The Hague, 16 October 2026 — A revised version of the Code of Judicial Ethics of the International Criminal Court (ICC) enters into force today, introducing amendments concerning judges’ use of social media and the binding nature of the Code.
The amendments were agreed upon by the judges during their annual judicial retreat on 29 September 2026, in accordance with Regulation 126 of the Regulations of the Court.
A new subparagraph 3 has been added to Article 10, requiring judges to exercise caution when using social media and other information technologies. Article 12 has also been amended to expressly affirm that the ethical standards set out in the Code are binding and that non-compliance may constitute misconduct.
These changes reflect the Court’s commitment to maintaining high ethical standards and ensuring that the conduct of its judges remains consistent with the responsibilities and public trust associated with judicial office.
The amendments to Articles 10 and 12 enter into force today, following publication of the revised Code on the ICC website.
The Hague, 7 October 2026 — The International Court of Justice (ICJ), which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, will receive the Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize on 9 November 2026. The second-oldest peace prize in the world recognises the Court’s significant contribution to the peaceful settlement of disputes between states and its role in promoting international law as a foundation for peace and justice.
Laureate: The International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Established under the Charter of the United Nations in 1945, the Court began its work in April 1946. It has two principal functions: to settle legal disputes between states in accordance with international law and to provide advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised United Nations organs and specialised agencies.
Of the six principal organs of the United Nations, the ICJ is the only one based outside New York. Its seat is the Peace Palace in The Hague. The Court comprises 15 judges, also known as members of the Court, and is supported by its Registry. Since its establishment, 202 cases have been entered on the Court’s General List. It is currently handling 24 cases.
Peace Palace, The Hague. Photography by Diplomat Magazine.
Carnegie Foundation Jury Report
In its jury report, the Carnegie Foundation explains the reasons for awarding the Peace Prize to the International Court of Justice:
In a world characterised by increasing geopolitical tensions and international conflicts, the International Court of Justice plays an essential role as a peaceful instrument for the settlement of disputes. By offering states a judicial forum for the resolution of disputes, the Court contributes to preventing the escalation of conflicts and promoting international stability. The International Court of Justice distinguishes itself by its authority and legitimacy and enjoys broad recognition among states worldwide.
In addition, the Court fulfils an important normative function. Through its advisory opinions, it provides authoritative interpretations of international law on issues of global importance, including self-determination, international humanitarian law, and the responsibilities of states.
The 80th anniversary of the International Court of Justice marks not only a historic milestone but also underscores the enduring importance of the rule of law in international relations. At a time when multilateralism is increasingly under pressure, the Court remains a stable and authoritative pillar of the international legal order. Through its unique combination of judicial authority, peaceful dispute settlement, and contribution to the development of international law, the International Court of Justice plays an essential role in promoting a just and lasting peace.
The Carnegie Foundation witnesses daily the increasing workload of the Court and the challenges it faces in carrying out its mandate. By awarding the Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize to the International Court of Justice, the Carnegie Foundation wishes to recognise and honour the achievements of the members of the Court, as well as the indispensable contributions of the Registry and its staff to the advancement of international justice and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Award Ceremony and High-Level Forum
On behalf of the members of the International Court of Justice and the Registry, H.E. Iwasawa Yuji, President of the ICJ, will receive the prize on Monday, 9 November, at 3 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Peace Palace. The award will be presented by Piet Hein Donner, Chairman of the Carnegie Foundation, Minister of State, and former Vice-President of the Council of State.
The ceremony will take place during the High-Level Forum, A Reaffirmed Commitment to Promoting, Hosting and Advancing Peace through Law, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the Municipality of The Hague, and the Carnegie Foundation.
The forum will bring together representatives of governments, international institutions, academia, the diplomatic corps, and other organisations to reflect on the essential role of international law in promoting peace, justice, and stability. It will also reaffirm the shared commitment of the Netherlands and The Hague to the principle of Peace through Law.
Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize
The Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize has been presented at the Peace Palace since 1931. The Carnegie Foundation awards the prize to an individual or institution that contributes to international peace through words or deeds. It was established by Dutch banker Johan Wateler, who entrusted the prize to the Carnegie Foundation. On 9 November 2026, the prize will be awarded for the 75th time.
