Madagascar Ambassador presented credentials

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Madagascar Ambassador presented credentials

The King of the Netherlands and H.E. Mr. Jean Omer Beriziky, Ambassador of the Republic of Madagascar.

On 07 October 2020, H.E. Mr. Jean Omer Beriziky, Ambassador of the Republic of Madagascar presented his Letters of Credence to His Majesty King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands, accrediting him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Madagascar, H.E. Mr. Jean Omer Beriziky,

The official ceremony took place at the Nordeinde Palace in The Hague, followed by a private meeting, during which the relations between the two countries as well as various topics of common interest were discussed.

Ambassador of the Republic of Madagascar

Ambassador Beriziky expressed to His Majesty the King of the Netherlands the commitment of the Malagasy government and the Malagasy diplomatic mission to continue to strive for the strengthening of the already excellent relations between the two countries for the mutual interests of both nations.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Madagascar

Mladić Appeals Judgement

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Mladić Appeals Judgement

Statement by Serge Brammertz, Chief Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals on the occasion of Mladić Appeals Judgement

The Hague, 8 June 2021 – Following the issuance of the appeal judgment in the case of Prosecutor vs. Ratko Mladić, Serge Brammertz, Chief Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, gave the following statement to the press:

Today, Ratko Mladić, Commander of the Main Staff of the Bosnian Serb Army, was by final judgment convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for his crimes.

The Appeals Chamber rejected appeals filed by the defence and upheld the key findings of the Trial Chamber.

Mladić was found guilty for commanding violent ethnic cleansing campaigns across Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995. He was further convicted for commanding a campaign of crimes against the civilian population during the Siege of Sarajevo. He was also convicted for using the forces under his command to commit genocide against the Bosnian Muslim population of Srebrenica. Finally, he was convicted for taking UN peacekeepers hostage and using them as human shields.

The time has come to accept the truth.

Mladić ranks among the most notorious war criminals in modern history. He intentionally used his military command to attack, kill, torture, rape and expel innocent civilians for no reason other than their ethnicity and religion. He inflamed ethnic hatred and lied to those he purported to defend in order to justify his crimes. Given the power of life or death over thousands of innocent men and boys in Srebrenica, he ordered their total elimination and committed genocide.

Mladić should be condemned by all responsible officials in the former Yugoslavia and around the world. His name should be consigned to the list of history’s most depraved and barbarous figures.

This is not a judgment against the Serbian people, who Mladić and his supporters have manipulated for decades. Mladić’s guilt is his, and his alone.

With the conclusion of this case, the victims and survivors should be in the forefront of our thoughts.

The appeal judgment confirms again what they suffered. And it confirms the courage of the witnesses who came forward and told the truth.

On behalf of my Office, I would like to recognize the victims and survivors who never gave up on their quest for justice. We extend our deepest appreciation to them, because without them we would not have been able to do our work. We hope that today’s judgment provides them some measure of solace and a feeling that, despite all the harms they suffered and how long they waited, justice is possible.

I would also like to express our gratitude to the diplomatic community and the media, who supported our work for more than two decades. You played a critical role in ensuring that Mladić was finally held accountable for his crimes.

Ultimately, today’s judgment should also remind us of the justice that still needs to be achieved. Throughout the former Yugoslavia, thousands of war crimes suspects from all sides remain to be investigated and prosecuted.

National prosecutors and judges now have the responsibility to continue this work, and my Office pledges to provide them with our full support. Together we can ensure that all victims of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia are able to see those who wronged them answer for their crimes.

Ireland contributes €100,000 to OPCW’s Trust Fund for Syria Missions

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Ireland contributes €100,000 to OPCW’s Trust Fund for Syria Missions

Ireland provides support to the work of the OPCW’s missions and contingency operations in the Syrian Arab Republic

THE HAGUE, Netherlands–8 June 2021–The Government of Ireland is contributing €100,000 toward supporting the activities of the Trust Fund for Syria Missions at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The Fund supports the Organisation’s missions and contingency operations specifically related to the Syrian Arab Republic. Ireland’s contribution aims to assist in full elimination of the Syrian Chemical Weapons Programme and clarification of facts related to the alleged use of chemical weapons, in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention and relevant decisions of the policy-making organs of the OPCW.

The voluntary contribution was formalised on 7 June by the Permanent Representative of Ireland to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Kevin Kelly, and OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, at the Organisation’s headquarters in The Hague.

Ambassador Kelly remarked: “Ireland is pleased to make this voluntary contribution to the OPCW Trust Fund for Syria. This contribution serves to demonstrate Ireland’s unwavering support for the Organisation’s efforts towards eliminating the menace of chemical weapons in Syria. Through this contribution, Ireland seeks to follow up our repeated calls for accountability for Syrian victims with practical assistance towards the delivery of that goal.” 

H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, Director General OPCW and H.E. Mr. Kevin Erik, Ambassador of Ireland.

The Director-General noted: “I am grateful to the Government of Ireland for its assistance in maintaining OPCW’s critical mission in Syria. The international community has a shared responsibility to bring to light all facts related to the existence and use of chemical weapons in that country.”

Ireland has been an active member of the OPCW since the Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force in 1997.

As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.

Over 98% of all declared chemical weapon stockpiles have been destroyed under OPCW verification. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.

President Agius briefs UN Security Council on progress of Mechanism’s work

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President Agius briefs UN Security Council on progress of Mechanism’s work

Arusha, The Hague, 9 June 2021 – The President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism), Judge Carmel Agius, yesterday presented the Mechanism’s eighteenth progress report to the United Nations Security Council by video-teleconference from The Hague.

