He perished following an incurable disease diagnosed back in January 2020. According to article 17 of the Constitution of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Grand Commander Fra’ Ruy Gonçalo do Valle Peixoto de Villas Boas has assumed the functions of ‘Lieutenant ad interim’, and shall remain head of the Sovereign Order until the election of the new Grand Master.
Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto was born in Rome on 9 December 1944. He graduated in Literature and Philosophy from the Sapienza University of Rome, specialising in Christian archaeology and art history. He held academic positions in the Pontifical Urbaniana University, teaching classical Greek, and also served as chief librarian and archivist for the university’s important collections. He has published a range of academic articles and essays on aspects of mediaeval art history.
Armin Laschet received the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra’ Giacomo dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto. Photography Land NRW, Günther Ortmann’
Iconic reporter at Ad Haagche Courant and Chronicler of The Hague Life, Leo van de Velde, received a Royal Decoration and was inducted into the Order of Orange Nassau for his longstanding commitment to journalism in The Hague, the international city of Peace and Justice.
Mayor Michel Bezuijen of Rijswijk, acting on behalf of His Majesty King Willem Alexander, via a video link, presented van der Velde with the auspicious honors, heralding his lifelong dedication to his profession. The Order of Orange Nassau is a civil and military order of chivalry founded in 1892 in the Netherlands.
Leo van der Velde is well known and fondly regarded by many in The Hague. For several years he published the section ‘Bij Ons in Den Haag’, an overview of all social and Diplomatic gatherings in the city. He was always there, but was never part of the Hague society in an official capacity.
Van der Velde knows Den Haag very well as he was born in the heart of the city and always has his pulse on the streets. He has an undeniable ease dealing with everything and everyone, roaming between all the social layers that are so characteristic of The Hague, that he comfortably interacts with all sections of society.
Leo sees and knows everything and is an old-fashioned journalist in the classic and beautiful sense of the word. This skill in perception is not something that can be learned in a school, but is gained through life experience, by looking and by listening. Even now in his seventies, Leo seems to be in the prime of his writing life.
The past two years he started a new column at AD Haagsche Courant Lieve Rachel.In a letter to his granddaughter, he combines the old with the new times, the traditional with the contemporary. Readers are able to truly have an organic experience, to feel and smell The Hague through his words and see the current city through the eyes of Rachel.
The columns were bundled last year and it immediately became The Hague book of the year according to the editor-in-chief in AD Haagsche Courant.
Leo van der velde krijgt een lintje. (Den Haag 23-04-20) Foto: Frank Jansen.
Editor-in-chief, Paul van de Bosch and colleague Maaike Kraaijeveld were elated and applauded the fact that Leo has received a Royal Decoration for the excellent job he has done over the decades.
Diplomat magazine congratulates Leo van der Velde with the honor that has been bestowed on him.
As the fight against this pandemic continues, both Donald Trump and Xi Jinping begin to deploy one of the least known diplomatic tools, the public diplomacy (PD) strategy. This new science has transformed Washington’s foreign policy since 1999, Shanghai since 2003, and a handful of other states in recent years. For the People’s Republic of China and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gonggong waijiao (public diplomacy in Mandarin) is a matter of survival and national security.
The PD of both governments fulfills the objective of caring for the country’s image overseas. This can take the form of the issuance of favourable press releases worldwide or sending medical aid to nations in need.
For some developing countries, the short-term Covid-19 outcome will be critical. Only those states having incorporated public diplomacy into their external action will be able to recover more quickly from the peripheral effects of today´s crisis. The ministries of foreign affairs of Israel, South Korea, Vietnam and Spain (just to mention a few), are including public diplomacy as a compulsory subject in contemporary diplomatic training.
Implementing a successful PD can be an affordable option under scarce resources (Arias L. 2018). The terminology of public diplomacy, as we understand it today, was first coined in 1965 at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Massachusetts (Guillon E.). However, its practical implementation started to flourish after the closure of the United States Information Agency (USIA or USIS) and the inauguration of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs in 1999 at the United States Department of State.
Public diplomacy is the science responsible for establishing strategies to listen, empathize, influence and engage foreign audiences (Matos E., 2007).
