The 11th annual Ibero-American Week of International Justice, organised by the Ibero-American Institute for Peace, Human Rights, and International Justice (IIH), took place from 27 to 31 May 2024 in The Hague, Netherlands. Consisting of a series of events, the Ibero-American Week promotes interest and knowledge about the mandate and activities of the International Criminal Court (ICC), as well as international criminal law more generally, among the Ibero-American communities. It also aims to highlight their support and contribution to international justice and the fight against impunity.
This year’s edition opened with a ceremony at the seat of the International Criminal Court, with the participation of ICC Judge Sergio Ugalde, ICC Registrar Osvaldo Zavala Giler, Guillermo Escribano, General Director of Directorate Spanish in the World, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, H.E. Ms. Carolina Olarte, Ambassador of Colombia to The Netherlands and Coordinator of the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean, and Hector Olasolo, President of the IIH.
The 11th annual Ibero-American Week of International Justice’s opening.
In his opening remarks at the ceremony, ICC Judge Sergio Ugalde said: “The Ibero-American week is a memorable experience that encourages reflection on the state of international law and the role of the Ibero-American community in strengthening it. Justice operates to protect human beings. It is thanks to them and for them that the system exists, and this must always be a priority in all justice systems.”
For the ICC, the Ibero-American week is also about recognizing the large number of Ibero-American countries that are signatories of the Rome Statute and support the Court and its mandate. The ICC continuously works to promote cooperation, complementarity, and universality, which are essential for the effective functioning of the Rome Statute legal system. The Court cannot fulfil its mandate without global support and cooperation.
Hector Olasolo, President of the IIH.
As the ICC Registrar, Osvaldo Zavala Giler, emphasized in his opening remarks at the ceremony, “among the membership of the Court, we proudly have almost all the countries that comprise the Ibero-American platform. This means that the ICC has vast resources that consistently strengthen and nourish our legitimacy and support our ability to face the challenges imposed on the noble work of our Court and of international justice in general”.
Himself from Ecuador, he further added: “Without a doubt, the contributions to the ICC from our countries and societies are of great importance, not only because of the excellent judges, elected officials, civil servants and professionals who have passed through the Court or currently serve its mission, but also because those people inspired to continue deepening the impact of the Court domestically and in academic settings.”
The annual Ibero-American week is supported not only by the Court, but also by the Ibero-American embassies, as well as institutions, international organizations and universities based in The Hague, whom the President of the IIH, Hector Olasolo, thanked in his remarks. He also emphasized the importance of the events taking place, which include seminars, presentations, performances, hearings, meetings, panel discussions and more.
For example, ICC Judge Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza gave a presentation on “Discrimination: dimensions and impact on international justice”, in which she addressed discriminatory practices in international justice, discrimination and its impact on those working to end impunity.
H.E. Ms. Carolina Olarte Bácares, Ambassador of Colombia.
As the Ambassador of Colombia to the Netherlands Carolina Olarte stated, the Ibero-American week seeks to contribute to the work for justice “…through profound academic reflections that are equivalent to a diagnosis of the current state of international justice.” She also stressed that the exercise is an opportunity to renew “the fundamental and permanent commitment of our states to the peaceful resolution of disputes, one of the pillars of the current international public order.”
ICC moot Court Competition.
The week ended with the 11th edition of the Spanish version of the ICC Moot Court Competition, organized by the IIH with the institutional support of the ICC. The best students from 13 universities from 7 Ibero-American countries participated in the preliminary round of this year’s ICC Moot Court Competition. The competition was won by the University of Guadalajara (Mexico), with second and third place going to the University of Cádiz (Spain) and the University of Buenos Aires (Argentina) respectively.
The finalists competed in a fictitious case in the main Courtroom of the ICC before a jury of eminent jurists, broadcasted live on the ICC website and the Court’s Facebook channels. Through the participation of students in simulated court proceedings, the competition aims to promote the training of future professionals who will continue to help create a more just world.
Find out more about the activities of the 2024 Ibero-American Week: https://bit.ly/4aF3ejG.
In the heart of The Hague, La Maison Guilhem stands as a mark of elegance and sophistication. Established in 2021 by Managing Director Marinette Diafouka, this boutique wine and champagne house has quickly become synonymous with the finest offerings from the Occitanie region of Southern France. However, what truly sets La Maison Guilhem apart is its own brand of champagnes, the exquisite grand cru MCMXXV, crafted in collaboration with renowned environmental-friendly producer Jean-Claude Mouzon from Verzenay, France.
