An International Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction

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An International Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction

By Adrian Zienkiewicz and Eugene Matos De Lara

Man-made ecological disasters arise through the mismanagement of energy resources, technological and industrial accidents and often the prioritization of unmitigated output over sustainable environmental development. No matter how these disasters occur, there are long term economic repercussions and a negative impact on the quality of life. What then is the role of international law in disaster risk reduction?

A prelude to a more uniform regime was the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment of 1972 based around the idea that human activity was able to have a long-lasting influence on surrounding environments — it is only natural to ensure environmental stability, as humans’ fragile existence on this Earth is predicated by nature’s preservation. An action plan and 26 governing principles originated through this Conference. The following Rio Conference of 1992, on the backdrop of notable disasters such as Bhopal, Chernobyl, and the Exxon Valdez oil spill, strengthened the commitments to environmental protection. The MARPOL Convention and the UNCLOS through its part XII are international treaties reserved to maritime law, focusing on the prevention of pollution. The IAEA serves as an international regulatory body for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and more importantly its safe waste disposal. 

The Sendai Framework, a product of the 2015 World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and successor to the Hyogo Framework for Action to the sets out objectives, namely, to encourage cooperation between nation-states and deliver assistance to those affected by disasters. The Building Back Better strategy delineated by this document reflects these elements in providing humanitarian and financial relief in the wake of disasters, as well as preventing future disasters through sufficiently durable infrastructure and social initiatives.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals launched the same year operate in parallel to entice countries to work towards a more sustainable future while the UNISDR reveals that disasters account for global losses of up to US$1.5T. Draft Articles on the ‘Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters’ submitted by the International Law Commission in 2016 mentions the reduction of the risk of disasters through its article 9, and plays a complementary role to international treaties as stated by article 18. The UNECE Industrial Accidents Convention and the Paris Agreement are other examples of international tools aimed at raising awareness on the effects of anthropogenic activities and climate change which contribute to the scale and frequency of disasters. Despite its short existence, the Sendai Framework appears to be the prime legal regime on risk reduction due to the presence of patterned behavior, in that 187 UN member states adopted the framework and NGOs actively participate in its promotion. With the presence of clear norms and rules, it will retain its status unless supplanted by a more comprehensive document. 

The distinction between man-made and natural disasters (otherwise known as “Acts of God”) exists, yet some natural disasters that occur due to heightened human activity blurs lines. For instance, earthquakes would be included in the natural disaster category, but what of forest fires aggravated by man-made contaminants? States that accept to be parties in trials have encountered lawsuits specifically on environmental matters. Coupled with internal legislation, which does not necessarily need to be extensive but at the least include reasonable protective statutes, there is an increased sense of responsibility.

The Aarhus Convention brought signatories to make municipal, national and multilateral legislation public access. This would effectively encourage citizens to participate in public debate, as States would react and adopt sensible environmental laws. International environmental law, as in other sectors, lacks hard sanctions for violations of its treaties, albeit the EU created criminal sanctions through its institutions. Directive 2008/99/EC, through its article 3, cites an inclusive list of offenses, and stipulates in article 5 that offenses are “punishable by effective, proportionate and dissuasive criminal penalties”. EU member states that had insufficient legislation were encouraged to modify it and include criminal penalties that incorporate the three criteria of article 5. In the U.S., where most remedies are not bound by a “ceiling” amount, companies and third parties will be held responsible and charged with multi-million-dollar fines or forced to hefty settlements. To note also, the only universally ratified treaties in UN history, the Vienna Convention of 1985 and the following Montreal Protocol, serve to protect the ozone layer.

The harm principle, in which actions are limited to preventing harm done on other parties, is seen primarily through the Trail Smelter arbitration case. The case demonstrates that remedies through transboundary pollution can be obtained, and that States are accountable to each other for any such environmental harm done. The landmark decision from the ICJ in Costa Rica v Nicaragua allotted remedies to Costa Rica in 2018 for ecological damage perpetrated on its territory by Nicaragua. The Court’s finding that “damage to the environment, and the consequent impairment or loss of the ability of the environment to provide goods and services, is compensable under international law” will likely serve as a key persuasive precedent on future environmental damages disputes. Multilateral environmental agreements that break down could proceed to negotiation, arbitration, or legal action in front of international courts of law. Even though court cases are rare, one is presented with a large degree of flexibility to hold parties responsible for their actions. Dispute settlements that coincide with particular economic interests can also be brought before the WTO. 

The objective of international environmental law is most certainly that of the prevention of environmental harm rather than the assessment of damages after the fact. Prevention is logical as there would be no accommodable reparation to the destruction of ecosystems. Thorough national legislation and international cooperation lead to effective strategies of protection, as private corporations and public agencies are held to a high degree of accountability. It is national mechanisms that enforce the international principles, and States that have inadequate laws are eventually subject to public pressure. A proposal to create a distinct international environmental court could be initiated to quell concerns between States in times where globalization has led, coincidentally, to both unprecedented productivity and environmental degradation. 

About the authors:

Author: Adrian Zienkiewicz

Adrian Zienkiewicz

is a law student at Université de Montréal. He has a marked interest for all spheres of public international law. Environmental and Energy Law are his real passions.

