Twenty-two Italian companies will showcase forward-looking solutions for the international shipbuilding and maritime technology industry at SMM 2026.
At SMM (Shipbuilding, Machinery & Maritime Technology), taking place from 1 to 4 September in Hamburg, 22 selected Italian companies will present innovative solutions for the maritime industry at the Italian Trade Agency (ITA/ICE) joint stand. Their technologies and products range from sustainable propulsion systems and energy solutions to high-tech components and equipment for modern shipbuilding.
For Ferdinando Fiore, Director of the Italian Trade Agency in Berlin, SMM provides an ideal platform to showcase the innovative strength of Italy’s shipbuilding, marine technology and supply industries to an international audience of industry professionals. It also offers an opportunity to further strengthen economic cooperation with Germany, Italy’s most important trading partner.
The participating companies represent a broad cross-section of the maritime value chain, ranging from established manufacturers to newcomers on the international stage and from family-owned businesses to emerging medium-sized enterprises. Their portfolios include sustainable environmental and energy systems, navigation, communication and maritime safety components, as well as innovative materials, propulsion technologies and technical equipment for modern shipbuilding.
Italy Maintains Its Leading Position in European Shipbuilding
Italy’s maritime sector has recorded continuous growth since 2014 and remained resilient despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. Total turnover in the Italian boating industry increased from €2.48 billion in 2014 to approximately €8.6 billion in 2025. Domestic production accounts for the majority of turnover, while around 78 per cent of production was destined for export in 2025.
With more than 1.13 million employees, the wider maritime sector is an important component of Italy’s economy. The shipbuilding and maritime mechatronics sector alone employs approximately 180,000 people and is characterised by a strong presence of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Europe’s Leading Shipbuilding Sector by Turnover
Italy also continues to lead Europe in shipbuilding turnover. With net turnover of €13.6 billion, the Italian shipbuilding sector recorded the highest turnover among European countries in 2024. According to Eurostat, Italy ranked first among EU Member States, ahead of France, which recorded €11.6 billion.
The Italian shipbuilding industry also ranks among Europe’s most productive sectors in terms of labour productivity, with net turnover per employee remaining above the German industry average in 2024.
Accelerating the Green Transition
The transition towards more sustainable maritime transport is becoming increasingly important, driven in part by stricter European environmental regulations and the global decarbonisation agenda.
Through the Transizione 5.0 programme, the Italian government is supporting manufacturers in improving energy efficiency and advancing digitalisation. At European level, the Hy2Tech programme is supporting the development of sustainable hydrogen and fuel-cell powertrains, as well as hybrid technologies.
These developments are aligned with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) objective of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by or around 2050. Several companies represented at the Italian Trade Agency’s joint stand are developing technologies specifically aimed at supporting this transformation and contributing to lower-emission shipping.
Italian Trade Agency Joint Stand at SMM 2026
Messe Hamburg, Hall B3, Upper Floor — Stand 302 and other participating stands
About the Italian Trade Agency
As the Italian government agency for foreign trade, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) promotes Italy’s economic and trade relations worldwide and supports Italian companies in their internationalisation and the promotion of Made in Italy products and services. It also works to strengthen the international profile and economic reputation of Italy and its business community.
Exhibitors at the Italian Trade Agency’s Joint Stand
Con motivo del Día Nacional de Uruguay, el Excmo. Sr. Embajador Álvaro González Otero ofreció una significativa recepción en la residencia oficial de la misión.
La velada, marcada por la elegancia y la hospitalidad, reunió a invitados distinguidos, entre ellos el nuevo Secretario de la Corte Internacional de Justicia, Dr. Santiago Villalpando, las Ministras de Aruba y Saint Martin y el Ministro de Curazao, Embajadores, representantes del cuerpo diplomático, del sistema judicial internacional, de los medios de comunicación y de la comunidad uruguaya en los Países Bajos. Asistieron, entre otros, embajadores y jefes de misión destacándose los representantes diplomáticos de Brasil, Portugal, Guatemala, Argentina, República Dominicana, Cuba, Venezuela, Ecuador, México, Costa Rica, Irlanda, Perú, Panamá, Chile.
El idioma Español fue el punto común entre los invitados pues siendo Uruguay el Coordinador del Grupo de Amigos del Español en La Haya (GAEH), una plataforma diplomática constituida a mediados del 2025 para promover, defender y consolidar el uso del idioma español en los organismos internacionales con sede en La Haya, el Embajador González Otero decidió destacar también la importancia del Español en las instituciones internacionales.
Día Nacional de Uruguay, La Haya 2026.
Una bienvenida culinaria y musical
La recepción comenzó con una cálida bienvenida gastronómica. Gracias al generoso apoyo del Instituto Nacional de Carnes de Uruguay (INAC), se ofreció auténtica carne uruguaya, al igual que empanadas de espinaca y atún, pasta frola y un helado de dulce de leche, acompañados por reconocidos vinos nacionales, muy apreciados por los invitados internacionales.
El primer momento cultural fue profundamente emotivo debido a la interpretación de los himnos nacionales de Uruguay y los Países Bajos, aportando solemnidad a la celebración.
El discurso del Embajador
En su discurso, el Embajador González Otero dio una cálida bienvenida a todos los asistentes y con emoción, subrayó la relevancia histórica de celebrar el 201 aniversario de la independencia de la República Oriental del Uruguay reafirmando los valores de la nación desde sus inicios en el 1825: Libertad, institucionalidad, democracia y respeto por la dignidad humana.
«Uruguay es, desde hace años, el país con menor percepción de corrupción de América Latina, según Transparencia Internacional, y una democracia plena de acuerdo con el Democracy Index».