Madame Diafouka shares, “La Maison Guilhem is born out of my passion for exceptional products, reflecting unique craftsmanship passing down from generations to generations, and exclusive lifestyle. The reference to ‘Guilhem’ is rooted in my childhood in the Occitanie region, in the South of France, nearby the inspiring city of Montpellier which was created in 989 by the distinguished and ambitious ‘Guilhem’ dynasty. After several years passed in Occitanie, my parents moved out further north to the beautiful Champagne region. Before I left France in the 2000s’ to live in London for more than a decade and then settle in Den Haag, I gradually realised that my passion and taste for wines and champagne had been firmly established due to the places I lived in, and most importantly the incredible people I had met on the way.”
MCMXXV, derived from the Roman numerals for 1925, pays homage to the timeless charm and joie de vivre of the Roaring Twenties. It was a period marked by profound social, cultural, and artistic transformations, with the International Exhibition held in Paris serving as a catalyst for the global dissemination of Art Deco aesthetics.
Madame Diafouka recalls, “I started to value that appreciating wines and champagne in good company and with temperance was about enjoying present moments and recalling pleasant memories. To this day, I can for example remember the emotions my husband and I felt when we opened in April 2012 a bottle of vintage champagne from 1986 that had been with us for so many years throughout our numerous moves, from France to the United Kingdom.”
At the heart of MCMXXV lies a dedication to quality and craftsmanship. La Maison Guilhem offers two exquisite variations of this champagne: a grand cru vintage blend of pinot noir and chardonnay, and a rare grand cru Blanc de Blancs chardonnay.
Madame Diafouka emphasizes, “Beyond the values our brand MCMXXV represents, our champagnes are classified as ‘grand cru’ elaborated by the best environmental-friendly producers in Verzenay, France. I would like to point out that the vast majority of champagnes, including the most popular brands worldwide, are not ‘grand cru’, unlike Champagne MCMXXV. My focus is on delivering to my customers products of exceptional quality. My signature champagne is an extra brut (i.e., low in sugar) MCMXXV 2015 vintage (also referred to as millésime), harmoniously blending 20% of pinot noir and 80% of chardonnay. The quantity of bottles produced for this Champagne MCMXXV 2015 millésime is limited and each bottle is therefore uniquely numbered.”
Yet, La Maison Guilhem serves as a modern-day patron of the arts, embracing a philosophy that values culture and creativity as integral components of a rich and fulfilling life. Through partnerships with talented artists and cultural institutions, La Maison Guilhem actively promotes cultural events and collaborates on the creation of exclusive artworks inspired by the spirit of MCMXXV.
La Maison Guilhem
Madame Diafouka explains, “Every year, we take part in the wine tastings organised by the Rotary International Club of The Hague. We also have partnerships around targeted events fitting our philosophy. We have partnered up with the jewellery Spadafora for their spring launch in Den Haag earlier this year. Through our unique relationship with well-established and international art gallery ‘Chiefs and Spirits’ located in Den Haag, we host tasting events and promote arts and culture. Very directly, La Maison Guilhem works with and supports several artists, currently collaborating with French-born artist Marc Duran and Guinea-born artist Myriam Soufiane who have decorated our limited-edition champagne boxsets.”
In a world where mass production often overshadows artisanal craftsmanship, La Maison Guilhem stands close to tradition and excellence. With its commitment to quality, sustainability, and the celebration of artistry, it continues to captivate connoisseurs and aficionados alike, inviting them to indulge in a taste of luxury and sophistication unlike any other.
For those eager to experience the luxury of La Maison Guilhem, Marinette Diafouka notes, “While our website [www.lamaisonguilhem.com](http://www.lamaisonguilhem.com) is being finalised, all customers can contact me directly at mdiafouka@gmail.com to purchase our wines and champagnes and to be invited to our regular tastings organised in Den Haag or elsewhere. My philosophy is to build personalised and long-term relationships with our customers. MCMXXV symbolises a lifestyle, the conscious choice and desire to celebrate everyday joys and victories.”
Looking ahead, Marinette is optimistic about the future, “We anticipate that 2025 will be a great year for Champagne MCMXXV and we are planning several events in the Netherlands and internationally to celebrate 100 years of art deco. In addition to making new tastes of champagnes MCMXXV available to our customers in the coming months, we aim to secure some solid partnerships with prominent and international art fairs to strengthen our ambition to support arts and culture.”
On the bright morning of May 30, 2024, H.E.Ms. Dubravka Plejić Marković, Ambassador of Croatia, organized a reception at the Chancellery in The Hague to celebrate her country’s Statehood Day.
The event was attended by friends of Croatia, business associates, international representatives, patriots, and a high turnout of Ambassadors, including the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the Ambassador of Yemen and those from Armenia, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Chile, Cyprus, Costa Rica, Estonia, Ghana, Greece, Moldova, Morocco and Poland.
