During the working visit of H.M. the King and H.M the Queen of the Netherlands to the United States in April, a high-level reception was hosted at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C. In his speech, the King emphasized the long-standing ties between the Netherlands and the U.S., but also challenges and potential ways to strengthen our relations. Subsequently, their Majesties circulated through the crowd, joined by the Ministers in attendance, for various topical discussion.

The Queen together with Minister Sjoerdsma (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation), met with President Banga of the World Bank Group, President Goldfajn of the IADB, James Scriven CEO of IDB Invest, Nigel Clarke Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, Eugene Rhuggenaath Executive Director of the WBG (EDS19) and Marnix van Rij Alternate Executive Director at the IMF. They touched on various pressing matters at hand, such as the importance of multilateral cooperation, navigating the geopolitical situation, how not to lose site of our climate goals, debt sustainability, private and blended financing and private sector engagement.

Of course, the Queen is well versed in the multilateral landscape given her role as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health, but it was quite unique to have her, the new Minister (who would also be attending the Spring Meetings later that week) and all aforementioned guests partake in this conversation together. Furthermore, it illustrates that the Netherlands’ Government holds the multilateral system – and cooperation – in very high regard.