It is a discipline partially opposed to the praxis of traditional diplomacy as defined by Sir Harold Nicholson. The PD is per se innovative, democratic and transparent. PD is not limited to diplomatic agents but extends to lobbyists, NGOs, members of civil society and the diaspora.
According to studies from the University of South Carolina, the Clingendael Institute and the International Public Diplomacy Council in The Hague, its effectiveness might be an antidote to face crises or as an alternative solution when diplomatic relations may be deteriorated or even broken (Noya J. 2006). Some scholars and politicians refer to PD as “People´s Diplomacy”, (Albright M., 2000).
In the practice field, public diplomacy uses soft power as a formula to attract minds and hearts in a subtle way (Nye J. 2009). PD is equally nourished by other tools such as digital diplomacy due to the immediacy of communications, as well as cultural diplomacy for its proven merits (Milton C. C., 2003). Unlike traditional diplomatic duties, public diplomacy remains a very recent discipline, sparse in literature and falling short of cutting-edge professionals. Surprisingly, too many career diplomats still ignore the advantages of this key foreign policy tool (JK Stewart 2017).
After spending weeks in quarantine during this pandemic, which triggered the biggest plunge in global stock markets since 1933, several superpowers are starting to display their public diplomacy muscles well before igniting a recovery strategy. In sum, China and the United States of America are excellent models in implementing public diplomacy as an important soft power tool for effective communication and crisis management.
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About the author: Dr. Eugenio Matos G. is Minister-Counsellor at the Dominican Republic Embassy in Ottawa. He is one of the first Latin American experts in public diplomacy and recipient of several Canada´s Ambassadors of the Year & Public diplomacy recognitions.
A Conversation with Dr. Marcos Espinal of the Pan-American Health Organization
By Geovanny Vicente Romero.
The Information Age began in the late 20th Century, replacing the role the Industrial Revolution played in global economic and human development. This period marks a shift to inserting humans into an economic context that is largely based on the power of information and technology, what we identify today as information and communication technologies, such as the Internet, telecommunications, digital services and social media.
The world today faces its largest threat in more than 100 years, one that has arrived without the smell of gunpowder left by bullets, nor the massive destruction left by the nuclear bombs of the 20th Century. Rather, this threat takes the form of a silent, stealthy and rapidly spreading Coronavirus (COVID-19 is the name of the disease caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2) loaded with misinformation. Years ago, American science fiction author Marc Stiegler shared tips for the Information Age we live when he wrote in his book David’s Sling that, “in the Information Age, the first step to sanity is FILTERING. Filter the information: extract for knowledge.”
Stiegler gives us some steps to follow in this regard:
Filter first for substance.
Filter second for significance. These filters protect against advertising. (Here, I will add against fake news and propaganda as well)
Filter third for reliability. This filter protects against politicians (and, politics).
Filter fourth for completeness. This filter protects against the media.
To continue in the correct age of information and avoid ending up misinformed, we must continue listening to the experts and elevate their voices. Apart from all the information that we consume through tv, news outlets, internet, and social media, it is time to engage our active listening skills. Effective communication that encourages active listening, not only will help listeners understand and internalize the message expressed, but also to identify and decode the emotions, sincerity and empathy of the person who gives the message. This technique will also help prevent disinformation and fake news.
We must go back to basics, follow the recommendations of the scientific and health authorities, while giving credit to health workers because they are risking their lives to help others, and have a unique first-hand perspective on the front lines of fighting this virus.
Those experts familiar with the subject matter, communicate the problem more clearly and more credibly to the target audience. Take for example Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the U.S National Institutes of Health. With all the mixed messaging from politicians, Dr. Fauci’s expertise and direct, unapologetic communication style have elevated him to celebrity status. The New Yorker explains how Fauci became America’s Doctor, a status only comparable to what journalist Walter Cronkite enjoyed as, “the most trusted man in America”.
Besides from being an expert infectious disease scientist with a long history of facing the most virulent and viral threats against humanity (and likely a leading candidate for TIME’s Person of the Year), Fauci has the ability to explain the most complex concepts in a simple and effective way. Joe McLeod analyzes Fauci’s gift in his piece, “Five Communication Lessons from Dr. Anthony Fauci” identifying five key elements: credibility, simplicity, connection with young people, calming presence and staying on-message.