Reflexionando sobre los 201 años de vida independiente, destacó que: «Nuestra tradición democrática se refleja también en hitos históricos: en el 1932, Uruguay se convirtió en el primer país de América Latina en otorgar el voto a la mujer. Uruguay, es también internacionalmente valorado como promotor del Sistema Universal de Protección de los Derechos Humanos en diversos temas. Contamos con el menor riesgo país de la región, con más de una década de grado inversor, lo que refleja la confianza sostenida de los mercados internacionales.
Somos lideres regionales en telecomunicaciones: Uruguay posee uno de los niveles de conectividad digital más altos de Sudamérica, con una de las redes de fibra óptica más extensas del continente y un ecosistema digital reconocido por Naciones Unidad y por Digital Nations.
A ello se suma nuestro destacado sector tecnológico; Uruguay es el principal exportador de software per cápita de Sudamérica, con empresas que operan globalmente y un ecosistema de innovación que integra biotecnología, inteligencia artificial y más de 300 grupos de investigación. »
Ministra de Aruba y Embajadores de Costa Rica, Peru y Cuba.
El Embajador también resaltó los logros del país en transformación digital, energías renovables, estabilidad macroeconómica e innovación.
«Permítanme destacar otro pilar fundamental de nuestro desarrollo: la transición energética y la sostenibilidad. Uruguay es hoy un referente mundial en energías renovables. Un 98% de nuestra matriz eléctrica provienen de fuentes limpias, principalmente hidroeléctrica, eólica, biomasa y solar, posicionando Uruguay entre los países con mayor participación de energías renovables en el mundo. Este logro no solo reduce nuestra seguridad energética sino que nos proyecta como un socio destacado en la lucha global contra el cambio climático.»
El Embajador dirigió también un mensaje a los distinguidos uruguayos presentes: «Hoy celebramos no solo nuestra independencia, sino también a nuestra gente: a quienes construyen el Uruguay del día a día, dentro y fuera de nuestras fronteras; a quienes representan nuestros valores con orgullo; a quienes mantienen vivo el espíritu de nuestra nación en cada rincón del mundo. »
Concluyó su intervención con un sentido mensaje de union: «los invito a compartir ahora un brindis por ello y por la sincera amistad uruguayo-neerlandesa. Muchas gracias a todos por vuestro constante apoyo y cariño. Desde lo más profundo de mi corazón, ¡Vivan Uruguay y los Países Bajos!».
Lourdes Mariela Machado, Consejera Embajada del Uruguay, Rossina Álvarez, cantante uruguaya, Embajador González Otero y Mabel González, actriz y cantante uruguaya.
Una velada de arte
El programa cultural ofreció a los invitados una vibrante muestra del alma uruguaya. Participaron la actriz y cantante Mabel González con poemas de Mario Benedetti y de Idea Vilariño. La cantante y compositora Rossina Álvarez interpreto canciones de Alfredo Le Pera- Carlos Gardel y Ruben Rada.
Rada precursor del candombe y figura emblemática de la música popular uruguaya lamentablemente fallecido un día después. En homenaje, Uruguay ofreció una despedida nacional multitudinaria con miles de personas quienes lo acompañaron en el Palacio Legislativo como el mismo había pedido, con su música y alegría. El Presidente de la Nación y múltiples figuras del medio artístico y de la política, se hicieron presentes para despedir al connotado artista.
Gustavo Morales Bertinat, Embassy of Uruguay, H.E. Ms Franca Deza Ferreccio, Ambassador of Peru and H.E. Dr. Philippe Couvreur, Judge ICJ.Uruguayas; Florencia Firpo, Dra. Silvia Chiarino y Silvia Mancuso.
Una noche para recordar
La celebración se extendió por más de tres horas, en un ambiente de fraternidad donde los invitados disfrutaron de la música, la gastronomía y el cálido espíritu uruguayo.
An Interview with Hildemarij Fortanier Mesker on Supporting Diplomats and the International Community
The Hague, known as the international city of peace and justice, is home to a thriving ecosystem of international organisations and diplomatic missions, including more than 110 embassies and consulates and 520 international organisations that play a crucial role in the city’s economy and identity. Supporting this community—including diplomats, international professionals, and their families—The Hague International Centre is an essential part of the city’s role as a host.
In this interview, Hildemarij Fortanier Mesker, Department Head of International Affairs and Manager of The Hague International Centre, explains how the Centre helps internationals navigate practical matters, access services, and feel welcome and at home from the moment they arrive.
For readers who may not yet be familiar with the Centre, what role does The Hague International Centre play in supporting the international community in the region?
“The Hague has a long-standing international history. For centuries, the city has played a role on the global stage, and today it is widely recognised as the international city of Peace and Justice. With institutions such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, as well as a large diplomatic community, that identity is deeply embedded in the city.
We are proud of that. But it is not shaped by institutions alone—it is brought to life every day by embassies, consulates, and international organisations that represent their countries and contribute to dialogue and cooperation.
As a host city, we see it as our responsibility to support that entire ecosystem. That means not only facilitating institutions, but also creating an environment in which diplomats and their families can live and work effectively, feel welcome, and find their way with ease.
The Hague International Centre plays a key role in that. It is a central point of contact where internationals can access services, information, and support. Although based in The Hague, we serve the wider region, so diplomats and internationals across the region can turn to us. In that way, we make the city’s international role tangible in everyday life.”
Support for International Newcomers and Their Families
“Relocating to another country is a major step, not only professionally but also personally. We see very clearly that the experience of spouses and partners is often decisive in whether people truly feel at home.
That is why we focus on supporting the whole household. We assist with municipal registration and provide guidance on housing, healthcare, education, learning Dutch, and employment opportunities for spouses and partners.
At the same time, we help people understand how systems work and where to turn for support. That clarity makes it easier to build a life here.
We work closely with ACCESS, whose volunteers often have personal experience as expats. That adds an important human perspective to the support we offer.
By combining practical guidance with attention to personal well-being, we help people make a strong start and feel connected more quickly.”
