By Adelin Remy.
This forum was initiated by the presidents of the Republic of Azerbaijan and of the Russian Federation in 2010 to hold dialogues, discussions and exchange of views on a wide range of global issues in the interest of humanity. Among 500 participants from 60 countries, Agefi Luxembourg was invited this year and among the many topics (education, innovation …) was particularly interested by the inaugural speech of President Ilham Aliyev on Azerbaijan (1) and by the joint session of the religious leaders on “The Policy of Multiculturalism as a Factor of Ensuring Stability in Society“.
The president of Azerbaijan has reminded that the history and culture of his country (independent 1918-1920 and since 1991) has commanded a multicultural and multi-confessional society.
Bishop Vladimir Fekete, Titular Bishop of Municipa, Aleksander Ishein, archbishop of Baku, Sheikh ul-Islam Haji Allahshukur Pashazade. Baku International Humanitarian Forum 2018. Photorgaphy by Hemid Baqirov.
The president has also emphasized the social and economic improvements over the last 10 years, including 3,000 new schools, sending Azerbaijani youngsters to study in higher educational institutions of the world, creating a modern health infrastructure with the building and renovation of more than 500 healthcare institutions meeting today the highest standards, the reduction of the rate of poverty from 49% to 5.3%, thanks to Azerbaijan’s fastest growing economy of the world, the creation of 2 million jobs and the reduction of unemployment to less than 5%, the tripling of the economy and a very low foreign debt (8% of GDP), with budget revenues growing more than 20 times.
The president has demonstrated that oil and gas, the main asset of Azerbaijan, is not enough to bring success: in the president’s own words, “Azerbaijan has accumulated a unique experience in using oil revenues correct and converting the “black gold” into human capital“.
President Aliyev denounced the great humanitarian disaster of Nagorno-Karabakh (20% of the territory of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia, condemned by the UN Security Council), as a result, 613 persons were killed, including 106 women, 63 children and 70 elderly people, the displacement of 1 million people, ethnic cleansing, mosques, tombs, historical monuments desecrated and museums looted …
Azerbaijan is independent but certainly not isolated: it was elected a few years ago as a member of the UN Security Council, has joined the club of space countries and is a member of the Council of Europe and of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Azerbaijan was host of Eurovision (2008) and of the Islamic Society Games last year, will be host to the European Olympics next year, to the European and Islamic games in two years and to the 2020 European Football Cup.
“The Policy of Multiculturalism as a Factor of Ensuring Stability in Society” was a panel with the Sheikh ul-Islam (le leader of the Muslim community, 96% of the population), the archbishop of Baku and eparch of the Russian Orthodox Church in Azerbaijan, the Catholic bishop and the head of the Community of Mountain Jews in Baku as Azerbaijan has adopted multiculturalism as a state policy and, according to President Aliyev, “has never experienced confrontations or misunderstandings on religious and ethnic grounds, and it is our greatest asset”.
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An excellent overview of this multicultural policy is provided by “Azerbaijan: multiculturalism as style of life”, Diplomat Magazine 5 November 2016 https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2016/11/05/azerbaijan-multiculturalism-as-a-style-of-life/
(1) http://bakuforum.az/speech-by-president-of-azerbaijan-mr-ilham-aliyev/?fid=23
Content by AZERTAC, The Azerbaijan State News Agency: https://azertag.az/en/xeber/Editor_of_AGEFI_Luxembourg_hails_promotion_of_multiculturalism_traditions_by_Azerbaijan-1209774Adelin Remi, AGEFIAbout the author: Adelin Remy, editor ofAgefi – Le Journal Financier de Luxembourg, the only exclusively financial newspaper in Luxembourg
Ms. Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, Mdm. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Viet Nam Chairwoman of the National Assembly and the Ambassador of Viet Nam to the Netherlands, H.E. Ambassador Ngo Thi Hoa.
The celebration of the 45th anniversary of Viet Nam and the Netherlands diplomatic relations in the Netherlands was launched by the Chairwoman of the National Assembly, Mdm. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, with the presence of the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Ms. Cora van Nieuwenhuizen. During the unique occasion the Embassy of Viet Nam presented an special issue Viet Nam 45 Anniversary published in collaboration with Diplomat Magazine.
The Netherlands is among the first Western countries that established diplomatic relations with Viet Nam in 1973. Over the past years, together with diplomatic, trade and investment cooperation, the bilateral cooperation in other fields such as defense, culture and tourism, education and training, transportation, cooperation among cities, and multilateral cooperation, and more… have also witnessed remarkable progress.