I emphasized this fundamental need for more credible sources such as Dr. Fauci, especially during COVID-19, in an April 5 article on, “Political Communication in the Times of Crisis:COVID-19 as an Urgent Case Study,” where I note, “we are facing a problem that this time requires us to be joined by technical experts at the press conferences,” a thesis seconded in mid-April by U.S. doctor Celine Gounder, when she writes, “doctors, nurses and scientists, not politicians, should run the coronavirus briefings.”
We continue drawing upon infectious disease experts, such as Dr. Marcos Espinal, Director of the Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health at the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) to clarify the public’s COVID-19 concerns. Dr. Espinal is a Dominican medical laureate, PhD and Masters graduate in public health of the University of Berkeley, California. Dr. Espinal has worked at the international level, both in the World Health Organization (WHO) and in PAHO which is also the regional office of WHO for the Americas, having influenced the global response to well known diseases like tuberculosis and Zika.
Among Dr. Espinal’ successes, includes his time serving as executive secretary of the Stop TB Partnership, forming alliances with global figures such as Bill Gates, heads of states and other influential health and public personalities. Today, we have the privilege of having Dr. Marcos Espinal, who is also a PAHO spokesperson for COVID-19, answer four urgent questions in the time of COVID19.
Geovanny Vicente-Romero and Dr. Espinal.
1. COVID-19 has changed the way we interact daily. Lockdowns, isolation, social distance are the new normal thanks to this deadly virus. What is the magnitude of this pandemic and when can we expect a new normal?
As of today, 3 million cases and more than 200 thousand deaths have been reported and we can expect more in the next few weeks. These numbers do not reflect the real magnitude of the problem. The data suggest that 80% of the cases develops mild disease and many of these people isolate themselves without testing. A great deal of countries is not testing sufficiently because of shortages, different strategies, and other challenges. Thus, the current numbers are an underestimation of a greater problem.
A new normal will not be in place for some time possibly until a vaccine is fully available and accessible to everyone. Nevertheless, countries will need to get out of lockdowns and isolation at some point to put their economies and societies back on track. The best way to do that is to phase their way back to normalcy slowly and some countries are already doing that. This is essential to monitor and prevent a potential second epidemic wave of the virus.
It is also particularly important not to underestimate this virus and exercise patience. Provided containment and mitigation actions are implemented, we can start thinking of reopening when the curve is flattened and new cases are in decline for some time. Other key reopening factors include readily available testing so we can isolate people testing positive and trace their contacts, as well as a robust health system able to manage cases that will continue surfacing but in less frequency than in current times. People will also have to be ready to exercise some sort of social distance for a while. For countries with limited resources in which poverty and inequities are widespread, and a great deal of the economy rely on the informal business, some of these measures maybe challenging. Therefore, creativity will have to prevail.
2. In a globalized world where information flies quickly, there is no doubt that social media has contributed enormously to enrich our knowledge. However, with COVID-19 we have also seen a major influx of ‘fake news’. Where do people go for accurate information? Who can we trust?
This is a very important question. For a new virus that is frequently giving us surprises, accurate and trusted information are essential. Lots of myths have been spread which are creating fear and panic. This is a problem because panic usually prone people to make more mistakes.
It is always important to check the source of the information and verify other trusted sources to confirm what we just saw or read. For an outbreak like COVID-19 it is essential people follow the national authority recommendations, visit the websites of the ministries of health, trusted scientific bodies, and international public health institutions such as PAHO and WHO. There are also excellent media outlets that always verify the information before disseminating it.
Let us keep in mind that if we disseminate something that we don’t know is true or factual, we might be exercising poor citizen responsibility and, more importantly, contributing to create more chaos.
At the same time, we cannot undervalue the power of responsible social media in helping with the response to this epidemic. Social media has a role to play. There are good examples out there.
3. We know scientists, pharma companies, and prestigious academic institutions are racing to develop therapies and vaccines for COVID-19. Are we expecting a cure or a vaccine soon?