Municipal Registration
“One of the services we provide is facilitating municipal registration. Diplomats can choose to register with the municipality in addition to their registration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which often makes access to local services easier.
The process itself is straightforward and does not affect diplomatic privileges or immunities.
We also explain how registration relates to services such as DigiD, healthcare, and childcare. Especially in the first months after arrival, this kind of guidance helps people avoid unnecessary complications and find their way more quickly.”
Events and Community Building
“Feeling at home is not only about practical matters—it is also about connection.
That is why we organise events throughout the year. Our Welcome to The Hague events offer a practical introduction to living and working in the Netherlands, combined with the opportunity to meet others and explore the city.
Our Feel at Home events provide more in-depth support, for example through contact with experts on housing, childcare, and taxation.
We see that spouses and partners in particular benefit from these events. They help them build networks and find their own place, which is an important step in settling in.”
“The diplomatic community is central to The Hague’s international character, and we aim to ensure that diplomats and their families—including those based elsewhere in the region—can easily access the support they need.
We receive questions on topics such as registration, access to services like DigiD, and family-related matters. Spouses and partners often ask about employment, volunteering, or how to build their own networks.
Our role is to provide clarity and connect people to the right information. Because we work closely with municipal departments, national authorities, and partner organisations, we can guide people effectively.
At the same time, we actively gather feedback from the international community. That input is very valuable, as it helps us identify where improvements are needed—not only in our services, but also more broadly.”
Looking Beyond the Centre: Strengthening the International Environment
“The International Centre is part of a broader effort by the Municipality of The Hague to remain a strong and attractive international city.
In our work, we are not only focused on providing services, but also on representing the interests of the international community and ensuring that these are taken into account in policy and decision-making. We do this in close collaboration with partners at regional, national, and international level.
This collaboration is essential, because many of the topics that matter for internationals go beyond one organisation or level of government. Think, for example, of access to international education, housing, labour market opportunities for partners, or the availability of services in English.
By working together with municipalities in the region, national government, and international partners, we contribute to improving these conditions. At the same time, the experiences we gather through our daily contact with internationals help inform this work and ensure it remains closely connected to what people actually need.
In that way, we connect individual experiences to the bigger picture. We help to create an environment in which internationals can not only come to work, but also build a life and feel at home—and in doing so contribute to a strong and well-functioning international community.”
Hildemarij Fortanier Mesker, The Hague International Center
Stay Updated
“To stay informed, you can subscribe to our newsletter and follow The Hague International Centre on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. You are also very welcome to visit our website or stop by our helpdesk at City Hall. We look forward to meeting you there.”
Recently accredited to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Hernán Bascuñán has begun his mission in The Hague with an agenda focused on some of the most pressing priorities facing Chile, the Netherlands and the international community. A career diplomat with extensive experience in bilateral and multilateral affairs, Ambassador Bascuñán brings particular expertise in international law, strategic planning, European affairs and multilateral diplomacy.
Having presented his Letters of Credence to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander on 24 June 2026, the Ambassador has identified the strengthening of the Chile–Netherlands partnership as a central priority of his mission. His agenda encompasses green hydrogen and the energy transition, critical minerals, trade and investment, water management, scientific and academic cooperation, security, and the defence of the rules-based international order.
In this interview with Diplomat Magazine, Ambassador Bascuñán discusses the opportunities presented by the strategic partnership between Chile and the Netherlands, including the potential of the Port of Rotterdam as a gateway for Chilean clean energy exports to Europe, cooperation in critical minerals and technology, and new opportunities arising from the Chile–European Union Advanced Framework Agreement. He also shares his vision for strengthening cooperation in science, innovation, security and international law, while presenting Chile’s cultural diversity to Dutch audiences.
Diplomat Magazine: What are your priorities for strengthening the political, economic and cultural relationship between Chile and the Netherlands?
Ambassador Bascuñán:
I see my mission in the Netherlands as a facilitator to build a stronger partnership of mutual benefit between Chile and the Netherlands, grounded in shared democratic values, mutual respect, and increasingly aligned interests on the global stage. Rather than a one-directional relationship, I want to focus on areas where both countries bring genuine strengths to the table: climate change and the energy transition, where Dutch expertise in water management and renewable energy can complement Chile’s potential in green hydrogen, solar, and wind; Antarctic research, building on Chile’s role as a gateway to the continent and the Netherlands’ strong polar and marine research institutions among others.
I also intend to strengthen academic and educational ties through university partnerships, trying to promote research and exchanges in fields such as water engineering, agritech, astronomy, mining, and renewable energy, while deepening cooperation between Chile and the Netherlands as like-minded countries on security matters — for instance, exchanging experience and best practices in port security and logistics, given the importance of maritime trade to both nations.
In the cultural sphere, my goal is to present Chile as a distinct voice within Latin America, with a rich and vast cultural heritage that offers far more than what is already well known. Beyond the legacy of our Nobel laureates, I want to help bring forward new and original literary voices, as well as theater companies, musicians, and visual artists, whose distinct perspective, shaped by Chile’s own geography, history, and identity, can offer the Dutch public an authentic and fresh window into Chilean culture, building genuine cultural bridges between our two countries.
My overarching goal is for the political, economic, and cultural relationship between our two countries to continue growing in a way that reflects the full breadth of what Chile and the Netherlands can offer one another, guided always by dialogue, reciprocity, and a shared commitment to international cooperation.
DM: How can cooperation with the Netherlands and the Port of Rotterdam support Chile’s ambition to become a leading supplier of clean energy to Europe?
Ambassador Bascuñán:
Chile has implemented a Green Hydrogen strategy updated from 2026 to 2030, setting specific objectives. One of them is consolidating the export market, which includes strengthening international alliances (such as the maritime corridor with the Netherlands) to export green ammonia and synthetic fuels to Europe and Asia. There is also a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Energy and the Port of Rotterdam to establish a green hydrogen supply chain connecting Chile to Europe. The partnership with the Netherlands will be vital and a perfect complement: Chile will have ammonia and hydrogen in the future, and the Netherlands can offer its experience in logistics, storage, and distribution. This will probably be another successful case of cooperation in trade between the Netherlands and Chile.