More importantly, the relationship between Viet Nam and the Netherlands has become a strategic partnership, with the Strategic Partnership on Climate Change and Water Management along with the Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security concluded respectively in 2010 and 2014.
In 2017, bilateral trade turnover reached US $ 7.7 billion. In the first four months of 2018, two-way trade value reached $ 2.3 billion (an increase of nearly 13% over the same period of 2017). The Netherlands has become the biggest EU export market for Viet Nam.
In terms of investment, the Netherlands has been the largest European investor in Viet Nam, ranking the 11th out of 116 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam with 304 projects and a total registered capital of $ 8.17 billion.
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Photography by Roy Strik
By Roy Lie Atjam.
From 2-5 October 2018 the annual Cybersecurity Week, organized by The Hague Security Delta, was held in The Hague. Simultaneously the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy organized the One Conference which aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas concerning cybersecurity.
It was during these events, on Wednesday 3 October 2018, that I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. lkhom Abdullaev, PhD at his hotel in The Hague. He is here to expand his network to hopefully meet with as many kindred spirits as possible and to share cyber threat legislation. An event of such international stature is an ideal venue to attain these objectives.
Who is Mr. Abdullaev. First and foremost, he is a married man with two adult children and also the proud grandfather of three grandsons. With this his posterity is safeguarded one would say. Mr. Abdullaev has built an impressive resume. Besides being a proud patriarch, he is a former director of an NGO dealing in ICT. For the past nine years, he has shifted his focus to politics holding several positions in the Uzbek government, which has a presidential system similar to that of France. Abdullaev currently works as:
Chairman of the Committee of the Legislative Chamber of the “Oliy Majlis” / Parliament of Uzbekistan(issues of innovative development, information policy and information technologies)
Member of the Uzbekistan National Revival Democratic Party. This party holds 36 seats in the Uzbek Parliament. The ruling government has 53 seats out of a total of 150.
Chairman of the Public Council on the openness of state bodies. On behalf of the public, this council monitors an “openness index” of government bodies in Uzbekistan and publishes it twice a year.
Abdullaev is no novice in The Hague; he has been here in the past seeking cooperation between the Uzbekistan parliamentary committees and the Dutch parliamentary committees for security and justice on cybersecurity. He relates how in 2017 the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), established a work group to deal with cybersecurity. The focus is to benefit from mutual experiences.
The Republic of Uzbekistan is a member of the CIS – Commonwealth of Independent States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). It is also a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
For the past two years, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s government has implemented many changes to improve democracy in his country.
It is of paramount importance for the public to have a free flow of information. To achieve this, the president has issued a decree that each citizen has the right to pose a question, make requests and receive responses to their questions. This presidential decree applies to all level of government; national, regional and municipal.
The Netherlands also has such a law called “Wet Openbaarheid van Bestuur” (WOB). In addition, there’s also the phenomena “ombudsman”; an official who’s appointed to look into complaints against the government.
Another main focus of the Uzbek parliament is Cybersecurity. It is no secret that in our era of technology, cybercrime remains an unrelenting threat to governmental systems, the energy and public sector, and critical infrastructure objects, particularly in the financial sector. From major governments to small households, internet safety is an ongoing plague that unfortunately has no major solution in the foreseeable future.
While politicians like Mr. Abdullaev and cybersecurity experts are continuing to share ideas on fighting cybercrime in numerous ways, we do well to ask ourselves: in what ways am I protecting my personal data? To what extent do I stick to compliance requirements on corporate or governmental level?
By Sheila Turabaz.
On the 26th of September, the Great Hall of Justice of the Peace Palace – generally known as the courtroom where the hearings of the International Court of Justice are held – was not centered around dispute settlement but on the recognition and celebration of the efforts and accomplishments of noble individuals and organizations, furthering the cause of international peace “in whatever way, by word or deed in the form of international action, in literature, or the arts”. The Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize is the second-oldest award for peacemakers (after the Nobel Peace Prize). The Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize is awarded every two years and alternates between a Dutch and an international laureate.
Mr. Bernard Bot, Chairman of the Board of the Carnegie Foundation and Former Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, awarded the prize to Belgian war correspondent Mr. Rudi Vranckx during a ceremony attended by various dignitaries, among those ambassadors, diplomats, representatives of international organizations, Dutch officials as well as others who are active in the pursuit of peace and justice.
Mr. Vranckx has been reporting on war and conflicts around the world for thirty years, including the uprising against dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in Romania, the Yugoslav Wars and various conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa.
