In the picture Ruthsella Jansen, Jean Tannous Fayad, Julie TIdey, Ralph Obersi and Marisol Gutierrez.
A new board of the Consular Corps Curaçao was elected at the Annual General Meeting in January 2021. The CCC consists of 32 members of both General and Honorary Consuls representing their respective countries.
The new board consists of:
Dean – Julie Tidey, Honorary Consul United Kingdom
Vice Dean – Ralph Obersi, Honorary Consul Mexico
Secretary – Jean Tannous Fayad, Honorary Consul Lebanon
Treasurer – Ruthsella Jansen, Honorary Consul Canada
Board Member – Marisol Gutierrez, General Consul Venezuela
The CCC can be contacted via their “ Corps Consulaire Curacao” public and government service page on Facebook. Congratulations to all!
Looking to expand investigative academic journalism, research and the publication of editorial quality articles, two serious publications dedicated to diplomacy and international politics, agreed to formalize their association already happening since 2017 by signing a MoU today.
Both European publications, Diplomat Magazine, dedicated to international politics, diplomacy, and international law together with the prestigious Geopolitica, agree to collaborate in good faith, through joint and concerted cooperation in a framework of understanding, freedom of speech, political neutrality and journalistic ethics, common interest, respecting Intellectual rights while remaining independents.
Saturday, 27 February 2021, Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Minister of State at the UAE MOFAIC, HE SheikhShakhboot bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan received the Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak for a bilateral meeting.
Sheikh Shakhbout emphasised during the bilateral conversation the UAE’s unwavering support for the security and stability of Yemen. In fact, the UAE committed US$230 million, ahead of the United Nations Pledging Conference for Yemen co-hosted between the Swiss Confederation and the Kingdom of Sweden.
The latter support is in addition to ongoing bilateral UAE assistance efforts and will help fund international programmes that meet the medical, nutritional, and food security needs of the country. The UAE are working with the stakeholders and address the needs as set forward by the UN Humanitarian Response Plan.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in particularly are intensifying their cooperation with the US to end the protracted armed conflict in Yemen. Sheikh Shakhboot’s intervention was especially appreciated as he is well-aware of the Emirati and Saudi interests in bringing political stability to the neighbourly Yemen.
Eleven distinguished European poets join the creative celebration
February 21, 2021: Bangladesh Embassy in the Netherlands celebrated International Mother Language Day 2021, partnering with Netherlands UNESCO Commission and Europa Nostra, in a creative way to highlight the significance of International Mother Language Day (IMLD) to the Dutch and the Europeans.
A video underlining the creative diversity of mother tongues was screened drew appreciation online.
Remembering the language martyrs, Bangladesh Ambassador H.E. Riaz Hamidullah highlighted the Day’s significance in establishing peace – harmony – pluralism across societies, everywhere. He also emphasized on the importance of nurturing linguistic diversity and cultural heritage while celebrating everyone’s own mother tongue.
Highlighting the 1952 language movement in Bangladesh, Mayor of The Hague Mr. Jan van Zanen said that the movement was intricately linked to every subsequent accomplishment in Bangladesh history. Paying tribute to the ‘language martyrs’, he said, the city of Hague boasts its multicultural heritage as more than half of the city’s residents come from diverse parts of the world. He also shared that, as the city of peace and justice, the Hague has accommodated about 200 organizations, including Embassies and international organizations.
11 eminent poets from Argentina, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, Morocco, Russia, Scotland, and Sweden recited 11 poems in their respective languages – each underlining peace and cultural heritage. They appreciated the initiative of the Embassy which showcased cultural integration and harmony.
Taking part in a live discussion, moderated by Ambassador Hamidullah, Chairperson of Netherlands National Commission for UNESCO, Secretary General of Europa Nostra and former Deputy Mayor of The Hague elaborated how every mother tongue can express one’s own identity while not disrupting others. They stressed on recognition of mother tongues of all ethnicity as a key mean to strengthen global solidarity, peace and harmony.
The same morning, officials and employees of the Embassy and their families, led by the Ambassador, paid homage to the (1952) language martyrs by placing floral wreaths at the permanent Language Monument at the Zuider Park.