Co-author: Eugene Matos de Lara

Eugene Matos De Lara

(MA, MBA, LL.L, JD, LLB, BA.pol.pad, BA.dvm, BA.sc PMP) is currently working for the International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan studies, based in Ljubljana, and the Geneva Desk for Cooperation. Multilingual internationally published legal graduate with an extensive corporate legal background, and exposure to private international law, international relations, politics, public administration and public affairs.

From Nuremberg to The Hague – the quest for peace and justice

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From Nuremberg to The Hague – the quest for peace and justice

That was the title of this year’s Dachau lecture given by Mayor Jan van Zanen on 23 September. This annual lecture is organised by the Netherlands Dachau Committee in memory of the victims and survivors of the Dachau concentration camp. The lecture this year was dedicated to Carel Steensma (1912-2006), pilot, resistance fighter and the first director of the Nederlands Congresgebouw, now the World Forum. He survived the horrors of Natzweiler and Dachau. This article is a shortened version of the lecture given by Mayor Jan van Zanen.

“From Nuremberg to The Hague – the quest for peace and justice”

After the Second World War it was at Nuremberg that war criminals were held accountable by the world community for the first time in history. The Hague, already the international city of peace and justice since the late 19th century, has evolved, especially since the 1990s, into a centre for international criminal law. And in many other ways too, people here have long worked to build a peaceful, just and safe world.

The organisers of the Dachau lecture therefore could not have chosen a better place than the World Forum, formerly the Nederlands Congresgebouw (Netherlands’ conference centre). Not least, of course, because the name of Carel Steensma is so closely associated with it. As the first director, Carel Steensma played an important part in the development of The Hague as an international conference city. But there is another reason, too. The area where the World Forum now stands provides a good illustration of how The Hague has developed since 1945. During the Second World War most of the buildings in this area were demolished to make way for the Atlantic Wall defence fortifications of the German occupying forces. That after the war a building rose from the ashes in which the world could come together, holds a special symbolism. Since the 1990s this area of The Hague has become the International Zone. Where the World Forum rubs shoulders with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (that later won the Nobel Peace Prize), Europol and Eurojust, as well as the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, ICTY.

I recently visited the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals. This body was set up by the UN Security Council to wind up the remaining court cases of the Yugoslavia tribunal and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. During my visit I realised once again just how much these courts of law have contributed to the development of international criminal law. As well as how important these tribunals have been for the survivors and bereaved families of the victims of genocide in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. We must never forget that this is about crimes against individuals. Sometimes very large groups but victims are, and always will be, individuals. People like you and me. People like Carel Steensma and his fellow prisoners in Natzweiler and Dachau. But that is also what is remarkable about international criminal law, that it affects people individually.

The ICTY had a difficult start. The tribunal was lacking in everything, most of all funding and support from governments. What it did have, however, was former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on its side. She and others managed to persuade UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali that failure of the ICTY would represent a failure of the international community. In his first report to the UN the first President of the ICTY, Antonio Cassese, formulated it thus: “If these men – he was referring to the war criminals from the former Yugoslavia – if these men be immune, then law has lost its meaning, and man – humanity – must live in fear”. Ratko Mladic, responsible for the genocide in Srebrenica, is one of the men who was called to account by the tribunal. Today he is still serving his sentence in Scheveningen prison.

In his report Cassese explicitly quoted the statement of chief prosecutor Benjamin Ferencz at the trial of the Einsatzgruppen, the Nazis’ mobile death squads, in Nuremberg, September 1947. Benjamin Ferencz, now 102 years young, has always been a tireless advocate for international criminal law. In 1998 he was closely involved in the drafting of the Rome Statute which established the International Criminal Court, whose work in The Hague began in 2002.

In February of this year the world was shaken by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The news had a major impact everywhere but in The Hague it was perhaps particularly felt as something bitter. All the more so when reports of war crimes such as those committed in Bucha, reached us. Is the quest for peace and justice a futile one and is war, as people used to think, something unavoidable that will trample you underfoot anyway? As important as it is to keep things in perspective, if there is one thing that we must always guard against it is cynicism. Like Andrew Carnegie, who donated the Peace Palace to The Hague, what we need to be is realistic idealists. The fact that war has broken out does not mean that we should cease our efforts to prevent it. Or that we should end our commitment to human rights. Every chemical weapon destroyed helps to make the world a safer place. Every war criminal convicted, despite the fact that so many of them are still at large, makes the world a little more just.

The Hague will continue to strive for peace and justice in whatever way it can. By continuing to invest in the academic knowledge infrastructure in this field, for example. So that students from all over the world can continue to come here to learn the principles of international law and then take that knowledge back home with them. As a Shelter City, ten years ago we were one of the first in the Netherlands to offer refuge to those fighting for the rights of minorities and a free press. To give them respite. We support active initiatives such as The Hague Humanity Hub, a community of people and organisations who – despite their diversity – have one thing in common: their drive to find innovative solutions for everything that has to do with peace, justice and humanitarian interventions, among other things.

Another example is providing a home base for international and non-governmental organisations. Like the Mukwege Foundation of Nobel Prize-winner, Dr. Denis Mukwege. The help that Dr. Mukwege provides to victims of sexual violence in war zones (violence that is often deliberately used as a weapon of terror) provides an outstanding example of the efforts made by countless doctors for the sake of humanity and for peace. How new technology is being used for humanitarian purposes was something I was able to see first hand during a recent visit to The Hague-based headquarters of the International Commission on Missing Persons, ICMP. This international organisation searches for missing people worldwide using pioneering DNA search methods. The ICMP has now been able to identify almost three quarters of all persons known to be missing as a result of the war in former Yugoslavia. The ICMP is currently operating in Ukraine, too.

