The Defence Attaché Association (DAA) The Hague organised its annual gala dinner on 9 October, coinciding with the Autumn Tour for all defence attachés accredited to the Netherlands. Over the years, the DAA Gala Dinner has become a much-appreciated diplomatic tradition in The Hague.
This year’s venue was Madurodam Park, which for the occasion was transformed into a grand reception hall, dining room, and ballroom befitting the prestige of the event.
Military attachés and their spouses attended from a wide range of nations, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kosovo, Lithuania, Norway, Mexico, Malaysia, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The dress code—combining military mess dress and black-tie attire—added to the elegance of the evening. Spouses and partners of the attachés were particularly noted for their refined evening wear.
The reception opened with speeches setting the tone for the night. Captain (Navy) Edouard Jonnet, the French Defence Attaché and Dean of the Military Attachés for 2025, addressed the gathering. He was followed by Micha, the Mayor of Madurodam, a high-school student elected as part of the Madurodam City Council to promote the park’s social mission. Micha warmly welcomed the guests and highlighted the charitable and youth-focused initiatives supported by Madurodam.
Throughout the evening, toasts and remarks underscored camaraderie, cooperation, and shared professional commitment. The gala provided attachés posted in different countries with a rare opportunity to reconnect, meet new colleagues, and strengthen ties with the host nation.
While most guests are stationed permanently in the Netherlands, others reside in various European capitals and are concurrently accredited. Defence and Armed Forces Attachés based in France, Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom joined their colleagues in The Hague for a full-day briefing, culminating in the gala dinner and ball.
A central theme of the speeches was the importance of unity at a time of increasing global insecurity. Speakers emphasized that military cooperation, strong partnerships, and personal relationships among defence professionals play a critical role in preventing conflict, managing crises, and safeguarding international stability.
Particular attention was given to the evolving global security landscape, including ongoing conflicts, emerging threats, and the need for robust alliances. The Netherlands reaffirmed its commitment to collective defence, its continued support for international security partners, and the strengthening of NATO capabilities ahead of the NATO Summit to be hosted in the Netherlands in 2025.
The evening concluded with a toast honouring the men and women in uniform who serve to protect peace, freedom, and international security.