Let me start by saying there is no therapy or vaccine officially approved for COVID-19. Some medicines are being used under humanitarian circumstances but that does not mean they are efficacious against COVID-19. Some studies including small samples have suggested potential benefits for some medicines. However, for a medicine to be fully approved against any disease by the regulatory authorities or international organizations, it needs to undergo proper testing (clinical trials).
In simple terms, a group of sick people is given the medicine in question and another group of sick people is given a dummy medicine or placebo or the standard of care. There are several variants of clinical trial but the most accurate one relies on approaches that randomly assign participants to each group in a blind manner to prevent biases from the investigators and the participants. It is always important to take care of the ethical issues related and other operational aspects. At present, there are plenty of clinical trials underway for a significant number of potential therapies, some of them very promising. Hopefully good news will emerge soon.
The vaccine which is likely to be the game changer is not expected at least until 12-18 months. There are also several initiatives worldwide working on the field of vaccines for COVID-19. Let us also not forget that after the vaccine is available, we need to make sure it is also accessible and, to be frank, that is not a magic bullet so it will take its time. There is no doubt we will have a vaccine.
Very simple! The World Health Organization is the leading global public health agency in which 194 Member States discuss and agree on the way forward on health matters. The secretariat implements what the governing bodies (governments of Member States) decide. The WHO also coordinates responses to major health emergencies like COVID-19, under the aegis of a global binding treaty named International Health Regulations. Difficult for me to envision any other body trying to coordinate a massive response. Let us also not forget that WHO has accrued a great wealth of experience in dealing with this type of crisis.
In a moment of emergency, it is imperative we keep focus and complete dedication to serve the people of all our countries to help them fight this pandemic of unprecedented proportions. People are dying because of this disease. Thus, implementation and strengthening of our actions to overcome this pandemic is a commanding must. This virus does not respect borders, race or colors, so it requires all our efforts to be focused in the response. A strong response at country level will mean less cases and less deaths. An all society approach is needed if we want to protect our people. Everyone has a role to play.
There will be time for evaluations but now is time to keep strong emphasis on the response.
About the author:
Geovanny Vicente Romero is a columnist for CNN and Infobaebased in Washington, DC. He is a political strategist, international consultant and lecturer. He’s published many articles on development, human rights, governance, democracy, elections, the environment, as well as the role of women in a society. He is the founder of the Dominican Republic Center of Public Policy, Leadership and Development (CPDL-RD). Geovanny has a masters degree from The George Washington University in political communications and strategic governance. Reach him on Twitter @GeovannyVicentR.
China held the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council in March this year: COVID-19 was deemed not to be a security issue. By the end of March, confirmed deaths with the virus had grown past 40,000 globally and the U.N.’s Secretary General, António Guterres, stated that the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 were a multiplier of instability, unrest and conflict [1] in an attempt to engage the Security Council. The Presidency of the Security Council passed to the Dominican Republic this month and the Caribbean country has the opportunity to spur the Security Council into action.
By Elizabeth Deheza.
The United Nations champions multilateralism but is often criticised for “doing everything and doing nothing” and has been denounced for the lack of a rapid and appropriate response to global challenges. “We have discussed COVID-19 every day since 13th March,” reassures one U.N. diplomat, but so far, the response has been ideological communiqués rather than pragmatic propositions or resolutions to collectively combat the effects of the pandemic.
On 23rd March, despite his “limited freedom” the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, strategically called for a global cease-fire and an aid package for the most vulnerable, which was praised as the most serious proposal that has emerged since the pandemic. Additionally, the 193-member General Assembly this month passed a non-binding resolution that called for “intensified international cooperation to contain, mitigate and defeat” the Coronavirus.
The Security Council has been suffering from a lack of action. In March, under China’s Presidency, the outbreak was not deemed to be a security issue and no action was taken. In recent weeks there has been mounting media pressure and calls from member states to force the Security Council to address the effects of the pandemic within its mandate. “We had to give in, but under any other circumstances it would be unimaginable for [a health issue] to be discussed under the Security Council’s mandate”, stated a current member of the Security Council.
