Speech by His Majesty the King at the ‘Innovation: Solutions for a Common Future’ forum, Warsaw, Poland
25 June 2014
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you, Mr President, for your introduction.
Today is all about the economic partnership between Poland and the Netherlands. A partnership that, over the last couple of decades, has gone from strength to strength.
In recent years Poland has had the fastest-growing economy in the European Union. It is a great achievement to register steady growth at a time when many countries in Europe have been laid low by the economic crisis.
Poland has also achieved a number of important economic reforms. Of course, a lot remains to be done. But a great deal has been accomplished. We look on from the Netherlands with respect and admiration.
Poland's economic record and growth potential make it an attractive partner, with whom the Netherlands would like to forge even closer ties.
'Solutions for a common future'. That is the theme of this forum. As we work to build our future, innovation will be our most important ally. Only by innovating can we together secure a bright future.
Innovation is a very broad term.
It covers new technologies, of course.
New inventions and applications.
But also new ways of organising things. New ways of thinking. And new ways of working together.
Innovation is about leaving the well-trodden path and doing things differently. It's about turning potential weaknesses into strengths. In that sense innovation is always an adventure.
In the Netherlands we've learned how interesting and rewarding that adventure can be.
Take our ongoing battle against the sea. As a river delta country lying partly below sea level, the Netherlands is vulnerable to flooding. By developing new approaches to water management, my country has not only become safer, it has also become a global player in this field. Dutch water management expertise is used from St Petersburg to New Orleans, from New York to Jakarta.
Another example is agriculture. The Netherlands is small in terms of its size; the space for food production is limited. And yet, the Netherlands is the second-biggest exporter of agri-food products in the world, after the United States. A position it owes to continual innovation.
A third example is urban planning. The Netherlands is a densely populated urbanised country. How can you create a pleasant living environment in a country where so many people live so close together? Many Dutch companies focus on answering that question. This results in ingenious systems for energy and lighting, smart logistics and new forms of architecture and urban development.
You will soon have the opportunity to see for yourselves what innovative Dutch companies have to offer. They will be giving presentations here in the stadium.
It is worth noting at this point that the Dutch business delegation here in Poland is being led for the last time by Bernard Wientjes, President of the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers. He is stepping down after nine years. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank him for his tireless service to the Dutch business community.
I am convinced that, as innovative nations, Poland and the Netherlands can make each other stronger. After all, the same interests are at stake. We both face the challenge of making our economies more efficient and increasing productivity. That is vital if we are to continue to compete in the global marketplace. Innovation is our most important weapon. So we have to make sure we use it.
As I said, innovation is about more than just technology and smart inventions. It's also about different ways of thinking and new forms of cooperation with partners, both near and far.
I hope our visit will help generate new ideas, new inspiring contacts and new connections between Poland and the Netherlands.
Thank you.