President Agius opened his address by informing the Security Council that, in its Judgement pronounced just a few hours earlier, the Appeals Chamber of the Mechanism had affirmed Mr. Ratko Mladić’s convictions and the sentence of life imprisonment imposed on him by a Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Reflecting on the broader impact of the Judgement, the President underscored: “The issuance of the final Judgement sends a strong message to victims of atrocities committed in the former Yugoslavia and elsewhere, that perpetrators of such heinous crimes will ultimately be brought to justice, regardless of their position or how powerful and untouchable they consider themselves to be.” He invited Members of the Council to read the Judgement, which is publicly available on the Mechanism’s website.

In relation to other cases before the Mechanism, President Agius confirmed that judgements in both the StaniĆĄić & Simatović retrial and the Nzabonimpa et al. contempt trial are also expected to be delivered by the end of June 2021. In the case against Mr. FĂ©licien Kabuga, a Status Conference was held on 1 June and a pre-trial work plan was recently announced.  

Turning to the Mechanism’s responsibilities in the area of enforcement, the President conveyed deep appreciation for the invaluable contribution of the 15 United Nations Member States in Africa and Europe that are currently enforcing the sentence of one or more convicted persons. He expressed sincere hope that additional States will step forward and enter into enforcement agreements with the United Nations for the same purpose.

Further with respect to Member States’ cooperation, President Agius reiterated that the Mechanism depends on the international community’s assistance to resolve the longstanding situation of the acquitted and released persons in Arusha. Emphasising the fundamental importance of resettling these individuals, the President noted that the Security Council’s continued leadership, and the cooperation and support of Member States, are essential in tackling this situation once and for all.

President Agius then drew the Council’s attention to his letter of 11 May 2021 informing Member States of the Republic of Serbia’s continued failure to comply with its international obligations to arrest and surrender Mr. Petar Jojić and Ms. Vjerica Radeta to the Mechanism. He noted that over six years have passed since the ICTY first requested Serbia to execute arrest warrants in relation to these accused persons, and that this is the third time that Serbia’s failure to cooperate has been reported to the Security Council. Finally, President Agius emphasised that “Serbia’s inaction not only undermines the effective administration of justice before the Mechanism, but also defies the international community by challenging the Security Council’s authority and the United Nations Charter.”

In concluding, President Agius paid tribute to the Council and the international community at large, whose support he considers to be the â€œbackbone of the Mechanism’s success”. After thanking the Mechanism’s Host States, its enforcement States and all Security Council Members for their unwavering support and admirable commitment, the President encouraged others “to follow suit so that the Mechanism lives up to its potential and that international criminal justice delivers on its promise”.   

Civil Society Reforms in Uzbekistan

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Civil Society Reforms in Uzbekistan

By Eldor Tulyakov, Executive Director, Development Strategy Center Uzbekistan.

Upon Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s election as President of Uzbekistan in 2016, the role of a robust civil society became the cornerstone of development for a new period in the country’s history. Radical reforms have embraced all aspects of our society’s political and social life—with NGOs and civil society institutions the locus for reimagining the state’s role in our lives.

With this purpose in mind, President Mirziyoyev presented a flagship program known as the Strategy of Actions where he outlines the five priority areas for the country’s midterm development: enhancing the role played by civil society institutions in public life, mainly through the media, improving the activities and capacity of non-governmental organizations, developing and introducing effective mechanisms for public engagement in all levels of governance, strengthening the institutional framework, primarily through legal structures, to ensure the effective operation of civil society institutions, support of those institutions, and foster their initiative in exercising public engagement over the activities of state bodies.

Public engagement in the context of the changes underway in Uzbekistan means a constant discourse between state institutions and the people they are obligated to serve. Only then do we make decisions on critical socio-political issues. We provide ample opportunities for the active participation of non-governmental, non-profit organizations in the social protection of the population. Through these means, we will strengthen public health, ameliorate environmental concerns, provide a balanced education for our youth, increase citizens’ medical and legal knowledge, among many other reforms. As a result of we have seen a considerable increase in non-governmental, non-profit organizations, and other civil society institutions’ activities following in the words of the President, “
it is not the people should serve the state, but the state must serve the people.” [1]

In particular, because we submit draft laws, decrees, resolutions, and other normative legal acts for public discussion and examination before adoption, we often avoid the emergence of problems, whether intentional or not, at an early stage in development. The media and social media often play an essential role in fostering public criticism of government agencies and public officials.

In turn, we created Virtual[2] and People’s Receptions[3] of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to ensure human rights and interests, establish a dialogue with people, carefully study and resolve problems and people’s needs. These structures form a mechanism for in-depth analysis of the effectiveness of both state-run and executive management efforts. We can monitor local issues through objective criteria and assess their activities, thus holding responsible state institutions and officials accountable to society. To further strengthen the legislative basis for accommodating grievances, the Law “On Appeals of Individuals and Legal Entities” was adopted in a new iteration of legislative activity.[4]

Today, People’s receptions in all regions, cities, and districts have switched to an active system of identifying and solving problems through door-to-door visits to families.[5] Through this grassroots effort, we ensure transparency of direct dialogue with the population, identifying solutions to issues at the local level while protecting individuals and legal entities’ rights, freedoms, and legal interests. People’s receptions are empowered to conduct systematic studies of state bodies. Based upon their conclusions, they then introduce submissions to state bodies for consideration. Many of those submissions have proposed disciplinary action against officials who have broken the law, including their dismissal.

In 2020 alone, the President’s virtual reception and People’s receptions received about 1.2 million applications. As a result of the information and eye-witness testimonies provided by the People’s Receptions of the President, 752 senior officials who did not work according to our system’s guidelines were brought to justice.[6] Recently, we observe a trend where all ministries have adopted virtual portals on their websites to receive applications and complaints from citizens. The expansion of this system has meant timely resolution of emerging issues.