Over the past 95 years, the Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize has recognised prominent individuals and institutions for their contributions to peace, international cooperation, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Notable laureates include Sir Eric Drummond (1931), The Hague Academy of International Law (1936 and 1949), Jean Monnet (1953), the Dag Hammarskjöld Minnes Fund (1962), Coretta Scott King (1969), the Permanent Court of Arbitration (1998), Javier Solana (2006), War Child (2012), Lakhdar Brahimi (2014), and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (2022).
Italian chef Francesco Frasca has officially opened Ristorante Baronetto, his own restaurant on the characteristic Mallemolen in the heart of The Hague. The new establishment marks an important chapter in Frasca’s culinary career, bringing the flavours and traditions of his native Piedmont to the international city of peace and justice.
The opening brought together friends, guests and members of The Hague’s Italian community. Representatives of the Italian Embassy attended the celebration, alongside members of the community, including Pasquale Ronza and his wife, Maria, and Elly Ciampichetti, accompanied by, among others, her son Stefano Ciampichetti, Director of Winford The Hague.
At Ristorante Baronetto, The Hague.
Frasca has built his culinary career in The Hague, where he previously served for many years as Executive Chef at Impero Romano.
With Baronetto, he now brings his own vision of Italian hospitality to the table, drawing inspiration from Piedmont and the Langhe region. Traditional dishes, truffles and regional wines, including Barolo and Barbaresco, feature prominently in the restaurant’s culinary offering.
Chef Francesco Frasca and co-owner Vijay Jitan welcoming Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten during a recent private visit to Ristorante Baronetto in The Hague.
Baronetto has also begun welcoming guests from The Hague’s political, diplomatic and international community. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten recently dined at the restaurant, highlighting its growing presence in a city where gastronomy and international life frequently intersect.
The opening of Ristorante Baronetto celebrates not only a new addition to The Hague’s dining scene, but also Frasca’s longstanding ties to the city and its Italian community. Through his own restaurant, he continues to share the culinary heritage of Piedmont with local residents and international visitors alike.
INDEPENDENCE01 A RECORD OF JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE – Judge Ibáñez’s judicial record bears witness to her independence of judgment. In complex and sensitive cases, she has applied the law and assessed the facts free from external influence or pressure, including where her view has differed from that of the majority. Her separate opinions are a testament to that independence: carefully reasoned, principled and firmly grounded in the law. Her independence is thus a quality demonstrated consistently through her judicial service.
02 A CLEAR COMMITMENT TO IMPARTIALITY – Judge Ibáñez’s impartiality is demonstrated through a judicial record spanning cases involving diverse parties, interests and highly sensitive circumstances. She has consistently approached those cases without favor, bias or prejudice, applying the law even-handedly and giving full consideration to the rights and interests of all those before the Court. Her separate opinions, including in particularly sensitive proceedings, bear witness to an impartiality grounded in law rather than in the identity or position of any party.
03 INDEPENDENCE IN THE FACE OF EXTERNAL PRESSURE – Judicial independence is most consequential when it is exercised in the face of external pressure. From her years as a prosecutor in Peru to her service as an international judge, Judge Ibáñez has exercised judicial and prosecutorial responsibilities in environments where powerful interests and external pressures could bear upon the administration of justice. During her tenure at the ICC, she has continued to discharge her judicial responsibilities independently, throughout a period in which international courts and their judges have faced unprecedented political and other forms of pressure. Her record demonstrates an independence of judgment, grounded in law and principle, and a steadfast commitment to safeguarding the judicial function.
EXPERIENCE04 A RECORD OF INTERNATIONAL JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE – Nine years of service on the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court have given Judge Ibáñez extensive experience in the demands of international adjudication at the highest level: rigorous examination of jurisdiction, procedure and legal argument, translated into clear and reasoned conclusions. That experience has also given her a firsthand understanding of the institutional responsibility entrusted to an international court and of the significance its judgments hold for the broader international legal order.
05 FOUR DECADES OF PUBLIC SERVICE – Judge Ibáñez brings more than four decades of legal and public service: over three decades as a prosecutor in Peru, alongside sustained engagement with legal academia, and, the past nine years, as an international judge. Her experience, spanning prosecution, scholarship and international adjudication, extending across national and international institutions, has given her a distinctive and deeply grounded understanding of the law, legal institutions and the responsibilities of public office. 06 LEADERSHIP AT THE HIGHEST INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL – As First Vice-President of the ICC (2021–2024), Judge Ibáñez Judge Ibáñez served the highest level of the Court’s institutional leadership, engaging extensively with States, international organizations and judicial institutions. Her tenure afforded her a broad perspective on the legal and geopolitical realities shaping international relations, and on the importance of dialogue and consensus in multilateral affairs. This experience deepened her understanding of multilateralism and the vital relationship between international law, justice, peace and security, a perspective of particular relevance to the judicial responsibilities and central role of the International Court.
