Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Netherlands on cooperation in the field of hydrogen energy

The Government of Canada and the Government of the Netherlands, hereinafter referred to as “the Participants”,

Considering that the Prime Ministers of both countries met in The Hague to exchange views, to share their national strategies on hydrogen, and to start a structured dialogue that will allow common interests and priorities to be identified in order to achieve a partnership for collaboration and joint efforts in the future in this regard;

Recognizing the importance of clean hydrogen, in particular clean hydrogen sourced from renewable energy, as an energy carrier to decarbonise the economy and contribute to each country's emission reduction policy goals and commitments adopted under the Paris Agreement done at Paris on 12 December 2015;

Recognizing the benefits of working together in supporting the creation of an international market, the development of technologies, the deployment of infrastructure, and the setting up of export-import corridors for clean hydrogen between Canada and the Netherlands, as a gateway to Europe;

Have reached the following understanding:

1. Objective
   1. The Participants will strengthen the tier of friendship and enhance bilateral cooperation and knowledge sharing in fields such as standards, trade rules, policies, technologies, certification and investments to support the development of clean hydrogen.
   2. The Participants will jointly promote public and private investment in clean hydrogen projects, thereby creating new opportunities for companies and industry and supporting private-sector networks in accelerating the implementation of both countries’ hydrogen strategies.
   3. The Participants will strengthen collaboration in multilateral hydrogen forums, including the Hydrogen Initiative of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), in which both Canada and the Netherlands participate and hold leadership roles.

2. Priority Areas Of Cooperation

   The Participants will establish a structured dialogue with regard to:

   1. Cooperating on the strategic issues of setting up export-import corridors for clean hydrogen between Canada and the Netherlands; and
   2. Defining an aligned agenda for promoting investments in hydrogen infrastructure, the hydrogen supply chain and various hydrogen applications, and facilitating collaboration between private parties in both countries.

3. Differences in Application and Interpretation

   The Participants will resolve any difference that may arise from the application or interpretation of this MOU through consultations.

4. Status

   This MOU is not legally binding.

5. Final Dispositions
   1. This MOU will come into effect on the date of its last signature by the Participants.
   2. The Participants may renew this MOU upon their mutual written consent.
   3. The Participants may amend this MOU at any time upon their mutual written consent.
   4. A Participant may terminate this MOU by giving a six (6) months written notice to the other Participant.