As expressed by Mr. Bot Mr. Vranckx “was one of the last European journalists to leave Egypt during the violence of the Arab Spring. A job, or maybe even a way of life, that is not without risks. During an attack in Syria he lost his French colleague. The board of the Carnegie Foundation recognizes his enormous courage to travel to the most dangerous conflict areas in the world.” While adding that “In his reports and his many books Mr. Vranckx shows us the lives of many people in conflict areas. Thanks to his beautiful, in-depth, honest and sometimes heart-breaking stories he gives those people a face. Stories of ordinary people, about human beings just like you and me, but with a lot of impact. The stories of Vranckx inspire and encourage others to take action or at least ensure that those people are not forgotten.”
Mr. Rudi Vranckx.
Mr. Bot also stressed the important role that journalism still plays in the prevention of war and the quest for peace: “through its capacity to investigate, journalism can help people question established ideas and reflect on pressing issues”. However, he also showed concern about the widespread phenomenon “fake news”: “The way information is distributed can also contribute to escalate conflict, providing information that is manipulated. In this sense, journalism and mass media greatly shape and impact societies.”, while adding that “the board (of the Carnegie Foundation) believes that access to independent information is crucial in the transformation to peace or in the prevention of escalating conflicts. A journalist that contributes to peace, focuses on trying to humanize all victims of a conflict, seeking to uncover the complexities behind violent driven situations. Mr. Rudi Vranckx puts all of this, in the best way, in practice”.
There is no more befitting location for a peace prize award ceremony to be held than in the Great Hall of Justice, surrounded by the goddess of Peace, Lady Justice , white doves and many other symbols of peace manifested through art.
Throughout the ceremony, musical intermezzo’s by Damast Duo – consisting of Syrian violinist Shalan Alhamwy and Belgian pianist and accordionist Jonas Malfliet – created a pleasant and inspiring atmosphere, blending Arabic music with Western European traditions.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Vranckx mentioned his efforts to stimulate creativity through the making of music despite the abominable conditions of the inhabitants in the war-torn Iraqi city of Mosul: “When passing by Mosul’s razed music academy, I heard Imagine. This may be a naïve song from my youth, but what I really heard in the midst of all this destruction was hope. So, we decided to bring musical instruments to Mosul. We called this project of hope Imagine Mosul. Thousands of Belgians responded with enthusiasm. It struck a sensitive chord in our own society, longing for hope and action against polarization and hatred. It gave me strength, because even as a journalist, sometimes in the darkness, you need this glimmer of hope. First and foremost, journalism must deliver accurate reporting, but it can be more. Because journalism can also be a means to an end: a just and fair society, without violence or hatred. Reach out through the heart, into the minds. We all need an antidote.”
Mr. Bernard Bot, Chairman of the Board of the Carnegie Foundation and Former Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Vranckx was awarded a certificate and 35.000 EUR prize money, joining the list of outstanding individuals and organizations – including Sigrid Kaag, current Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). to whom the prize was awarded since 1931.
Moreover, the first Youth Carnegie Peace Prize was awarded to the Colombian youth-led organization BogotArt for their initiative ‘Letters for Reconciliation’. The project was aimed towards fostering dialogue between civil society and FARC ex-combatants in Colombia.
As the winner is offered the Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize certificate, the Latin phrase Pacis Palmae Digniores Quam Tropaea Belli (“The Palms of Peace are More Honorable than the Trophies of War”) catches the eye: a saying, which is still as relevant today as ever.
By Farida Abdullaeva.
The future of the planet depends on the views of humans on humanitarian issues, depends on the development of a dialog between civilizations, cultures, and religions. That’s why the best intellectuals of the modern world gathered at the VI Baku International Humanitarian Forum, in order to discuss and formulate answers to global questions that worry the whole humanity today. A Forum participant, Head of the Inter-Parliamentary Group of Russia-Azerbaijan Friendship, Dmitry Saveliev, shares his impressions of the Forum.
– Dmitry Ivanovich, you took part in the work of the Baku Forum for the third time. In your opinion, what is the meaning of this event for the humanity?
– I can see that both the number of participants and the significance of the Forum impact increase from year to year. People that come here are really influential: politicians, scientists, and experts from all over the world. That’s why the Baku Forum not only turns to be an effective platform for discussion of processes in the humanitarian sphere but also has all chances to join with time the number of leading forums that generate the public opinion and then translate it to the leading political circles of the world.
President Ilham Geydarovich Aliyev.– The VI Humanitarian Forum was devoted to the subject of “Let Us Form the New World and the New Human: Creative Work and Human Development”. Does not it sound too ambitious?