Furthermore, responsible officials at all levels, working on the ground in the mahallas, identify gaps in improving the population’s living standards, gather the general opinion of their citizens regarding reforms, and organize their efforts on this basis.[7] Also, the Government has formed a system for organizing regular community, face-to-face receptions with the Presidential Administration officials, ministries and agencies, Khokims of regions, cities, and districts in the outlying regions. In 2020 alone, we held more than 19 thousand such field receptions. We took measures to solve more than 124 thousand issues from approximately 120 thousand representatives of the population.[8]

When drafting annual state programs within the framework of the tasks defined by the Strategy of Actions, officials closely study and consider topical issues raised by the population. We prioritize longstanding problems, proposals submitted by civil society institutions and non-governmental organizations, and critical analysis brought forth by the media and social media networks. After completing a vetting process, we present a draft program for public discussion. It is adopted and sent for implementation only after considering the opinions, proposals, and recommendations of ordinary people, experts, and representatives of international organizations.[9]

In the renewed Uzbekistan, every individual holds the constitutional right to freedom of thought, speech, and belief. Their right to search, receive and disseminate information through their interests is held inviolate, an achievement rightfully acknowledged by the international community.[10] In particular, under the President’s insistence, state bodies opened their “closed doors” and ensured transparency in their activities. The President regularly follows social networks, national and foreign media, and other sources about the societal problems that concern the public. In due course, he sometimes reprimands responsible leaders who are indifferent to resolving these issues. He sometimes applies disciplinary sanctions, even releases them from office, and calls on civil society institutions to be uncompromising in these processes.[11]

Under the initiative of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, public officials introduced effective mechanisms of this institution into the law “On Public Control” adopted in 2018.[12] This law regulates Government and Governmental organizations’ relations with citizens, citizens’ self-government bodies, non-governmental, non-profit organizations, and the media in organizing and furthering a public discourse over the implementation of legislative acts.

Also, by the Decree of the President, Public Councils were created as branches of state bodies. These councils are called upon to exercise a mechanism of accountability over a state body and its officials on implementing adopted regulations, programs, agreements, contracts, projects, and programs implemented within the social partnership framework. Besides, these councils take an active part in systematic monitoring and comprehensive analysis of public opinion on the activities of a state body on the most critical issues affecting the rights, freedoms, and legitimate interests of citizens, the development and implementation of state programs, and other programs in the field of combating corruption. Thus, accountability to the public is essential for building a stable and free civil society in the new Uzbekistan. Accordingly, organizing fruitful cooperation between state and public organizations and ensuring the effectiveness of reforms – is the core of the updated policy.

One must openly admit that although there are about 9,200 non-governmental, non-profit organizations in Uzbekistan[13], many of them have not found their place and role in the public life of Uzbekistan and have shown negligible results from their activities.  Meanwhile, citizen participation, citizens’ self-governing bodies, non-governmental, non-profit organizations, and the media engaged in the current reforms lagged woefully behind international standards. In particular, most civil society institutions, having legal powers to hold public hearings, to discuss issues related to state bodies and their officials, issues of great social significance, did not pay due attention to this responsibility.

Under the President’s initiative, facilities to house NGOs are being installed in all regions of the country, which, one by one, are transferred to the disposal of independent institutions of civil society. Also, they are provided with training on legal issues pertaining to their field to participate and receive national and international grant competitions. Practical assistance is provided in establishing close cooperation with international organizations. In short, to establish social justice, NGOs are actively supported, which serve to further equality, mutual responsibility, and accountability in the individual, society, and the state.[14]

Nevertheless, due to concrete support by the Government, activities among institutions engaged in the civil sphere have increased. In particular, one should note that last year, in the context of a pandemic, under the initiative of NGOs, NGOs carried out a tremendous amount of work in the fight against coronavirus. Charity events and all efforts to protect the health of citizens were highly effective.[15]

The adoption in March of this year by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of a resolution[16] and a decree[17] aimed at strengthening the development of civil society represents another step towards the development of civil society in Uzbekistan.  These two legal documents aim to ensure transparency among NGOs so that stakeholders can be aware of their activities. Ensuring civil society institutions’ transparency has been noted as one of the main directions of the “Concept for developing civil society in 2021–2025.” This decree goes a long way in adding teeth to these efforts in the form of a legal document.

According to the Decree, beginning April 1, 2021, an Index measuring the transparency of non-governmental and non-profit organizations will be introduced. At the end of each year, we will formulate their rating based on a matrix of non-governmental, non-profit organizations’ activities. Factors contributing to this matric will be the degree of social partnership, the effectiveness of allocated subsidies, grants, social orders, and other vital indicators.

Also, from now on, information on the activities of non-governmental, non-profit organizations will be posted on their official website, the website www.e-ngo.uz, or on other open-source information portals. Based on the data and assessments made by the public, we will formulate an index of NGO openness at the end of each year. Simultaneously, the primary indicators are summarized in real-time and will be available for general review. In deciding the Openness Index’s final result, broad participation of governmental and non-governmental organizations, particularly the public, is ensured. Based on the results of the Openness Index, lists (ratings) will be formed for “the top 20 most transparent non-governmental, non-profit organizations” and “the top 20 most active non-governmental, non-profit organizations”.

The aim is for the proposed rating system to popularize and further the acceptance by the mainstream society of the positive work conducted by non-governmental and non-profit organizations—thus making them a role model for others. Recommendations (vouchers, certificates) for receiving state grants and social orders within the social partnership framework will be issued. According to newly established procedures, the state will take proper measures to strengthen the material and technical infrastructure (office equipment, computers, other technical means, provision of buildings, etc.) for these nascent organizations. Moreover, through these new measures, we foresee further developing cooperation with government agencies and international organizations.