Last, but not least, in the spirit of Carel Steensma, we remain committed to bringing international conferences to The Hague. As recently as last July, for example, when the Ukraine Accountability Conference was held here at the World Forum, organised by the Dutch government together with the European Commission and the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. The ICC had already launched an investigation into war crimes committed in Ukraine. In the meantime a group of leading scholars and writers have called for a special Ukraine tribunal to be set up. For the British-French lawyer Philippe Sands there is only one city which qualifies for that role: The Hague. Although he cautions against too high expectations. He emphasises that international law is a process that demands patience. It is precisely that which keeps him engaged. The 102-year-old Benjamin Ferencz would probably agree.

I feel privileged to be the mayor of a city that not only has ‘peace and justice’ as its motto but which also actively contributes in many different ways to the spread of peace and justice in the world. Current events remind us every day of the need for this and our responsibility to do that.

In that respect it is people like Carel Steensma, who never lost hope even under the bleakest and most desperate of circumstances, who cared about other people and kept the torch of humanity burning, who remain a constant source of inspiration.

An humanitarian intervention to crisis

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An humanitarian intervention to crisis

By  Shahary Shobnom Kabir                                                                                   

A sovereign nation has the absolute capability and power to independently govern free from external interference unto itself and is expected to respect the sovereignty of other states; this precept rests at the very heart of and has evolved to become the bedrock principle of international law, laws, and springs from the 1648 Westphalia treaty, though the treaty had little to do with the principles of sovereignty, non-intervention, and legal equality of States. Sovereignty is thus the primary principle, yet it contradicts with reality when mass atrocity crimes are committed while hiding under the canopy of sovereignty. Then, with its definition, the question arises: Is the protection of the state more essential than the safety of its citizens? Later, the notion of national sovereignty was confined to another quarter, resulting from the extension of the doctrine of human rights and produced the doctrine of “responsibility to protect” or “humanitarian intervention.”

Many scholars refer to the 1990s as the “decade of humanitarian intervention” because the UN and its allies were willing to authorise several interventions on humanitarian grounds when the specific action was not authorised by the Security Council (UNSC), and later some of these were declared unauthorised but legitimate – such as NATO’s intervention in Kosovo in 1999.

The ultimate goal of humanitarian intervention is to effectively alleviate the human suffering of people who are being abused or neglected by their government; generally understood as the use of military force to protect people whose government is egregiously abusing them, either directly or by aiding and permitting extreme mistreatment and recent interventions, such as in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya; the post-cold war era witnessed an intensely divisive debate on the subject of humanitarian intervention. The crisis in North Africa (2011 Arab Spring) and the crisis in the Middle East continue to elicit heated scholarly debate, bringing the issue to the forefront of the international political agenda and calling into question the value of Humanitarian Intervention as it amidst recent human atrocities.

The humanitarian intervention concept is chiefly related to protecting the well-being of victims faced with humanitarian atrocities; nevertheless, it is currently facing a serious challenge as the sole purpose is diverted by the dominant states to pursue geopolitical and strategic national interests. The aftermath effect of intervention in today’s world demonstrated that the motive for humanitarian intervention served only a part and, in most cases, was not the primary or leading cause of action, such as NATO’s humanitarian intervention in Kosovo and Libya, which was more inclined to force a regime change even at the cost of civilian lives.

If we focus on some of the humanitarian interventions in today’s world those bring out results like regime change, internal political crisis, terrorist groups expansion,  increases in death, rape, and trauma, rises in the refugee crisis, and decline in the health, economics, and education sectors of those countries. It is questioned whether UN action creates adversity for the west among those countries and an image of Western dominance, leading to a misinterpretation of Islam, and mostly the troubling is where the initial concern was eradicating terrorism and making a better place for people but has resulted in futility as the innocent are suffering now.

In Afghanistan, since the start of the post- 9/11 wars, where the United States invaded with little protest from European countries as reported that the Taliban government was sheltering al-Qaeda and also painted its move to depose the repressive Taliban government as a necessary act of humanitarian intervention; NATO member states such as Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands also eventually sent armed contingents. Aside from the battle, they also contributed to the nation’s construction during those years. But after all these years, what happens now?

Following the US exit, the country faced a massive economic disaster, which resulted in a dire humanitarian scenario, pointing to the failure of the sole purpose of intervention as the situation worsened. According to the Global Peace Index, Afghanistan was ranked 163 in 2021; most impacted by terrorism, and scored 9.1 on the Global Terrorism Index. Since 2001, approximately 5.9 million Afghans have been internally displaced or fled the country; now, the country is plagued by war, poverty, and lawlessness; nearly half of children face acute malnutrition and lack access to essential health care services; and more than 90 percent of households have not been able to obtain enough food for nearly a year; and the gender gap is growing, education and the economy faces a more significant threat.

In an Afghan student interview, she expressed, “I recently heard someone say, save us from saviours.” She stated that it has turned out to be a failed economic country that is reliant on help. And the world is ready to be enthralled by the new war and sick of hearing about the old one. Still, it is audacious to believe that tyranny will not persist forever. If we can dismantle the “giver” or “receiver” attitude, engage in equal discourse and involvement, and hope for the best, the situation will improve.