Thursday, 18 February 2021, Berlin, German Foreign Office, Germany: Michael Roth, German Minister for European Affairs, welcomed his Austrian counterpart, Mag. Karoline Edtstadler and Austria’s Ambassador in Germany, Dr. Peter Huber, for a bilateral exchange about the incumbent strategies concerning the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic between Austria and Germany as well as the issue of providing a European perspective for a general solution regarding border closures, and the freedom of movement of EU citizens.
Currently the frontier between Tyrol and Bavaria is shut down with people allowed into Germany merely on ad hoc bases.
The issue of anti-Semitism in Europe was likewise discussed, and particularly the concrete measures being enforced in both countries to combat prejudice against Jewish people. Only this month Austria launched a handbook, and guidelines to raise awareness against anti-Semitism in the context of integration for migrants, and foreign-born citizens.
Karoline Edtstadler, Minister for the EU and the Constitution at the Austrian Chancellery likewise held a meeting with the German Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn.
The focus of her visit to Germany was her participation in the conference “Unboxing Hate Speech”. This was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection together with the German Foreign Office and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation as part of the German chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in order to exchange information on initiatives, national laws and criminal prosecution in the area of “hate speech” on the internet and to develop countermeasures and best practices to effectively combat hate speech.
Arusha, The Hague, 18 February 2021 – The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Mechanism Judge Gberdao Gustave Kam of Burkina Faso.
Judge Kam was sworn in as a Judge of the Mechanism in May 2012 and served with distinction on several important matters including the review in the case of Augustin Ngirabatware, and, most recently, the appeal in the case of Ratko Mladić.
Judge Kam was at the forefront of international criminal law for many years. In 2003, he was elected by the United Nations General Assembly as an ad litem judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, where he served for nearly a decade. Between 2015 and 2016, Judge Kam presided over the Trial Chamber in the ground breaking case against Hissène Habré before the Extraordinary African Chambers in Senegal. Earlier in his career, Judge Kam participated in drafting the Statute, Rules and Regulations of the International Criminal Court as a member of the Burkina Faso delegation to the preparatory meetings which preceded the Court’s creation.
Judge Kam passed away on 17 February 2021. He will be remembered by colleagues and staff for his professionalism, dedication, and kindness.“It is with great sadness that I learn of Judge Kam’s death,” said Judge Carmel Agius, President of the Mechanism. “His commitment to justice and human rights is evident from his long and distinguished career. The passing of Judge Kam is a great loss to the Mechanism as well as to the international legal community as a whole.”
Today, in honour of Judge Kam, the Mechanism is flying the flag of the United Nations at half-mast at both of its branches in The Hague and Arusha.
A virtual book of condolences for Judge Kam will be open for signatures here from today until Friday, 5 March 2021. Alternatively, messages of condolence may also be sent to the Office of the President at presidentoffice[at]irmct.org.
The picture is a courtesy of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.
Thursday, 11 February 2021, Principality of Monaco: HE Ambassador Ali Abdulla Mohamed Saeed Alahmed was accredited at the Princely Palace by HSH The Sovereign Prince Albert II, as non-resident head of mission in Monaco. He is based out of Paris, French Republic, wherein he presented credentials on 10 December 2019. He was previously the UAE’s top envoy in Germany, and Croatia (non-resident ambassador).
Ambassador Ali Abdulla Alahmed worked in the field of telecommunications and media, as Head of Planning and Strategy at Emirates Telecommunications Corporation and subsequently as Director of Abu Dhabi Television before starting his diplomatic career as Director of European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates.
In 2019, he was appointed ambassador to the French Republic, Permanent Delegate of the United Arab Emirates to UNESCO, and non-resident ambassador to the Principality of Monaco.
For further information Embassy of the UAE in France:
Thursday, 11 February 2021, Ashgabat, Republic of Turkmenistan: HE President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov issued a decree appointing LtCol Dr Serdar Berdimuhamedov ‘Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan for Innovation and Digitisation’, a novel position in charge of bringing new technologies to Turkmenistan. He was simultaneously appointed a member of the National Security Council, and in the capacity of Chairman of the Supreme Control Chamber of Turkmenistan.
