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category Climate change adaptation   EURO-INBO   News   Planning  

During the last EURO-INBO International Conference (Parma, May 2025), INBO interviewed Erik Meis, Project Manager for Transboundary Watercourses at the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, to present the Dutch vision of water management and the public policies implemented to address the risks of flooding and drought.

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What is the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management in the Netherlands?

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management is the national authority responsible for water policy, water safety, transport infrastructure and quality of life in the Netherlands. It is responsible for flood protection, sustainable water resource management and the integration of climate, environmental and territorial issues into public policy, in coordination with national and local stakeholders.

Water management in the Netherlands in key figures:

%
of the Dutch territory below sea level
>%
of inhabited areas and economic activities exposed to flood risk
€B
available in the Delta Fund in 2026 to ensure sustainable flood control

Who is Erik MEIS?

Erik Meis is Policy Officer – Transboundary Rivers at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management in the Netherlands.

In this role, he contributes to the development and implementation of public policy on the management of international waterways, in relation to issues such as adaptation to climate change, natural risk prevention, sustainable water resource management and scientific support for public decision-making.