In Iraq, the US-led invasion in 2003, its aftermath, and subsequent sectarian violence and a disastrous political scenario increased the number of migrants. Critical health indices have deteriorated; shortly after the 2003 invasion, over half of Iraq’s registered doctors abandoned the country. As of 2021, there are 9.2 million internally displaced or refugees abroad, including engineers, artists, lawyers, educators, and other professionals. As a result, many of Iraq’s cultural institutions have been dismantled, and they no longer perform the services that middle-class professionals do. The terrorist spawned by the Iraqi crisis has resurrected, as has a regional movement rebuilding its networks in Syria, Jordan, and Libya. It received an 8.5 on the Global Terrorism Index in 2021. Another cost of the war is the worsening of pre-existing Sunni-Shi tensions throughout the area. That turns out to be a political deed rather than a legal theory, resulting in double standard like a vast group of actors that determine who and when to act based on political wills.

Noam Chomsky precisely pointed out everything wrong with the way we justified and carried out humanitarian intervention and argued & quote; for one thing, there’s a history of humanitarian intervention. You cannot look at it. And you do, you discover that virtually every use of military force is described as humanitarian intervention”. The act of world organisations, P5 in the UN, the action of responsibility to protect; now raising questions such as who is qualified to intervene in the sovereign affairs of another state and under what circumstances, how states and militaries should conflict themselves when intervening and before involving ensuring the responsibility to protect.

Shahary Shobnom Kabir

It is evident the rise of humanitarian intervention is becoming a more liberal tool of global governance, but the question now is how this intersection can be effectively managed to reflect a more humane political ambition and an effective humanitarian action to solve the problem of many ethnic minorities, genocide act, equal right to make a better world instead of creating a further massacre. Human life is not a playing thing, every nation is interconnected, and prosperity can occur in a positive way when we grow together.

References:

  1. Eric A. Heinze Albany (2009), “Waging Humanitarian War (The Ethics, Law, and Politics of Humanitarian Intervention)”.

https://www.pdfdrive.com/waging-humanitarian-war-the-ethics-law-and-politics-of-humanitarian-intervention-d184382752.html

  • Master’s Thesis (2018),”State Sovereignty and Non-Interference in International Law(A Critical Appraisal)”

https://www.grin.com/document/988362#:~:text=State%20sovereignty%20or%20Westphalia%20sovereignty,exclusion%20of%20all%20external%20powers.

  • Walden Bello (August 9, 2011), “The Crisis of Humanitarian Intervention”.
The Crisis of Humanitarian Intervention
  • Human Rights Watch (august 4, 2022), “ Economic Causes of Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Crisis”

https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/08/04/economic-causes-afghanistans-humanitarian-crisis

  • Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)(February16, 2022), “Libya: Eleven years since the uprising, a deepening political crisis threatens rebuilding efforts”

https://www.nrc.no/news/2022/february/libya-eleven-years-since-the-uprising-a-deepening-political-crisis-threatens-rebuilding-efforts/

  • Leoni Connah (November 2020), “US intervention in Afghanistan: Justifying the Unjustifiable?”

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346759991_US_intervention_in_Afghanistan_Justifying_the_Unjustifiable

  • Neba Ridley Ngwa(2017), “The Rise And Decline Of Humanitarian Intervention And Responsibility To Protect”

https://www.academia.edu/50569965/The_Rise_and_Decline_of_Humanitarian_Intervention_and_Responsibility_to_Protect

  • Watson Institute For International And Public Affairs publication (August, 2021),”Cost of War”.

https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/costs/human/refugees/afghan

https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/costs/human/refugees/iraqi

  • BBC, “Why has the Syrian war lasted 11 years?”

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35806229

Quang Tri – The Origins of Dutch and Vietnamese Companionship

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Quang Tri – The Origins of Dutch and Vietnamese Companionship

By Ms. Ngô Thị Hòa, former Ambassador  of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Netherlands.

2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Quang Tri province in 1972. In honor of this milestone, various events were organized in the provincial capital Dong Ha on July 25th. These include the seminar and the exhibition titled Quang Tri – Destination of Memories. The record of this province has been documented in the photos and accounts of those who lived through the horrors of war, echoing an incredible sense of strong will. As this was a major battleground during the war in Vietnam, it suffered the most from heavy bombings and high casualties. However, this painful past is the reason for an ever-present desire for peace in Quang Tri today. 

As guests were transported back in time through countless stories and media, they were particularly touched to learn of the solidarity and support dedicated to Quang Tri by peace lovers of the Netherlands.

While it may be impossible to name every single person who offered a helping hand, one cannot fail to mention the contributions of the Medical Committee Netherlands-Vietnam (MCNV) and the famous Dutch filmmaker Joris Ivens. 

Dutch filmmaker Joris Ivens, Vietnam display at the exhibition.