REPRESENTATION07 A LONGSTANDING GAP IN REPRESENTATION – In nearly eight decades of the Court’s history, 109 men have served as Judges of the International Court of Justice, compared with only six women. No woman from Latin America and the Caribbean has yet been elected to the Court. Judge Ibáñez’s election would contribute to addressing this longstanding gap in the Court’s composition, and to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 5 — women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership and decision-making in public life — as envisaged by the UN 2030 Agenda.
08 REPRESENTATION ALONGSIDE MERIT J- udge Ibáñez’s candidacy brings meaningful regional and professional representation alongside the highest standards of legal competence and judicial independence. Her four decades of service across prosecution, legal academia and international adjudication, together with her perspective as a woman jurist from the GRULAC, would contribute a distinctive legal and professional perspective to the Court.
09 AN ENRICHED LEGAL PERSPECTIVE – Judge Ibáñez developed her legal career in Peru, within a legal tradition enriched by the jurisprudence of the Inter-American human rights system and other regional and multilateral mechanisms, and has carried this perspective throughout her nine years as a Judge of the International Criminal Court. Her work has contributed to the development of ICC jurisprudence, drawing on diverse legal traditions and approaches to international law. Her election would bring to the International Court of Justice the distinctive perspective of a South American woman jurist, grounded in a different legal tradition and body of jurisprudence, contributing to the diversity of perspectives that strengthen international adjudication and enhance the Court’s work in the service of the international community.
10 A CAREER IN THE SERVICE OF JUSTICE AND PEACE Judge Ibáñez’s four-decade career has been consistently dedicated to the pursuit of justice as a means of strengthening and securing lasting peace, both nationally and internationally. From prosecuting terrorism and grave human rights violations in Peru, to adjudicating the gravest international crimes at the ICC and contributing to the leadership of an international judicial institution, she has devoted her professional life to upholding the rule of law, protecting human dignity and advancing justice. Her candidacy brings together extensive judicial experience, deep expertise in international law, and a sustained commitment to multilateralism and international peace and security—a record of service that she now places at the service of the International Court of Justice.
With Timor-Leste now a part of the family, ASEAN is now a formidable eleven-member institution to reckon with.
Theme: “Navigating Our Future, Together”
ASEAN Ambassadors together with many guests attending the 59th Anniversary of the association.
On 16 September 2026, ASEAN Ambassadors in the Netherlands gathered at the Thai Residence, hosted by H.E. Asi Mamanee, the Thai Ambassador, to celebrate ASEAN’s 59th anniversary.
The event was filled with vibrant songs and dances from all member states, along with engaging performances, heartfelt speeches, and tasty culinary treats that created a wonderful atmosphere of friendship and unity.
H.E. Asi Mamanee, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand, Chair of the ASEAN Committee in The Hague.
In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Asi Mamanee shared how ASEAN’s strategic location between the Indian and Pacific Oceans makes it an important hub for connectivity and a key player in global trade and supply chains. But ASEAN is much more than just an economic success; it’s a shining example of how diverse nations can come together to foster peace, stability, and shared prosperity. He proudly stated that as the Chair of the ASEAN Committee in The Hague, Thailand is committed to promoting activities that leverage these strengths for real, practical cooperation. Our goal is simple: we want to create solutions that benefit not only ASEAN and the Netherlands but also the wider global community.
The celebration ended up on a high note with a delightful Thai buffet, featuring mouthwatering dishes like green curry, leaving everyone with smiles on their faces as they departed from the Thai Residence!
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The Embassy of Malaysia in The Hague hosted the inaugural lecture of a Distinguished Speaker Series titled “The Law and Dynamics of Sustainability: The Case of Palm Oil.” This event took place at the Embassy of Malaysia in The Hague on the iconic date of September 11, 2026.
Lectures,”Global Sustainability Politics of Palm Oil” by Dr Helena Varkkey.
