New Netherlands ambassador welcomed by the president and prime minister

President of Dominica Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton has pledged Dominica’s resolve to working with the Netherlands and the rest of the global community to solve issues of great concern, namely, threats to global peace, and security triggered by wars and conflicts.

Her call came this week as Dominica welcomed His Excellency Cornelis Hersbach, newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands to the Commonwealth of Dominica. He presented his credentials to Her Excellency Burton.

“We are living in very turbulent times which need to be confronted collectively, impacts of the innumerable challenges that confront us daily which seek to threaten our very survival,” she said.

She continued, “Dominica remains resolved to working with the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the rest of the global community to resolve those issues of great concern namely, threats to global peace, security triggered by wars and conflicts, the lingering impact of the COVID-19, degradations of our ecosystem and loss of biodiversity, poverty, inequality and the growing challenge of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, all of which are endangering our growth and development and peaceful way of life.”

President Burton said she also looks forward to governments working collaboratively to tackle the global issues of climate change, ocean governance, and the protection of the environment as Dominica continues in its quest to become the first climate-resilient island in the world.

President Hersbach indicated that unpredictable weather events and rising sea levels due to the impact of climate change require a commitment to action from all nations big or small.

“The devastating impact of Hurricane Maria on our countries is a testament to this,” he stated. “The Kingdom of the Netherlands seeks partners to tackle the impact of climate change together and we are grateful to Dominica for the inspiring vision it has to become the first climate resilience country in the world.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit also met with His Excellency Hersbach, expressed gratitude for the support extended to Dominica following Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Maria, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the relationship between the two nations.