10 jaar World Resources Institute Europe, 29 oktober 2026

 

Good afternoon, dear all,

And especially: Janneke de Vries, Hans Bruyninckx, Jan Versteeg and Merel Fiets.

It is wonderful to be here together, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the World Resources Institute Europe.

And what a fitting setting: Pulchri Studio, on the Lange Voorhout, one of The Hague’s most beautiful streets.

It was none other than Emperor Charles the fifth who, almost five hundred years ago, ordered four rows of linden trees to be planted.

To this day, they give this street its distinctive character: a green oasis, right in the historic heart of The Hague.

A perfect setting, then, to celebrate the anniversary of an organization dedicated to climate, nature and sustainable development.

World Resources Institute Europe had a modest start: with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the city of The Hague, a grand total of two staff members found a place to work at the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank FMO.

It was the mayor at the time, Jozias van Aartsen, who welcomed this new organization to our city in 2016.

On that occasion, he emphasized that the World Resources Institute Europe had good reasons to choose The Hague, with its rich network of expertise in peace, justice, and sustainable development.

And he was right.

This network in The Hague proved fertile ground for the institute to grow and flourish.

Ten years later, it has developed into an organization with more than 150 staff members working across Europe.

And that is exactly what we want to be: a base from which international organizations can develop and thrive.

And from The Hague, they can then go on to make an impact around the world.

The Hague is proud to offer a home base to the World Resources Institute Europe.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Hans Bruyninckx on his recent appointment as Regional Director Europe.

Welcome to The Hague.

With your long record of service, working at the interface between science and European environmental and climate policy, you are the right man in the right place.

And we should all be very grateful, because your organisation’s work is more urgent than ever before.

Ever more extreme temperatures, rain, and other weather phenomena are frequent reminders of this, here in the Netherlands too.

Climate change and the degradation of nature are increasingly intertwined with issues of justice, security and resilience.

And that is exactly why the World Resources Institute Europe is so much at home here, in the city of peace and justice.

Ecosystem damage is closely linked to the risk of tensions between countries and communities.

Moreover, the impact of climate change is not felt equally by all people or in all places.

This deepens inequality and undermines climate justice.

These developments call not only for international cooperation, but also for local action.

After all, most of the world’s population lives in cities.

As such, cities are the places where climate policy takes tangible shape:  in energy, mobility, the built environment and the design of public spaces.

Cities can lead by example through planning, investments and cooperation that reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and create prosperity for all.

The Hague is working to reduce emissions, advance the local energy transition, and make the city greener and more sustainable.

In November, the city will host its annual Climate Week, coinciding with the UN Climate Change Conference.

The Climate Week is primarily aimed at local residents.

At the same time, the international community is actively involved in The Hague Climate Agreement.

This way, we build a bridge between local focus and the global importance of a liveable climate.

Over the past ten years, the World Resources Institute Europe has grown into an indispensable partner on climate, nature and sustainable development issues.

I would like to congratulate all staff members, not only on this anniversary, but above all on everything the Institute has achieved.

Please be assured of our support for your important work, both now and in the future.

Together, we will continue to work toward a sustainable, just world.