By Ambassador Nicolas Bideau, Head of Presence Switzerland
Postponed by a year to allow all participants to navigate the impact of Covid-19, the next world expo will be the first international major event happening with an audience. Around 25 million visits are expected at the Expo 2020 Expo from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022.
The Swiss pavilion will take centre stage at Expo 2020, promoting Switzerland’s traditional image as well as its innovative strengths. In these difficult times, our pavilion is a symbol and a driving force for the recovery we all need.
World Expos provide a unique platform through which participating countries can provide an emotional experience for the visitors and present themselves in surprising ways. Again, World expos enjoy a high profile in the media and among the public, both internationally and locally. In terms of nation branding, they are effective in reaching a wide audience, both directly and indirectly, via new and traditional media channels.
Swiss Pavilion, Theater – Picture by Presence Switzerland.
The national pavilion will provide the Swiss government with an attractive platform to showcase its priority themes in international communication: business, science, education, the environment and culture. It is a long-term investment by different actors in different fields, such as exports, tourism, education and politics. It will cast the country as innovative, competitive and responsible, while at the same time highlighting its deep-rooted traditions.
In order to maximise a country’s pull factor, nation branding experts capitalise on the perceptions of their country and its symbols to promote the brand image. Switzerland’s most important brand identity drivers are the products it exports. The ‘Swiss made’ label is viewed by many consumers to be a guarantee of quality, whether in the machine industry, the agri-food sector or the luxury goods sector.
The challenge for communicators is how best to use this perception to get the message across. Chocolate, for example, is one thing people spontaneously associate with Switzerland and can be used as a communication lever to explain how without Swiss innovation chocolate would not even exist.
Switzerland enjoys a positive and stable image abroad and is regarded as an important player in the global economy. However, this positive image cannot last forever without constant attention: we have to maintain the high quality of the offer and invest in presenting it in a positive light. Using communication to best leverage your assets is a challenge for all countries. That is the secret of nation branding – capitalising on your country’s known strengths to generate positivity towards it.
These communication dynamics are at the forefront of world expos. Each country presents itself through a national pavilion, and while general perceptions of a country play a crucial role in drawing the crowds, once inside the pavilion, visitors expect a memorable experience. Providing that experience is the only way to ensure a long-term impact on the perception of visitors.
Swiss Pavilion, Innovation exhibition – Picture by Presence Switzerland.
As a founding member of the Bureau International des Expositions, Switzerland has taken part in most world expos. Over the years, the Swiss pavilion has gradually established itself as an attractive brand, often drawing some of the biggest crowds and gaining much media coverage. Regular surveys among visitors confirm that the pavilions leave a positive impression of Switzerland.
At Expo 2020 in Dubai, Switzerland aims to present itself as a country of innovation which remains true to its traditions. The pavilion has therefore been modelled on a journey, travelling through Switzerland the hub of innovation and Switzerland the land of bucolic splendour.
Along the way, visitors will discover Switzerland’s values, its strengths in terms of education, research, innovation and business, but also the qualities and savoir-faire specific to Switzerland that give it the ability to provide answers to the challenges of the future. Expo 2020 is an important communication opportunity in the region.
By Ambassador Ramin Hasanov, Head of Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Federal Republic of Germany
Azerbaijan is a country which sits in the Caucasus as the gateway linking West and East. Over centuries the country was in the middle of the crossroad of different civilizations which formed its unique multiethnic and multi-faith cultural diversity. Azerbaijan is a place where representatives of different religions, ethnic groups have lived, created, communicated for many centuries. Today, there are 37 non-Islamic religious communities registered in Azerbaijan, 26 of which are Christian and 8 are Jewish. The World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue regularly held in Azerbaijan since 2011, has transformed into a global platform to address one of the most important issues of today’s agenda, issues of cultural dialogue.
