The Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) launched its Sustainable Land and Water Program (SLWP) earlier this year. The goal of the program is to tie private sector investments with the expertise and governance of the public sector in order to create sustainable resource management supply chains. IDH explains, “the Sustainable Land and Water Program introduces economic drivers and future value creation to mitigate interconnected risks threatening rural areas.”
The Hague hosted the SLWP expert meeting for the exchange of knowledge and experience in areas such as land and water management, agriculture, and supply chain management. The meeting preceded a public address presented by speakers from both the public and private sector. Rob Swartbol, Deputy Director-General for International Cooperation of Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the need for an integrated approach to sustainable resource management. Swartbol explained that the aim of the SLWP is to bring together the public and private sectors to develop business drivers in the natural resource chain. The program will begin its efforts in regions where the IDH has already fostered this collaboration between the private and public sectors as well as developed extensive knowledge of the regional supply chain. The first project locations will be Vietnam’s Central Highlands and Kenya’s Southwest Mau Forest. IDH is currently accepting proposals for future regions to implement the SLWP.