Tan Sri Hasmy Agam, formerly Malaysia’s representative on the Security Council and Prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic disagree and describe clearly the ‘International security dimension of COVID-19’ [2], arguing that the potential impacts on international peace and security mean that the issue, “indisputably falls under [the Security Council]’s mandate”. It should also be noted that the Security Council did debate the impact of AIDS on peace and security in Africa in 2000.
Despite the “archaic views of a few members on how the Security Council should work”, this month, the Council, under the Presidency of the Dominican Republic, implemented the working methods prepared by the previous presidency to start Video Teleconferences (VTCs). “The pandemic forced us to develop working methods that have allowed us to carry the agenda despite the difficulties of not being able to physically meet,” said a non-permanent member of the Security Council triumphantly. While it is helpful that the members can now talk to each other after several weeks, many businesses and institutions implemented similarly ground-breaking technological innovations overnight!
After much resistance, particularly from China and South Africa, the Security Council had its first closed-door virtual meeting on 9th April to discuss the COVID-19 crisis. While this is good progress, there are significant barriers to any action, “It would be very detrimental for the Security Council to make its discussions on the pandemic public as that would demonstrate that its structure does not allow it to go beyond the vetoes of the permanent members (P5),” said a Latin American diplomat. In particular, the increasing tensions between the US and China have truncated any meaningful outcome, “They are in the middle of an ideological and strategic war,” continued the diplomat.
And yet, as the crisis deepens, negotiations on a possible resolution appear to be moving forward. Just as one draft resolution negotiated between the P5 stalled, another resolution between the non-permanent members was put forward, and currently all members are negotiating both resolutions as a single document. The finger-pointing and wording disputes between the US and China persist and, while France is working to smooth this relationship, new disagreements have emerged around the possibility to include in the resolution, the relaxation of unilateral sanctions against countries that have been heavily hit by the pandemic and need aid, such as Iran. Considering the scale and gravity of the pandemic, the fact that the P5 and the Security Council in general are getting bogged down on lexical semantics, is unacceptable.
All eyes are on the Security Council this month and they cannot remain silent on what is happening. Coordinating a response to this situation will require great leadership and Latin America, through the Dominican Republic’s Presidency of the Security Council has an opportunity to be front and centre. “The President has to ease tensions and blunt the edges of conflict among some of the members, especially the permanent members, and to generate close cooperation and unity in dealing with this global health trauma,” said a distinguished diplomat that has served twice on the Security Council. And yet, “the possibility of non-permanent members influencing these bureaucratic practices, stagnant, anchored in a history that we already know, are minimal,” emphasised a non-permanent member state of the Security Council.
The Presidency’s role is primarily to guide and align the Council, and within its limitations, the Dominican Republic can play an effective leadership role in handling an international crisis of monumental proportions. “What would be required for such a leadership role are qualities of clear-sightedness, level-headedness and outstanding diplomatic skills, among others,” said a senior Asian diplomat.
As part of this month’s agenda, the Dominican Republic launched an open, high-level VTC entitled, ‘Protection of civilians from conflict-induced hunger’. While the event had been planned for months and the agenda already set, the Presidency successfully shaped the conversation to not only cover food insecurity and conflict-related starvation but also to include discussion on the related security impacts of COVID-19, for example, through disruption of food supply chains.
The response from the virtual attendees was remarkable, with all the briefers and interventions from different countries including consideration of the threats multiplied by the pandemic. For example, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Qu Dongyu highlighted COVID-19 as one of the ‘shocks’ together with conflicts, extreme weather, desert locusts and economic shocks that are likely to “push more people into acute food insecurity”. The Presidential Statement of this event will hopefully produce a unanimous message on hunger and conflict, a much-needed sign of unity to identify common problems and seek common solutions.
This outcome could be an encouraging step for the Dominican Republic to assume greater leadership around the impacts of COVID-19 and its effects on international peace and security for the remainder of the month. The Latin American nation should seek to conclude its Presidency by helping the Security Council to focus on the gravity and wide-reaching nature of the situation and work together on a resolution that directly addresses the threats of the pandemic and offers pragmatism in the management and the recovery, even if differences between the P5 persist. “The global pandemic presents both a challenge and an opportunity for a small Caribbean member state of the world body to demonstrate a much-needed leadership role to mobilize the international community to effectively combat COVID-19 and spare the world from further untold tragedy,” said an optimistic veteran of diplomacy.
