8 January 2019, Gucci Garden, Firenze, Italy: Gucci has unveiled its plans for a brand-new exhibition, after dedicating one to Alessandro Micheleās homage to Bjƶrkās, currently in place. Coco CapitĆ”n and Jayde FishĀ shall present their new murals from January.Ā The latter just in time for the 95thĀ Pitti Uomo trade show.
Gucci Garden within the Palazzo della MercanziaĀ was renovated by Alessandro Michele himself; the spaces holds several exhibition rooms overseen by critic and curator Maria Luisa Frisa, as well as a boutique filled with exclusive products, and a restaurant headed by the finest chef, Massimo Bottura.
The museum stopover may be topped up with a visit to its in-house restaurant. Gucciās first venture of this kind, the restaurant is being managed by the three Michelin star chef,Ā Massimo Bottura, who was crowned the best chef in the world for his Osteria in Modena.
OPCWās Strategic Course to be Set During Conference of the States Parties and Review Conference
The Hague, the Ā Netherlands ā19 November 2018 ā Over the next two weeks, Member States of Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) will convene in The Hague for the Twenty-Third Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CSP-23), which opened today, followed by the Fourth Review Conference (RC-4), which begins on Wednesday, 21 November. The aim of these sessions is to establish the future direction of the OPCW for the next five years and to review the operations of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
This session of the Conference of the States Parties is chaired by H.E. Ambassador Yun-young Lee, of the Republic of Korea, who replaces the outgoing Chair, H.E. Ambassador Abdelouahab Bellouki of Morocco. The Fourth Review Conference will be chaired by H.E. Ambassador AgustĆn VĆ”squez GĆ³mez of El Salvador.
The Director-General of the OPCW, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, in his opening statement expressed: āThe implementation of the Convention continues to advance on all fronts, and everybody agrees that this organisation is very much needed.ā
The Director-General stressed that the Organisation must adapt to meet the current and future challenges of preventing the re-emergence of chemical weapons. He reiterated that āThe consistent support of States Parties has made the Convention one of the most effective and successful international treaties in the field of disarmament and non-proliferationā.
The speech from the OPCWās Director-General encouraged Member States to strengthen global chemical security through collaboration on the decision on addressing the threat from chemical weapons use, adopted by the Special Session of the CSP in June.
Additionally, he highlighted activities to bolster both physical and cyber security of the OPCW, briefed States Parties on the progress of elimination of declared stockpiles of chemical weapons, and outlined progress on the upgrades to the OPCW Laboratory and Equipment Store into a new Centre for Chemistry and Technology.
Both Conferences will serve as platforms to discuss and take decisions on topics such as next yearās programme and budget, as well as further cooperation and outreach activities to strengthen the Chemical Weapons Convention and to universalise its underpinning norm.
The Review Conference has the particular goal of reviewing the last five years of OPCWās activities and setting a new direction for the years ahead. Throughout the Conferences, side events arranged by States Parties and civil society will cover a wide array of topics related to the Convention and chemical warfare.
On Monday, 26 November, delegations and participants present at the Conferences will honour the victims of chemical weapons, and demonstrate their commitment to the norm against chemical weapons in all circumstance. The ceremony will include a wreath-laying and moments of reflection in the Organisationās memorial garden.
Throughout CSP-23 and RC-4, the Director General will hold bilateral meetings with senior government officials and civil society representatives.
This year, 159 out of 193 Member States are participating in CSP-23.Ā For RC-4, 152 Member States are participating, along with Israel as a Signatory State and South Sudan as a non-Signatory State. Representatives from international organisations, chemical industry and civil society will also attend the Review Conference and make statements.
Mr. Christian Vrouyr, Secretary General of BRAFA, gives an introduction on the fair.
By Roy Lie Atjam.
Art doesn’t only unite, it animates as well, with these words the Ambassador of Belgium to the Kingdom of the NetherlandsĀ H.E.Ā Chris HoornaertĀ welcomedĀ his guests to an exclusive reception on the occasion of the upcomingĀ BRAFAĀ (Brussels Art Fair) at his residence in The Hague.
Apart from Ambassador Chris Hoornaert welcome remarks, other speakers were: BRAFA’s vice chairmanĀ Francis MaereĀ and secretary-general Mr.Ā Christian Vrouyr.Ā Delen Private BankĀ and the Embassy of Belgium co-hosted the exclusive event. The reception clearly offered an excellent opportunity to rub shoulders with exhibitors at the upcoming BRAFA.
Simultaneously with the BRAFA promotion, there was theĀ Province of Limburgexhibition at the residence of Ambassador Chris Hoornaert.
