The salinity partnership has joined forces with Salta by taking on a coordinating role of Salta’s ‘Working Group on International Cooperation’

Salta aims to address the challenges of salinisation and freshwater availability along the Dutch coast. By focussing on practical solutions to tackle limited fresh water availability and salinity, it  brings together partners from both the private and public sectors working on salinisation projects across the Netherlands. Importantly, SALTA bridges the gap between research and policy makers on the one hand, and the operational level of farmers and water managers on the other, which is also highly relevant in the international context. Through its Working Group on International Cooperation, Dutch partners can be supported in pursuing their international ambitions.

In parallel, NFP and NWP act as co-convenors of a broader partnership that unites actors from the water and food sectors to address salinisation challenges worldwide.. The partnership’s shared ambition is to address salinisation challenges in low- and middle- income countries by facilitating Dutch expertise and establishing cross-border cooperation. Senegal, Egypt, Bangladesh and Vietnam are priority countries. The convenors are also responsible for guiding  collaboration with FAO WASAG, FAO’s coordinating initiative on salinisation issues.

“Salta’s Working Group on International Cooperation acts as a linking pin between activities and expertise of partners in the Netherlands, and international developments and opportunities,” says Salta CEO Peter Prins. Ivo Demmers (CEO of NFP) and Rick Elmendorp (CEO and Chair of the Board of NWP) jointly state: “Since NFP, NWP and Salta work to some extent with the same partners, joining forces in international collaboration contributes to more efficient interaction within the network.”

The challenge of salinisation is growing worldwide. In collaboration with several Dutch embassies abroad, efforts are being made to showcase the knowledge and expertise of Dutch organisations in the area of salinity. Knowledge sharing remains a vital part of this endeavor. For example, in 2024 and 2025, two editions of Salinity Magazine were published by NFP and NWP. Salta regularly organises knowledge exchange sessions on various topics, hosted by its thematic groups. This year, Salta will organise an international conference in June, to which the salinity partnership will also contribute.