The relationship between Chile and the Port of Rotterdam offers an exceptional opportunity to build a true clean energy corridor between our country and Europe. Chile’s participation in the 2026 World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam and the work carried out with Dutch public and private sector stakeholders demonstrate that this cooperation has entered a more mature phase, focused on the implementation and economic viability of the projects.
DM: How can Chile and the Netherlands cooperate on critical minerals through technology, investment, innovation, logistics and trade?
Ambassador Bascuñán:
First of all, cooperation will allow both countries to accomplish their main objectives: for the Netherlands, this alliance could reduce its dependence on a single provider by becoming an off-taker of Chilean critical materials, such as copper and lithium. For Chile, this partnership would allow us to add value to our process, supported by Dutch technology and innovation, and, as a result, participate more actively in global value chains related to these materials.
Having a strong European partner such the Netherlands on this matter will facilitate the incorporation for the best good practices and knowledge in the field of sustainability to Chilean mining and energy industries. Currently, there are a lot of opportunities for both countries related to investment, logistics and trade these strategics materials.
H.E. Hernán Bascuñán, Ambassador of Chile.
DM: What opportunities will the Advanced Framework Agreement create for Dutch businesses, investors and research institutions?
Ambassador Bascuñán:
In December 2023, Chile and the European Union signed the Advanced Framework Agreement (AFA) and, in parallel, an Interim Trade Agreement. While the AFA is pending ratification, the Interim Agreement is currently in force, allowing for the provisional application of the main trade commitments agreed upon. Once ratified, the Advanced Framework Agreement would cover approximately 99.6% of Chilean exports to the European Union, deepening market access and trade liberalization.
In this context, the Netherlands has established itself as one of the main destinations for Chilean exports in Europe. In 2025, it was the tenth largest destination for Chilean minerals, the fifth for Chilean manufactured goods, and the seventh for Chilean wines, reflecting the diversity and strength of bilateral trade.
Undoubtedly, signing the agreement will mean for the Netherlands a reliable access to a stable and predictable trading partner in Latin America; Improved opportunities for Dutch exporters and investors in sectors such as renewable energy, logistics, water management, agri-food, technology, healthcare, and financial services; better access to Chile’s strategic minerals, including lithium and copper, which are essential for Europe’s green and digital transitions.
Besides, this agreement would be a stronger gateway into South America, as Chile maintains one of the world’s largest networks of free trade agreements—enhanced cooperation in green hydrogen, sustainable ports, circular economy, and innovation ecosystems.
Finally, since Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port, the Netherlands also benefits from increased trade flows between Chile and the European market.
DM: How important are international institutions and the rules-based international order in addressing today’s global challenges?
Ambassador Bascuñán:
Indeed, I have had the privilege of representing my country in various multilateral forums and have witnessed first-hand the importance of multilateralism and respect for international law for global stability. Both are pillars that uphold the international system; undermining them causes significant harm to all states, but especially to small and medium-sized ones, which possess less individual agency.
The international system is certainly under pressure and facing big challenges. We are witnessing greater strategic competition, a proliferation of armed conflicts, challenges to multilateral cooperation, and, in some cases, attempts to reinterpret the principles and rules that have governed international relations for decades. But I do not think the answer is to abandon multilateralism. On the contrary, these circumstances make it even more necessary.
In that sense, at a time of particular tension within the international system—when, according to various geopolitical analysts, we are witnessing a rebalancing of global power—it is more important than ever to respect the principles governing relations between states, particularly multilateralism and respect for international law in order to guarantee a rules-based international order. These are fundamental principles of Chile’s foreign policy, regardless of the political affiliation of the government in office.
For a country like Chile, international law and multilateral institutions are not abstract concepts. They are essential instruments for ensuring that relations among states are based not simply on power, but also on rules, commitments and principles. The fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter—including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the prohibition of the use of force—remain as relevant today as when they were established.
At the same time, defending the rules-based international order does not mean defending the statu quo in every respect. International institutions must be capable of adapting to new realities and responding more effectively to today’s challenges, whether they concern climate change, international security, pandemics, technological developments, or global economic instability. Multilateralism must deliver results if it is to maintain legitimacy.
For Chile, therefore, the choice is clear: we should continue to invest in multilateralism, strengthen international law, and work to make international institutions more effective, representative and responsive. In a world of growing uncertainty, a rules-based international order is not a constraint on diplomacy—it is one of the foundations that makes diplomacy possible.
DM: Which areas of scientific, technological and academic cooperation would you like to expand during your mission?
Ambassador Bascuñán:
In my view, Chile and the Netherlands present significant complementarities in scientific and technological cooperation. In water management, the Netherlands’ well-known expertise can contribute meaningfully to addressing Chile’s growing water-scarcity challenges, opening the way for joint pilot projects and technical exchanges in smart water technologies, desalination, and integrated water resource management. In agriculture, Dutch expertise in precision farming and greenhouse technology offers valuable lessons for Chile’s agricultural export sector, while Chile can share its own experience in viticulture and fruit production. Likewise, in sustainable technologies, Chile’s leadership in green hydrogen, lithium, and solar and wind energy pairs well with Dutch expertise in port logistics and energy infrastructure, opening the door to investment and joint projects in Chile’s energy transition.
I would like to focus on expanding academic and scientific cooperation through university partnerships, researcher exchanges, and joint programs in fields such as engineering, marine and Antarctic science and astronomy. Is important to acknowledge Chile hosts some of the world’s most advanced observatories and in the next few years this dimension will only grow in relevance Chile will host the International Astronomy Summit in 2030, when is expected that Chile will hold around 70% of the world astronomic observation capacity. Strengthening these institutional ties between universities and research centers in both countries would lay a solid and lasting foundation for innovation cooperation that generates concrete, real-world impact.