– The desire to see the world as a single space and the whole humanity as a single society has a quite long history. But today the planet faces a lot of challenges: these are the problem of poverty and hunger, fight with climatic changes, provision of sources of power and water supply; and all these challenges we need to solve together. We exist in the new geopolitical and technological reality that should be discussed at the junction of politics, natural sciences, and core values. The Baku Forum is just the source of ideas for politicians and experts looking for the ways out, since in the process of dialog it is important to reach concrete solutions and deeds.
– Why was it Azerbaijan that became the founder of the Baku process that was meant to create the inter-culture and inter-civilization dialog?
– The humanitarian forum is an indicator of the highest international status of Azerbaijan and respect to the leaders of the country that organize global events of such character. There are not many countries in the world that can formulate such problematics and invite leading experts to speak out on the key civilization issues. A specimen model of internal humanitarian balance, when the state provides support to the social, political, cultural, ecological and religious spheres, was created in Azerbaijan.
It is not without reason that President Ilham Geydarovich Aliyev, taking the floor at the Forum, noted that Azerbaijan became one of the addresses of multiculturalism in the world, and this status is recognized by the world community. At the same time, I cannot but note that this large-scale dialog site was created on the initiative of Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan, and the Russian party takes an active part in this process.
– Is that why Russia was represented with such a numerous delegation at the Baku Forum?
– Yes, our delegation was meant to represent all the aspects of the public-and-political field and to highlight the closest attention that Russia pays to the Baku Forum. This is evidenced by the congratulatory message sent to the participants of the Forum by our President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and by the presence of Vice Prime Minister of Russia Olga Golodets at the event, who at the meeting with President Ilham Geydarovich Aliyev noted that both Russia and Azerbaijan are an example of a stable policy of tolerance and development of national cultures in their unity, as well as an example of neighborliness and respect for each other.
– There was a meeting of Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Sergey Neverov with Speaker of Milli Majlis (the National Assembly) of Azerbaijan Ogtai Asadov on the sidelines of the Baku Forum. What was the subject of the meeting, which you also attended?
– This year there are active contacts between the heads of our states and active exchange of parliamentary delegations between Russia and Azerbaijan. This evidences that the Russian-Azerbaijanian relations move into a qualitatively new level, and the issues of humanitarian cooperation are on the agenda of any meeting at the inter-state level. For example, there is a project under which ten cities of Russia and Azerbaijan will become sister cities. Joint Russian-Azerbaijanian exhibitions will take place in the regions, that will allow people in our countries to better know each other. In addition, Milli Majlis and the State Duma of Russia prepare to ratify a historical convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea, that was signed by the five Caspian bordering countries, and that was the subject of the meeting too.
– As a member of the delegation, you visited the Heydar Aliyev Center and the Old City for the nth time. Can you compare your first and recent impressions of these places?
– I can feel that every my visit to the capital of Azerbaijan is a return to the house where you are loved and waited for. Even if there are just a few months between my meetings in Baku, my eyes involuntarily notice changes in the appearance of the city. For example, two months ago on the territory of the Baku seaside promenade, a fountain with swans was put into operation, that was restored on the initiative of Mehriban Aliyeva, First Vice President of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
The fountain of seven swan sculptures, that was created in the sixties of the last century, was inspired by the poem of “Seven Beauties” by poet Nizami and the same-name ballet by composer Kara Karaev. With time, this favorite place of the Bakuvians and guests of the capital suffered transformations, and it is only now that the legendary fountain acquired its initial architectural appearance.
In general, I would like to say that, in comparison with the architecture of the eastern countries, that is conservative and follows religious traditions, the situation in Azerbaijan is completely different: here national color always shows through skyscrapers made of glass and concrete. This feeling is especially strong in the Heydar Aliyev Center that is an image of modern Azerbaijan, its communication with the past and with the future.
The architecture of the Center seems to break all the laws of nature: the building created after the personal signature of the national leader is flowing and wave-like, but it is very strong and stands even violent Baku winds. That’s what the Azerbaijanian national character is!
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Photography Galina Gerasimova.
By H.E. Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of BACA
In 2018 Bahrain is concluding is cultural agenda celebration for Muharraq Capital of Islamic Culture, which we were truly honoured to have been selected by the Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), to represent an Islamic city from Arab world.
We have dedicated our many annual events and festivals to compliment this year’s theme celebrating Muharraq, Bahrain’s second largest city. Indeed the city hostedthe annual Bahrain Fine Arts Exhibition in its 44th edition, the 18th Bahrain International Book Fair, the 26th Annual Heritage Festival, in addition to the 10th Bahrain Summer festival.