Also the ambassadors of Romania, Tanzania, Turkey, Spain, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, the Director General of OPCW and the Nuncius. They all came by to felicitate Ambassador Dubravka Plejić Marković on this significant day.
Ambassadors attending the Croatian celebration of the 34th Statehood Day on May 30th.
In her welcome address Ambassador Dubravka Plejić Marković stated the following. “ We are observing Statehood Day in memory of May 30, 1990, when 34 years ago Croatian people, as many others in Central and Eastern Europe following the Fall of the Berlin Wall decided to march toward democracy thus breaking from decades of communist rule.
On that historic day, first multi-party democratic parliament was constituted in Zagreb and foundation for our statehood was laid down.
Ambassador Markovic during her speech. May 30th 2024.
Everything that followed was led by determination of Croatian people to exercise rights conferred upon them. However, long national struggle toward full sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity ensued. As we stand here today, 34 years after historic shifts, we are sadly reminded that our societies are facing again many global challenges as well as wars and war mongering.
Today, unlike in the recent past, we do not stand alone. Our membership in international and regional organization and alliances, in organizations such as the OPCW and international cooperation with many of your countries is making us stronger and more resilient.”
The guests were able to enjoy a selection of Croatian wines, foods and pastries.
Croatian wines.
The wonderful atmosphere provided a great opportunity to socialize and reconnect.
Croatia 34th Statehood Day. May 30th 2024, The Hague.
L’Europa ha assunto un ruolo di leadership globale nella regolamentazione dell’intelligenza artificiale (IA), adottando misure innovative per disciplinare questa tecnologia emergente. Il continente ha sviluppato un quadro legislativo unico al mondo, volto a gestire i rischi associati all’IA e a promuovere un uso responsabile e sicuro della tecnologia.
Regolamentazione Basata sul Rischio
La normativa europea sull’IA è costruita su un approccio basato sul rischio. Questo significa che i sistemi di IA sono classificati in base al loro potenziale impatto sulla società:
1. Rischio Limitato: I sistemi di IA che rientrano in questa categoria saranno soggetti a obblighi di trasparenza minimi.
2. Alto Rischio: Questi sistemi possono essere autorizzati solo se rispettano una serie di requisiti rigorosi. Tali obblighi includono garanzie di sicurezza, trasparenza e rispetto dei diritti fondamentali, per poter accedere al mercato dell’Unione Europea.
3. Rischio Inaccettabile: Sono proibite tecnologie che manipolano il comportamento cognitivo e sociale delle persone o utilizzano punteggi sociali. Anche l’uso dell’IA per la polizia predittiva basata sulla profilazione e i sistemi che classificano le persone in base a dati biometrici, come razza, religione o orientamento sessuale, sono vietati.
Il Compromesso di Bruxelles
Con l’arrivo di tecnologie avanzate come il chatbot ChatGPT nel novembre 2022, Bruxelles ha dovuto affrontare un delicato equilibrio. Da un lato, c’era la necessità di proteggere i diritti umani e i valori fondamentali dell’Unione Europea, messi a rischio dalla rapida evoluzione tecnologica. Dall’altro lato, gli industriali e gli investitori richiedevano regolamentazioni meno stringenti per non ostacolare gli investimenti e l’innovazione.
Questo dilemma è stato risolto con un compromesso che bilancia le esigenze di sviluppo tecnologico e tutela dei diritti umani. Il Regolamento definisce “sistema di intelligenza artificiale” in modo tecnologicamente neutrale, permettendo di adattarsi ai futuri sviluppi del mercato e tenendo conto dei rapidi progressi tecnologici.
Impatto Economico e Futuro
L’AI Act rappresenta un passo significativo per l’Europa, non solo in termini di regolamentazione, ma anche come motore economico. Nel 2023, solo in Italia, il mercato dell’IA ha registrato un aumento del 52%, con un afflusso di 760 milioni di euro, secondo quanto riportato da “Innovation Post”.
Grazie all’AI Act, l’Europa promuoverà le evoluzioni e le opportunità economiche offerte dall’IA, minimizzando al contempo i rischi per i suoi valori fondamentali. Questa normativa pone l’Europa come un attore chiave e innovativo a livello globale, capace di proporre un modello equilibrato e lungimirante per l’adozione dell’intelligenza artificiale.
Princess Kako is currently in Greece to honor the long-standing friendship between Greece and Japan. She is visiting as part of the “Year of Culture and Tourism of Greece and Japan,” attending the ceremony marking the 125th anniversary of Japan-Greece diplomatic relations.