BRAFA is the most prominent art fair in Belgium and ranks among the oldest in the world. It all started in 1956Ā and these daysĀ BRAFA isĀ one of the most famous high-quality fine art, antiques, modern- and contemporary art and design fairs.
What is more, BRAFAĀ also organizes art talks and guided tours during the fair.Ā Over the years BRAFA has grown into a well-attended international event with hundreds of exhibitors from various countries and over sixty thousand visitors in 2018.
TheĀ 64thĀ edition ofĀ BRAFAĀ will run from 26 January to 3 FebruaryĀ 2019. It will present private and professional collectors an introduction to twenty different collection disciplinesĀ with art objects from antiquity to date.
By all means, BRAFA sets the pattern in the art market.
Ā Photography by Jeanette Gerritsma / Art Content for BRAFA 2019.
By Guido Lanfranchi.U.S. Special Representative for Syria, Ambassador James Jeffrey, clarified that the United States is ready to remain engaged in Syria. In such engagement, the U.S. will step up efforts to defeat ISIS and to reach a political solution to Syria’s crisis.Ā
In November 2018, amost one year after the Helsinki meeting between U.S. and Russian presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, the approach of the United States to Syria has remained consistent: the U.S. is willing to stay āin the long run in Syria to try to come up with a solution that meets the needs of the Syrian people, of the region, and of the international communityā ā the U.S. Special Representative for Syria stressed in an exchange with the press.
USSR Ambassador James Jeffrey outlined the two main goals of the U.S. approach, namely defeating ISIS in Syria, and reaching a political solution to the country’s seven years long crisis. Concerning the fight against ISIS, the U.S. is currently engaged in operations aimed at crushing the last elements of the Islamic States along the Euphrates.
As for the political resolution of Syria’s civil war, Ambassador Jeffrey underlined the importance of de-escalating the fight, as well as ensuring that a new constitution will be drafted, eventually leading to a credible electoral process. In this regard, the U.S. Special Representative welcomed the recent Idlib ceasefire, as well as the announcement on the creation of a long-awaited constitutional committee before the end of the year.
Ambassador Jeffrey also reiterated the strong U.S. support to efforts led by the United Nations and its Special Envoy Mr. Staffan de Misturain steering the peace process. Moreover, addressing questions from the press on the U.S. position towards Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Mr. Jeffrey clarified that U.S. policy āis not focused on personalities per se, but on what the Syrian government does.ā
Special Representative Jeffrey voiced U.S. concerns regarding the presence of several different foreign troops in Syria. The presence of āfive outside military forces in close proximity in Syria makes this conflict potentially very dangerousā ā he claimed, referring to the presence of Russian, Israeli, Turkish, Iranian, and American troops on Syria’s soil. In the light of this, Ambassador Jeffrey noted that a political solution to Syria’s crisis should lead to the withdrawal of foreign troops, except for those actors, such as Russia, that were already present before the war.
In particular, Ambassador Jeffrey stressed that the U.S. is concerned with the presence of Iranian-commanded forces in Syria. Such concerns ā Mr. Jeffrey clarified ā are linked with the U.S. overall policy on Iran, which includes considerations on the need to defeat ISIS and to ensure Israel’s security. Eventually, Iranian-commanded forces should leave the entirety of Syria ā the Special Representative stressed.
During an exchange of views with the press, Ambassador Jeffrey also touched upon the complicated relation between the U.S. and Turkey. He repeatedly stressed that the U.S. is aware of Turkey’s security concerns in northeastern Syria, and that U.S. officials are acting in close coordination with their Turkish counterparts. Moreover, while some differences persist on the engagement with Kurdish actors in the region, Mr. Jeffrey highlighted that the U.S. and Turkey continue to agree on a broad range of issues, including the fight against terrorism, Iranian influence in Syria, as well as the negative behaviour of the current Syrian government.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Jeffrey looked at the way forward, expressing the U.S. wishes for an extension of the ceasefire, and hoping that such efforts will lead to further progress towards a political solution to the Syrian crisis.
Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, on the transfer of suspect, Alfred Yekatom: āThe cause of justice in the Central African Republic has been strengthened by todayās surrenderā.
The people of the Central African Republic have suffered and endured atrocious crimes in one of this centuryās violent conflicts. I welcome todayās transfer of Mr Alfred Yekatom to the International Criminal Court to face justice for his alleged crimes.
Our independent and impartial investigation has produced evidence on the basis of which we allege Mr Yekatom is criminally responsible for several counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in the Central African Republic between 5 December 2013 and August 2014.Ā Now, he must answer in court for his actions.
Mr Yekatom, like any other suspect before the International Criminal Court (āICCā or the āCourtā), is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. Any suspect or accused person appearing before the ICC is entitled to internationally recognised due process guarantees codified in the Rome Statute.