Muharraq was once again revived as the intellectual capital of Bahrain by hosting a multitude of cultural and artistic programmes and thereby was visited by Bahrainis from around the islands, residents and tourists. This was truly a unique experience for both visitors and us as cultural practitioners to work from such a historic city, especially when most of the activities were taking place within the backdrop of the Arad Fort, which dates back from the 15th century.
One of the highlights of our year, which we are looking forward, is the inauguration of the Pearling Path’s Visitor Center. The center is the main information point of the Pearling Path, Testimony of an Island Economy, the second UNESCO world heritage site in Bahrain, which was listed in 2012.
In November, Muharraq witnesses a large gathering of international guests concerned with the importance of preservation of the heritage of humanity. No matter wherea cultural site may be geographically located, it is valuable as it completes the story of our shared heritage. Thereby, welcoming visitors from the region and elsewhere is a means to showcase our rich and authentic heritage and is a means to enhance our mutual understanding and appreciation of one another and in deepening our relations.
The story of the pearling path is a unique one, in which we recount through innovative and modern tools and stories those who walked the narrow streets of Muharraq.We created an atmosphere to transport the visitor to a different time to learn about our ancestors and the legacy they left behind.
The pearling path is a visual investigation and exploration to a time before the discovery of oil in the 1930s, it recounts the stories at a very specific period of time where the main actors of this unique socio-economic period was one of sea traders, pearl merchants, divers and other instrumental characters that made up the city at that time all tied together by the lure of the pearl.
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Images by Bahrain Antiquities and Culture Authority (BACA) City of Muharraq
By Askar Shakirov, Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
During the years of independence, Kazakhstan has managed to build a balanced political system with a stable market economy, ensured a stable growth of the well-being of the population, and maintained interethnic harmony in the country. In a relatively short period of time, our country has successfully integrated into the international community, taking its rightful place as a dynamically developing country.
According to the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, an individual, his life, rights and freedoms are the highest value of the state, which creates the basis for ensuring favorable conditions for the development of the human rights protection system.
Kazakhstan is a party to almost all major international UN conventions in the field of human rights protection. At the same time, Kazakhstan has recognized the competence of 4 out of 8 UN committees to receive individual claims from citizens about violation of their rights.
In the framework of fulfilling its obligations under international treaties, Kazakhstan pays due attention to the relevant recommendations of the UN Committees.
The institution of the Commissioner for Human Rights has a key role in the state mechanism for the protection of the rights and freedoms of individuals and citizens. One of the main activities of the Commissioner is handling citizens’ complaints.
Over the past five years, the ombudsman has received 6,705 complaints[1].
Based on these complaints, the analysis of the systemic problems is conducted, which is then sent to state authorities and officials in the form of an appeal and recommendations from the ombudsman.
Since its establishment the institution of the ombudsman has positioned itself as an effective institution for monitoring the rights and freedoms of citizens, acting as a mediator during constructive dialogues between state bodies and the civil society, as well as establishing comprehensive cooperation with international human rights organizations.
In 2017 the country adopted constitutional reforms, according to which the election and dismissal of the Ombudsman was transferred to the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan.
It should be noted that over the years, both international and non-governmental organizations have repeatedly spoken about the need to raise the status of the Commissioner. This constitutional amendment was highly appreciated by the human rights community.
At the same time, the Ombudsman’s activities would not be so effective without close interaction with the civil society. For instance, representatives of NGOs and the civil society are among the members of the Expert and Coordination councils, as well as working groups under the Ombudsman. The success of the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture (NPM), established in accordance with the ratified Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture, can serve as evidence of the effectiveness of the Ombudsman’s cooperation with the civil society.
The chosen model of monitoring of all closed institutions of the country solely by representatives of the civil society, with the coordinating role of the Human Rights Commissioner, allows Kazakhstan to effectively work on prevention of human rights violations. The NPM in Kazakhstan is one of the most important implemented international standards that demonstrate Kazakhstan’s significant progress towards the Paris Principles.
The Ombudsman’s office helps to increase public awareness of human rights issues and to raise the level of public confidence in the state. Thus the Ombudsman’s activities are of great importance to the modernization of the society and the state.
Modern Kazakhstan has demonstrated a significant improvement in the area of human rights protection.
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[1]Report on the activities of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2017
By: Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al-Qasimi. Former Minister in the Government of United Arab Emirates, Former President of Zayed University, UAE.
Leaders are known and remembered for years and possibly generations as they make a profound impact on their organizations, societies, or countries. Each has a different environment and history, but they all share in their longer term visions, and in their ability to see what the future can hold.
