After the official kickoff of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the first full conference day was opened with inspiring speeches by Queen Máxima, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao and the Chair of GES 2019, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag.

After the official kickoff of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the first full conference day was opened with inspiring speeches by Queen Máxima, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao and the Chair of GES 2019, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag.

At the opening, 2,000 participants witnessed a spectacular drum battle between a human drummer and the robot drummer ‘StickBoy’. Both perfectly symbolized the theme of the ninth edition of the GES: The Future Now.

Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands addressed the participants of the Summit in both her capacity as a member of the Dutch Committee for Entrepreneurship and as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development. In her speech, she asked, “How can we create partnerships within the private sector, across industries and with the NGOs to design products that can improve lives of so many that need it?” The Queen also took the opportunity to highlight the importance of female entrepreneurship and access to financial services for women.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship and the role of partnerships. “By working closely with stakeholders in the private sector, state and local governments, academia, and emerging entrepreneurs, America continues to develop and implement revolutionary new technologies… Stronger innovation contributes to job growth, national security, economic prosperity, and increasing standard of living for everyone.” She also highlighted some of the pro-growth approaches and programs that the U.S. government is implementing to advance technological innovation.

“Technology is a game changer,” said GES 2019 Chair Minister Sigrid Kaag in her speech. “It can seriously speed up sustainable development for all – a true digital revolution.” Kaag continued: “If one looks around, one realizes the power present in this room. Collective brain power, purchasing power, networking power from knowledge institutions, investors, government officials, non-governmental organizations. All present here to help ensure that we can create opportunities, generate transformation through business and solve problems.”

The U.S. Government announced substantial commitments to drive women’s economic empowerment in developing markets. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced $500,000 in funding and $100,000 in technical assistance to the Women’s World Banking Asset Management (WAM) blended-finance fund. Joining USAID, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) announced its intent to provide $25 million in financing to the fund. The financing will help mobilize commercial investment to benefit low-income women in Africa, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific.

In addition, the Dutch Government announced a new startup policy today: TechLeap.NL. The policy comprises an extra investment of €65 million to help startups grow into scale-ups and unicorns. The focus will include improving access to investment and working permits for specialized professionals from abroad. The new policy will also benefit foreign startups that want to establish operations in the Netherlands.

Original news item at: https://www.ges2019.org/newsroom/news/2019/06/04/queen-maxima-secretary-chao-minister-kaag-open-ges-2019 

H.E. Mr. Hector Horacio Salvador, Ambassador of Argentina and his wife Jane Berger de Salvador, celebrated with a crowd of more than a hundred guests, the  National day of the Argentine Republic, on May 23.

The Argentineans commemorated the May Revolution that in 1810, marked the beginning of the liberation of South America from Spain. 

The Argentinean celebration has been for many years the reception of the season that sets itself apart and to prove it, the gardens of the impressive residence are always at their best to receive the many friends of Argentina with music, traditional cuisine and fine Argentinean wine.

The Embassy of Cuba together with the Diplomat Magazine organized a three day class of salsa by the Cuban dancer Rafael Cala.

Many diplomats attended and in between mojitos, managed to replicate the movements, following the Cuban rhythm with joy. In the end H.E. Ms Soraya Alvarez Nunez, the Ambassador of Cuba, gave to each one a certificate of accomplishment.

EU Member States are giving more priority to investigating genocide and war crimes. The number of new cases rose by a third over the last three years, with 1 430 new investigations launched in 2018. This stark increase was one of the major topics of the discussion held on May 23^rd, 2019, on the occasion of the 4^th EU Day against Impunity for Genocide, Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes. The discussion was organised by Eurojust, the Romanian EU Council Presidency, the European Commission, and the Genocide Network, on the occasion of the 70^th anniversary of the adoption of the four Geneva Conventions. Eurojust, the EU’s Judicial Cooperation Unit, hosts the Secretariat of the Genocide Network, which started its work exactly 15 years ago.

Ahead of the event, Eurojust’s President Ladislav Hamran welcomed the sense of responsibility showed by EU member states, stressing the importance of the EU in the fight against genocide and war crimes.

In 2018, a total number of 2 943 cases regarding genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes were pending or ongoing, which is the highest number documented since the creation of the Genocide Network. These cases concern crimes committed worldwide.

