Working Worldwide for the Security of the Netherlands associated irregular migration, economic reforms as a way of encouraging political and social reforms, and the international deployment of our armed forces and police. In addition, the IISS is clearly linked with the ambition to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and with the problems of climate change, resource and water scarcity, and population pressure. These issues will be examined at greater length in the policy document on foreign trade and development cooperation to be completed before summer. The integrated nature of our efforts in all of these areas is a major leitmotif of this strategy, as is the link with policy on internal security. Current challenges call for a pragmatic, modern and strategic international effort, based on our core values (see text box). Our focus is on addressing the causes of instability and insecurity, protecting the integrity of our Kingdom’s territory, increasing our resilience, fulfilling our constitutional obligations and strengthening the international legal order. This Integrated International Security Strategy structures the Netherlands’ efforts within the three security pillars (prevent, defend and strengthen) and sets the parameters for our ultimate decisions on how we will work worldwide. | 10 | Working Worldwide for the Security of the Netherlands What the Netherlands stands for in the world The Netherlands has a rich tradition of international cooperation. As a trading nation, it has a strong international orientation. That is one of the reasons why a safe and secure world is in our country’s interests. Our worldwide efforts to ensure a secure Kingdom are based on the Charter of the Kingdom, the Dutch Constitution, the European Convention on Human Rights, international law and the core democratic values on which the rule of law in our country is founded. The Netherlands is convinced that lasting peace and security benefit from a people-oriented approach and inclusive policy, as the Scientific Council on Government Policy (WRR) has advocated. The protection of civilians, and women and children in particular, in line with the Dutch National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, is an inextricable part of our integrated foreign and security policy. This is the normative framework within which the government operates, and it determines how the Netherlands deploys policy instruments and what partnerships it forms. As a country that honours its commitments and operates transparently, the Netherlands is seen as credible and reliable. The power of the Netherlands’ approach lies in our habitual adaptability, agility and flexibility. Because the Netherlands is internationally oriented, we are well equipped to respond to global developments that affect us. This gives the Netherlands a certain influence. We are able to make useful contributions to diplomatic processes, the promotion of the international legal order, military and civilian missions and development cooperation. The high quality of our contributions is internationally acknowledged, opens doors and gives us the influence and power to effectively defend our interests. Our contributions, ideas, initiatives and capacity to innovate in the field of international security and development give the Netherlands a strong position in the international arena. | 11 |