Other countries unhappy about Dutch development aid cuts, but they understand: Minister

"They don't like it, but they understand it," said Dutch minister Reinette Klever (PVV) for Foreign Trade and Developmental Aid after the G20 meeting about the foreign reaction to the Cabinet's plans to make significant cuts to the budget for developmental aid. She spoke to representatives of the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, of the United Nations.

Klever said the total budget will be cut by about a quarter. "The Netherlands is among the top 10 countries that donate the most. This will affect them for sure." The details of the cuts will be decided soon.

Klever on X said the Netherlands will commit more to offering knowledge and expertise in cooperation with other countries. "I want to ensure that Dutch companies and organizations profit from our international efforts."

This was Klever's first trip as minister. She said she spoke with her Saudi Arabian and South African colleagues and was not confronted with her viewpoints on Zwarter Piet or Islam. "Those are domestic things."

She discussed an ambitious Saudi project, Vision 20-30, with her Saudi Arabian colleague in Economic Affairs, Faisal Alibrahim. The project, among other things, regulates the transition from the fossil industry to other forms of energy. "The Netherlands has a lot of expertise in this, and there are good opportunities for the business sector."

The minister said a joint economic committee is now being set up to "conduct a structural dialogue at ministerial level" and shape cooperation between the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia. "They know what they want; they are very pragmatic."