Emerged as an independent republic in 1918, Azerbaijan was the first democratic republic in the Muslim East, 23 months between May 1918 and April 1920, but within a short period of time became one of the world’s most progressive countries by providing universal suffrage to all of its citizens. The National Council (Parliament) of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, composed of the representatives of all the layers of population and minorities, operated for just 17 months, but was able to adopt around 230 legislative acts, including the law granting women the right to vote and to participate in the political life of the country. Azerbaijan regained its independence on October 18, 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and declared itself the political and legal successor of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan.
The challenges which emerged across the space of the former Soviet Union in the early 90’s did not pass by Azerbaijan at the early period of its independence. As a result of territorial claims and the following military aggression by Armenia, 20 % of the territories of Azerbaijan were occupied, about one million Azerbaijanis became IDPs and refugees.
However, it was the properly shaped and balanced policy under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev, which helped the country become the region’s most successful country. Azerbaijan, in order to fund the development and promote the regional stability and growth, has opened its oil and gas industry to foreign participation which brought international investors and guaranteed the development of the county’s economy.
Just like its culture, Azerbaijan’s foreign policy is very diverse. Azerbaijan maintains close ties both with Muslim countries, Christian West as well as with Israel at the same time. Azerbaijan has proved itself as a reliable partner of the West while maintaining good, friendly relations with Russia and Iran, keeping the flow of energy and trade between Asia and Europe.
Today, Azerbaijan plays a crucial role in providing Europe’s energy security by helping to diversify its oil and gas supply resources. Azerbaijan, which accounts for more than 70 percent of the economy of the South Caucasus, is the main initiator of important political and economic cooperation platforms in the region. Energy, infrastructure and other projects implemented with the active participation of my country play an important role in the development of the region as a whole.
Thus, through its State Oil Fund founded in 1999 with a purpose to maintain macroeconomic stability and to direct oil revenues to the development of other priority areas, the Republic of Azerbaijan has managed to implement local and major regional projects. The country made major investments on its energy infrastructure and as a result, electricity importing country became electricity exporter.
Besides energy sector, Azerbaijan heavily invested in its transport infrastructure and as a result became a major regional transport hub: the country links the East to the West with highways, as well as Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which was constructed in 2017 and considered an important part of the Silk Road. The country also hosts the North–South corridor which links the Northern Europe, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran and India.
Despite Azerbaijan had tremendous success in every aspect of statehood, the conflict with neighboring Armenia remained unsolved until the fall of 2020. The Minsk Group of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe co-chaired by the USA, Russia and France, was tasked to deal with the conflict. However, over the years Minsk group’s work didn’t produce any positive result. Instead, impunity only increased the Armenia’s aggression and militaristic polices under the slogan of “new war for new territories” which led to the full-scale war on September 27, 2020.
Within 44 days, Azerbaijan liberated its territories from Armenian occupation, thus ensuring the restoration of its territorial integrity in conformity with the four UN Security Council resolutions adopted in 1993, which demanded immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from all the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Now the conflict is buried in the archives of the history, which established a good opportunity to work on a peace agreement with Armenia and to think of the future, as repeatedly stated by President Ilham Aliyev. Now, there are new opportunities for regional development, regional cooperation, connectivity in the environment of good faith among all the neighboring nations in that region, and Azerbaijan is ready for that.
The end of the summer and the return of the diplomats to town was celebrated in style by Diplomat Magazine in collaboration with Leonardo Royal Hotel and the participation of the embassies of Argentina and Uzbekistan.
The Diplomats Welcome After Summer reception has once again proven to be a successful occasion to assemble international dignitaries of stature: ambassadors, diplomats, Dutch politicians, business executives, judges from international tribunals, and heads of international NGO’s.
Lexus latest models
Dr. Mayelinne De Lara, Diplomat Magazine’s Publisher, flanked by Mr Patrick Aarsman, General Manager of Leonardo Royal Hotel, cordially welcomed the guests. She stated, We like to continue celebrating the return of the diplomatic corps to The Hague, even if many have not been able to return home for over a year.Diplomat Magazine, the first diplomatic magazine in the Netherlands’ history, proudly facilitates countries, without distinction, to promote their political, cultural, and economic visions. Diplomat magazine pridefully contributes to the international dialogue among nations.
