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Unique lease scheme tackles too little water in fast-growing urban areas

Rapid urbanisation in developing countries is exasperating the problem of too little water. Providing clean and reliable water supplies in fast-growing urban areas in these countries is a major challenge, as water utility companies are reluctant to invest in the necessary infrastructure. Dutch organisation Aqua for all is part of the international iW+ Partnership, which breaks the cycle holding back investment in infrastructure, thus bringing down costs and facilitating a reliable water supply.

HortiPolaris: feeding a megacity together

A megacity is like a beast that needs to be fed continuously. How can Beijing meet the needs of its city dwellers? That’s where high-tech agriculture comes in. In the capital’s green belt, Xu Dan and his team are using new techniques to produce vegetables to meet Beijing’s growing demand for food.

Armela Farms: farm the city to feed the city

To sustainably feed the world’s largest urban areas, we need to bring food production back to the cities. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where large cities are surrounded by sand in almost every direction, climate and geography make this especially challenging. But not impossible. With agricultural technology and seeds from Dutch soil, sandy landscapes with limited water resources can feed some of the world’s largest cities. The Netherlands helps the UAE improve its food safety and security.

Innovative Olympic and Paralympic Games: research to knock it out of the park

As a low-lying, densely-populated delta the Netherlands has had to be both creative and innovative. This also applies to sport. With a number of innovations launched in time for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, we have taken this global event to the highest level possible. This is specifically relevant given the current global pandemic, where travelling and uniting physically to celebrate sports is particularly difficult.

Water as Leverage: What an integrated approach to resilient cities can do

Water as Leverage is a Dutch-founded public-private partnership (PPP) programme which is inclusive and multidisciplinary, but what makes it stand out is the involvement of financial institutions right from the start. By creating bankable, scalable solutions, Water as Leverage acts as a blueprint that has already been adapted to urban areas across the world.

LGBTI and sports: encouraging you to 'be exactly who you are'

Tomorrow we begin celebrating 25 years of pride in Amsterdam. Albeit a little different to the traditional street parties across the city. A number of small activities will still take place in the Netherlands during the week and Pride Walk will go ahead on Saturday 7 August. Pride Walk is one of the main events this coming week in Amsterdam where many, independent of their sexual orientation, will (safely and at a distance) walk together in support and awareness of LGBTI people. The big festivities, such as the famous canal parades however, will have to wait until next year.

Global challenges spark creativity and inspiration for Dutch artists

Eliminating world hunger. Undoubtably this is one of the most important challenges we face as mankind. As the world population grows and industry soars, ensuring accessibility to sufficient, safe and nutritious food worldwide continues to test world leaders. Food security does not just mean all people at all times have access to food, but that they also meet their food preferences and dietary needs for an active and healthy life.