In 1968, the world witnessed the expansion of the global anti-war movement in response to the devastating war in Vietnam. As supporters of this movement, three medical specialists, Professor Jaak de Haas, Dr. Nick van Rija, and Dr. Fred Groening founded MCNV to offer large-scale medical help to the Vietnamese people. They focused on the worst-hit areas of the country, usually the targets of bombing campaigns, for their medicine, medical supplies, and food donations. MCNV soon became the bridge connecting the people of the Netherlands and Vietnam, establishing a path for the former to support the latter. Through this organization, many forms of support arose from the Dutch population; their inventive solidarity campaigns include Musicians for Vietnam, Knitting for Vietnam, Bikers for Vietnam, and more. 

Quang Tri, a piece of land lying just below the 17th parallel that divided Vietnam at the time, was given a hospital as a donation by MCNV. Plans for creating this hospital began in 1973, with 1 million guilders (equivalent to 1 million euros) designated for the operation. With the support of Dutch Donors, the Minister for Developing Countries Jan Pronk, and all the Dutch universities, the idea became a reality. Construction started in 1974 based on a design by TU Delft and the hospital officially opened three years later.  

This hospital in Dong Ha was named Holland Hospital by the locals as a token of appreciation to the Dutch people. The first twins born in this hospital were even named Ha Lan and Lan Ha, derived from the Vietnamese word for the Netherlands (Ha Lan). Ha Lan’s ties to the Netherlands go beyond her name, as she is currently representing the Dutch organization PUM in Quang Tri. The Holland Hospital is one of the most recognizable symbols of solidarity and camaraderie between the Dutch people and the people of Quang Tri, as well as Vietnam in general. After 20 years of activity, it became the Medical Community College of Quang Tri; however, a part of the building has been converted to the MCNV museum, showcasing the story behind this organization. 

To this day, MCNV continues operating in Quang Tri to help people recover from the long-lasting effects of war and renew development. In addition to the medical field, MCNV has expanded to help with people’s livelihood, social inclusion, response to climate change, and more. The Vietnamese government has awarded MCNV with the Order of Friendship four times for its efforts in facilitating friendly relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands. 

The well-known filmmaker Joris Ivens also has a special connection to Quang Tri. This was the location for one of his films, in which he documented the lives of Vietnamese people during wartime. After spending two months underground with the people of Vinh Linh, Ivens’ documentary 17th Parallel: Vietnam in War was born. It premiered in 1968 and left a significant impact on the anti-war movement in Europe, further fueling the passion of countless peace lovers on the continent. The people of Quang Tri have never once forgotten about Iven’s work; stories about him are told time and time again with much excitement and affection. These stories are shared by many, including Ms. Xuan Phuong, who was his interpreter, and Mr. Pham Cong Duc, who appeared in the film above at the age of 9. 

Quang Tri – Destination of Memories painted the milestones throughout the history of friendship and collaboration between the Dutch and Vietnamese people. MCNV and Ivens are some of the figures who set the early foundations for this companionship, allowing the Netherlands and Vietnam to officially establish diplomatic relations on April 26th, 1973.

Almost 50 years later, this relationship continues to grow and strengthen. A comprehensive partnership has been established and both sides are each other’s strategic partners in several key fields, such as water management, climate change risk management, high-tech agriculture, food security, etc. 

As we approach the 50th anniversary of establishing bilateral relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands, I hope both countries will continue to thrive for the peace and well-being of their peoples and to continue their spirit of cooperation.

Photography by Ms. Ngo Thi Hoa and by MCNV organization.

Diplomacy in times of peace and war

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Diplomacy in times of peace and war

By Alexandra Paucescu

I first met Svitlana while we were both posted in Berlin. Her charming personality attracted me from our first encounter. I later discovered that the beautiful blonde woman with the most amazing blue eyes was also an extremely intelligent, strong and determined woman. I was thankful for our friendship and admired her determination to actively promote her country throughout the years.

Svitlana Melnyk, a law graduate with a Ph.D. in international law, worked as a research fellow at the Institute of State and Law and published a book on unilateral acts of states. She later became a senior lecturer at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine, teaching a course on preventive diplomacy.

However, she says, ‘diplomacy was not just my occupation; the whole life of my family is devoted to diplomacy, it has become an inseparable part of our DNA. My husband, also an international lawyer, has been part of Ukraine’s diplomatic service for the last 25 years’.

Over the years I witnessed countless events organized by her and her husband, then the ambassador of Ukraine, a prominent diplomatic figure in Berlin, very present in the German media, especially after Russia’s aggression against his country. Sometimes controversial and blamed for his aggressive support and sometimes harsh remarks, he received minutes of standing ovations this year, on February 28th in Bundestag, as recognition and also a sign of Germany’s support for his country, in such difficult times.

Svitlana Melnyk.

Svitlana tells me: ‘Germany has been playing an important role as a mediator in the Normandy format. So, we had to arrange and ensure an unprecedented political dialogue. There were about 20 presidential visits to Berlin and hundreds ministerial visits and high political events, we even stopped counting them. 

Personally, I tried to focus on two main issues. First, I have been actively promoting Ukraine’s culture, music, art and literature that were almost unknown in Germany. Every year we organized concerts at the Philharmonic Hall in Berlin, with greatest Ukrainian musicians and opera singers. It was also crucial to disseminate knowledge about Ukraine’s long history. Even long before the Russian aggression started, there were more than 12,000 Ukrainian citizens living in Berlin. Since February, this number rose to 100,000. Therefore, we have requested the Berlin Senate to establish a bilingual German-Ukrainian school within the ‘European School’ concept.’