H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, OPCW Director General and Patricia van Oordt.
Dr De Lara was followed by H.E. Mr. Dilyor Khakimov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan and H.E. Mr. Mario Oyarzábal, Ambassador of Argentina.
The program featured a plentitude of items, music, dance, exotic food & beverages as well as a fashion show. Argentina showcased her world-famous wines and a sensational Tango dance performance by the professionals Ezequiel Paludi & Geraldine Rojas. The group Antimufa delighted the guests playing Tango and Argentinian folk music with a refreshing moderm twist.
Ezequiel Paludi & Geraldine Rojas.
The Brussels-based Uzbek designer Dila Izamova presented her label Merossi, a fusion of millennial Uzbek silk and 21st century modernity, producing unique creations in limited editions.
Other Uzbek designers present at the event included: Umida Muminova, Fashion Home Muresak and Dilnoza Erkinova. The entire fashion show was under the oversight of the nestor of Uzbek fashion, Madam Xalida Kamilova, president of the Association of Uzbek Fashion Designers: “Osiyo Ramzi”.
NATO, Brigadier General Margarit Mihaylov presented a recognition plate to H.E. Mr. Dilyor Khakimov. Also in the picture Dr De Lara and colonel Anvarjon Akbarov, Liasion offier of the Mission of Uzbekistan to NATO.
In his address H.E. Mr. Dilyor Khakimov Ambassador of Uzbekistan welcomed the many guests. The Ambassador went on to mention: “This year Uzbekistan is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of its Independence. The years of independence saw an extensive work aimed at building a new state and society. Our ancient history, national identity, rich cultural heritage and spiritual values have been revived.
Today, under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev we are building on those accomplishments and continuing large-scale democratic reforms at a dynamic pace, which are aimed at strengthening the political and legal foundations of our state and society, modernizing the country, strengthening the role of parliament and political parties, and public control.
Uzbek fashion show, Designers’ Association of Uzbekistan.
The large-scale reforms which are underway in the country today mark the beginning of a new stage in our development – the era of New Uzbekistan, the New Renaissance. And today we have every reason to say that over a historically short period, a completely new atmosphere has been created in the country in the political, legal, socio-economic, scientific, spiritual and cultural terms.
In this regard, I am also pleased to say that our ties with the Netherlands are developing at a rapid pace. Netherlands for Uzbekistan has traditionally been a source of advanced technologies, knowledge, investment, and innovation in the economy, as well as an important partner in the formation and strengthening of democratic institutions, development of parliamentarism and civil society, the principles of a market economy, key sectors of public life, health, education, and many other areas.
H.E. Mr. Riaz Hamidullah, Ambassador of Bangladesh and H.E. Mr Pradeep Kumar Rawat, Ambassador of India.
We do appreciate the fact that European partners look at the new, changing Uzbekistan, perceive the country with a completely different view, and we can say that they are rediscovering it for themselves.
In this regard, I am pleased to inform you that a number of large investment projects are currently being implemented in Uzbekistan with European partners, of which the largest ever investments came to Uzbekistan from the Netherlands, namely the Dutch company Stone City Energy which is implementing a 1 billion euro project to build a thermal power plant in Surkhandarya regionof Uzbekistan.
H.E. Mr. Jorge Skinner-Klée Arenales, the Ambassador of Guatemala with Jan Dop, Director of Diplomatic Desk at from Russell Avocaten.
This and a number of other large projects give us the confidence that that Uzbekistan is emerging from the most difficult period of the global crisis.
The upcoming presidential elections on October 24th 2021.
Over the past five years, major changes have taken place in the electoral legislation of our country which raised our electoral system to a new level of quality. For the first time in the history of Uzbekistan, the next presidential elections will be held on the basis of the Electoral Code, adopted in June, 2019.
These elections are an extremely important political event that will be monitored by observers from nearly 50 countries of the world, as well as dozens of international organizations, including the full mission of OSCE ODIHR.