The Genocide Network provides a forum for practitioners to exchange information on ongoing cases and share expertise and best practice for the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of international crimes. Further, the Genocide Network is dedicated to raising awareness of the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, thus proving the EU’s commitment to fighting impunity of suspected war criminals.

Since the establishment of the Genocide Network, increased action has been taken in the area of international criminal justice. Eurojust, Europol and EU Member States deal with these crimes as key priorities and are stepping up their efforts as well. Moreover, the new legal basis of Eurojust provides it with more power to engage in fighting impunity and bring to justice perpetrators of these crimes.

In 2016, 1 073 new investigations into international crimes were initiated in the 28 EU Member States. This figure rose to 1 233 in 2017, with a further increase to 1 430 in 2018. This trend shows not only the commitment of more and more EU Member States to join the common fight against these crimes, but also the rising impact of armed conflicts in the proximity of the European Union.

With regard to Syria, for instance, France and Germany serve as an example by having set up a joint investigation team (JIT) for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the regime in this country. The JIT is financially and operationally supported by Eurojust, showing the strong effort made by the European Union to target impunity.

The event of May 23^rd started with a word of welcome from Eurojust President Mr Ladislav Hamran, who stressed the importance of holding accountable the perpetrators of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, praising the cooperation between Eurojust and Genocide Network in this regard.

The opening speech was then delivered by HE Ms Ana Birchall, Deputy Prime Minister of Romania and acting Minister of Justice. Her remarks were then followed by those of Mr Ferd Grapperhaus, Dutch Minister of Justice and Security, and Ms Fatou Bensouda, Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, as well as by a video message of Ms Vera Jurová, European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality.

Addressing the audience, Minister Grapperhaus welcomed the Dutch government’s commitment to ensure justice in addressing cases of crimes against humanity. He also welcomed the progress made by EU member states in this regard, expressing his wish to make further progress on this path.

These keynote speeches were then followed by a panel discussion with: HE Mr Mika-Markus Leinonen, Ambassador and EU Liaison Officer in The Hague for the European External Action Service; Ms Olympia Bekou, professor of public international law and head of the International Criminal Justice Unit of the University of Nottingham, UK; Ms Nicole Vogelenzang, head of the International Crimes Unit, National Prosecution Office, the Netherlands; Ms Iulia Motoc, judge at the European Court for Human Rights, Strasbourg; and Ms Virginie Amato, Europe regional coordinator, Coalition for the ICC. The panel was moderated by HE Ms Brândușa Predescu, Romanian Ambassador to the Netherlands.

By Tereza Neuwirthova. 

On Monday 27th May, friends from the diplomatic community were invited by H.E. Mr. Tigran Balayan, the Ambassador of Armenia together with Diplomat Magazine to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the birth of the legendary French-Armenian singer and diplomat Charles Aznavour. Many ambassadors, judges from the international courts and international organizations sitting in The Hague together with the Armenian diaspora attended the event.

The celebratory concert followed by a reception took place at the Gymnasium Haganum in The Hague, which was an ideal venue for this event with its monumental hallways and a spacious auditorium.

Here you can see here below Aznavour short film by his son Nicolas: https://mab.to/nTLAdSIXc

H.E. Mr. Ambassador Tigran Balayan opened the evening with his speech dedicated to Aznavour, a man of great honour with whom Mr. Balayan luckily had the chance to meet many times in his life.

During his speech, Mr. Ambassador also mentioned the great achievement of Armenia, the presidency of the International Organisation of la Francophonie from 2018 until 2020. To end his speech by stressing the deep and valued relationship of Armenia and la Francophonie, Mr. Ambassador used a quote by Charles Aznavour who said: 

“I am 100% French and 100% Armenian.” 

Following Mr. Ambassador’s speech, the moderator of the evening, Ms. Dominique Peters, President of L’Amité-Club de La Haye, presented a vibrant tribute to the genius Charles Aznavour:

“He was not only an Ambassador of the Song and an Ambassador of la Francophonie,  which he had made one of his priorities, but also the Ambassador of Armenia in Switzerland.”