Lecture 2: “Sustainable Palm Oil Governance: Aligning Domestic Laws and Industry Policies with SDGs and Global Environmental Legal Frameworks” by Dr Siti Hafsyah Idris
Dr Helena Varkkey holds the Prince Claus Chair in Equity and Development (2025–2027) at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam, alongside her appointment as an Associate Professor of Political Ecology at Universiti Malaya. Her academic work concentrates on transboundary haze governance, palm oil sustainability, and global environmental politics in Southeast Asia. She earned her PhD in International and Strategic Studies from the University of Sydney and has authored several publications on regional environmental challenges, including her monograph “The Haze Problem in Southeast Asia: Palm Oil and Politics”.
Dr Siti Hafsyah Idris is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia, where she also serves as Director of the Community Network Centre. Specializing in environmental law, biosafety, climate change policy, and plastic pollution governance, she routinely acts as a legal consultant for Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability and has served on Malaysian delegations for UNEP treaty negotiations. She holds a PhD in Law from UiTM, completed postdoctoral fellowships in environmental law and bioethics at Airlangga University, and publishes extensively on transnational environmental regulation and legal frameworks.
Mr Mohd Ishrin bin Mohd IshakCharge d’affaires a.i. Embassy of Malaysia, stated the following in his welcome remarks it is a pleasure for the Embassy of Malaysia in The Hague to host this Distinguished Speaker Series, on a subject of shared importance across government, industry, and academia.
“Today, we take on one of the key intersections of environmental policy and international trade: the future of sustainable palm oil. As global demand, climate targets, and regulatory standards evolve, understanding how sector transitions operate on the ground, and how legal frameworks align with global sustainability goals, has never been more important.
For Malaysia, this conversation carries particular weight here in the Netherlands, where evolving EU regulatory standards and market expectations directly shape our trade relationship. It is platforms such as this that help bridge the gap, bringing together policy, industry, and research perspectives.
We are privileged to have two distinguished experts with us today, who will bridge high-level international policy with practical domestic execution on this issue.
The questions before us today, how sustainability, law, and trade intersect, matter well beyond any one country’s borders. It is through exchanges like today’s that shared understanding, and workable solutions, begin to take shape. I hope you will find today’s session fruitful and engaging.”
A meeting at Leeuwarden City Hall focused on further cooperation between India and Leeuwarden in the areas of innovation, education and sustainability.
Hemank Dabhade, founder of Naman Systems, presented his company during the meeting to India’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Kumar Tuhin, and Mayor of Leeuwarden the Honorable Foort van Oosten.
The discussion explored opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between India and Leeuwarden. The Indian Embassy also highlighted the contribution of Indian talent and entrepreneurship to sustainable solutions in the Netherlands.
Indian roots, Friesland as home
For Hemank Dabhade, the meeting also had personal significance. India is the country of his roots, while Friesland has become his home and the place from which he continues to build Naman Systems.
“Standing there, with Friesland as my home and India as my roots, it felt as though two chapters of my life had come together in one room,” said Dabhade.
From Leeuwarden, Naman Systems develops and builds home batteries, commercial battery systems and custom energy systems, with a focus on energy storage and smart energy management. For businesses, its solutions include three-phase energy storage, mobile battery systems, solutions for peak loads and grid congestion, and systems for larger energy requirements.
One of its distinctive products is the NS-ONE: a movable 16 kWh home battery with an optional integrated Type 2 EV charger. Solar energy stored during the day can later be used in the home or to charge an electric vehicle, for example in the evening or at night. This combines home battery storage and EV charging in a single energy system.
Continuing to grow from Leeuwarden
Mayor Foort van Oosten also reflected on the meeting. It was agreed to further explore opportunities for cooperation and identify useful contacts.
For Naman Systems, the presentation at City Hall marks a special step in the company’s continued development. From Leeuwarden, Naman Systems aims to keep working on technology that contributes to a cleaner and more resilient energy future.
After almost six years in the Netherlands, the time has come to say goodbye to H.E. Arnoldo Brenes Castro, Ambassador of Costa Rica to the Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
For many in The Hague, however, this is more than a diplomatic farewell. It is also the departure of a dear friend, a respected colleague and an exceptional diplomat who has left a lasting impression on the diplomatic, legal, academic and social communities of the Netherlands.
Ambassador Brenes Castro presented his credentials in December 2020, beginning his first posting abroad as Ambassador of Costa Rica to the Netherlands. During his tenure, he represented Costa Rica with precision, commitment and a remarkable sense of responsibility, ensuring that his country was present and actively engaged wherever its voice could contribute.