DM: What would you consider the most significant achievements of your tenure, and what message would you like to convey to the diplomatic community?
Ambassador Bascuñán:
In general terms, I would like to note that the Embassy made a concrete contribution to transforming a traditionally very positive bilateral relationship into an even more strategic, dynamic, and results-oriented partnership. First, by deepening the economic and trade relationship between our two countries. The Netherlands is a particularly important partner for Chile due to its position as a gateway to Europe, the strength of its logistics and port infrastructure, and its capacity for innovation. In this area, we will work to expand the portfolio of Dutch investments in Chile, create greater opportunities for our companies and entrepreneurs, and open new avenues for cooperation in strategic sectors such as critical minerals, renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, technology, and services. A particularly important objective will be to lead the enormous potential of green hydrogen into concrete projects.
Second, I would like to foster deeper bilateral cooperation in areas where the Netherlands has world-class expertise and capabilities and where Chile faces specific challenges. I am thinking in particular of water resource management, agriculture and food security, technological innovation, infrastructure, disaster prevention, and the energy transition. Cooperation on water issues, for example, already involves partnerships between Chilean and Dutch institutions such as Deltares, IHE Delft, and TU Delft, and serves as an excellent example of how diplomacy can lead to practical solutions for our citizens.
A third objective will be to strengthen the security dimension of our relationship. The government of President José Antonio Kast has made security one of the central pillars of its foreign policy, including the fight against transnational organized crime and international cooperation on security matters. In The Hague, we have a particularly valuable opportunity: the presence of Europol and Eurojust, as well as an extraordinary concentration of institutions related to international law and justice. Chile already has mechanisms for police and judicial cooperation with these institutions, and I would like to help ensure that these ties become increasingly operational and effective.
Precisely because we are here in The Hague, it is important to highlight Chile’s role as a country committed to the rule of law, international law, and multilateral institutions. The Embassy represents Chile before international courts and other international legal institutions. Our aspiration is for Chile to continue to be recognized as a serious, reliable, and constructive partner in the defense of peace, legal certainty, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Finally, I would like our Embassy to also serve as a meeting place for the Chilean community, students, researchers, professionals, and businesspeople who live or work in the Netherlands. Contemporary diplomacy is not built exclusively between governments; it is also built between societies, universities, businesses, research centers, and individuals. For this reason, strengthening these networks and projecting a modern, open, trustworthy, and competitive image of Chile will be an important part of our work.
In short, I would like us to be able to say, at the end of my term, that we have left behind a Chile–Netherlands relationship that is stronger in three areas: increased trade and investment, greater cooperation on security and knowledge, and greater convergence in defending the rules-based international order. All of this is framed within a pragmatic, results-oriented diplomacy that serves Chile’s enduring interests. In this context, the Netherlands is, for Chile, a natural partner in this effort. Today, diplomacy faces the challenge of showing, more than ever, its concrete value. We must be able to build trust, open up opportunities, anticipate risks, and turn good political relations into results that improve the lives of our citizens.
It is with deep concern that we note the latest actions announced by the Government of the United States against the President of the International Criminal Court and a Trial Lawyer working for the Office of the Prosecutor. These new actions, in addition to the earlier designations of the leadership of the Office of the Prosecutor and 8 judges of the International Criminal Court, are regrettable attempts to impede the Court and its personnel in the exercise of their mandated functions to investigate and adjudicate cases involving the worst crimes known to humanity.
This escalation by the US administration in the use of sanctions against the Court’s officials and staff risks undermining ongoing investigations and impeding global efforts aimed at ensuring accountability for and bringing justice to victims of the gravest crimes of concern to the international community as a whole. These sanctions erode the shared commitment to the rule of law, the fight against impunity, and the preservation of a rules-based international order.
We reiterate our full support for the Court, its officials, and all those who contribute to the fulfilment of its judicial mandate. We urge all States Parties and stakeholders in the Rome Statute system to remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding the principles of international justice and to stand united in support of the Court and the values enshrined in the Rome Statute.
The Assembly of States Parties is the management oversight and legislative body of the ICC. It is comprised of representatives of States that have ratified and acceded to the Rome Statute. The Presidency of the Assembly is currently composed of President Päivi Kaukoranta (Finland) and Vice-Presidents Michael Imran Kanu (Sierra Leone) and Margareta Kassangana (Poland).
The Hague — Iceland, a State Party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since 2000, has made a voluntary contribution of €10,000 to the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV), reaffirming its commitment to international justice and the rights of victims of crimes under the Rome Statute.
The unrestricted contribution supports the TFV’s mandate to raise awareness of the plight of victims, mobilise resources for their benefit, and implement programmes addressing the physical, psychological and material needs of victims and affected communities. This work encompasses both ICC-ordered reparations and assistance programmes.
H.E. Kevin Kelly, Member of the Board of Directors of the TFV, said: “On behalf of the TFV Board of Directors, I wish to express my appreciation to Iceland for renewing its voluntary contribution to the Trust Fund for Victims. State contributions are absolutely essential in driving the work of the Fund and I implore States to enhance their support for reparative justice in this manner.”
H.E. Stefán Haukur Jóhannesson, Ambassador of Iceland to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, said: “Iceland is pleased to renew its support for the Trust Fund for Victims. As a longstanding State Party to the Rome Statute, we firmly believe that accountability for the gravest international crimes must go hand in hand with a victim-survivor oriented approach, emphasising the rights and agency of individuals involved. Through this contribution, Iceland reaffirms its commitment to international justice, the dignity and rights of victims, and the important work of the Trust Fund in helping individuals and communities rebuild their lives.”
Iceland has provided regular support to the TFV through voluntary contributions since 2021.
