News item | 14-01-2018 | 10:13
Minister Kaag (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) will travel to the US from Sunday to Tuesday for a series of meetings at the United Nations and the World Bank. She will also have a meeting with colleague Robert Lighthizer, the US secretary of commerce.
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The minister will first go to New York for consultations with António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN. An important topic of discussion is the reform of the UN’s development policy announced by Guterres. ‘It is now a question of putting his proposals into practice. The Secretary-General deserves all the support for his agenda. In order to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) for less poverty, more peace and security, and a more livable world,’ says Kaag.
In New York, the minister is also hosting a round table meeting on effective conflict prevention. That is a theme on which the Netherlands, which is a member of the UN Security Council this year, wants to focus heavily. Here too, more attention for sustainable development plays an important role. Kaag: ‘By committing to better living conditions and more human rights at an early stage – with countries and regions cooperating better with international organizations and institutions – conflicts and outbreaks of violence and therefore a lot of human suffering can be prevented.’ The round table will be attended by representatives of UN institutions, Member States and experts in the field of conflict prevention. The minister will also hold talks in New York with the directors of the UN population organization UNFPA and the UN development organization UNDP.
World Bank
In Washington DC, the minister spoke with World Bank President Jim Kim and CEO Philippe Le Houérou of IFC, the World Bank’s institution for lending to private investors. In it, the minister will urge more activities by the IFC in fragile countries, because that is where extra efforts are needed that offer people the prospect of a better life. The minister will also be informed about proposals from the World Bank for a capital increase. ‘A bigger bank can be important. But we will also pay close attention to ensure that the commitments for a better bank are fulfilled,” said the minister.
Finally, a meeting with US Trade Secretary Robert Lighthizer is scheduled in the American capital. During these consultations, Kaag will be informed by her colleague about American trade policy, in particular the view on trade agreements and the multilateral trade system. At the same time, the minister will point out that the Netherlands is and will continue to be a strong supporter of multilateral trade agreements and a level playing field, with good regulations for food safety, the environment and working conditions. Because these increase the chance of growth of the Dutch and international private sector and are therefore good for companies, employees and consumers.
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