The Caribbean nation will finish its Presidency at the end of April and while there are only a few days left, its diplomatic skills will be put to the test in the coming days at other important events including one on 27-29 April for the “Intergovernmental Negotiations on the Security Council Reform” (IGN) where five points of convergence and disagreement will be debated: 1) categories of membership to the Council (i.e. permanent, non-permanent, or a third option), 2) the question of the veto, 3) regional representation, 4) size of an enlarged Council and working methods, and 5) the relationship between the Council and the General Assembly. Each bloc of states (the S5 Group, the G4, the African Group, the L.69 Group, the Arab Group, Uniting for Consensus, the Caribbean Community, etc) have different positions, agendas and vision; “it’s a Tower of Babel’, assured a U.N diplomat, “without forward-looking conditions, we will not be able to advance the debate”. During this debate, the Dominican Republic could proactively try to reorganise the fronts between all the different positions of the U.N. regional groups and mark certain lines in the negotiation process.
The Dominican Republic could provide the same guidance to its own regional group within the United Nations, the Latin American and Caribbean States Group (GRULAC), which is considered “non-functional” due to its internal ideological struggles. “We must rebuild, remove the regional groups from their ideological struggle and make it a place where a conversation and eventually a consensus can be generated”, reflected a diplomat of a GRULAC member state. The Caribbean nation, through its prominent role in the Presidency, “has the platform to propose an initiative that would put a specific work agenda in place as a mechanism for consultation and agreement rather than as a mechanism of ideological confrontation,” explained the same diplomat. Another Latin American diplomat agrees that there is an opportunity for the Dominican Republic to show leadership, “the Dominican Republic ambassador could be a valuable interlocutor if considered as a sensible person and not seen as a threat to other activities within the Security Council”.
The pandemic and its effects have laid bare the importance of decisive, visionary leadership and concerted action in such a critical point of human history and also provides an opportunity to the international community and its leaders to galvanise the process of change where multilateralism, compassion and social consensus are no longer a policy of choice.
[1] UN News (2020) https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/04/1061502 (Accessed on 20 April 2020). [2] IFIMES (2020) https://www.ifimes.org/en/9791 /the-international-security-dimension-of-covid-19- and-the-pivotal-role-of-the-un-security-council/ (Accessed on 22 April 2020).
About the author:
Elizabeth Deheza, UK Deheza Based in London,is an independent strategic intelligence entity focused on Latin America and Caribbean.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – 24 April 2020 – The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) issued a video briefing for States Parties today to present the preliminary design of the new Centre for Chemistry and Technology (ChemTech Centre). Due to the circumstances related to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the recorded briefing substituted a traditional briefing that had been planned to occur on this date at OPCW Headquarters.
During this briefing, the Secretariat delivered presentations on the status of the project as well as the layout of the functional areas in the ChemTech Centre: the OPCW Laboratory, the Equipment Store, training and capacity-building facilities, and common areas. The architectural design firm selected to lead the project’s design team, Ector Hoogstad Architecten, presented a general overview of the preliminary design and the applicable zoning and regulatory requirements.
In his opening statement, OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias remarked: “The ChemTech Centre will be a place where the Technical Secretariat and States Parties come together to study, learn, train, and work in common purpose toward a more safe, secure, peaceful, and prosperous world. The Secretariat is committed to delivering this facility for States Parties, and to making every effort to do so on-time and on-budget.”
The ChemTech Centre will be built in the Heron Business Park, an industrial park established by the municipality of Pijnacker-Nootdorp, Netherlands. The main focus of the project’s activities in 2020 are design development and the issuance of the construction tender. Construction of the building is currently planned to begin in the second quarter of 2021, and to be completed by the end of 2022.
Preliminary design rendering of the OPCW ChemTech Centre
So far, thirty-nine States Parties, the European Union, and one private individual have made financial contributions or pledges totalling €30.3 million to the project’s trust fund. A further €3.2 million is still required to reach full funding for the project. Contributions or pledges for the remaining funds are required by July 2020 to ensure that the construction tender can be issued on-time and with full funding available.