In conclusion, one should take special note that the President is deeply aware of how important and necessary the third sector’s role is on the path of Uzbekistan’s progressive development. In this regard, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev promotes ideas and initiatives that promise to establish a systemic and effective dialogue between citizens and civil society institutions under international standards. He seeks a multi-vector approach that combines all levels of society’s efforts to develop a State that ensures the adherence to our values as a country and a practical approach to the betterment of the lives of its citizens.

[1] Tulyakov E. Reforms in the public administration system are a bold step towards the third renaissance https://strategy.uz/index.php?news=1070

[2] Information and legal portal https://www.norma.uz/uz/bizning_sharhlar/prezident_virtual_qabulhonasining_yangi_talqini_ishga_tushirildi

[3] National legislation database https://lex.uz/docs/4166965  

[4] National legislation database. https://lex.uz/docs/3336171 

[5] National legislation database. https://lex.uz/docs/4166965

[6] Site of the newspaper “Yangi Ozbekiston”.https://yuz.uz/news/2020-yilda-prezident-xalq-qabulxonalariga-1-milliondan-ortiq-murojaat-kelib-tushgan

[7] Governmental portal of the Republic of Uzbekistan. https://gov.uz/uz/pages/government_sites

[8] Applications and suggestions received by the People’s Receptions serve as the basis for large projects and programs. “Yangi Uzbekiston” newspaper, 2021 January 5, No. 2.http://online.anyflip.com/brpug/atkd/mobile/index.html

[9] Development Strategy Center website.https://strategy.uz/index.ph p?news=119&lang=uz

[10] Website of the newspaper “Yangi Uzbekistan” https://yuz.uz/news/soz-erkinligi-barqaror-taraqqiyot-masalalariga-hamnafas 

[11] Mirzieyov Sh. Our people need gas, and many of them are paying for it honestly and on time. https://review.uz/oz/post/xalqimizga-gaz-kerak-ularning-kopchiligi-buning-uchun-tolovlarni-oz-vaqtida-halol-qilib-tolab-kelmoqda-shavkat-mirziyoyev

[12] National legislation database. https://lex.uz/docs/3679092  

[13] Portal of non-governmental non-profit organizations of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan  http://e-ngo.uz/

[14] Sattarova G., “On the support of NGOs within State program”https://uza.uz/uz/posts/davlat-dasturida-nntlarni-qollab-quvvatlash-xususida_240877

[15] Site of the charitable public fund of Uzbekistan “Mahalla”. https://obfm.uz/uz/news/2020/09/22/pandemiya-davrida-saxovat-va-komak-jamgarmasi-ehtiyojmand-oilalarga-qariyb-105-milliard-som-naqd-pul-tarqatdi

[16] Website of the National Information Agency of Uzbekistan. https://uza.uz/uz/posts/nodavlat-notizhorat-tashkilotlarini-davlat-tomonidan-qollab-quvvatlash-ularning-faoliyati-erkinligi-huquqlari-va-qonuniy-manfaatlari-himoya-qilinishini-taminlashga-oid-qoshimcha-chora-tadbirlar-togrisida_245986

[17] Website of the National Information Agency of Uzbekistan. https://uza.uz/uz/posts/2021-2025-yillarda-fuqarolik-zhamiyatini-rivozhlantirish-koncepciyasini-tasdiqlash-togrisida_246489

Culture must be at the heart of our response to the COVID-19 crisis

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Culture must be at the heart of our response to the COVID-19 crisis

UAE Minister of State Zaki Nusseibeh and King Tupou VI of Tonga. Picture by Gabby Wantok Abariga

By Minister of State Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to HH The President of the United Arab Emirates, Chancellor of United Arab Emirates University 

There can be no doubt that the coronavirus pandemic presents a serious challenge to humanity. Yet we must ensure that it is our core humanity, and the values of collaboration, compassion and creativity, that remain at the very heart of our response to this crisis. 

Given my responsibility for overseeing the UAE’s cultural diplomacy, I understand the vital role that culture plays in expressing and reinforcing these values. So, despite the obvious practical challenges, now is not the time to pause our cultural diplomacy; instead, we must accelerate it. 

Therefore, whilst theatres, concert halls and galleries are closing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is working hard to keep the stage lights shining. Several UAE ambassadors have been hosting a series of online discussions with cultural leaders in their host countries, from Australia to Singapore, from the UK to Japan, and from Chile to the United States.

This global dialogue has revealed that cultural institutions everywhere are struggling to deal with the impact of the pandemic, but they are also innovating and finding new ways to reach their audiences. Most importantly, the conversations have consistently highlighted how cultural exchange can help to ensure we emerge stronger from this human tragedy, with our progressive values reinforced. 

The first of those values is collaboration. We cannot defeat this virus alone. We depend on others in our community to behave responsibly and care for each other, and the same is true of the international community. Countries should not put up walls in response to this threat; they must recognize that the only way out of this pandemic is through cooperation. So, we need to break down barriers and show we are all in this together. 

One of the best ways to do that is by connecting to our common humanity through culture. As one UAE ambassador put it in the symposium: â€œIt is our duty to reach the hearts and minds of the people of the countries we are in.” Cultural exchange can be a powerful antidote to the politics of division. 

In the Japanese edition of the symposium, we learned how these human connections can be reflected in architecture. Ahmed Bukhash’s design for the Expo Live Pavilion was inspired by a meeting in a Bedouin tent between the late Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid which initiated the cooperation that led to the founding of the UAE. But the Pavilion’s design is also influenced by Japanese origami art, so the spirit of collaboration between two emirates is today intertwined with that between two nations.