His professional background explains much of his approach to diplomacy. A lawyer and notary public, he graduated from the University of Costa Rica in 1991 and obtained an MA in Theory and Practice of Human Rights from the University of Essex in 1994. His early professional life combined legal practice with teaching and work devoted to human rights, peace and security.
During the 1990s, he worked as a consultant and professor at the University for Peace of the United Nations, teaching in programmes related to human rights, peace education and sustainable environmental tourism. He also served with the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress, where he worked on security and demilitarisation issues.
In 2000, he joined Costa Rica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, where his career increasingly focused on international relations, international security and international law. He participated in important international legal cases involving Costa Rica and Nicaragua and served on several commissions dealing with international law, foreign service matters and the extension of Costa Rica’s continental shelf.
Before arriving in The Hague, he had already represented Costa Rica before some of the world’s principal international legal institutions, including the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the International Court of Justice. His appointment to the Netherlands therefore brought to The Hague a diplomat whose professional life had been deeply connected with international law, human rights and peace.
During his years in the Netherlands, Ambassador Brenes Castro further strengthened the close relationship between Costa Rica and the Netherlands. The two countries share important interests in areas including peace and security, climate action and environmental protection. With 175 years of diplomatic relations to be celebrated in 2027, the relationship continues to offer considerable opportunities for political, economic and cultural cooperation.
Costa Rica’s commitment to peace and international cooperation was also reflected in the Ambassador’s work on issues of international security and Costa Rica’s support for Ukraine. His involvement in negotiations and international discussions demonstrated his ability to combine legal expertise with practical diplomacy.
At the same time, his work went far beyond formal diplomatic meetings. He became a familiar and respected presence throughout The Hague’s international community, building friendships and professional relationships with ambassadors and diplomats, Dutch government officials, academics, international lawyers, representatives of international organisations and civil society, as well as members of the Costa Rican and wider Latin American communities and many Dutch citizens.
He was consistently present: at diplomatic events, international conferences, academic gatherings, cultural occasions and discussions on the many issues that shape the international community in The Hague. Wherever Costa Rica could contribute, Ambassador Brenes Castro made sure that Costa Rica was represented.
His effectiveness as a diplomat was matched by his personal qualities. He brought to his work extensive knowledge, careful preparation, determination and, above all, a genuine passion for the country he represented. For those who had the opportunity to work with him, having Ambassador Brenes Castro among us has been both an honour and a privilege.
His intellectual contribution is equally notable. An author and editor of numerous publications, he has combined his diplomatic career with a longstanding commitment to research and writing, particularly in the fields of international law, human rights, peace and international relations.
As Ambassador Brenes Castro prepares to leave the Netherlands for his next assignment as Ambassador of Costa Rica to Türkiye, he leaves behind an impressive record of diplomatic service but also a remarkably wide circle of friends.
For the Diplomatic Community of The Hague, saying goodbye to Ambassador Brenes Castro is therefore also saying goodbye to a friend.
We wish him and his family, good health, happiness and every success in his new mission. Costa Rica can be proud of the dedication, professionalism and passion with which he served his country in the Netherlands.
And while we say goodbye to Ambassador Brenes Castro, we also look forward to welcoming him back to The Hague whenever his diplomatic path brings him here again.
The Hague, 4 September 2026. A diplomatic reception was held to celebrate the 204th Anniversary of the Independence of Brazil, hosted by H.E. Fernando Simas Magalhães, Ambassador of Brazil to the Netherlands. The evening brought together representatives of the diplomatic and governmental communities, academia, business, and the Brazilian diaspora.
The 2026 National Day celebration coincided with the 200th anniversary of Brazil–Netherlands diplomatic relations. The occasion therefore provided an opportunity not only to celebrate Brazil’s independence, but also to reflect on two centuries of friendship, cooperation and people-to-people connections between the two countries.
The Ambassador of Brazil, H.E. Fernando Simas Magalhães, H.E. Dr Marcin Czepelak, Secretary General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and Matilde Simas Magalhães.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Simas Magalhães highlighted the broadening relationship between Brazil and the Netherlands, encompassing trade, science, innovation, sustainability, agriculture, renewable energy, technology, culture and education.
The Ambassador also reflected on the cultural links that have developed between the two societies over generations, including connections through music, cinema, art and football.