The 30-year-old Princess Kako, often referred to as the “Diana of Japan,” is much beloved in her homeland due to her extensive charity work. During her visit, she met with the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who was accompanied by his wife, Mareva Grabovski. Upon her arrival in Athens yesterday, she toured the Acropolis Museum and the National Gallery. It is worth noting that 2024 is a significant year for both nations, as it was designated an honorary year in January 2023 during an official visit to Japan by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, where he met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Princess Kako remarked, “Japan and Greece share a long maritime tradition and many common geographical features, such as the sea and scattered islands, as well as cultural elements like a healthy diet based on seafood. The unique monumental heritage of Greece attracts numerous tourists from around the world. Japanese visitors are captivated by the country’s culture and civilization,” she said. “I was deeply impressed by the architectural perfection of the Parthenon, admiring the magnificence and elegance of this monumental achievement built 2,500 years ago. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to experience such a unique cultural heritage.”
Princess Kako with the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou. Συνάντηση της Προέδρου της Δημοκρατίας Κατερίνας Σακελλαροπούλου με την πριγκίπισσα Κάκο της Ιαπωνίας στο Προεδρικό Μέγαρο, Τρίτη 28 Μαΐου 2024.
(ΜΙΧΑΛΗΣ ΚΑΡΑΓΙΑΝΝΗΣ/EUROKINISSI)
She also highlighted that in Japanese schools, especially in social and natural science and mathematics courses, the wisdom of ancient Greece is integrated into the curriculum. She specifically mentioned “Aesop’s Fables,” a book translated into Japanese about 400 years ago, which she re-read in preparation for her visit to Greece. “Ancient Greek culture continues to inspire Japan to this day,” she stated, adding that she plans to visit the Museum of Asian Art in Corfu, which houses a large collection of Japanese artworks, as well as the Monastery of Faneromeni in Salamina, where Japan has contributed significantly to the restoration of its valuable frescoes.
Who is Princess Kako?
Princess Kako of Japan, the daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and great-granddaughter of Emperor Hirohito, is often referred to as the “Diana of the East” due to her popularity stemming from her charity work. Also known as the “Hope of the Throne,” her 20th birthday celebration in 2014 saw 80,000 people gather at the palace.
Apart from her active involvement in charitable and social causes, particularly for the deaf, Princess Kako has gained recognition for her diplomatic engagements, leading to her being regarded as a “cultural asset” and a “symbol of hope for the Japanese people.” However, Princess Kako is not eligible to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne, as it is strictly forbidden for women to do so in Japan. Nonetheless, she remains highly beloved due to her ability to bridge tradition with modernity, reflected in her public appearances and style.
In 2021, her older sister, Princess Mako, chose to marry a “commoner” (a decision not permitted for Japanese princesses). As a result, Mako had to renounce her title, privileges, and wealth, opting to live as an ordinary citizen. She now resides with her husband in a two-room apartment in New York. Earlier this year, it was revealed that their mother, 57-year-old Princess Kiko of Akishino, is suffering from a mysterious stomach ailment that prevents her from eating normally. With concerns about her mother’s health and Mako absent, Princess Kako had to “step forward.”
Honoring Japanese Traditions
Princess Kako’s adherence to Japanese traditions has endeared her even more to the public. This is evident in the case of her older sister, Princess Mako, who in 2021 decided to marry a “commoner.” This marriage led to Mako renouncing her title and the privileges of remaining within the imperial family. She chose to live a regular life with her husband in New York, working at the Met. A photo of Kako bidding farewell to Mako on the day she left the palace went viral, sparking widespread commentary.
On a pleasant morning, diplomatic spouses gathered at the Turkish Residence in The Hague for a delightful and culturally rich Turkish Breakfast hosted by Dr. Lerzan Kayıhan Ünal, spouse of His Excellency the Ambassador Selcuk Ünal. The event, organized under the auspices of the Embassy of Turkey and the Yunus Emre Institute in Amsterdam for the Association of Spouses of Ambassadors (ASA), was an exquisite journey into Turkish culinary and artistic traditions.
Welcoming Remarks and Historical Context
Welcoming the guests, Dr. Lerzan Kayıhan Ünal highlighted the historical significance of the venue. “Welcome to the Turkish Residence,” she began. “On this occasion of ASA, we are very happy to host you in the Turkish Residence, which is a Dutch cultural heritage building. This traditional house is 290 years old and has been with us since 1937. This year, we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Turkish-Dutch Friendship Treaty of 1924. Therefore, the building has seen and witnessed most of the modern Turkish-Dutch ties and a lot in the history of The Hague.”