There are difficult times for Europe and especially for Ukraine and its citizens. Even from the distance, Svitlana tries to support its countrymen as much as possible.

‘Our embassy has called upon German society to provide humanitarian aid to Ukrainians suffering from Russia’s aggressive war. We collected over 400,000 Euros. For this generosity, we are very grateful.  Personally, I have initiated and helped organise a number of fundraising cultural events in Berlin, with top Ukrainian artists like a classic music concert at the Philharmonic Hall or ‘Ballet For Life’, a gala performance, at Admiral Palast’.

Ukrainian traditions, Svitlana Melnyk.

During her 8 year stay in Berlin, Svitlana has been an active and valuable member of the ‘Willkommen in Berlin‘ diplomatic club and generously welcomed the diplomatic community to many events at the embassy and the ambassador’s residence. Showing Ukraine’s Easter or Christmas traditions, promoting traditional Ukrainian dress (Vyshyvanka) through a beautiful fashion show, offering a master class of cooking borscht (Ukraine’s traditional soup, recently a part of UNESCO heritage), talking about the many old churches in Kyiv and other World Heritage Sites in Ukraine are just some of the lovely projects that she so diligently initiated and managed through the years.

Probably, because of this active position and as recognition to her contribution to the diplomatic community in Berlin, she was elected two years ago as head of a diplomatic geographic group and became a member of the Advisory Board of the Diplomatic Club.

However, she confesses that her biggest dreams right now, at the end of her family’s German diplomatic mission, are entirely related to the fate of her beloved country.

‘My dream is that we fully restore our sovereignty and that we completely rebuild Ukraine as one of the most modern and comfortable countries in the world’.

She has high hopes for peace; her heroes are all the Ukrainian soldiers fighting hard these days, as well as thousands of volunteers helping to achieve the victory; her motto: ‘always keep fighting!’.

her life… an inspiration to us all.

About the author:

Alexandra Paucescu


Alexandra Paucescu- Author of “Just a Diplomatic Spouse” Romanian, management graduate with a Master in business, cultural diplomacy and international relations studies.

She speaks Romanian, English, French, German and Italian,  gives lectures on intercultural communication and is an active NGO volunteer.

Young Water Diplomats Programme open for applications

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Young Water Diplomats Programme open for applications

The  IHE Delft’s Young Water Diplomats Programme,  an interdisciplinary  training and networking programme for early career diplomats engaged in international water and environmental politics, today opened for applications. Participants will enhance their understanding of transboundary water challenges and advance their ability to use  tools for water cooperation and diplomacy.

Participants in the January to June 2023 programme will strengthen their ability  to help prevent and mitigate conflicts related to water and environment, and to foster environmental peacebuilding. Knowledge gained through the programme is relevant for both diplomats in national services and specialists working at multilateral organizations.

The programme features online and in-person learning activities such as lectures, reading assignments, group work and expert-led discussions. The programme comprises webinars twice a month and two on-campus workshops at IHE Delft in the Netherlands.

World-renowned academics

Thematic lectures will be delivered by world-renowned academics and experienced practitioners. Interactive meetings with diplomats active in the fields of water and environmental peace-building will create additional space for sharing experiences and getting first-hand knowledge.

IHE Delft experts involved in the programme include, among others, Susanne Schmeier, Associate Professor of Water Law and Diplomacy, Graham Jewitt, Professor of Hydrology and Aaron Wolf, Professor of Geography at Oregon State University and Professor of Water cooperation and diplomacy at IHE Delft. Practitioners and guest lecturers from the Middle East and North Africa region, the Horn of Africa, Sahel, and Central Asia regions will complement the programme.

The  Young Water Diplomats was first held  in 2022. Impressions can be found here: Young Water Diplomats Programme – helping future leaders learn about water

Application and funding

The programme fee is €1400, excluding travel, visa, insurance, living expenses and accommodation costs while  in Delft.

There are a limited number of fellowships for applicants from low- and middle-income countries that are financed by the  IHE Delft Water and Development Partnership Programme (DUPC3). Applicants seeking  scholarship funding must provide a formal confirmation from their employers about their availability to  participate in the programme.

Application for admission is open as of 29 September 2022. The deadline for application is 31 October 2022.

For more  information please visit: www.un-ihe.org/news/young-water-diplomats-programme-open-applications

Indonesia: The 77th Anniversary of The Proclamation of Independence

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Indonesia: The 77th Anniversary of The Proclamation of Independence

By Roy Lie Atjam

On 15 September 2022, H.E. Ambassador Mayerfas and his spouse Mme. Virna Mayerfas, cordially welcomed the Diplomatic Corps and hundreds of guests to “Wisma Duta” their residence in Wassenaar.

The reception was meant to celebrate the Independence Day of Indonesia. The actual independence date is August 17(1945) 

The 2022 edition of the Independence Day celebration was indeed on 17 August, with the official annual flag hoisting ceremony at the Sekolah Indonesia (Indonesian School) Along with the flag hoisting was an enactment of the Independence Proklamasi and a phenomenal parade by students of the Sekolah Indonesia.

Sekolah Indonesia students welcoming guests at reception.

More than 800 guests, including Diplomatic Missions such as Argentina, Costa Rica, Romania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Panama, China, Kazakhstan, Korea, Uruguay, Vietnam, further representatives of the business sector, academe, international courts-& institutions, NGO and other sectors took part in the celebration on 15 September.

