Members of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Development Cooperation committee (BDO) received the petition “Netherlands off the Map” on Tuesday, February 18. Koos de Bruijn presented the petition on behalf of Partos, the trade association for international cooperation, to senator and BDO chairman Koen Petersen (VVD). The occasion is the handling of the Budget Statement for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation 2025.
With the petition, the organization objects to the cabinets proposed cuts to development cooperation. Partos focuses on international cooperation for sustainable change. The goal is a fair, just, and sustainable world for everyone. “Every person has the right to the same fair opportunities for a good life and a livable earth. Unfortunately, many people do not have these opportunities now. Our time presents significant challenges that are interconnected and affect us all, such as poverty, oppression, migration, and the climate crisis,” according to Partos. The petition is co-signed by over 100 international parties.
“Its good if we can hear the message not only from parliamentary documents but also directly from those involved. We will consider the various arguments in our deliberations,” said senator Koen Petersen.