About the Trust Fund for Victims
Voluntary contributions to the TFV support the reparative mandate of the ICC by funding services and activities that provide recognition, commemoration and material support through rehabilitative programmes.
The TFV has called on States Parties and other entities to contribute to reparations for victims in urgent need, particularly in relation to the Ntaganda and Ongwen cases. The Fund’s annual programme funding target is a minimum of €10 million.
Contributions to the TFV qualify as Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible. Its programmes contribute to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including those relating to peace and justice, poverty reduction, health and well-being, gender equality, decent work, reduced inequalities and climate action.
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4–6 September 2026 | Peelbergen Equestrian Centre, Kronenberg
By Derya Soysal.
From 4 to 6 September 2026, the Netherlands will host an international celebration of one of Turkmenistan’s most cherished symbols: the Akhal-Teke horse. At the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre in Kronenberg, breeders, riders, researchers, artists and horse enthusiasts from around the world will gather for the World Beauty Championship and Equestrian Sports Competition among the Heavenly Akhal-Teke Horses.
The three-day programme combines equestrian sport with cultural heritage, scientific exchange and artistic expression, offering an opportunity to discover a breed whose history is closely intertwined with the identity of the Turkmen people.
A horse shaped by history
Originating in the territory of present-day Turkmenistan, the Akhal-Teke is renowned for its distinctive appearance, intelligence, agility, strength and endurance. Its fine, glossy coat can produce a striking metallic sheen, earning the breed the popular description of the “Golden Horse.”
For generations, Turkmen breeders have selectively developed qualities such as speed, stamina and intelligence, while preserving traditions surrounding the care, training and decoration of the horses. The breed remains a powerful national symbol and features on the State Emblem of Turkmenistan.
The cultural significance of the Akhal-Teke extends well beyond the horse itself. In 2023, UNESCO inscribed the “Art of Akhal-Teke horse breeding and traditions of horses’ decoration” on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The inscription recognizes the knowledge and skills associated with breeding and caring for the horses, as well as traditions including naming rituals, beauty contests, racing, riding games and elaborate forms of horse decoration. (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage)
The tradition is also closely connected with Turkmen craftsmanship. Horse decorations incorporating jewellery, lace and carpets are part of a cultural practice in which knowledge is transmitted between generations. UNESCO notes that these skills are learned both informally and through educational and equestrian institutions. (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage)
Three days of sport, science and culture
The programme opens on Friday, 4 September, with the first stages of the World Beauty Championship. Young horses and mares between one and four years old will be assessed by an international jury, while a dressage competition will highlight the breed’s athleticism, discipline and elegance.
Alongside the competitions, academics, breeders and equestrian specialists will meet in Venray for the international scientific and practical conference “Akhal-Teke Horse: The Turkmen Art of World-Class Horse Breeding.” The conference will examine the breed from historical, cultural, scientific and practical perspectives.
Saturday, 5 September, will be the principal championship day. Following the welcome of distinguished guests, the programme will include an open conference of the International Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Association and an exhibition presenting aspects of Turkmen equestrian culture, art and craftsmanship alongside the European horse industry.
The sporting programme will feature the adult horse beauty competition and the selection of the World Champion Akhal-Teke Horse from the category winners. The Best Decorated Horse Competition will bring the artistic traditions of Turkmen horse decoration into the arena, while a show-jumping competition will demonstrate the breed’s versatility as a sport horse.
The day will conclude with an awards ceremony recognizing achievements in both equestrian competition and the arts, including works by painters, sculptors and carpet weavers inspired by the horse.
The championship will close on Sunday, 6 September, with cultural performances and the closing of the exhibition.
A living cultural tradition
For Turkmenistan, the Akhal-Teke represents more than an exceptional horse breed. It embodies a relationship between people, animals, landscape, craftsmanship and inherited knowledge that has developed over generations.
The importance of the horse is reflected in Turkmen traditions and sayings. One well-known proverb, “At adamyň ganaty,” translates as “A horse is a person’s wings.” It expresses the central place horses have traditionally occupied in Turkmen life and imagination.
The significance of the breed is particularly relevant in 2026, the Year of the Horse, adding a symbolic dimension to an event that brings Turkmen equestrian heritage to an international audience.
The Akhal-Teke Championship in Kronenberg therefore offers more than a showcase of horses. It creates a meeting point for sporting excellence, scientific knowledge, traditional craftsmanship and cultural exchange.
By bringing breeders, riders, researchers, artists, diplomats and enthusiasts together in the Netherlands, the event provides a contemporary setting in which a centuries-old heritage can be experienced and shared internationally.
Event information
4–6 September 2026 Peelbergen Equestrian Centre Travers 5, 5976 PL Kronenberg, Netherlands
Strategic Assessment of the Emerging Gulf Security Architecture
By H.E. Mr.Vladimir Norov
The strategic landscape of the Gulf has fundamentally changed following the Iran-Israel confrontation and the direct attacks against Gulf states in 2026. For decades, Gulf security depended primarily on external powers—especially the United States. Recent conflict has demonstrated both the strengths and limitations of this model.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) successfully defended much of its critical infrastructure through integrated missile defence systems and close cooperation with the United States and other partners. Yet Gulf states were nevertheless drawn into a conflict they neither initiated nor controlled.
The central question is therefore no longer whether the Gulf can defend itself militarily, but whether it can develop a regional security order capable of sustaining peace while reducing its vulnerability to external great-power competition.
The answer emerging from recent developments is cautiously optimistic. The Gulf possesses unprecedented financial resources, political cohesion, military modernisation and diplomatic influence. Yet several structural obstacles remain, including unresolved regional rivalries, the Iranian challenge, the Palestinian issue, maritime insecurity and dependence on foreign military technology.
The most realistic path toward sustainable peace is not military dominance but a multilayered security architecture combining deterrence, diplomacy, economic integration and regional ownership.