Speaking at the reception Ambassador Mayerfas stated, “A very good evening, Selamat petang dan selamat datang untuk semuanya. Let me start by saying that I have two favorite things to do these last few days: first, checking the scores of Manchester City; and second, checking the weather forecast!  So today, in this beautiful and cool weather in Wassenaar, my family and I would like to extend our warmest welcome to each and every one of you for joining us in celebrating the Seventy-seventh Anniversary of Indonesia’s independence.

Allow me to thank all representatives of the government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, that have been working with us side-by-side to maintain the close relations and to elevate the partnership for the benefit of our two countries. My sincere appreciation also goes to all my colleagues and friends from diplomatic corps for the friendly and constant support and collaboration.

Ambassador Mayerfas handles the Nasi Tumpeng, celebrting Indonesia 77th Independence Anniversary.

Last but not least, to all friends of Indonesia, of any passport colors, who have been continuously and keenly making efforts to promote the mutual cooperation and strong ties between Indonesia and the Netherlands, and beyond, I would like to express my profound gratitude.

The friendship, the bonds, the link between the people of Indonesia and the Netherlands are special and unique. We have a long-shared history. Now, we have wide and great opportunities to work together for a shared, bright future.

Indonesia has made a long journey to become what Indonesia is today: a robust democracy and the sixteenth largest economy in the world. Yet we aim higher. With the Vision 2045, Indonesia sets the pace to become advanced economy by its centennial anniversary. We are now preparing our new capital to project our vision for sustainable development. This vision is an invitation as well as opportunities for investment and collaboration. 

After two years of lockdowns and strict health protocols, we have gradually overcome the pandemic because we work together and helping each other. We especially thank the Netherlands for the support in the effort to prevail over the pandemic, with the millions of doses of vaccines and medicines, as well as health and medical equipment.

It is now time to “Recover Together, Recover Stronger” … which is the theme of Indonesia’s Presidency of the G20 this year.

Singer Yulinar of the Batak Group.

Under the spirit of togetherness and inclusiveness, I wish to thank all members of G20, including the Netherlands as one of the guest countries, for the support and active engagement. The attendance of the Prime Minister and high official delegates from the Netherlands, I believe, will add weight and significant contribution to the success of the G20 Summit held in November 2022, as well as to the world’s peace and prosperity.

Next year, Indonesia will hold the Chairmanship of ASEAN. I am sure that we can count on your supports for the ASEAN Dialogue Partnership and Cooperation to grow more, together with the Netherlands, and members of the European Union.

As the pandemic subsides, some of you may have visited Indonesia during summer. Some are visiting Indonesia at this very moment. For the rest, I invite all of you to visit Indonesia, to experience what we can offer to you. 

As for today, there is no better way of celebration than having good food and good show, surrounded by good friends. To our old friends, as well as our new friends, may I invite everyone for a toast to celebrate the Seventy-seventh Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. May we all be healthy and prosperous. Thank you.”

Everyone enjoyed the warm Indonesian hospitality and the wide range of Indonesian food and beverages.

Mohamed Al Kuwari enhances ties with Liechtenstein

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Mohamed Al Kuwari enhances ties with Liechtenstein

Thursday, 15 September 2022, Vaduz, Principality of Liechtenstein: His Serene Highness The Hereditary Prince and Regent Alois of Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg, received at Vaduz Castle H.E. Ambassador Mohamed bin Jaham bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, non-resident head of mission of the State of Qatar to the Principality of Liechtenstein. 

Al Kuwari presented his letters of credence as well as the personal regards from His Highness The Emir of Qatar to Hereditary Prince Alois, who deputises for his father, The Sovereign Prince Hans Adams II. 

Mohamed Al Kuwari is based out of Bern, Switzerland, wherein he has been serving as ambassador since 4 November 2021.

Before his accreditation, Ambassador Al Kuwari paid a courtesy call on the same day to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education, and Sport, Dominique Hasler at Government House in Vaduz, as foreseen by protocol. 

Diplomatic ties between Qatar and Liechtenstein were established on 26 June 2014. 

Before arriving in Bern, Ambassador Mohammed Al Kuwari, had been serving as head of mission in Germany, Spain and the United States of America. He is fluent in his native Arabic, in addition to French, and English but likewise holds a good understanding of the German and Spanish languages.

For further information

Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein: https://www.serviceportal.li/de/medienmitteilungen/botschafter-akkreditiert-6

Princely House of Liechtenstein: https://fuerstenhaus.li

Embassy of the State of Qatar to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein: https://bern.embassy.qa/en/the-embassy/about-us

Denise Campbell Bauer accredited in Monaco

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Denise Campbell Bauer accredited in Monaco

Thursday, 29 September 2022, Principality of Monaco: HSH Sovereign Prince Albert II received in the Princely Palace HE Ms Denise Campbell Bauer, new non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Principality of Monaco. She is based out of Paris, France. The latter presented her letters of credence to him on this occasion.

Denise Campbell Bauer is an experienced diplomat, non-profit executive, advocate for women’s voices in politics and foreign policy. 

In the past she served as the United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium from August 2013 through January 2017. Since Tuesday, 8 February 2022, she has been accredited to the French Republic after her presentation of credentials to President Emmanuel Macron. 