The second value that will help us defeat this virus is compassion. There is a risk that people and countries turn inwards during this crisis, to focus exclusively on the needs of their own families or citizenry. This is of course their primary responsibility. But this pandemic has revealed that we are only as strong as the weakest link and the only way for humanity to emerge stronger from this crisis is if we care for the vulnerable. 

The symposia have heard from cultural leaders about the role of culture in engaging, entertaining and even providing solace to vulnerable people in these stressful times. When people are isolated, when loved ones are sick, and when the world outside appear alienating, cultural engagement can make people feel part of a shared experience, that they are not alone. 

It is this same compassion that is reflected in the provision of aid to vulnerable communities around the world. As of mid-May, the UAE had provided 523 tonnes of medical and food aid to 47 countries. As the UAE ambassador to Chile reminded viewers of the symposium, it is important to send a message that â€˜we don’t forget anyone’. 

An act of kindness can say a lot about a country’s culture. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said recently that he will ‘always remember the friends and partners who have supported us during this difficult time.’ As such, it can also serve as a powerful example of public diplomacy. 

The third value is that of creativity. The production of culture always demands creativity, but the COVID-19 pandemic has required even more extraordinary innovation in the methods of producing cultural output and delivering it to audiences. 

In the symposium, we heard about the Aga Khan Museum’s experience with their â€˜Museum Without Walls’, where visitors can tour its collections online. During the crisis, the curators have been doing 3D â€˜video walk-throughs’ of their collections, to bring the collections to life for viewers. 

Indeed, despite the challenges, we have heard how many are seeing this as an opportunity to experiment. They recognize that going online gives them the chance to reach a much wider audience. They are putting their creative minds to work on questions such as how to maintain the same quality of experience in the digital space. This innovative process will have lasting benefits. 

However, it would be wrong to paint a picture that is too rosy. We have heard time and again of the struggle of many cultural institutions and their employees, as well as many artists, musicians and writers, as their revenues have disappeared overnight. If we value their work, which we all surely do, we need collectively to make sure that they survive the crisis and open their doors again when it becomes safe to do so. 

This crisis, like all crises, will leave its mark on culture. Our experience will be represented in cultural works that for generations to come will express both the pain of this period and, I hope, the beauty of how humanity came together in response. It will also have a lasting impact on the way we produce and deliver cultural works. 

For now, however, my priority is to ensure that we make use of culture to help us get through this pandemic more united, more compassionate and more creative than ever before. Given what I have seen so far in this global cultural dialogue, I am convinced that we will succeed. 

Source : https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/culture-must-heart-our-response-covid-19-crisis-zaki-nusseibeh/?trackingId=5h82lGkSpwXTP2L6W8TcBg%3D%3D 

Republished with the kind permission of H.E. Minister of State Zaki Nusseibeh.  

Nine Centuries of Jewish Life in Thuringia

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Nine Centuries of Jewish Life in Thuringia

By Tina Beer, State Secretary for Cultural Affairs of Thuringia, Germany

Jewish life is an indisputable part of Thuringia. The Free State in Central Germany and its state government are proud it exists and flourishes. This is expressed in the current theme year “Nine Centuries of Jewish Life in Thuringia”. Based on an initiative of the two large Christian churches in Thuringia, it was initiated to show the influence of Jewish culture in Thuringia over the centuries, the eventful history of its flourishing, its suppression and its revival, also and especially in the countryside, away from the large metropolises. Above all, however, the theme year is intended to sharpen the view of how enriching Jewish life is for our entire society in the present and the future.

Under the auspices of the Thuringian State Chancellery, stakeholders from science, education, culture, museums, archives, private and public institutions and associations came together in autumn 2019. The result was a programme with over 150 events and projects throughout Thuringia. The main projects – in addition to “Torah is Life” and the three music festivals that have been firmly established in Thuringia for years, “Days of Jewish-Israeli Culture”, “Yiddish Summer Weimar” and “Achava Festival” – are the virtual reconstruction of the Great Synagogue in Erfurt and the MENORA project.

Inside Berkach Synagogue (photo courtesy TSK/Michael Reichel)

The interactive portal MENORA (www.juedisches-leben-thueringen.de), set up and maintained by the Thuringian University and State Library (ThULB) in cooperation with the Association for Jewish-Israeli Culture in Thuringia, provides information about historical testimonies, as well as current events.

The portal functions as an event calendar, a topology of Jewish places in Thuringia and a digital exhibition platform all in one. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, buildings can also be digitally resurrected and become virtually accessible. Therefore, one of the highlighted projects of the theme year is a “virtual reality” reconstruction of the Great Synagogue of Erfurt, which is being created under the direction of the Historic Museums of the City of Erfurt. The striking building was destroyed in the Pogrom Night of 1938 and later demolished.

“Torah is Life” is another unique project: Over a period of two years in total, a specially authorised sofer (a Jewish scribe) will write a new Torah scroll, which will be ceremoniously brought into Erfurt’s main synagogue on 30 September 2021 as a gift from the two Christian churches to the Thuringian Jewish community. This 30 September originally marked the end of the theme year and, just like its beginning on 1 October 2020, is based on the Jewish calendar.

Old Synagogue Erfurt (photo courtesy TSK/Paul-Philipp Braun)

After the opening event for the theme year on 1 October 2020, which was still possible to hold as a face-to-face event in Erfurt’s Kaisersaal with restrictions due to the pandemic, practically all other projects from November 2020 onwards had to be cancelled or transferred to a digital format. In the digital formats, participants were welcomed from far beyond Thuringia.

In order to be able to hold non-digital formats as well, it was decided to extend the theme year until 31 December 2021. All cancelled events are to be made up as soon as possible, as soon as the pandemic allows – even after 2021, if necessary. Although the digitalisation of event formats has taken a quantum leap forward due to the Corona pandemic, we miss coming together for music, culture, readings, discussions, visiting exhibitions. It will soon be possible again – Thuringia is looking forward to it!