For nearly fifty years, Gulf security rested on three pillars:
American military protection;
oil-export stability; and
bilateral defence agreements.
Major turning points included:
the 1979 Iranian Revolution;
the Iran-Iraq War;
the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait;
US intervention in Iraq;
the Arab Spring;
the Yemen conflict;
the Abraham Accords; and
the Iran-Israel confrontation.
Each crisis increased external military involvement while simultaneously exposing regional vulnerabilities.
The latest conflict differs because it directly targeted GCC infrastructure rather than proxy battlefields. The Gulf states have therefore entered a new strategic phase characterised by greater confidence, deeper regional coordination and a stronger emphasis on self-reliance.
Their investments in integrated air defence, critical infrastructure protection and diversified diplomatic relationships have enhanced resilience. At the same time, recent conflicts have demonstrated that military capability alone cannot guarantee peace if the surrounding political architecture remains fragile.
A durable regional order is therefore most likely to emerge from a layered approach: preserving strong partnerships with the United States, China and Europe while strengthening GCC institutions, expanding practical cooperation with regional partners, developing indigenous defence industries and maintaining channels for dialogue with adversaries. Progress on the Palestinian question, maritime security and confidence-building measures with Iran will remain central to any sustainable settlement.
Overall, the evidence from leading strategic institutions broadly supports the idea that the Gulf is moving from dependence towards greater strategic agency. However, this transition should be viewed as an evolution rather than a completed transformation. The region’s future stability will depend less on replacing external security guarantees than on complementing them with credible regional institutions, economic resilience and inclusive diplomacy.
The Gulf region stands at a strategic crossroads. Recent regional conflicts have exposed the limitations of a security system based predominantly on external guarantees while highlighting the growing need for a regionally owned framework capable of preventing crises, managing disputes and promoting long-term stability.
What the Gulf therefore requires is not another externally designed security arrangement, but a process through which regional states themselves can gradually develop the habits, mechanisms and institutions of cooperative security.
The proposed Muscat Process – in circulation as a proposal since June by the Group of Friends inspired by the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), if facilitated by the Sultanate of Oman, offers an opportunity to establish an inclusive multilateral security dialogue for the Gulf and West Asia. Rather than replacing existing bilateral partnerships or military alliances, the initiative would complement them by creating permanent mechanisms for political consultation, confidence-building and practical cooperation among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, Iraq and Iran, and even beyond.
The objective is not to resolve all regional disputes immediately, but to institutionalise dialogue, reduce strategic mistrust and gradually develop a cooperative regional security architecture.
The experience of the CSCE is instructive precisely because it did not begin with a peace treaty or a comprehensive settlement. It began with the recognition that sustained dialogue, agreed principles, confidence-building and practical cooperation could gradually transform relations among states whose political and security interests remained deeply divided.
The lesson of Helsinki was therefore not simply the text agreed in 1975, but the process that followed it. The CSCE demonstrated that states deeply divided by ideology, security interests and geopolitical rivalry could nevertheless begin with principles, regular dialogue and practical confidence-building, allowing a broader cooperative framework to develop gradually. The relevance of that experience for the Gulf lies precisely in this evolutionary character: the objective need not be a comprehensive settlement at the outset, but the creation of a process through which such a settlement may eventually become possible.
A further lesson is that such a process should not necessarily await the end of hostilities. On the contrary, dialogue is often most valuable when relations are at their most difficult. Establishing channels of communication, confidence-building measures and practical cooperation during a period of confrontation can help reduce miscalculation and create conditions for de-escalation. The Muscat Process should therefore be conceived not as a mechanism to be activated only after a political settlement, but as an instrument capable of contributing to the emergence of that settlement.
For more than five decades, Gulf security has largely depended on external powers. While this model contributed to regional stability, recent developments have demonstrated that external security guarantees alone cannot prevent regional escalation or protect regional interests from broader geopolitical competition.
The Gulf now faces a historic opportunity to become an active producer rather than a passive consumer of regional security.
For smaller and middle-sized states in particular, participation in shaping the regional order is itself a matter of security. Those who are absent from the process through which the regional order is shaped risk becoming objects rather than authors of that order. A permanent regional process would therefore give smaller states not merely a voice in moments of crisis, but a continuing capacity to shape the rules, norms and arrangements by which their security is affected.
The major powers will continue to pursue their interests through strategic competition, deterrence and periods of selective détente. Smaller and middle-sized states, however, have a different instrument of statecraft – if timely, available to them: institution-building.
Their influence is well beyond the military weight alone. It can derive from convening, mediation, rule-making, connectivity and the creation of institutions in which larger powers also have an interest in maintaining stability. This is a form of statecraft particularly suited to a region in which no single power can impose a durable security order.
The Muscat Process would provide several strategic advantages:
establish a permanent regional platform for dialogue among the principal Gulf actors;
create structured mechanisms for crisis prevention and conflict de-escalation;
strengthen regional ownership of security while complementing existing international partnerships;
reduce the risks of military miscalculation through transparency and confidence-building measures; and
contribute to a stable environment for economic development, energy security and international trade.
By maintaining continuous dialogue during both periods of stability and crisis, the Process would help transform episodic diplomacy into a permanent mechanism for regional cooperation.
Oman is uniquely positioned to facilitate such an initiative.
Its long-standing policy of neutrality, balanced regional relations and proven mediation record has earned the confidence of major regional actors. Muscat has consistently served as a trusted venue for discreet diplomacy and dialogue during periods of heightened tension.
The credibility of the Process therefore derives not only from its institutional design but also from the reputation of Oman as an impartial and respected facilitator.
Proposed Structure
The Muscat Process should evolve gradually through three successive phases.
Phase I – Confidence Building
The first phase would focus on establishing regular consultations among GCC member states, Iraq and Iran.