They believe in a more optimistic future and get others to follow them, as they know leaders will bring them the happier, brighter future they aspire for. This longer term vision comes from knowing their organizations and societies well, and the potential they hold. Once selected, they also stay connected and engaged as they believe that no barriers should come between them and their constituencies, as they follow the implementation of their vision at each stage.
For the U.A.E., no leader is remembered more fondly that the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, May his soul rest in peace. For his vision encompassed not only the whole society and all the Emirates of the UAE, but all of humankind. He was a remarkable leader who demonstrated the value of his vision and was thus acclaimed as an exceptional world-wide figure. The UAE today is blessed to compete among the top 10 most competitive nations worldwide due to the sound foundations laid at the establishment of the nation under Shaikh Zayed’s leadership.
Shaikh Zayed was blessed with worldly wisdom that he used in his messages. “He who does not know his past cannot make the best of his present and future, for it is from the past that we learn.” Is but one of his famous sayings. And yes indeed, the UAE has learned from its past and is thriving today for the wisdom it embraces in our everyday life.
Shaikh Zayed was born in 1918. He experienced poverty and the harsh environment that everyone lived in a century ago, an era when fishing boats roamed the Arabian Gulf, a time when pearl divers whispered a fond adieu to friends and family as they set sail to the unknown, back when daily staples were made mainly of dates and whateveravailable produce from simple farmsin scattered oases inland.
As Sheikh Zayed grewup from children’s games into adulthood, he gazed at his surroundings and traveled across the rough terrains. As he met many people from all walks of life, he gained a deeper perception of the land and people. In the1930’s and later after WW2 in the late 50’s and 60’s a new history was in the making, as even though the economy went in decline initially due to the advent of cultured pearls, which ended the main trade in natural pearls from the Arabian Gulf, it was evident that Abu Dhabi held commercial quantities of black gold that can be produced, luring global corporations closer to undertake geological surveys and start the exploration process. Sheikh Zayed praised the almighty for the gift of oil; he was handed a key to growth and progress and realized it was time to convert the dry desert into a green heaven.
He knew the opportunity for progress has come for Abu Dhabiwith the advent of oil, making it a regional power, but this wasn’t good enough. He took a bigger opportunity, and drew a bigger picture with the potential of a united federation with neighboring Emirates.
December 2, 1971 was a day to be remembered, the unity of the seven emirates was declared, Sheikh Zayed stood proudly beside his brothers, rulers of the Emirates with eyes gazing up higher as the red, green, black and white flag wasraisedfor the first time to greet the passing clouds and cross the seven skies. And ever since then, not only Abu Dhabi but the whole of the UAE has developed swiftly. As we look around today, we can easily see Sheikh Zayed’s legacy across the country. He emphasized that “Past years have emphasized the importance of unity as a vital necessity to provide a better life for the people, to ensure stability in the country, and to realize the hopes and aspirations of our people.”
Sheikh Zayed also emphasized the importance of building human capital, frequently stating that: “Wealth is not in money [by itself]. Wealth lies in [the capabilities of] the men [and women]. This is where true power lies, the power we value”. Therefore, he focused on education as a top priority for the UAE, raising new generations of educated Emiratis to serve their country.
Zayed wisely managed the resources of the country and fully utilized it to the benefit of national growth. He had a vision for the entire society, young and old, men and women, who were provided equal opportunity in his vision. “Islam affords women their rightful status, and encourages them to work in all sectors, as long as they are afforded appropriate respect,” he said.
Women were given responsibilities in key positions in government institutions and had integral roles in decision making. I was honored to be the first female Minister in the Federal Cabinet in 2004, and now the UAE has nine female cabinet ministers, and the speaker of the Federal National Council is the first woman in this capacity in the Arab world ever.
Inspired by his vision, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, “Mother of the Nation”, urged Emirati women to pursue education and contribute alongside their brothers to turn the wheels of national development. “Women’s activities began in the early seventies with only four ladies,” Sheikha Fatima recalled, and this small group created the first women’s gathering under the name of the Abu Dhabi Women Development Association in 1973,” she said.
She has also ensured equal opportunity for women of the UAE and paved the way for countless valuable contributions from Emirati women across all sectors of society. “The establishment of the women’s union with the unlimited support of Sheikh Zayed constituted one of the pillars of the federation, as well as a major turning point in the march of progress for women,” Her Highness added.