H.E. Mr. Dilyor Khakimov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan will do its best to ensure that upcoming elections are held on the basis of high democratic standards, growing political consciousness, and awareness of the citizens of the new Uzbekistan.
Before proceeding to the next stage of the evening, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to my dear friend Mayelinne De Lara for initiating this event and being so enthusiastic and supportive.
In conclusion, with great pride and honour I present to you this evening the best works of famous Uzbek fashion designers of national and modern dresses. With the great assistance of the “Symbol of Asia” Designers’ Association of Uzbekistan and personally its chairwoman Xalida Kamilova, we have received the works of best Uzbek couture that we happily showcase this evening” End quote.
The Diplomats’ Welcome After Summer Event certainly is a great occasion for networking and promotion.
Clingendael Director, Drs.Ron S. Ton, Netherlands Institue of International Relations and H.E. Mr. Jose Eduardo Malaya, Ambassador of the Philippines.
Attendees availed themselves of the opportunity to explore authentic Uzbek cuisine. Chef Mr. Sayfidi Mirzaev prepared a variety of dishes, including the world-famous and exquisite Uzbek Plov, Pilav or Osh. This classical dish proved to be a delight among our international friends.
Further on the program was a special motorcar show; Lexus presented their latest development to the Diplomatic Corps, the upcoming 2022 luxury collection.
H.E. Mr. Mario Oyarzábal, Ambassador of Argentina.
The second part of the program was dedicated to the co-founder of the Welcome After Summer Event in 2013; the Embassy of
Argentina, who is back at the event showcasing their Malbec and Torrontes wine, tango dancers, Argentinian musicians, a video featuring a diversity of attractions in every province including the great Buenos Aires along with an exhibition of pictures, brochures, crafts and wines.
H.E. Mr. Mario Oyarzábal, Ambassador of Argentina delivered his welcome remarks. In part, this is what he said “Good evening ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues, dear Ambassador of Uzbekistan, with whom we are sharing this event today, together with Diplomat Magazine. It is a great pleasure to be here this evening.
I´d like to start by thanking Mrs. De Lara and her team for hosting once again this VIII edition of Diplomats Welcome After Summer.
As many of you know, the Argentine embassy has regularly participated in this annual event, since its first edition 8 years ago. For us it´s a real pleasure to be part of this activity where the diplomatic community of The Hague meets again at the end of the summer.
H.E. Mr. Marc-Anthony Pace, Ambassador of Malta, H.E. Mr Tigran Balayan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia and H.E. Mr. Philippe Couvreur, Judge ad hoc, International Court of Justice.
For tonight we have prepared a tango show that will be performed by the Argentine dancers, Ezequiel and Geraldina, and a music show by Antimufa, a group of Argentinean musicians who are building on the musical tradition of the Río de la Plata, bringing back its spirit and flavor with a distinctive instrumentation. They play tango and Argentinean folk music.
This year, we are also delighted to invite you to visit the wonderful tourist destinations in Argentina, through videos and photographs.
Argentina has many particularities that have traveled the world in the mouths of its visitors. The easy-going personality of its people, friendly, fun and effusive; the typical gastronomy that goes from asado to mate, including regional dishes and sweet milk snacks; the traditional dances such as tango or other folklore expressions, with the different choreographic forms that it adopts in each region; the passion for Football and our main clubs and players, the fans, which fill stadiums and provoke proliferating demonstrations of support on every match; the typical games such as Truco, a card game in which luck and the ability to lie or deceive the opponent prevail, or the horse games in the outskirts of the city that reveal the strong influence of Spanish culture and the persistence of popular traditions; and, of course, the personality that each particular region has been able to maintain and strengthen over the years.
Argentinian wines.
We truly hope that in the near future you will be able to visit our country and enjoy its hospitality and natural beauties, as well as its gastronomy and wines.