By H.E. Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, VI President of Mauritius (2015-18).
Covid-19 is a formidable, dangerous and invisible enemy sparing no one – rich or poor, old and even the young. Ever since it appeared in China in late 2019, institutions like the WHO have been warning us against it. It is not likely to go away soon either. Covid-19 will persist, reappear and re-emerge to hit the rest of the world with further rounds that will prolong the crisis.
The world has not seen such tragedy except if we go back to 1918 – just over a century ago. Whilst Covid-19 is sweeping across the world, it is leaving trails of destruction with loss of lives. All health systems, even the most sophisticated and best funded are buckling under the pressures of the virus. Let us cast a thought to the poorer countries and fragile communities where they will not have the testing equipment, ventilators, medical supplies and where social distancing and even washing hands are difficult to achieve.
We used to greet people with hugs and kisses and now these acts of tenderness are no longer allowed. We valued money and now we realize that even that cannot buy us ventilators or essential medicines. We have taken so much for granted especially our families. With confinement being imposed in many countries, we have suddenly realized that power and money are perhaps not as important as the oxygen that we need to get better.
This confinement period is highly opportune to stop our rat race and spend more time with our families, focus on our values, reset and realign our priorities. We must also learn that Nature’s bounty is not infinite and it must be protected at all cost and respected. There is no Planet B and that Mankind is very much part of the ecosystem and not outside of it. Let us put our money where our mouth is – capitalize our institutions, invest in research so that vaccines and therapeutics are made available. Let us see how we can alleviate the debt of some fragile states so that they can invest in their populations through proper social security nets and opportunities for the youth. Let us show greater solidarity.
When we come out of this, we will realize, at least one thing – that business as usual is no longer an option. We will have to radically change the way we have been operating, show more care and tenderness to our families, give them more of our time; show more respect to our institutions and professionals. By investing more in our institutions, we will increase our chances next time – yes there will be next times as soon we have to tackle the challenges and impacts of a changing Climate.
The Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) announces with great sadness the passing of Felipe Michelini, Chair of the Board of Directors, on Sunday, 19 April 2020.
We mourn with deep regret the untimely departure of Felipe Michelini, as we stay behind in shock from the sudden loss of his warmth, engagement and leadership.
Felipe Michelini was first elected to the TFV Board of Directors in 2015. Upon re-election in December 2018, he became the Chair of the Board.
TFV Board members Mama Koité Doumbia, Baroness Arminka Helić, Sheikh Mohamed Belal and Gocha Lordkipanidze are joined in bereavement: “Felipe Michelini’s passion was to ensure justice for victims. We recall Felipe’s leadership, friendship, skill and commitment to bring about new and strategic thinking for the TFV as a vital pillar of the Rome Statute.” TFV Executive Director Pieter de Baan, recalling Mr Michelini’s support, guidance and personal warmth, offers condolences to the family on behalf of all staff at the TFV Secretariat.
The President of the Assembly of States Parties, Mr O-Gon Kwon, praised the legacy of Mr Michelini: “The Assembly conveys its heartfelt condolences to his family. Felipe made an indelible contribution to the Rome Statute system, having played a key role in the annual meetings on the ICC organized for Latin American parliamentarians in Montevideo; he was also the main proponent in having Uruguay become the first State in the region to include Rome Statute crimes as part of its national legislation in 2006. His devotion to the global struggle against impunity for atrocity crimes and the protection of human rights led the Assembly to elect him as a member of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims in 2015. His invaluable contribution has continued as Chair of the Board since 2018.”
Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, President of the ICC also praised the commitment of Mr Michelini and said, “The depth of Mr Michelini’s commitment to all that the ICC stands for was second to none, and it touched all of us at the Court who had the opportunity to work and interact with him. The legacy of his devotion to the cause of justice as well as memories of his warm character will endure with us.”
ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda joined in bereavement, “I extend my heartfelt condolences to Mr Michelini’s bereaved family for this immeasurable loss. This past Sunday, the field of international criminal justice has lost one of its greatest champions. Many of us have lost a cherished friend and colleague who always impressed by his candid and deep rooted devotion to the plight of victims of human rights violations. He will be sorely missed but his legacy will continue to inspire“.