During her tenure in Belgium, Ambassador Campbell Bauer was recognized by the Association for the Furtherance of Peace with the ‘Flame of Peace‘ award in 2016, presented to her alongside the first president of the European Council, Count Herman Van Rompuy, former Kosovar Minister of European Affairs, Dr Mimoza Ahmetaj as well as then Slovenian Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, Matjaž Šinkovec. 

Campbell Bauer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the Occidental College located in Los Angeles, California, her home federal state. Besides her native English, she masters the French language rather well. 

Diplomatic ties between Monaco and the USA go back to May 1866, when the first Monégasque consul to the United States, Louis Borg,  presented his credentials. Ties at ambassadorial level were agreed in 2006, and thereupon the then serving US Ambassador in France, Craig Stapleton, was accredited to Monaco. Monégasque diplomat Gilles Noghès was then appointed head of mission to the United States and subsequently to Canada, serving his term until 2013. Incumbent Monégasque Ambassador to the United States is Maguy Maccario Doyle. 

Quotidian relations US relations to the principality are managed by the US Consulate General in Marseille, led by Consul General Kristen Grauer. 

For further information 

Princely Palace of Monaco: https://palais.mc/fr/actualites/s-a-s-le-prince-albert-ii/audience/2022/septembre/s-e-mme-denise-campbell-bauer-nouvelle-ambassadrice-extraordinaire-et-plenipotentiaire-des-etats-unis-a-monaco-3547.html

U.S. Embassy in the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco: https://fr.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/

Launching Diplomat Club

Diplomat Magazine
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Launching Diplomat Club

By Roy Lie Atjam

A Diplomat Club has been launched in The Hague on 27 September 2022. The launching ceremony event was at the historical Restaurant ‘t Jagertje.

Mr Gilbert Monod de Froideville, Honorary Chamberlain and Former Master of Ceremonies of HM Queen Beatrix, delivered the welcome address.

Mr Gilbert Monod de Froideville recounted how the idea of establishing  a Diplomat Club came about. In brief, this is what he said. ”while having dinner at ‘t Jagertje a couple of months ago, I was admiring  the pictures on the wall, they reminded me of 1950 when the restaurant housed a Diplomat Club.

Over dinner, my sons and I spoke about the pictures and the club.  In the meantime, a close friend  Auke Piek, who was also dining in the restaurant, came to our table to say hello.  We included  Auke in our conversation  and he was impressed. He  introduced his table mates, his wife Esther, Gerard Hofman and some other friends. We were all subsequently invited for an after-dinner chat.

Gerard Hofman of construction company in Maasdijk also got interested in the story and suggested looking into the possibility of re-establishing the club. It was decided the same evening  to check the feasibility of re-establishing the club.

Pretty soon, actions were taken, and meetings were arranged with the appropriate authorities. I later had the honour of meeting with the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps about the project.”

Diplomatic Club first reception.

Gilbert Monod de Froideville continued, “after receiving only positive reactions, a date was set for the inauguration, a website was developed,  a committee of recommendation was formed. Please allow me to introduce the members of the committee of recommendation: H.E. Mr. Carlos Jose Arguello Gomez, Ambassador of the Republic of Nicaragua and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.

Mrs. Karla Peijs, Former Minister of Transport and Public Works and former Queen’s Commissioner in the province of Zeeland.

Mr. Henne Schuwer, Former ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Brussels and Washington. Mr. Martin van Pernis, Former President of the Board of Siemens, the Netherlands and myself.

I would also like to express special thanks to  H.E. Mr. Jamal Jama Ahmed Abdulla Al Musharakh, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, who has offered to sit on the board of the Diplomat Club.

We particularly appreciate the presence of so many ambassadors, since we really need YOU to make this Diplomat Club successful. And we hope that the Diplomat Club will become a place where many diplomats will meet in an informal and friendly setting, where insights can be shared and international cooperation can be increased.”

The idea is to give every diplomat the opportunity to meet on Tuesday evenings from 17.00 to 19.00h, with a special focus on young diplomats, working in The Hague or abroad.

“I appeal to all of you, Ambassadors, to encourage your own diplomats to play an active role in coming to this Club in order to bring together a convivial group of individuals and to give this Club an indispensable place in social life among diplomats in The Hague.

Finally, I would like to thank the management of ‘t Jagertje for their hospitality and willingness to make their restaurant available for the Diplomat Club, to Esther and Auke (Robin) for their great assistance in the preparation and in particular Mr Gerard Hofman for his continuous efforts to reestablish this club and making it financially possible.”

The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, H.E. Carlos Arguello Gomez, officially inaugurated the Diplomat Club.

Ambassador Carlos Arguello Gomez was reminiscent of how he met Mr Monod de Froideville the day he presented his letters of credence to HM Queen Beatrix.

H.E. Carlos Arguello Gomez, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in the Netherlands is very pleased with the initiative and wishes the Diplomat Club every success. He went on to officially inaugurate the Diplomat Club.

Many had turn out to attend the festive launching ceremony of the Diplomat Club. In attendance were Ambassadors and diplomats representing over 15 nations such as: Afghanistan, Angola, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Qatar, Thailand, UAE, just to name a few.

A Jazz band animated the evening. The Diplomat Club’s first meeting will be at ‘t Jagertje on 4 October 2022.

It has been a successful inaugural ceremony.

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