Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee has called for continued and expanded cooperation from the Netherlands in key areas of water management, climate adaptation and sustainable development.
He made the appeal on Wednesday during a meeting with the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Bangladesh Joris Van Bommel, held at the ministry office in Dhaka. The discussion focused on strengthening long-standing bilateral cooperation in water resources and related development priorities, according to a PID release.
The minister highlighted that the Netherlands has played a significant role in Bangladesh’s socio-economic progress since independence, particularly in supporting water governance and infrastructure development. He urged the Dutch government to maintain and further deepen its assistance in critical areas such as sustainable water management, riverbank protection, climate change adaptation and human resource development.
Both sides also exchanged views on ongoing and future collaboration under Bangladesh’s Delta Plan, which aims to ensure long-term water security and resilience against climate risks.
The Dutch ambassador reiterated his country’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s efforts in addressing climate challenges and improving water management systems. He noted the geographical similarities between the two low-lying, riverine countries and emphasised the value of continued partnership in tackling shared environmental vulnerabilities.
He also reaffirmed support for initiatives related to sustainable river management and capacity building, particularly in developing skilled human resources in the water sector.
Senior officials including Water Resources Secretary Dr AKM Shahabuddin and First Secretary (Water and Climate) at the Netherlands Embassy Inge Klaasen were also present during the meeting.
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