We are truly proud to say that Argentina is a wine country that can be discovered and enjoyed from north to south. It offers a stunning diversity of terroirs and unparalleled natural beauty which along with the warmth of its people make it ideal to enjoy a unique experience. Hopefully tonight, through music and wine, you will all have a taste of our country!” End Quote
The VIII Diplomats’ Magazine Welcome After Summer reception was a memorable and festive occasion to connect with partners and colleagues after a long time. All left the Leonardo Royal Hotel in high spirit.
On 9 September 2021, the members and prospective members of the Business Circle Residentieorkest had the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the monumental new Amare Theatre.
After an introductory speech by General- and artistic director of the Business circle, Mr. Sven Arne Tepl, visitors were warmly welcomed to the tour.
Other speakers were: Anouk Talitsch – board member Business Circle. Jan Zoet – director Amare Theatre. Leontien Wiering business director Amare Theatre.
The Amare’s architect Mr. Thomas Offermans
The architect Mr. Thomas Offermans of Jo Coenen Architecten & Urbanists shared the Amare story with the visitors.
As of early 2022, the 6th floor of the theatre will become the home of the Royal Dutch Conservatory. The official inauguration of Amare theatre is set for November 2021.
The Amare Theatre, a colossal edifice in The Hague aims at becoming the venue for arts, education and meetings.
Introductory speech by General- and artistic director of the Business circle, Mr. Sven Arne Tepl.
The Concert Hall has 1500 seats, the Dans theatre (the theatre hall) has 1300 seats, the Conservatory Hall has 600 seats and the Amare Studio has 200 seats.
The building is 125 meters long, 38 meters high and 70 meters wide and has a floor space of 54,000 square meters.
It has been a pleasure and honour to have a preview of the majestic Amare Theatre. Bravo!
A concert and reception concluded the fabulous tour.
First Amare Tour for the exclusive Business Circle’s members.
It’s been 32 years since the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) was founded. The fourth meeting of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Nairobi in May 1976, after a decade long negotiation, finally agreed on a proposal known as the ‘Integrated Programme for Commodities’, the key element in which was the Common Fund.
It took another 13 more years before the fund, the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), could be launched formally in 1989 when enough member states ratified the treaty establishing the CFC. The Fund was intended to provide buffer stock and stock market support to those commodity dependent developing countries (CDDCs) to make the volatility of the commodity price tolerable. But the Fund was never in receipt of enough fund to make an intervention big enough to bring stability in the commodity market.
Accordingly, finally, member states came together in 2013 to review the structure and format of the fund and agreed to radically transform it in 2014 as an impact investment fund investing the commodity value chains to bring more productivity and resultant income for the smallholders and SMEs.
CFC projects vary from improving production and productivity of the commodities concerned to adding value through processing, finding new and innovative uses, value chain integration and price risk management. In all instances the projects aim to make commodity sector a source of sustainable growth by promoting efficient and sustainable commodity production, processing, and trade with resilient commodity value chains.
H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, Director-General of OPCW, and Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Director General of Common Fund for Commodities, Ms. Yvonne Mensah, Head of the Political Affairs and Protocol Branch of OPCW and Dr. Dilruba Nasrin, Belal’ spouse.
Over its 32 years of existence, the CFC has provided financing for around 440 projects in the total value of USD 798 million in more than 90 countries. The CFC currently operates as an impact investment fund, blending its own financial resources with those of public and international partners to support commodity sector development projects.
The chart below gives a snapshot of CFC’s activities and achievements during last 32 years.
H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias and Ambassador Belal launching the new CFC Website.
This anniversary came at a time when the international community remained gridlocked in the biggest public health crisis in a century. Nonetheless, in order to continue its critical work of providing much needed support to the smallholders and SMEs, CFC designed and hosted a new website on the eve of its 32nd anniversary. A brief ceremony was hosted in its headquarters in Amsterdam to launch the website while celebrating the anniversary. Due to the current applicable COVID-19 measures, the launching ceremony had to take place by teleconference with Mr. Andrey Kuleshov, Strategy and Development Advisor of CFC, acting as master of ceremony.
