein and Morgental WWTPs, where practical examples of energy production from wastewater were showcased.
Dutch Water Authorities, represented by the Unie van Waterschappen, actively contributed to the discussions and shared insights into the Dutch approach to climate and energy. The meeting provided valuable inspiration and practical knowledge that can support Dutch water authorities in further developing and implementing sustainable energy solutions at their facilities.
With many useful lessons learned, Dutch Water Authorities looks forward to sharing the gained knowledge with the regional water authorities in the Netherlands, to help accelerate the transition towards climate-neutral water management.
(pictured: Aart Los and Ina Elema of Dutch Water Authorities)
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