Not only has Sheikh Zayed opened his heart to his citizens, but also to the larger worldwide community. The UAE became a symbol of respect and tolerance, home to over 200 nationalities of various backgrounds and faiths, where they live, thrive,and pursue happiness and prosperity within the national progress. Zayed said, “The land is God’s land, and the wealth is from Allah Almighty, so all are welcome to share [within the laws of the country]”. He also said:“To treat every person, no matter what his creed or race, as a special soul, is a mark of Islam.”
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan applied his tolerance, love for peace,and mediation ideals regionally within the Arabian Gulf region, and in the wider Arab world, where the UAE has traditionally sought to enhance cooperation and resolve disagreements through a calm pursuit of dialogue and understanding. He was instrumental in establishing the Arabian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a regional group that protects the interests of the six GCC nations, with its establishment declaration signed in 1980 in Abu Dhabi. He also made sure the UAE would increasingly shoulder its share of the international aid and development, and established in 1971 the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. The UAE today has over forty funds and humanitarian organizations, and hosts a number of international aid and relief programs. It is also the number one country in relief and development aid worldwide by ratio to its gross domestic product (GDP).
In 2004, on the 19th of Ramadan, a beautiful soul which left its mark on our mourning hearts returned to our Creator. Sheikh Zayed died and left behind a legacy as the Father of the Nation. He was succeeded as the UAE’s President and as Ruler of Abu Dhabi by his eldest son, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2004. The principles and philosophy that he brought to government, however, remain at the core of the state, and in its policies today.
His name is by now known to mankind for over a half-century, he is an everlasting inspiration to his people to reach higher heights, dream bigger dreams, and achieve greater pursuits. Perhaps the most important lesson we could learn is that a great leader never leaves a legacy of just followers, but rather more leaders.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, a name that shall remain in our hearts today, tomorrow and for eternity. May His Soul Rest in Peace
By H.E. Mrs. Päivi Kaukoranta, Ambassador of Finland.
I have assumed recently, in the beginning of October, my functions as the Ambassador of Finland to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and as Permanent Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. My responsibilities cover also the International Criminal Court and other Hague based institutions. It has been a flying start with a wealth of most interesting meetings and discussions.
With a background in international law, last nine years as Director General for Legal Affairs at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, I am most happy to get an opportunity to serve my country in The Hague, in the legal capital of the World.
My home country, Finland is a country with a population of 5,5 million contrary to the 17,1 million inhabitants of my new host country, the Netherlands. There are 18,1 inhabitants per square kilometer in Finland – in the Netherlands the density of population is 507 inhabitants per square kilometer. 75 % ofthe land area of Finland, which is about three times the land area of the Netherlands, is covered by forests.
The King of the Netherlands and H.E. Mr. Päivi Kaukoranta. Fotogeniek / Jeroen van der Meyde.
Despite of thesedifferences the Netherlands is for Finland a very close and like-minded partner in the European Union and more generally in international cooperation. The foreign policy of our two governments is practical and solution-oriented with its foundation on basic values.The Netherlands is also for us a benchmarking country for example when it comes to socio-political solutions and social innovations. With some essence of truth, we may call the Netherlands the most southern Nordic country.The Netherlands ranks as third in export from Finland and fifth as an import country. Our trade and economic relations are close even if the high volume of transit trade through the port of Rotterdam explains part of it. Maintaining and enhancing these good relations at all levels will naturally be high on the agenda of our Embassy.
In the city of peace and justiceour tasks extend also to the established international institutions as well as to the more recent ones. International Criminal Court, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and other international and European institutions will deserve our constructive contribution – not least now when multilateral cooperation encounters particular challenges.
Finland will hold the Presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2019. Our small but efficient team at the Embassy will do its utmost to manage the tasks of the local Presidency.
The Finnish expatriate community in the Netherlands amounts to ca. 5000 people. The Dutch-Finnish Society, Finnish Dutch Chamber of Commerce and Finnish Seamen’s Mission are trusted partners of the Embassy of Finland.
The few weeks experience in The Hague has already been a testimony of the good reputation thereof – the host country, organisations and fellow diplomats have guaranteed a warm welcome to a newcomer. I am looking forward to continued good cooperation with all of you!
– Is that why Russia was represented with such a numerous delegation at the Baku Forum?
– Yes, our delegation was meant to represent all the aspects of the public-and-political field and to highlight the closest attention that Russia pays to the Baku Forum. This is evidenced by the congratulatory message sent to the participants of the Forum by our President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and by the presence of Vice Prime Minister of Russia Olga Golodets at the event, who at the meeting with President Ilham Geydarovich Aliyev noted that both Russia and Azerbaijan are an example of a stable policy of tolerance and development of national cultures in their unity, as well as an example of neighborliness and respect for each other.