Guest of honour was H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the only Noble Laureate organisation in the Netherlands, who officially opened the new website. Mr. Arias was accompanied by Ms. Yvonne Mensah, Head of the Political Affairs and Protocol Branch of OPCW.
During the event, Ambassador Belal briefed H.E. Mr. Arias how CFC worked hard to keep its services open for the COVID-19 stricken business in the developing countries. CFC have been full of new initiatives even during the COVID-19 asserted Ambassador Belal. Not only CFC worked hard to propose and getting approved programs like “Emergency Liquidity Facility” to its Executive Board, whereby initially two million USD was allocated in aide to the COVID-19 affected projects. With this fund, CFC also extended enough flexibility to COVID-19 affected businesses in repaying their loans and other flexibilities so that businesses could continue to pay smallholders for their harvest, preferably in advance.
Throughout the COVID-19 , Ambassador Belal added, CFC continued to target critical weaknesses along the value chains affecting the smallholder producers, “which enabled us to achieve visible results with maximum efficiency” Ambassador Belal reaffirmed. Managing Director further mentioned the ongoing initiative on the formulation of a fund titled CIIF (Commodity Impact Investment Facility) and thereby enabling CFC to contribute more for alleviation of poverty.
Ambassador Arias wished CFC all the success for its efforts to alleviate more people from poverty and agreed that peace could only follow alleviation of poverty. Ambassador Belal stated that poverty alleviation is a multistakeholder mission and as such, urged all to extend their support to alleviate as many people as possible from poverty. Dr. Dilruba Nasrin, wife of Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal also participated in the ceremony.
The ancient coffin of Priest Psamtik has arrived in Dubai to be displayed for Egypt Pavilion visitors at Expo Dubai 2020.
The coffin of priest Psamtik, ‘the son of Pediosir’ is one of the colored wooden coffins that were recently discovered in the area of Saqqara by the archaeological mission of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
The coffin is decorated with a large necklace that ends with the heads of a falcon, with the goddess of sky “Nut” appears spreading her wings, carrying the two feathers of ‘Maat ‘(the goddess of truth and justice).
The center part of the coffin is decorated with religious incantations. Around its sides are two rows of “Was” deities holding a scepter in her hands. At the lower part of the coffin, two figures of the god of afterlife Anubis appear above his cottage standing in front of the deceased.
A group of modern replicas of King Tutankhamun have also arrived to be displayed at Egypt pavilion.
The collection of King Tutankhamun replicas include his golden mask, his own sarcophagus, the ‘Ka’ guardian statue of the king, the special festive chair as well as the golden king’s throne.
The notion of coffins in the ancient Egyptian civilization is of great significance from a religious and symbolic point of view, as it is the most important phase in the burial process and the place where the body of the deceased is prepared for the process of judgment in the afterlife.
The transfer of these artifacts comes to assure the keenness of all Egyptian state agencies to maximize all their capabilities to grant the success of the Egyptian participation in Expo Dubai 2020 and to ensure that Egypt’s pavilion reflect the significance of the country’s role and leadership as one of the most top tourist attractions and archaeological destinations in the world.
From Friday 8 October, the Hague string orchestra Ciconia Consort conducted by Dick van Gasteren will present the concert program Kaukasische Klanken. Together with soloist Isabelle van Keulen, Ciconia plays music from the Causcasus: a flourishing and exceptionally varied musical journey, full of Dutch premiers. Kaukasische Klanken will be played in Zutphen (October 8), The Hague (October 9), Delden (October 10) and Amsterdam (October 31).
Ciconia Consort starts the new concert season together with Isabelle van Keulen with music from the Caucasian countries. The mountainous region in EurAsia is at a crossroads of cultures; this results in an extraordinarily rich and varied musical culture and a concert with both folklore and meditative mysticism.
The concert program Kaukasische Klanken also includes musical works that have never been heard in the Netherlands before. The eastern-Arabic Mugham Poéme by Amirov, the lyrical and poetic film music Shushanic by Mirzoyan, and The Lost Balloon by the living Armeninan Hayrapetyan, full of ghostly cluster harmonies and airy melodic lines, make their debut in the Netherlands.