“Almost every Dutch generation has its own vision of Brazil. For some, it arrived through football; for others, through music, cinema or the Amazon. The opinions held about Brazil in the Netherlands may vary quite considerably, but it is undeniable that we have together forged a constructive and collaborative framework for conducting our multiple interactions.”
H.E. Mr Fernando Simas Magalhães, Ambassador of Brazil together with H.E. Mr Vicktor Biyagov, Ambassador of Armenia, Matilde Simas Magalhães and the Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Gabriella Sancisi
“For their part, Brazilians have also encountered the Netherlands somewhere else before ever setting foot here: in its glorious painters, its flowers and cheese, or in its multiple deep-rooted links with our own national history. On a personal note, I remember in 1974 being in awe of the way the Dutch national team played its ‘total football’ – in Brazil it became known as ‘Clockwork Orange’. Pelé said of Johan Cruyff, ‘he was such a joy to watch’.”
H.E. Ms. Sally Loo Hui, Ambassador of Panama, H.E. Ms Eva Silva Walker, Ambassador of Cuba, H.E. Ms. Alicia Buenrostro Massieu, Ambassador of Mexico, the Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba, H.E. Ms. Mildred Schwengle, H.E. Ms Franca Deza Ferreccio, Ambassador of Peru and the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop. Santiago de Wit Guzman.
Looking ahead, the Ambassador highlighted several initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation. “This October, we will host FAPESP Week here in the Netherlands, bringing a large delegation of researchers from Brazil to advance scientific collaboration with Dutch universities and institutions. And in November, we will hold the first-ever meeting of the Brazilian diaspora working in the Dutch semiconductor sector – a reminder that Brazilian talent also has a fingerprint on cutting-edge innovation.”
H.E. Mr Greg French, Ambassador of Australia, Judge Tomoko Akane, ICC President, Ms Gabriella Sancisi, Chief of Protocole of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ambassador of Korea, H.E. Mr. Seok In Hong.
Ambassador Simas also welcomed the MERCOSUR–EU Agreement, noting: “This year, the MERCOSUR–EU Agreement entered into force. By any measure, it is a landmark, one of the largest trade agreements either MERCOSUR or the European Union has ever concluded.”
Music played an important role in the evening. Femke Smit performed the Dutch national anthem, while Brazilian soprano Carla Maffioletti performed the Brazilian national anthem, with both accompanied by Roda da Holanda. The performances added a strong cultural dimension to the diplomatic celebration.
Guusje Korthals-Altes, Deputy Director-General for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Representing the Dutch Government, Guusje Korthals-Altes, Deputy Director-General for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered the keynote address. She underlined the historical depth of the bilateral relationship, noting: “Two hundred years ago, in 1826, the first Dutch Consul-General in Rio de Janeiro was appointed, laying the foundations for our excellent diplomatic relations. But our ties go back even further, of course. In the seventeenth century, Johan Maurits of Nassau-Siegen served as governor general of parts of northeastern Brazil.”
Korthals-Altes continued: “Brazil is a key economic partner for the Netherlands, and the Netherlands serve as a gateway for Brazil to the European Union. His Majesty the King was able to witness our cooperation at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam earlier this year, where the hydrogen project between the ports of Rotterdam and Pecém was showcased. The Netherlands welcomed the signing of the EU-Mercosur Agreement.”
Addressing defense and security cooperation, she added that “from 2027 onwards, the Netherlands will become the proud owner of new military transport aircraft produced by Brazilian manufacturer Embraer.”
H.E. Fernando Simas Magalhães, Ambassador of Brazil to the Netherlands.
The reception also highlighted opportunities for further cooperation in science, sustainability, low-carbon agriculture, forest protection and renewable energy.
The forthcoming FAPESP Week in the Netherlands was among the initiatives highlighting the growing scientific links between the two countries, while the MERCOSUR–European Union Agreement was identified as creating further opportunities for economic and commercial relations.
Beautiful people from Brazil, on the 200th anniversary of Brazil–Netherlands diplomatic relations.
The reception was more than a National Day celebration; it was also a reflection on 200 years of Brazil–Netherlands relations. The combination of diplomacy, culture, science and business demonstrated the breadth of the contemporary relationship and provided an appropriate setting to celebrate Brazil’s 204th Independence Anniversary.
No Brazilian National Day celebration would be complete without Brazilian food and drinks. Guests enjoyed churrasco, Brazilian wine, açaí, fresh orange juice and coffee, bringing a distinctly Brazilian flavour to an enjoyable evening.
