Policy Updates

On May 3, 2024, representatives from the Netherlands attended the 30^th ICPD in New York, where Dutch Director-General for International Cooperation Pascalle Grotenhuis and Dutch SRHR Youth Ambassador Sarah Bahgat called for further action on CSE and youth involvement to continue SRHR progress.

Grotenhuis delivered a statement on behalf of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg and highlighted priorities set out by young people. The Netherlands also supported the ICPD Program of Action and co-hosted 300+ young people at the Global Youth Dialogue to reflect on its urgent call to ensure women and girls’ right to decide over their bodies and futures.

Bahgat delivered a statement at the General Debate of the Commission on Population and Development, highlighting the need to tackle information online, deliver CSE in humanitarian settings, and showcase the outcomes of the Global Youth Dialogue.

On October 16, 2023, the Netherlands pledged EUR100 million (US$109 million) towards MNCH at the GFF's WHS pledging event.

Dutch Vice Minister for International Cooperation Pascalle Grotenhuis announced that the Netherlands will triple its annual contribution to the GFF to EUR90 million (US$98 million). The Netherlands pledged to provide a top-up of EUR10 million (US$11 million) to support the rebuilding of Ukraine’s health systems.

A press release by the GFF stated that governments and philanthropies committed a total of US$445 million in funding to strengthen primary healthcare and to improve the health and rights of women and children. This event was the first pledging opportunity of the ‘Deliver the Future’ campaign, launched in June 2023 and co-hosted by the Netherlands, Germany, Côte d’Ivoire, and the World Bank.