Text and pictures by Kim K. Vermaat.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was made a Knight Grand Cross in the Order of Orange-Nassau – the highest civilian award in the Netherlands – in The Hague yesterday Tuesday April 19.
H.E. Bert Koenders Minister of Foreign Affairs gave the award during a ceremony in the Catshuis, the official Residence of the Dutch Prime-Minister.
“You worked tirelessly for peace, safety, justice and development in the world. You are the voice of people affected by natural disasters, discrimination, conflict and inequality”, Koenders said in his speech.
For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157666814835310
H.E. Mr Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, also attended the opening of the ICC Permanent Premises. His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands officially opened the permanent premises of the International Criminal Court during a ceremony hosted by the ICC President, Judge Silvia Fernández, and H.E. Mr Sidiki Kaba, President of the Assembly of States Parties.
Ban Kin-mooon is on a two-day visit in the Netherlands. He already met with Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Ministers Lilianne Ploumen of Development Cooperation and Koenders.
Today Wednesday he will speak to representatives of the Eerste and Tweede Kamer – the Dutch Senate and lower house of parliament.