The Essence of Turkish Breakfast
As the event unfolded, guests were introduced to the rich and varied traditions of the Turkish breakfast, an essential part of Turkish gastronomy. Dr. Kayıhan Ünal elaborated on the diverse offerings, “A traditional Turkish breakfast consists of a selection of cheeses such as tulum, kaşar (cheddar), çökelek (cottage), and mihaliç, in addition to traditional white cheese. Along with cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens, black and green olives from the Marmara, Aegean, and north Aegean can be on the table, along with honey and homemade jam.
Freshly baked crispy breads and simit are served with Turkish tea in tulip-shaped glasses. Another highlight is menemen, a flavorful dish of eggs, tomatoes, and peppers. Turkish coffee may complement digestion afterwards.”
Regional Breakfast Variations
Dr. Kayıhan Ünal introduced several local Turkish breakfast menus, each with unique characteristics:
Aegean Breakfast: Light flavors with fresh vegetables.
Black Sea Breakfast: Regional dishes featuring various types of corn and the renowned Turkish tea grown along the Black Sea coast.
Gaziantep Breakfast: Known for its greens and delicious olives, Gaziantep is listed in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy.
Van Breakfast: Famous for its geographically marked herbed cheese.
Dr. Kayıhan Ünal also emphasized the cultural importance of these breakfasts by supporting efforts to mark the 2nd of June as World Breakfast Day.
Turkish Tile Art – Çini
While enjoying the sumptuous breakfast, guests were introduced to another facet of Turkish culture: Çini (Tile) art. Lerzan Kayıhan Ünal described Çini as traditional, handmade glazed tiles and ceramics featuring colorful motifs of plants, animals, and geometric patterns, often found on facades of buildings and homes throughout Turkey.
“Çini is a symbolic aspect of Turkish cultural identity,” she noted, tracing its roots through Anatolian Seljuk and Ottoman styles to contemporary productions in Kütahya, İznik, and Çanakkale.
In the picture the spouses of Bulgaria Mrs. Nadya Dimitrova, Ecuador, Mrs. Maria Rosa Egüez, Slovenia, Mrs. Ala Adamia, Egypt, Mrs. Rania Abouelela, Bangladesh, Mrs. Sazia Ahmed Hamidullah, Türkiye, Mrs. Lerzan Kayıhan Unal -hostess, Moldova, Mrs. Victoria Dobinda, Tunisia, Mrs. Hager Denguezl, Morocco, Mrs. Insaf Ghanemi Basri, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mrs. Nela Ion Colin, South Korea, Mrs. Hyejung Kim.
Artistic Performances
Before handing the floor to Ms. Betül Aşlı Bayram, a renowned tile artist, Dr. Ünal introduced the artists present at the event. Ms. Bayram, a graduate of the Ceramics Department at Dumlupınar University, is a certified tile artist by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
She has exhibited her work nationally and internationally and was honored with the Art and Culture Award at the Golden Tulip Republic Ball in the Netherlands in 2022. She recently showcased her art on the Dutch national channel NPO2’s program BinnensteBuiten.
The event also featured an extraordinary performance by Mr. Şükrü Kiriş, a Ney flute artist born in Amsterdam. Mr. Kiriş has performed in prominent venues such as the Koninklijke Concertgebouw, Meervaart, and Theater Zuidplein, and has collaborated with the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble. He has also participated in programs in France, Belgium, and Germany.
Concluding her remarks, Dr. Kayıhan Ünal expressed gratitude to the Yunus Emre Institute in Amsterdam for their support in arranging the performances, enriching the event with a deeper cultural resonance.
The association aims to complement the efforts of the Bangladeshi Embassy in engaging with various segments of Dutch society.
The initiative began with preliminary discussions among a few enthusiasts nearly two years ago, and after many hours of conversations the launch has come to fruition.
On Friday, 17 May, dozens of friends gathered at the Bangladesh Embassy to witness the momentous launch of the new association in the presence of H.E. Ambassador M Riaz Hamidullah, who announced his upcoming departure from the Netherlands.
Philippine Ambassador H.E. Mr Eduardo Malaya delivers his speech.
The Friends of Bangladesh in the Netherlands expressed their appreciation to the departing Ambassador Riaz Hamidullah for his support by presenting him with a token of gratitude for his contributions to the association.
Deepening the friendship between Bangladesh and the Netherlands is the ultimate aim, including economic interests. Given the exceptional ties between Bangladesh and the Netherlands and the growing interactions across politics, academia and business Ambassador Riaz Hamidullah worked with a few individuals to establish a legal entity, specifically an association registered under Dutch law. The association is further to create opportunities for open engagement – for sharing ideas for collaboration, making inquiries, and exploring partnerships with peers.