ICC Registrar Peter Lewis echoed the commitment of Mr Michelini towards justice for victims and said, “It was my great privilege and pleasure to have worked with such an exceptional public servant. Felipe’s deep personal commitment to the victims of injustice shone through in everything he did and we who worked closely with him have lost a role model as well as a dear friend”.
Felipe Michelini fought tirelessly for human rights throughout his life and was a champion for justice for victims. During his time on the TFV Board of Directors, Felipe Michelini spoke of the TFV’s goals, noting, “There is no justice without reparations. Justice should not only be realised by ensuring victims’ voices are heard and through a conviction, but by providing comprehensive reparations”.
The United Arab Emirates expressed their solidarity with the Republic of Colombia in facing the Coronavirus pandemic by donating medical and preventive supplies to confront COVID-19 and limit its spread within and outside the country.
Among the medical supplies sent by the Arab Emirates are the following items that will be used by health personnel: 15,000 protective overalls, 15,000 medical gowns, 500,000 gloves, 30,000 shoe covers and 20,000 masks. Likewise, the donation foresees 10,000 rapid tests for the detection of Covid-19, components for nucleic acid extraction, four automated RNA (ribonucleic acid), extraction equipment and two thermocyclers, with which the capacity for early diagnosis of the pandemic is enhanced.
UAE medical and preventive supplies’ donations to Colombia.
This donation from the UAE government to Colombia strengthens the ties of cooperation between the two countries, including the academic and scientific cooperation with the University of Antioquia, the beneficiary of this significant donation.
The Colombian Presidential Agency for International Cooperation – APC-Colombia- coordinated the donation of medical supplies made by the United Arab Emirates thanks to the management of businessman Carlos Mario Gallego and his company Moncada Holding, which has a technology and infrastructure agreement with the University of Antioquia, together with the Colombian Ambassador in the UAE, H.E. Mr. Jaime Amín and the coordination of the Colombian Chancellery.
APC-Colombia works to coordinate donations and international cooperation in the fight against this pandemic.
Former ambassador of Bangladesh to the Netherlands, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal has taken up his new assignment in Amsterdam.
In a statement made by the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) on 8 April 2020, announced that Sheikh Belal has been appointed as Managing Director of the CFC.
We take this opportunity to wish Ambassador Belal every success in his new career and look forward to a continued pleasant working relationship with him.
On 8 April 2020 Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal assumed his duties as the Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities. Ambassador Belal signed his contract in front of the Chairperson of Governing Council, Mr. Alejandro Mitri (Argentina) en marge of the 69th Executive Board Meeting of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC).
After assuming his duties, Ambassador Belal addressed the Executive Board and assured his full commitment to do the job of the Fund for enabling, what he described as, better livelihood to the forgotten people and better bridging between the developed and developing world. Ambassador Belal also sought enhanced cooperation from all member states to help mitigate the effects of COVID-19.
Ambassador Belal was appointed as new Managing Director of the CFC on December 04, 2019 during the 31st Governing Council Meeting, in The Hague. He was elected by consensus from a pool of six candidates for the post of Managing Director of the CFC for the term ending on 31 December 2023.
Before assuming his position at the CFC, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal served as Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Kingdom of the Netherlands with concurrent accreditations to the Republic of Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina from March 2014 to February 2020. Ambassador Belal is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims of the International Criminal Court since December 2018. Furthermore, the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties appointed Ambassador Belal as “Facilitator for the Trust Fund of Victims” for the term 2015-2016.
H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal Ambassador of Bangladesh, Chairperson of the Executive Council of the OPCW.
H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal also served as the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). During his term in the OPCW, Ambassador Belal served in different capacities including his role as Chairperson of the Executive Council of the OPCW. He served in Bangladesh Missions in Washington, Canberra, Kuala Lumpur and Tashkent in different capacities.
H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal obtained a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University in the USA, a Master’s in International Relations and Trade from Monash University in Australia and also did his graduation in Forestry at Chittagong University in Bangladesh.
Ambassador Belal is married to Dr. Dilruba Nasrin. They are blessed with two children and a grandson.