Tsintsadze transforms the folk music of the Gregorian countryside into art music in his work Miniatures on Georgian Folk Themes. Star soloist Isabelle van Keulen will show her versatile musical qualities in the virtuoso Mugham Poéme and the meditative mystical Vientulais Engelis by Vasks.
Friday, 17 September 2021, Nassau, Commonwealth of The Bahamas: Governor-General Sir Cornelius Smith sworn in as fifth Prime Minister of The Bahamas, The Hon Philip Davis, hitherto Leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition from the Progressive Liberal Party.
Davis (b. 7 June 1951) has experience serving in the capacity as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works and Urban Development from 2012 to 2017, before leading the opposition. In it in his position as Minister of Public Works and Urban Development that he became dear to Bahamians by building more than thousand homes for low-income families, and by improving the infrastructure throughout the state.
For further information: Prime Minister’s Office of The Bahamas: https://opm.gov.bs
23-24 September 2021, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany: Maltese President Dr. George Vella paid an official visit to Germany, wherein he was received for bilateral talks by his German counterpart, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Castle.
Subsequently during that Thursday, President Dr. Vella and the latter’s spouse, Miriam Vella, were welcomed to Berlin by the city-state’s Governing Mayor Michael Müller at the Brandenburg Gate. Thereafter the dignitaries headed for the Red Town Hall, wherein the Presidential Couple exchanged views with the Governing Mayor on issues of topicality, and signed Berlin’s Golden Guestbook.
For the Maltese president, the official visit to Berlin had an emphasis on culture – with a visit to the newly opened Humboldt Forum-, the strengthening of diplomatic ties as well as multilateralism on the world stage; not least because his visit took place as the UN high-level week was ongoing.
President Dr. Vella likewise visited the Checkpoint Charlie Museum and the Wall Memorial Museum, where he laid a wreath to commemorate the victims who lost their lives whilst attempting to flee across the wall.
On Friday, 24 September, the Presidential Couple partook at a reception held at the Adlon Hotel marking Malta’s 57th National Day, wherein the German Federal Government was represented by State Secretary in the Foreign Ministry, Miguel Berger.
President Dr. Vella is introduced by Ambassador Dr. Xuereb to Slovenia’s Ambassador Franc But, President pro tempore of the EU Ambassadors Group in Germany – Picture by Henri Estramant.
During his allocution therein, President Dr. Vella highlighted the importance of multilateralism for Europe, and the world, and announced the creation of the Foundation for National Unity, whose ultimate objective is the people themselves. He stated that the foundation is going to be set up for them, the people, and that the citizens themselves are the ones that will contribute towards, and gain from, it’s growth and vision.
On 15 September 2021, the International Criminal Court (ICC) held a Training for Counsel on Legal Tools with the participation of 216 lawyers from 46 States Parties to the Rome Statute and 12 non-States Parties, who are registered on the ICC List of Counsel and the List of Assistants to Counsel, and members of the legal teams currently active before the Court. This training was held online due to COVID-19 restrictions, and was organized with the financial support of the European Commission.
The training allowed participants to learn about the ICC Legal Tools Database (LTD) and its reference tools, making it possible for Counsel and their support staff to efficiently utilize these digital resources in their legal research, while providing for a better understanding of international criminal law and ICC jurisprudence.
The ICC’s Legal Tools collection is comprised of the LTD, together with several legal research and reference tools such as the Case Law Database, Case Matrix, the Elements Digest, and the Means of Proof Digest. The LTD is the leading online resource for retrieval of legal sources in international criminal law. It has several thousand users around the world and has seen more than 5 million annual hits in the past several years.
The database is freely accessible on the internet (https://www.legal-tools.org/). The LTD was created and is maintained with the financial support of the European Commission, and is administered by the Centre for International Law Research and Policy (CILRAP) which has also developed Lexsitus, an open-access digital capacity-development tool drawing on the LTD.