More information can also be found at:

https://www.visit-thuringia.com/travel-hotel-holiday-tour/juedische-kultur-geschichte-160409.html.

Thuringia’s State Secretary for Culture, Tina Beer (photo courtesy ThĂŒringer Staatskanzlei – TSK)

Improving the Business and Investment Environment in Madagascar

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Improving the Business and Investment Environment in Madagascar

“Business relations between the Netherlands and Madagascar are generally good, although not very extensive,” said Arne Doornebal of the Netherlands-African Business Council. “Over the past few years we have been working together with the Malagasy Embassy on two programmes aimed at increasing these business relations. In the past editions of Biofach in Nuremberg-Germany, the largest trade fair for organic food products in the world, we brought a group of Malagasy entrepreneurs that jointly participated in a country pavilion: ‘Madagascar – truly authentic.’ This enables them to highlight a united business sector internationally” according to Mr. Doornebal. 

Then there is a 3-year programme called New Origins for Sustainable Spices (NOSS), whereby six international companies, active in spice trading, jointly work on improving the quality and the quantity of spices that are sourced from Tanzania and Madagascar. “We often see a mismatch between supply and demand,” Mr. Doornebal explained. “Spices traders in Europe have high expectations on the quality and how the spices are handled. The aim of NOSS is to increase the quantity and quality of spices from Tanzania and Madagascar, by way of knowledge transfer, demonstrations, farmer capacity building and the development of standards.

Currently NOSS, together with the CTHT (Centre Technique Horticole de Tamatave), is operating 3 clove/cinnamon demo farms in eastern Madagascar and training 4 Malagasy spice exporters in food safety and quality control by way of blended learning. Furthermore, the NOSS program maintains a dialogue on quality improvement on sector and exporter level, aiming for a group visit to Madagascar in November to reignite this dialogue and visit potential new suppliers.”

The NABC and the Economic Development Board of Madagascar (www.edbm.mg), the Malagasy Government’s investment promotion agency, have established a strategic partnership which is “essential for the promotion of the spices and essential oils sectors in Madagascar”, according to Andry Ravalomanda, General Manager of the EDBM. “In more than one way, it is a growth lever on which the Malagasy private sector can rely to contract with leading international buyers”.

E-Gouvernance, Major Reforms Under Way

H.E. Mr Jean Omer Beriziky, Ambassador of the Republic of Madagascar accredited to the Kingdom of the Netherlands underlines that “one of the Malagasy Government’s priorities is to improve the business climate and to facilitate investments”.

A major reform has been launched for several years to set up an e-governance system that will lead Madagascar to the digitalization of its public administration. The Reform Program for Administration Efficiency (PREA) is the spearhead of this reform with the mission to developing Malagasy public administration efficiency. Financed by the World Bank in the amount of 140 million dollars, all the changes that the program is willing to accomplish should systematically go through the overhaul of the civil status to set up a unique identification system.

baobab allee, Madagascar.

One part of these reforms will be carried out under the Malagasy Identity Digital Governance Project (PRODIGY). The PRODIGY plans to award a unique identifier number to physical and legal entities. This will facilitate information management on citizens, but also it will avoid any kind of corruption that may occur in the public sector. Through the unique identifier, social welfare will be more spontaneous and easier.

This would improve as well the public service for the benefit of Malagasy citizens, national and foreign investors.

As regards investment facilitation, the EDBM is equally undertaking a digital shift to assist economic operators. With the support of the World Bank, the PRODIGY project, and the Digital Governance Unit (UGD) under the aegis of the Presidency of the Republic of Madagascar, EDBM is dematerializing the company creation process through the implementation of the digital platform www.orinasa.edbm.mg.

Antananarivo, Madagascar.

Eventually, the other services of the EDBM’s One stop shop, dedicated for investors will be equally available on the platform namely visas, work permits, resident’s cards, specific approvals, and authorizations, etc.

The Ambassador Jean Omer Beriziky (info@ambassademadagascar.be) encourages investors and operators in the Benelux countries to develop their businesses in his promising country, suitable for all markets thanks to its huge and untapped potentialities among them agribusiness, energy, ITC, infrastructure, tourism, mines, etc.

Malagasy delegation at Biofach in Nuremberg-Germany

Hard and Soft Security Issues in the Mediterranean

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Hard and Soft Security Issues in the Mediterranean

Mediterranean: Fragile but Pivotal

Highlighting the speech by His Excellency George Vella, President of the Republic of Malta


On May 19th, as part of the Geneva Lecture Series concepted and conducted by prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, numerous international affairs specialists, faculty fellows, practitioners and diplomats gathered for an event on the hard and soft security issues in the Mediterranean. The speech “Hard and Soft Security Issues in the Mediterranean” given by the President of the Republic of Malta, His Excellency George Vella, was the highlight of this highly mesmerizing two-hour event.

Opening the event, the University Rector of UMEF reminded the audience that “the Country’s meaning, reputation and position is well beyond its physical size: Malta is European, island and Mediterranean country, yet at the very gate of Afro-Asia. Country is enriched by fascinating layers of millennial history (better to say histories), but also with a clear, dynamic and vibrant promise of inclusive and sustainable tomorrow for all generations of Maltese and Europeans. Hence, Malta (with its past) is a journey, but it is a (our common) destination, too.”