The cause of justice in the Central African Republic has been strengthened by todayās surrender.
In accordance with my Officeās mandate under the Rome Statute, we aim to shed light on the truth about the crimes committed in the Central African Republic and bring to account those who we allege bear responsibility for atrocity crimes.
To the people of the Central African Republic, I make this pledge: my Office will continue its quest for the truth and to seek justice under the Rome Statute. With firm determination, we are progressing with our investigation into the conduct of all sides.
Today, I also want to pay tribute to the courage and resolve of witnesses in the Central African Republic who continue to come forward to provide their accounts and encourage them to continue to do so. Without them, justice would not be possible.
We cannot undo the suffering that has been inflicted on victims, but we remain committed to doing our part, within our mandate and means, to advance justice and accountability in the Central African Republic.
Tudor, the bespoke Swiss brand was released an overhaul of one of their older, dressier lines, the Glamour Double Date series. The revamp comes with a new mid-case, a more contemporary dial design, and, perhaps most significant; a new in-house manufacture calibre, MT5641.
This calibre MT5641 movement, a new Manufacture Calibre developed by Tudor with a silicon balance spring, a 70-hour power reserve, and a certification by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). There are four main variations to the watch i) a silver timepiece with yellow gold-plated hour markers, ii) a black piece with rhodium-plated yellow gold-plated hour markers, iii) a champagne colour with yellow gold-plated hour markers, and lastly, iv) an opaline version with blued indices, with or without diamonds. With dials, bands and materials, there are up to 22 possible whence to select.
OnĀ theĀ pictureĀ His Excellency Hector Horacio Salvador.
By Wei Hung and Thomas Fleischer.
Recently the Embassy of the Argentine Republic to the Netherlands used the lovely facilities at the Haagse Hogeschool to launch the official opening to the network of the Argentine Scientists and Researchers in the Netherlands.
The event begins with a simple (and apt), yet to the point, introduction by His Excellency Hector Horacio Salvador on how the network came to fruition. He recounted the countless late-night meetings where colleagues from different expertise came together for a common goal; the establishment of a scientific platform that combines academics between the two countries. Furthermore, the ambassador explained the necessity of a bilateral cooperation with the Netherlands in advancing research across a wide array of scientific research. In his view, the Network has become a milestone for both countries.
His excellency then introduced Mr. Patricio Dalton,Ā the coordinator of social sciences of the Network, to give a little insight into the work that the Network does, and its connection to dutch academia. The Network goals or vision/ developments so far.
The event then continued with 7 separate lectures on a wide range of topics including:
Searching for traces of life with the ExoMars Rover
Nanoantennas for single-molecule detection
Emerging technologies: video games, virtual realities, and augmented realities
Magnetic resonance applied for innovation of multiphase flow of measurement
The impact of education and technical assistance of the port, transport and logistic sectors in Latin America
Riverbank restoration: measuring and understanding erosion patterns
Transparency and fight against corruption: build trust for growth in the Latin American Context
The presentations were accompanied by experts from their respective fields. The invited experts offered an in-depth analysis of the topics given, illustrating future possibilities and where the projects are heading.
After the last lecture, the Argentine embassy hosted a reception in the Haagse Hogeschool, where wine, cheeses and meats were served a plenty, creating a comfortable and conducive environment to meet the members of the Network, catch up with old friends and learn something new and interesting.
On the picture H.E. Mr. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, the ambassador of Rwanda to the Netherlands with Rwanda’s participantsĀ during the International Floriculture Trade Fair 2018. From left to right: Mr. Victor Omuga, Marketing Manager of Bella Flowers, Madam Sadrine Urujeni, Deputy CEO for the National Agricultural Export Development Board of Rwanda, H.E. Mr. Jean Pierre Karabaranga and Mr. Shungo Harada, Managing Director of Bloom Hills. The International Floriculture Fair opened its doors from 7th to 9th of November.Ā With a new record high number of exhibitors this year, the IFTF exhibition grew 15% in size and living up to its name of being worldās biggest and most important trade exhibition for international flower growers and buyers that participate from all over the world, including Rwanda.Ā
International Floriculture Forum (IFF)
IFTF hosted the 2nd edition of the International Floriculture Forum (IFF) on the eve of the fair. High level key-note speakers shared their views with the audience on major ongoing and upcoming changes in the international trade, logistics and product innovations. Over 200 people attended the Forum and participated actively in the discussions. A very interesting start of a Floral Trade Week.
Bella Flowers, Bloom Hills and Floramatt are the main growers in Rwanda participating this year IFTF and are facilitated by a collaboration of the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in the Netherlands and the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB).