The testimonial by Ms. Peters, which underlined the recognition for the many faces and contributions of Charles Aznavour, continued:

“A lyricist, composer, singer and actor-interpreter, he was a genius of French poetry and one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century. A realistic singer, he sang about life, love, nostalgia, as well as time passing: themes that invite reflection.”

“Charles Aznavour was also one of the most symbolic representatives of the Armenian Diaspora with his flag bearer: “We start Armenian, we end humanist,” what he used to say. Deeply humanistic, he has devoted himself to full commitment to society as Permanent Delegate to UNESCO and to the United Nations Office.”

“Moreover, we cannot forget his filmography which includes more than 80 feature films, made by some of the biggest names in French cinema, where he depicts almost all the characters going from one emotion to another.”

Thereafter, the concert was opened by the talented Armenian pianist, Arayik Mirzoyan, who played Pour toi Arménie, a song written by Charles Aznavour and Georges Gavarentz in 1989, and devoted to help victims of an earthquake tragedy that happened in Armenia the previous year. 

Following was another musical performance of two of Aznavour’s pieces performed by a five-boys Aznaband chore from the Lycée Français Vincent van Gogh, accompanied by their pianist teacher Ms. Helene Perrotin. This ensemble performed the songs Emmenez-moi as well as Hier encore, which were followed by a great applause from the audience. 

A subsequent point of the evening programme was a captivating ten-minute video collage about the life of Charles Aznavour, which was produced by his son Mr. Nicolas Aznavour and displayed the genius with his many faces and roles that he took up during his life.

Following the video projection was the last musical piece by Charles Aznavour, the famous La Bohème, a song which was performed by a talented Armenian lawyer and singer Vardgues Khanjaryan that travelled from Brussels to attend, and his brilliant performance marked the highlight of the evening programme.

After the concert a reception took place, at which Armenian wines together with other delicacies, as well as a colossal cake with the figure of Charles Aznavour made by the Armenian community, were served to the guests.

During the reception, Aznavour’s songs were played by a duo of piano and contrabass Guillaume Marcenac while the guests were chatting about the spectacle and enjoying the great wines as well as company.

The celebration of the 95th Anniversary that honoured the great Charles Aznavour, organised by the Armenian Embassy in collaboration with Diplomat Magazine, marked another pleasurable evening for the diplomatic community of The Hague.

Andrés Bellos Catholic National University of Venezuela wins 7th ICC Moot Court Competition, Spanish version

29 May 2019, the Andrés Bellos Catholic National University (Venezuela) won the final round of the 7th Edition of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Moot Court Competition, Spanish version, held in ICC Courtroom I in The Hague (Netherlands). The Autonomous University of Mexico (Mexico) and the Andres Hurtado University (Chile) won, respectively, second and third places. The award for the Best Speaker went to Bianca Valentina Labraña Palma of the Andres Hurtado University (Chile).

Members of the winning team are Edith Lorena González Jiménez, Georges Abraham Mussa Quijada, Jhomar Alexander López Salmerón, and Raúl Uriel Arcángel La Cruz Gomes. Today’s final round took place before a bench composed of ICC Judge Luz del Carmen Ibañez Carranza, presiding, and ICC legal officers Alejandro Kiss and Juan Pablo Calderón Meza. The teams competed on a fictitious case, presenting oral arguments in the roles of the Office of the Prosecutor, Defence and Legal Representatives of Victims, which were web-streamed live on the Court’s official website. After a break for deliberations, the bench announced their decision and an awards ceremony was held for all participants. 

Nineteen teams from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Spain and Venezuela participated in this year’s simulation exercise on the applicable law and jurisprudence of the ICC, of which 9 teams participated in the semi-finals during the Iberoamerican Week of International Justice in The Hague.

The seventh edition of the Spanish version of the ICC Moot Court Competition is organised by the Ibero-American Institute for Peace, Human Rights and International Justice (IIH), with the institutional support of the International Criminal Court, and in the context of the 9th edition of the Ibero-American Week of International Justice held in The Hague from 22 May to 6 June 2019.

In the context of its Academic Programme, the ICC supports the organisation of ICC Moot Court Competitions in Chinese, English, Russian and Spanish, with a view to also support Arabic and French versions in the future. These initiatives play a critical role in galvanising interest in the Court’s work with academic communities as well as in enhancing promotion and respect for international criminal law.