Tekst videoboodschap RVO ‘Water as Leverage City Champion Challenge’, 18 mei 2026

I am delighted to announce the launch of the second edition of the Water as Leverage City Champion Challenge.

In The Hague, a coastal city, we know that water is inseparable from people’s safety, wellbeing, and quality of life.

Water affects how our city grows, how we design our neighbourhoods, and how we prepare for the impacts of climate change.

The Hague takes a pro-active approach to fostering international cooperation to support a fair transition to resilient cities.

As mayor of The Hague and Chair of the International Delegation of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities, VNG,
I have the honour of serving United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) as member of the Executive Presidency.

From these different roles, I see cities everywhere on the front lines of the global climate crises.

Increasing climate impacts are felt most directly at the local level, in our streets and communities.

But cities are also where solutions begin.

What makes the Water as Leverage approach so powerful is that it treats water not only as a risk, but as a lever for positive transformation.

By placing water at the heart of urban planning, design and finance, cities can achieve long-term resilience

Working with water, not against it.

That is why I highly encourage city leaders and urban stakeholders globally to participate in the second edition of the Water as Leverage City Champion Challenge.

Let us learn from one another, share solutions across borders, and work together to turn water into a driver of resilient and inclusive cities.

Thank you.