Meetings would be chaired by Oman and conducted on the basis of consensus, ensuring equal participation and political ownership by all members.
Initial discussions should concentrate on practical areas where cooperation is both feasible and mutually beneficial, including:
maritime security;
protection of critical infrastructure;
humanitarian cooperation;
disaster response;
cyber security;
environmental challenges; and
economic connectivity.
At this stage, the emphasis should remain on confidence-building rather than formal negotiations on politically sensitive disputes.
Phase II – Institutional Development
Once regular dialogue has become established, participants could agree to create a modest permanent secretariat in Muscat.
Working groups composed of governmental officials and technical experts would support cooperation in specific policy areas, while annual ministerial meetings would provide strategic guidance.
A small administrative structure would ensure continuity without creating excessive institutional costs.
Phase III – Comprehensive Regional Security Framework
Over the longer term, the Process could gradually evolve into an institutionalised regional organisation comparable in function—though not necessarily in structure—to the OSCE.
Possible future instruments may include:
confidence- and security-building measures;
crisis communication mechanisms;
military transparency arrangements;
maritime incident prevention procedures;
early warning and conflict prevention mechanisms;
regular political consultations; and
joint initiatives on economic and environmental security.
Such evolution would depend entirely on consensus among participating states.
IV. International Support while Preserving Regional Ownership
The Muscat Process should remain an indigenous regional initiative.
External actors would not participate in decision-making but could provide technical expertise and share institutional experience through a “Friends of the Process” mechanism (already diplomatically active).
An advisory panel composed of distinguished former senior officials from organisations such as the OSCE, the United Nations and other international institutions could support the initial establishment of the Process by providing expertise in mediation, institutional design and confidence-building.
This approach combines international experience with regional ownership, ensuring that solutions are developed by Gulf states while benefiting from lessons learned elsewhere.
If successfully implemented, the Muscat Process could generate substantial long-term benefits for regional stability. Politically, it would institutionalise dialogue among states with divergent strategic interests, reducing the likelihood of escalation through regular communication.
From a security perspective, it would promote transparency, confidence-building and practical cooperation on shared challenges, including maritime security, cyber threats and protection of critical infrastructure. Economically, greater regional stability would strengthen investor confidence, safeguard international energy markets and protect strategic trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. Institutionally, the Process would establish a comprehensive Gulf security framework owned and led by regional states themselves, complementing rather than replacing existing bilateral and international security arrangements.
Policy Recommendations
To maximise the prospects for success, participating states should:
endorse the establishment of the Muscat Process as a permanent consultative mechanism;
reaffirm consensus-based decision-making and equal participation of all members;
begin with practical, non-contentious areas of cooperation before addressing more sensitive political and security issues;
establish a small, cost-effective secretariat in Muscat to ensure continuity and institutional memory;
create technical working groups on maritime security, cyber resilience, critical infrastructure protection and humanitarian cooperation;
invite international experts to provide technical support while preserving full regional ownership; and
maintain flexibility, allowing the Process to evolve gradually according to the confidence and political will of participating states.
The Muscat Process represents a realistic and forward-looking response to the changing strategic environment in the Gulf. Drawing on the successful experience of the CSCE while adapting it to regional realities, it offers an inclusive framework capable of transforming dialogue into sustained cooperation.
Rather than seeking immediate solutions to deeply rooted geopolitical disputes, the initiative aims to establish the habits, institutions and confidence necessary for durable peace. In doing so, it could lay the foundations for a new Gulf security architecture—one that is regionally owned, internationally supported and designed to promote stability, prosperity and peaceful coexistence for decades to come.
Well aware that statecraft will ultimately be judged by history, and building on their personal experiences, the ‘Friends of the Process’ have a simple message: statecraft achieves better results the sooner it recognizes the challenge—especially for smaller states in geopolitically overcrowded neighborhoods. After all, the Bretton Woods institutions and the foundations of the United Nations architecture began to take shape well before the Second World War was over.
As President Roosevelt understood in the early 1940s, the Gulf does not need to wait for the perfect moment to begin. It needs a process capable of helping create one.
About the author:
H.E. Mr. Vladimir Norov is a Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and a Former Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
A high-value target suspected of smuggling more than 600 migrants along the Balkan route has been arrested following cooperation between German and Serbian authorities, coordinated by Eurojust and Europol.
The suspect was arrested in Belgrade on 5 August. He is suspected of working with other members of a smuggling network that transported people to Germany and other Western European countries along the Balkan route.
According to investigators, the network brought Syrian nationals into the European Union from Serbia via Hungary or from Bosnia and Herzegovina via Croatia. The migrants were subsequently transported by car, van or truck through Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland or Austria to Germany and other European countries.
The network reportedly charged between EUR 2,000 and EUR 10,000 per person. The suspect arrested on 5 August is believed to have played a central role in the network from his residence in Serbia. He allegedly transported migrants to Sombor, Serbia, where he handed them over to other members of the network, and is also suspected of facilitating their movement from Serbia into Hungary.
Between June 2023 and June 2024, he is suspected of having been involved in at least 37 smuggling operations.
The arrest forms part of a wider operation targeting other members of the network in Germany and Serbia. Five additional suspects were arrested during coordinated actions in Germany, the Netherlands and Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2025.
Eurojust supported the German and Serbian authorities through a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) established at the Agency. The JIT facilitated the exchange of information on the smuggling network and supported preparations for the suspect’s arrest. The Western Balkans Criminal Justice Project also supported cooperation between the participating authorities.
Europol’s European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling coordinated an Operational Taskforce throughout the investigation, facilitating intelligence exchange between the participating countries and providing operational analysis to identify links between different investigations.
Europol also supported the identification of high-value targets, coordinated operational activities during the action day and deployed experts to provide real-time analytical and operational assistance to investigators.
The operation highlights the importance of coordinated international cooperation in disrupting organised migrant smuggling networks operating across multiple European countries.