Chairman Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s career has been remarkable. He was appointed head of the newly established Ministry for Construction and Industry in February 2020.
The previous year, in June 2019 he was promoted to Governor of Ahal province, six months after being appointed Deputy Governor in January 2019. Before that, Serdar Berdimuhamedov had been serving as a Deputy Foreign Minister since March 2018, after holding the chairmanship of the parliament’s legal affairs committee starting in March 2017. In 2016 he gained a seat in Turkmenistan’s parliament in snap elections and led the foreign ministry’s international information department.
Dr Serdar Berdimuhamedov
Serdar Berdimuhamedov (b. 22 September 1981) holds a PhD from the Turkmen Academy of Sciences, studied at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, and spent time as a counsellor at the Turkmen mission to the U.N. in Geneva. He holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Turkmen Armed Forces.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha being awarded the rank of General – Picture by Thai Royal Office.
Saturday, 13 February 2021, Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand: His Thai Majesty King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces installed his eldest daughter, HRH Ambassador (ret.) Princess Bajrakitiyabha, The Princess Rajasarinisiribajra, in the Thai Armed Forces with the rank of ‘General’ after having accepted the appointment as ‘Chief of Staff of The King’s Close Bodyguard Command’ during a ceremony held at Amphorn Sathan Throne Hall in Dusit Palace. Her Majesty Queen Suthida was present during the ceremony.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha (b. 7 December 1978) holds a doctorate in law from Cornell University (New York State, USA). After her studies she was trained in diplomacy at the Thai Permanent Mission to the UN.
Thereafter he continued her career under the umbrella of the Thai Ministry of Justice until she was despatched to Austria as Royal Thai Ambassador, serving from 4 September 2012 until 1 October 2014. She was concurrent head of mission as non-resident ambassador to Slovakia and Slovenia as well as Permanent Representative to the UN organisations in Vienna. After her ambassadorship, he joined the Office of the Attorney General in Bangkok. After her half-brother, HRH Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, Princess Bajrakitiyabha is second in the line of succession to the Thai throne. Popularly she is known as Princess Pa, or Princess Patty.
Georgia is the DigitalAdventure & Sustainability Partner of ITB Berlin NOW 2021. As the name suggests, nature and sustainability are the focus of this partnership. In 2022 as ITB Berlin’s Official Cultural Destination, Georgia will highlight its cultural heritage. The title of Official Host Country will follow in 2023. In cooperation with ITB Berlin, the host country traditionally organises the Grand Opening Show of ITB Berlin and will be highlighted during the entire trade event.
”Georgia spans a cultural bridge between Europe and Asia and is an absolutely fascinating country, whose wide-ranging tourism attractions awaken the pioneering spirit in travellers in all kinds of ways“, said David Ruetz, Head of ITB Berlin. ”We are delighted that Georgia has entered into such a long-term partnership with us. As a result I am sure we will be able to host our guests with an exceptionally large platform.“
”Even in these times, during and after the Coronavirus pandemic, ITB Berlin continues to be the tourism industry’s most important global platform“, Mrs. Medea Janiashvili, Acting head of Georgians National Tourism Administration added. ”This three-year partnership will massively help to draw attention to our hospitable country among visitors all over the world.“
For the very first time, the Eastern European destination will become the Official Host Country of ITB Berlin in 2023. The republic has 3.7 million inhabitants and is popular with visitors due to a wealth of cultural attractions, the variety of architectural styles in the capital Tbilisi, mountain ranges, hillside monasteries, beaches on the Black Sea and the ancient winegrowing region of Kakheti. Around 87 percent of its surface area is mountainous.
Shkhara, the country’s highest peak, stands an impressive 5,200 meters high. The country is unique because of the mixture of traditional and modern life. Georgian gastronomy is distinguished by its rich cuisine. It is also the birthplace of wine – counting 8,000 years of unbreakable winemaking traditions.
