Support has been sought from the Netherlands to implement Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100.
Bangladesh’s Ambassador in The Hague sought support from the Netherlands to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and become a development partner by implementing the delta plan.
Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 is premised on greater attention to the grassroots through its in-built, bottom-up, approach, reports UNB.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Sheikh Mohammed Belal highlighted the Netherlands' vast reservoir of knowledge and technology; huge pool of water and delta- related business entities plus knowledge institutions; as well as enormous goodwill for Bangladesh.
The delta bond between the two countries was emphasized at a seminar in The Hague recently, the Embassy said on Wednesday.
Ambassador Belal praised Dutch innovation and creativity in securing their country from the scourge of floods—despite a large part of their country being below the mean sea level—and underscored that Dutch ingenuity in delta management would be critical in implementing the delta plan; like its technical assistance to Bangladesh in formulating the plan.
He recalled the historic visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the Netherlands in November 2015 and the twin-ministerial visit from the Netherlands to Bangladesh in June 2015; towards forging institutional cooperation between the two delta countries.
Prof Dr Jaap de Heer, team leader and director of the consortium assigned to prepare the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, made a keynote presentation at the seminar.
He elaborated on the genesis of Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 and explained the key features of the plan and implementation challenges.
Lauding the government of Bangladesh for undertaking a long-term plan for a sustainable deltaic Bangladesh, Professor Jaap de Heer underscored the need to mobilize required funds and ensure appropriate institutions implement the plan.
As the delta management in Bangladesh will largely depend upon cooperation with the Himalayan basin countries—due to Bangladesh's many trans-boundary rivers—Professor Jaap de Heer also emphasized the need to have broader regional cooperation in the water sector across the basin states.
The Ambassador and Professor Jaap de Heer then responded to the questions asked by the distinguished members of the Asian Table.
The event was moderated by Secretary of the Asian Table Ronald Staallekker.
In the audience were: former ambassadors, civil servants, politicians, and consultants of different fields with experience in Asia, in general, and Bangladesh, in particular.