During his lecture, President Vella gave a comprehensive analysis and explanation of the key current security issues in the Mediterranean, in which he discussed a variety of topics, such as: the hard security threats -especially Libya, the Middle East Peace Process, an assessment of the developments in Iran, and the matter of small weapons;  soft security threats; horizontal issues; the launch of a new European Union Agenda for the Mediterranean, and the role that Malta has played in addressing these security issues in the Mediterranean. Here you may find a synopsis of these main topics discussed by the President of Malta in his speech during the conference.

President Vella began his intervention by stating that developments in the Mediterranean should not only be of concern only to Malta since the repercussions of what happens in the region expand to all other parts of the world. Along with this, the President affirmed that the region is very diverse and not as homogeneous as some may think. He made distinctions between Western, Central, and Eastern Mediterranean perspectives and the changing realities that drive them.

His Excellency then addressed the hard security threats in the Mediterranean through a political sphere, since there are no current military threats in the region.

He began by undertaking the situation in Libya caused by the instability in government leadership, which has caused hardship, uncertainty, and difficulties in managing irregular migration flows transiting in Libya and into Europe. The President stated that “Following several comings and goings, meetings and conferences, lives lost, and constant meddling by external regional players for their own gains, we are now looking at a proverbial light at the end of the tunnel”. He also believes that “The United Nations has admittedly saved the day through careful and patient negotiations, but we should think of a more visible and hands-on stabilising presence of the UN in the country”.  His excellency affirmed that it is time for the international community to engage with Libya to demonstrate support for the new transitional government, and the peace that it will bring along with it.

President Vella then proceeded to tackle the Middle East Peace Process in which he stated that as of now there is “no peace and hardly any process to achieve it”. The President addressed the current escalating conflicts between Israel and Palestine with much sorrow for the hardships of the populations involved.  He observes that “This is not the time for repetitive, weak statements that are of no substance and are shelved in the bottom drawer. He called upon the international community to act on this matter and in defense of the innocent lives that are being lost every day.

President Vella also briefly addressed the developments in Iran in which he underlined the importance for the new US administration to re-join the Iran Nuclear Deal (the JCPOA) to ensure its full implementation. 

Moreover, he tackled the production, procurement, and distribution of light arms and small weapons and ammunitions which he described as the one of the biggest threats to the Mediterranean. He observed that major powers produce and supply weapons and ammunition instead of controlling their sales and flow. He sees this as imminent challenge because “The proliferation of small arms and light weapons leads to conflict, displaced civilian populations, death of innocent people, while creating general instability and humanitarian crises”.

President Vella then took on the topic of soft security threats which he began by affirming that these are just as dangerous and disruptive for the region as the hard ones. The main issues of this characteristic that were addressed by the President included: migration and human trafficking, terrorism and extremism, inequalities and economic disparities, as well as organized crime such as illegal trafficking of drugs, contraband of oil, and money laundering.

Touching upon the migration issues, President Vella urged the EU Member States for “tangible solidarity” in helping to mitigate them as this has not been the case so far.

Further on, he stressed the importance of economic reforms in the region that must owned by the countries themselves, and not outsiders, to promote educational opportunities in hopes to find solutions for these soft security challenges in the future.

Alongside this, His Excellency tackled the matter of ‘horizontal issues’ which also pose threats to the Mediterranean and gave the examples of climate change and the preservation and protection of the marine environment, regarding which he stated that “In order to address this wide range of challenges there has to be a comprehensive strategy that is also effective on the ground and with the population”. He undertook these issues by affirming that they put even more pressure on the already scare resources and drive massive levels of migration in search for higher standards of living.

Additionally, the President of Malta called upon the launch of a new European Union Agenda for the Mediterranean. He stated that many of the already existing proposals have been discussed time and time again but have proven to be “non-starters” or have not had the expected results. It is imperative for goals set on paper to be actually transformed into actions that benefit the population.

Lastly, President Vella addressed the role that Malta has played in addressing these threats. He stated that regional and sub-regional initiatives such as the Union for the Mediterranean are they key to resolving this issue and describes the political climate as a “laboratory for Parliamentary Diplomacy”. Moreover, he affirmed that Malta participates in multiple fora as the 5+5 dialogue, the EU MED 7, and the commonly known Malta Initiative. 

The President of the Republic of Malta, His Excellency, George Vella, closed his intervention by stating that the doors to dialogue must always remain open no matter what and that we must speak and listen to one another at all times no that there may be hope in resolving these issues.

About the author:

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Isabella Maria Bello Arocha

Madrid-based junior researcher specialized in law and international relations. Covers International Institute IFIMES before the UNWTO and other Iberia-based international organizations.

The Greening of Eurasia

Diplomat Magazine
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The Greening of Eurasia

On the International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. This leg of the Vienna Process titled: “Europe – Future – Neighborhood at 75: Disruptions Recalibration Continuity”. The conference, jointly organized by the Modern Diplomacy, IFIMES and their partners, with the support of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, was aimed at discussing the future of Europe and its neighbourhood in the wake of its old and new challenges.[1] 

Along with the two acting State Presidents, the event was endorsed by the keynote of the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Excellency OlivĂ©r VĂĄrhelyi. Besides discussing the strategic neighbourhood and the Union’s approach to it, underlaying leitmotif was deliverability of the Union’s ambitious New Green Deal for Europe. Numerous panellists (nearly all of the Conference’s Panel II and III) warned that there will be no success in the EU Green Deal without balanced and politically unbiased approach to Energy, Infrastructure and Transport. Senior researcher and geoeconomics specialist from Ukraine, Maria Smotrytska, elaborated on the topic of greening, as follows:

Today the whole world is aware of the global problem of climate warming. Due to the increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases and harmful emissions into the atmosphere, this problem is getting worse every year. And the main question is how we can answer the fundamental challenge of global warming. The core issue is decarbonisation, but to ensure the economic growth in countries around the world, the link between the development of transportation and solution of the problem of global warming should be considered as the main.

