Cooperation between the Netherlands and the Philippines on water infrastructure is important because the Philippines faces major challenges related to flooding, climate change, and fragmented water governance, while the Netherlands has extensive expertise in water management, climate adaptation, and sustainable infrastructure planning. Through cooperation, both countries can strengthen climate resilience, improve water governance, and support more sustainable and inclusive development.

ESG Pillars for Sustainable Water Development

The ESG pillars are essential for sustainable water development because they ensure that water infrastructure is not only environmentally resilient, but also socially inclusive and transparently governed. Environmental standards protect ecosystems and strengthen climate resilience, social standards safeguard communities and equitable access to water, while governance standards promote accountability, long-term planning, and effective coordination between stakeholders.

King's Day Forum 2026: the start of a collaboration of sama-sama | samen

King's Day Forum 2026 Pre-Session
King's Day Forum 2026

This network is rooted in the spirit of sama-sama | samen — working together — which emerged throughout the King’s Day Forum as representatives from government, private sector, civil society, academia, development organizations, and industry came together to discuss the future of sustainable water infrastructure and development in the Philippines. The forum demonstrated that meaningful cooperation does not require all stakeholders to agree on everything; rather, progress can already be made when organizations and individuals find common ground on even a single issue or shared objective, creating opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and collective action.

Objectives of the Sustainable WIN

The network aims to provide a platform for continued dialogue, knowledge exchange, partnership development, and collaboration between Philippine and Dutch stakeholders working on water-related issues. Through this initiative, members will be able to connect with experts, share experiences, explore opportunities for cooperation, and contribute to addressing the Philippines’ water challenges through the spirit of sama-sama and samen — together.

Projects & Activities

No Results Found

The Netherlands stands ready to work 'sama-sama' (together) with our Filipino partners acress government, business, academia, and civil society. We will continue to support meaningul exchanges of ideas, expertise, and experiences."

- H.E. Ambassador Marielle Geraedts

Committed Partners

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Manila

Philippine Reclamation Authority

Department of Public Works and Highways

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development

Municipality of Abucay, Bataan

Alyansa ng mga Baybaying Bayan ng Bulacan at Pampanga

UN-Habitat

Maynilad Water Academy

Bulacan State University

University of the Philippines

UPLB Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management (UPLB-INREM)

Science Department

Arcadis

Haskoning

Maynilad

Aqua Klima Inc.

Palafox

BDO Unibank

VEi 

Dutch Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines

Boskalis

Fugro

San Miguel Aerocity Inc.

Pasay Harbor City Corp.

Forest Foundation Philippines

Wetlands International

WIWAS

TOWNS Foundation