Pitching time at the Friends of Bangladesh’s launch
The joyous launch was attended by various groups, including the Ambassadors of Croatia, Ms. Dubravka Plejic Markovic and the Philippines, H.E. Mr. Jose Eduardo Malaya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, VNO-NCW (Netherlands Enterprise Agency),academics, friends, Diplomat magazine, the diaspora and others.
Friends of Bangladesh Quiz winners.
The Friends of Bangladesh in the Netherlands Board will strive to maintain gender parity at all times.
Best wishes to the inaugural Board of the Friends of Bangladesh in the Netherlands, led by Mr. Motalib Weijters and Mr. Joost Oorthuizen. Bravo!
Panama, a country known for its tropical forests, the iconic Panama Canal, and more, is facing serious climate problems. These problems range from prolonged droughts to extreme rainfall leading to floods. In addition, the rising sea level poses a threat to the country. The Panama Canal, which is of great importance for global shipping, also suffers from this drought, significantly reducing transit capacity. (Dahl, 2024) The country is also struggling with ecological changes, such as the transformation of jungle areas into arid landscapes where agriculture is becoming increasingly difficult.
The beginning of the collaboration
With the help of the ‘Stichting Anpak’n’ and covitaal (https://covitaal.com) (education, aqua forestry and energy transition), the Civil Engineering program at Saxion UAS first made contact with the Embassy of Panama in the Netherlands in October 2023. During this initial visit, an introductory meeting took place with the ambassador, H.E. Ms. Elizabeth Ward Neiman. The goal was to map out Panama’s climate problems and explore how the Civil Engineering program could contribute to the solutions. A key focus was the situation in the province of Veraguas, where the La Villa river shows fluctuations in water levels, causing both droughts and floods. These problems not only threaten the local population but also agricultural production, leading to uncertainty about the food supply.
The collaboration between the Embassy of Panama and Saxion University of Applied Sciences (UAS) has been of crucial importance in addressing Panama’s pressing climate challenges. From the project’s inception to its culmination, the unwavering support and guidance of the Ambassador of Panama, H.E. Elizabeth Ward Neiman, have been indispensable. Her leadership and deep understanding of Panama’s environmental issues have ensured that the partnership not only identified critical areas of concern but also effectively worked towards sustainable solutions.
The Ambassador’s active involvement has created a strong collaborative environment, allowing the Civil Engineering program at Saxion UAS to leverage its expertise in developing innovative strategies to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on Panama.
This partnership exemplifies the significant progress that can be achieved through international cooperation and dedicated leadership.
A first project: inventory of Dutch Water Management Solutions
To start the collaboration modestly, a student project was set up. Second-year Civil Engineering students from Saxion UAS started to inventory existing Dutch water management solutions that could be applicable to the La Villa river in Panama. This project is question- and client-driven, meaning that the students received direct input and guidance from a local client IDIAP (http://www.idiap.gob.pa) in Panama.
The Panamanian embassy played a crucial role by establishing a connection with IDIAP, the institute in Panama that acted as the client. IDIAP formulated the problem and provided the students with the necessary information and guidance to come to a feasible solution. The result of the project was evaluated by IDIAP and was well received.
Presentation research results at the Embassy of Panama.Dutch Water management categories.
Internship in Panama
Parallel to the student project, preparations were made for a civil engineering student to do an internship in Panama, from September 2024 to February 2025, at EISA (https://www.eisa.com.pa/eisa-empresa.html). Here again, the Panamanian embassy played an important role.
They ensured the connection between the student and a local company and offered extensive support in preparing for the stay. This included help in finding accommodation and creating a brochure with information about cultural differences, customs, and highlights of Panama. The feedback from the student after the completion of the internship will be used to better prepare future students.
Panama Guide for Dutch Students.
Future plans: expansion and strengthening of the collaboration
Both parties, Saxion UAS and the Embassy of Panama, are very enthusiastic about the collaboration and want to strengthen it further. The project with IDIAP will continue, with students further developing and implementing the chosen water management measures. This not only offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience, but also for Panama to get effective and sustainable solutions for their water management challenges.
In addition, there is a desire to conduct research on climate adaptation together with the Technical University of Panama (https://utp.ac.pa). The goal is to develop innovative methods that can help both parties better adapt to the effects of climate change. Through this collaboration, we hope to give more students the opportunity to gain valuable international experience while simultaneously contributing to addressing urgent climate problems.
Expansion to Peru: a new horizon
The collaboration with the Embassy of Panama has already led to a spin-off with the Embassy of Peru. In a similar way, an initial introductory meeting is planned at the Peruvian embassy soon, where opportunities for collaboration and projects will be explored. This expansion offers Saxion UAS the opportunity to further spread and strengthen its expertise and experience in addressing climate-related problems.