The most inhabitant part of the world and the largest landmass of the Globe is Eurasia. Thus it is the biggest producer of CO2 and, hence, the most polluted part of the world. But we cannot leave it as it is right now. Also important to understand that the biggest countries-producers (Far East) and countries-consumers (West Europe) are located on the edge of the Eurasia. These countries drive world’s economies and may play crucial role in improving ecology and environmental standards.

Transportation logistics between Far East and Western Europe is vital for world’s economic development, but today we do not have reliable technologies and transport lines. Due to this it is necessary to think on few aspects, which may determine the development of environmental friendly economies in future :

  • reliable transportation (safe and environmentally friendly) ;
  • cheapest modes and transshipment lines ;
  • fastest modes of transportation

The most reliable mode of the transportation is railway. It has certain advantages (compared to air and maritime transport) in the following areas: regularity (rhythmicity), reliability (guaranteed on-schedule delivery and cargo preservation) and the ability to deliver the cargo to any destination.

When comparing cargo transportation from the Far East to West Europe by sea and by rail, the delivery time is often the key argument in favor of the railway. At the same time, the amount of 14 â€“ 15 days is often mentioned. In practice, it takes longer: 35 â€“ 50 days by sea, 28 â€“ 32 days by rail, 6 days by plane and 4 days by roads (See Figure 1). This difference in numbers is caused by the need to form a train, delays at some stations, etc.

Underlining the reliability of the railway transshipment lines in terms of  friendly environmental standards it is assumed that carrying a TEU between the Far East and West Europe using diesel trains would result in emissions of around 0.7 tonnes of greenhouse gas emission. However, the emissions from electric trains could be lower, possibly even falling to zero if they were powered entirely by renewable sources. This suggests that, by using railway mode, the Eurasian transshipment lines are likely to be beneficial to the environment.

While in theory, the implementation of railway electrification and the use of renewable energy sources can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, perhaps even to zero, in practice this process can take decades that our planet is unlikely to have.

This fact makes us think about other possible modes of transportation that are both â€œconvenient” (speed, regularity and accuracy of delivery), and beneficial to the environment.

The cheapest mode of transportation is by the sea, but it also has some pros and cons. Thus, the warm waters (red) shipping line from Far East to the port of Rotterdam in Netherlands today has great logistics prospects. Currently, 80% of cargo from Far East to Europe goes through the Atlantic ocean to the ports of Northern Europe. The warm waters shipping line through the Arabian sea and the Suez canal to the Balkans reduces the transport time by 7 – 10 days: this is so far the shortest sea route from Far East to Europe. Thus, the cheapest in the cost, this transshipment line is not beneficial in terms of second criteria â€“ time-frame (See Figure 1).

Another waters shipping line (cold waters â€“ blue line), which emerged as a result of the rapid melting of the North polar icecap, opens the prospects of shortened transport waterways in the ice-free areas. There are basically three possible routes, each of significance :

  • The Northwest Passage, connecting the American Continent and Far East Asia;
  • The Northern Sea Route, offering a shorter way from West Europe to Far East along the Russian Arctic coastline ; and
  • The Arctic Bridge, connecting Canada and Russia (See Figure 2).

Geographically the position of the North waterways is very beneficial since they are cutting the distance between the edges of two continents, making it shorter by about 40% in comparison to the traditional, warm seas transport routes via the Suez or Panama Canal. The Arctic Bridge for now is a seasonal route. Nevertheless, the observation shows that it might be in reach earlier than expected due to climate change.

Thus, in terms of logistics, the cold waters shipping line (blue) will allow to deliver cargo to West Europe by sea faster than the 48 days (that it takes on average) to travel from the Northern ports of Far East to Rotterdam via the Suez canal, considering that the passage of a cargo ship along the North sea route is 2.8 thousand miles shorter than the route through Suez canal (See Figure 1).

The criteria of reliability also plays a positive role. In regards with the environmental issue, this means that, if maritime services lose their most time-sensitive cargo to rail, they might in practice sail their ships slower, extending transit times but reducing fuel costs and hence prices, and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to the time-frame criteria, a cold water shipping line is beneficial in terms of capacity. It is usually characterized as the shortest sea route between West Europe and Far East, the safest (e.g. the problem of Somali pirates) and has no restrictions on the size of the ship, unlike the route through the Suez canal. Current data makes it clear that the cold water transshipment line will allow to deliver cargo to Europe faster by sea, reducing the route by 20 â€“ 30%, and hence being more environmentally friendly (by using less fuel and decreasing CO2 emission) and saving human resources. Nevertheless to capitalize on that opportunity requires much work in terms of improved navigation procedure and installation of safety-related infrastructure.

For now it can be seen that there are two possibilities for developing transport systems and economies in accordance with green standards :

  • Transcontinental railroad system (which requires huge amount of investments);
  • Optimization of the cheapest mode of transportation (maritime warm waters transshipment lines).

But while thinking on the best ways of the decarbonizing of transport connections, all the existing risks should be taken into account. The current warm waters transshipment lines present certain dangers, being high congested and unsafe (both for trade security and environment), and hence rather vulnerable. Due to this fact, it is crucial to consider other alternatives of connecting the biggest countries-producers (Far East) and countries-consumers (West Europe).

While summing up the data on the logistics, it may be seen, that Blue shipping line along with Green one (See Figure 1) will dramatically reduce the time between the most-producing countries of G-7 and advanced OECD markets. But to reach consensus in timing, price and environmentally friendly standards the growing push to decarbonize economies, implement the green construction methods should be done. Unfortunately this approach may take decades to be adopted, which our planet may not have. And understanding of this fact should underlie the development to all the countries of the Globe without exceptions.

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