Netherlands
Mr Chairman,
Yesterday I elaborated on three Netherlands developl11ent cooperation
priorities as regards Africa. The fourth priority for intensified
Netherlands developl11ent cooperation with Africa focuses on the
protection of the natural resource basis and regional integration.
The Netherlands attaches great iniportance to regional cooperation for
trade purposes but also for environniental protection as a contribution
to conflict prevention. Experience shows that regional cooperation
such as cross-border river basin managel11ent, eco-regional
developnient, park nianagenient and sustainable and lavvful
exploitation of forests and n1Ínerals can prevent cont1icts over these
specific resources. Furtherniore, regional cooperation can also forni
the basis for improved conl111unication, trust and effective econoniic
cooperation between the involved countries (and conl111unities). Also
in post-conflict situation are initiatives for cooperation of vital
iniportance. As exaniples I would like to l11entioii: The Nile Basin
Initiative which resulted in broad political and l11ulti sectoral
cooperation between the states on the banks of the Nile. The
Netherlands is also involved in the l11anagel11ent of cross-border river
basins of the Upper-Niger and Senegal.
Protection of the natural resource basis in post conflict areas will
contribute to stability, social inclusion and econoniic developl11ent.
One of the initiatives which is supported by the Netherlands is the
promotion of ecotourisl11. The Virunga project entails cooperation
between the park authorities of the DRC (Denl0cratic Republic
Congo), Uganda and Rwanda and supports the population around the
parks, contributes to decreased violence and insecurity and to the
conservation of this unique ecosystel11, that provides the region with
water and sustenance. This project has the potential to finaiice itself
froiii revenues frol11 eco-tourisl11 in a few years.
Access to sustainable energy is a prerequisite for sustainable
developnient. The Netherlands attaches great iniportance to the use
and production of environl11entally friendly sources of energy, and
comniitted therefore an additional ?500 million. This will be used for
the application of sustainability criteria for bioiiiass production in two
pilot countries, the enhancenient of regional energy services in the
Great Lakes Region by strengthening accountable regional
institutions, facilitating energy production troni waterpower and froll1
methane gas frol11 the Kjvu lake and lastly by providing i 0 111illion
people with access to sustainable energy in the next four years.
You will find more information on these initiatives in the cases
attached to the copy of 111Y statel11ent.
Thank you Mr. Chairiiian
Yesterday I elaborated on three Netherlands developl11ent cooperation
priorities as regards Africa. The fourth priority for intensified
Netherlands developl11ent cooperation with Africa focuses on the
protection of the natural resource basis and regional integration.
The Netherlands attaches great iniportance to regional cooperation for
trade purposes but also for environniental protection as a contribution
to conflict prevention. Experience shows that regional cooperation
such as cross-border river basin managel11ent, eco-regional
developnient, park nianagenient and sustainable and lavvful
exploitation of forests and n1Ínerals can prevent cont1icts over these
specific resources. Furtherniore, regional cooperation can also forni
the basis for improved conl111unication, trust and effective econoniic
cooperation between the involved countries (and conl111unities). Also
in post-conflict situation are initiatives for cooperation of vital
iniportance. As exaniples I would like to l11entioii: The Nile Basin
Initiative which resulted in broad political and l11ulti sectoral
cooperation between the states on the banks of the Nile. The
Netherlands is also involved in the l11anagel11ent of cross-border river
basins of the Upper-Niger and Senegal.
Protection of the natural resource basis in post conflict areas will
contribute to stability, social inclusion and econoniic developl11ent.
One of the initiatives which is supported by the Netherlands is the
promotion of ecotourisl11. The Virunga project entails cooperation
between the park authorities of the DRC (Denl0cratic Republic
Congo), Uganda and Rwanda and supports the population around the
parks, contributes to decreased violence and insecurity and to the
conservation of this unique ecosystel11, that provides the region with
water and sustenance. This project has the potential to finaiice itself
froiii revenues frol11 eco-tourisl11 in a few years.
Access to sustainable energy is a prerequisite for sustainable
developnient. The Netherlands attaches great iniportance to the use
and production of environl11entally friendly sources of energy, and
comniitted therefore an additional ?500 million. This will be used for
the application of sustainability criteria for bioiiiass production in two
pilot countries, the enhancenient of regional energy services in the
Great Lakes Region by strengthening accountable regional
institutions, facilitating energy production troni waterpower and froll1
methane gas frol11 the Kjvu lake and lastly by providing i 0 111illion
people with access to sustainable energy in the next four years.
You will find more information on these initiatives in the cases
attached to the copy of 111Y statel11ent.
Thank you Mr. Chairiiian
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