Conclusion
The collaboration between Saxion and the Embassy of Panama is a promising initiative that can make a valuable contribution to solving complex climate problems. Through the commitment of students and the application of Dutch water management techniques, Panama can better protect itself against the effects of climate change. At the same time, it offers Saxion students a unique opportunity to gain international experience and contribute to sustainable solutions on a global scale. This collaboration is a step in the right direction and serves as a model for future international collaboration projects.
For more information please contact the author of this article Kristoff Derveaux (K.Derveaux@Saxion.nl)
Kristoff Derveaux MSc. is a Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering and a Researcher in Sustainable Areas & Soil Transitions At Saxion | University of Applied Sciences | Academy of Business, Building & Technology
Minister Elisa Facio of Uruguay, who oversees the Ministry of Industry, Energy, and Mining, recently attended the World Hydrogen Summit 2024 in Rotterdam. Her responsibilities encompass a broad spectrum of sectors critical to Uruguay’s development, including industry, energy, mining, small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), and telecommunications. She also manages the regulation of atomic energy for medical purposes and the registration of trademarks and patents. Known for her commitment to promoting equity and empowering women economically, Minister Facio shared her insights and vision for Uruguay’s future in an interview with Diplomat Magazine.
“As Minister of Industry, Energy, and Mining, I oversee a variety of competencies related to production. We are responsible for designing public policies on energy, industry, telecommunications, industrial property, handicrafts, SMEs, mining, and geology. Innovation and sustainability are central to each of our tasks; every action we define is reviewed with a focus on how innovative and sustainable it is.
Delegation of Uruguay at the World Hydrogen Summit 2024 in Rotterdam.
Uruguay has an innovative, mature, and thriving ecosystem. Therefore, we are prioritizing the internalization of this ecosystem, generating a greater connection with the world and its demands. Our focus is on articulated actions between private companies, public institutions, and academia. We prioritize three key sectors: clean or green technologies (greentech), biotechnology (biotech), and advanced technologies (deeptech). Additionally, we are creating open laboratories— infrastructures available for startups to test and develop proofs of concept, supported by leading global corporations.
Recently, we launched the Uruguay Innovation Hub program to position the country as a regional hub and global reference in addressing global problems through innovation. Uruguay is committed to the ambitious global goals of decarbonization by 2050 and has promoted significant changes regarding energy sources and the raw materials used in industrial processes. Our second energy transformation includes decarbonizing transport and industry and developing a green hydrogen economy for local and export markets. Efficiency and sustainability in transportation are priorities, with electric mobility as a key axis of our sustainable mobility strategy. The development and deployment of critical and emerging technologies are essential for these efforts.
DM – Uruguay has been making strides in renewable energy, particularly with wind and solar power. How do you envision the role of hydrogen in Uruguay’s energy mix, and what steps is your ministry taking to promote its development?
With growing concerns about climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions is more pressing than ever. Green hydrogen presents an attractive solution for the ‘hard-to-abate sectors’ such as heavy and long-distance transport, shipping, aviation, and industrial uses in iron, chemical, and petrochemical industries. Uruguay has much to offer and gain with green hydrogen and derivatives because it requires electrical energy from renewable sources like the sun, wind, water, and biomass.
Our energy matrix is almost 100% renewable, with excellent complementarity of solar, hydro, and wind energy. We have the availability of water and biogenic CO2, which allows us to advance in the synthesis of dephosphilized carbon derivatives, such as methanol or e-fuels. The Ministry has various tools to promote the development of green hydrogen, including the Green Hydrogen Sector Fund, which supports the installation of the first pilot project in the country, modifying trucks to be propelled by clean energy.
Uruguayan Minister Elisa Facio.
We have signed agreements with several countries to generate a favorable framework for project development, promoting international collaboration in research, technological development, infrastructure analysis, and implementation of public policies. These agreements also facilitate knowledge sharing, establish common standards, and accelerate the transition to a clean and sustainable energy economy.
There are fiscal incentives for large-scale green hydrogen and derivatives projects, such as the Investment Promotion Law. Since 2022, hydrogen has been included in the matrix of indicators for projects, creating an incentive framework for investments in the country, applicable equally to both domestic and foreign investors.
The digitalization of the industrial and energy sectors is progressing significantly and holds great growth potential. Uruguay has leading infrastructure in Latin America for fiber optic networks, fixed broadband internet, internet download speed, and digital government. Our population is highly digitized, and we have globally competitive software professionals. Adopting technologies such as the Internet of Things, Big Data, robotics, and artificial intelligence is optimizing processes, improving efficiency and productivity in the industrial sector, known as Industry 4.0.
