Published on: 2026-10-29
What should be the future direction of Dutch international development cooperation? The Advisory Council on International Affairs (in Dutch: Adviesraad Internationale Vraagstukken) addressed this question in an advisory report presented last Monday.
The report echoes many issues and opportunities that the NCEA encounters in its day-to-day practice. Beyond the nine overall recommendations, here are five side notes that deserve a closer look, according to the NCEA.
Side note 1: ‘…four interconnected transitions’
In the first recommendation, the AIV-report identifies four leading transitions: inclusive prosperity and economic resilience; sustainable peace and security; the health of people and planet; and effective and legitimate institutions. In both the Netherlands and its international work, the NCEA observes that these transitions are deeply interconnected and indeed should be addressed in relation to one another from the outset. Doing so helps prevent critical issues from becoming afterthoughts.
The Netherlands has considerable experience in tackling major transitions through integrated planning instruments such as the National Spatial Strategy (Nota Ruimte), sectoral national plans such as the National Delta Programme, and regional spatial plans (omgevingsvisies). Many of the countries where the NCEA works view these approaches as inspiring examples of holistic and integrated strategic planning.
The opposite approach of addressing transitions in isolation easily leads to missed opportunities and slower progress towards sustainable development. While each of these complex transitions requires dedicated attention in its own right, continuous efforts to promote policy integration remain therefore essential, particularly in the context of international cooperation.