Long-Term Planning

"I am convinced we need targets on the horizon. That goes for the Netherlands, for Europe, and for the world. I had lunch with the current ambassador of China to the Netherlands, and I asked him to tell me a bit about the 19th party congress. He said yes, it was an interesting congress, it was about the future. It has two stages: the first stage is till 2035, and the second stage till 2050.

"In France, they have elected a President with a clearly defined reform agenda. I am happy that Macron is trying to change things in France, that is good. It is a matter of showing courage.

"I have tried to say something about what keeps - and kept - me busy, but also something about today's global agenda: the Sustainable Development Goals, climate change, the new circular economy, but also values, purpose, legacy - these things are really key now. It's all about our planet, a better world, and creating conditions for a better life for everyone, now and tomorrow".