Two key initiatives accompany the digitization of the industrial and energy sectors. First, the new Investment Law decree and the Electronics and Robotics Fund (FER), which supports projects developed by companies in the electronics sector. Second, the Uruguay Innovation Hub program aims to implement an open laboratory to develop software and AI applications to enhance electric mobility capabilities.
DM – Gender equity and empowerment have been central to your career and advocacy efforts. How do you plan to integrate these principles into your role as Minister, particularly in traditionally male-dominated sectors like energy and mining?
I have been working for several years to help more women achieve economic autonomy and manage their finances. I am proud to occupy a reference position as a minister, demonstrating that women can hold power, have a family, and develop professionally. Often, women decline responsibility roles fearing neglecting their families or avoiding exposure. However, we have made significant progress in equal opportunities, and there is undoubtedly more support now. For example, it is more natural for the new generations to see men taking more responsibility at home and in raising children.
The Ministry is committed to gender equity, particularly promoting women’s economic autonomy and digital literacy. The MIEM develops various programs and incorporates gender perspectives in its cross-cutting policies. For instance, the 8M call for women entrepreneurs provides non-refundable funds to promote their projects. Another initiative grants non-refundable funds for producing short films that highlight women in Uruguay’s productive sector.
We are present at the World Hydrogen Summit because it is one of the largest events dedicated to advancing hydrogen globally, and our country has successfully participated in previous editions. This year, we have a pavilion in the exhibition area, a networking space to showcase Uruguay’s potential and possibilities as an exporter of green hydrogen derivatives and fuels. We organized a parallel event to publicize our progress in the green hydrogen roadmap, present announced projects, and share preliminary results from studies conducted with Dutch collaboration.
Our participation includes an official delegation of institutions forming Uruguay’s green hydrogen ecosystem and a large business delegation of over 40 people. We emphasize our country’s strong institutionalism, deep republican sense, respect for the rule of law, openness to national and international private investment, socio-political stability, digital advancement, and leading position among the world’s major economies for sustainable investment according to the ESG index.
Minister Elisa Facio.
The support of our representations abroad is crucial to strengthening bilateral relations and positioning Uruguay in this emerging economy by promoting the export potential of green hydrogen and derivatives as a source of clean and sustainable energy. With the Netherlands, we have a Joint Declaration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy to strengthen ties and intensify bilateral cooperation and knowledge exchange in standards, trade rules, technologies, policies, certification, and investment to support green hydrogen development. This Declaration has established a continuous, direct, and permanent working framework with the Dutch Government, facilitating technical collaboration to evaluate project profiles for the National Green Hydrogen Fund call for proposals. Dutch experts have also collaborated with ANCAP and the Ministry of the Environment in workshops on ‘Environmental Impacts and Regulation in the framework of offshore wind projects.’
Additionally, two Memorandums of Understanding were signed with the Port of Rotterdam. The first enabled a joint integrated pre-feasibility study of the commercially viable supply chain, identifying Uruguay’s production and export potential to Europe. The second, signed in May 2023 with various ministries and the National Ports Administration, aims to explore new opportunities for cooperation in green hydrogen and derivatives projects. This agreement facilitated a technical, economic, environmental, and safety analysis for the population and existing logistics infrastructure in Montevideo’s port for exporting green hydrogen derivatives.
Uruguay is committed to developing the green hydrogen economy to reduce climate change, generate growth opportunities, and contribute to sustainable development. This process requires developing the entire supply chain, policies, and incentives to generate and implement technology and investments for civil society to access these innovations.
International cooperation is fundamental, enabling us to pioneer strong policies and support closing R&D gaps. Together with technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, and international financing, these are key to developing clean energy with a positive societal impact.
Uruguay is positioned to face new and more ambitious challenges because we have a decarbonized electricity matrix. Direct electrification of some activity sectors is a pillar of action for our ministry, with several plans promoting the electrification of urban public passenger transport. Complementarily, the development of Power-to-X technology would allow progress in sectors where decarbonization is more difficult to achieve. For this reason, we see in the development of green hydrogen an opportunity that arises from the energy sector but impacts various sectors. Clearly, the production of green hydrogen derivatives would enable a very relevant industrial development for Uruguay. The Green Hydrogen and Derivatives Roadmap projects that by 2040, the green hydrogen and derivatives industry could have an annual turnover similar to that of the meat sector, an economic area for which our country is recognized globally.
Our work focuses on creating conditions so that this activity also promotes social development and generates opportunities for the population. Another major objective is to turn Uruguay into a regional hub for innovation, for which we have the talent, infrastructure, and institutional stability that makes our great differential.”
Diplomatic Magazine also wants to thank the Embassy of Uruguay in The Hague, for its continuing support to our activities, and to have facilitated this interview and contacts with Minister Elisa Facio and the whole Uruguayan delegation