– There was a meeting of Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Sergey Neverov with Speaker of Milli Majlis (the National Assembly) of Azerbaijan Ogtai Asadov on the sidelines of the Baku Forum. What was the subject of the meeting, which you also attended?
– This year there are active contacts between the heads of our states and active exchange of parliamentary delegations between Russia and Azerbaijan. This evidences that the Russian-Azerbaijanian relations move into a qualitatively new level, and the issues of humanitarian cooperation are on the agenda of any meeting at the inter-state level. For example, there is a project under which ten cities of Russia and Azerbaijan will become sister cities. Joint Russian-Azerbaijanian exhibitions will take place in the regions, that will allow people in our countries to better know each other. In addition, Milli Majlis and the State Duma of Russia prepare to ratify a historical convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea, that was signed by the five Caspian bordering countries, and that was the subject of the meeting too.
– As a member of the delegation, you visited the Heydar Aliyev Center and the Old City for the nth time. Can you compare your first and recent impressions of these places?
– I can feel that every my visit to the capital of Azerbaijan is a return to the house where you are loved and waited for. Even if there are just a few months between my meetings in Baku, my eyes involuntarily notice changes in the appearance of the city. For example, two months ago on the territory of the Baku seaside promenade, a fountain with swans was put into operation, that was restored on the initiative of Mehriban Aliyeva, First Vice President of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
The fountain of seven swan sculptures, that was created in the sixties of the last century, was inspired by the poem of “Seven Beauties” by poet Nizami and the same-name ballet by composer Kara Karaev. With time, this favorite place of the Bakuvians and guests of the capital suffered transformations, and it is only now that the legendary fountain acquired its initial architectural appearance.
In general, I would like to say that, in comparison with the architecture of the eastern countries, that is conservative and follows religious traditions, the situation in Azerbaijan is completely different: here national color always shows through skyscrapers made of glass and concrete. This feeling is especially strong in the Heydar Aliyev Center that is an image of modern Azerbaijan, its communication with the past and with the future.
The architecture of the Center seems to break all the laws of nature: the building created after the personal signature of the national leader is flowing and wave-like, but it is very strong and stands even violent Baku winds. That’s what the Azerbaijanian national character is!
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Photography Galina Gerasimova. 
– Is that why Russia was represented with such a numerous delegation at the Baku Forum?
– Yes, our delegation was meant to represent all the aspects of the public-and-political field and to highlight the closest attention that Russia pays to the Baku Forum. This is evidenced by the congratulatory message sent to the participants of the Forum by our President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and by the presence of Vice Prime Minister of Russia Olga Golodets at the event, who at the meeting with President Ilham Geydarovich Aliyev noted that both Russia and Azerbaijan are an example of a stable policy of tolerance and development of national cultures in their unity, as well as an example of neighborliness and respect for each other.
– There was a meeting of Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Sergey Neverov with Speaker of Milli Majlis (the National Assembly) of Azerbaijan Ogtai Asadov on the sidelines of the Baku Forum. What was the subject of the meeting, which you also attended?
– This year there are active contacts between the heads of our states and active exchange of parliamentary delegations between Russia and Azerbaijan. This evidences that the Russian-Azerbaijanian relations move into a qualitatively new level, and the issues of humanitarian cooperation are on the agenda of any meeting at the inter-state level. For example, there is a project under which ten cities of Russia and Azerbaijan will become sister cities. Joint Russian-Azerbaijanian exhibitions will take place in the regions, that will allow people in our countries to better know each other. In addition, Milli Majlis and the State Duma of Russia prepare to ratify a historical convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea, that was signed by the five Caspian bordering countries, and that was the subject of the meeting too.
– As a member of the delegation, you visited the Heydar Aliyev Center and the Old City for the nth time. Can you compare your first and recent impressions of these places?
– I can feel that every my visit to the capital of Azerbaijan is a return to the house where you are loved and waited for. Even if there are just a few months between my meetings in Baku, my eyes involuntarily notice changes in the appearance of the city. For example, two months ago on the territory of the Baku seaside promenade, a fountain with swans was put into operation, that was restored on the initiative of Mehriban Aliyeva, First Vice President of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
The fountain of seven swan sculptures, that was created in the sixties of the last century, was inspired by the poem of “Seven Beauties” by poet Nizami and the same-name ballet by composer Kara Karaev. With time, this favorite place of the Bakuvians and guests of the capital suffered transformations, and it is only now that the legendary fountain acquired its initial architectural appearance.
In general, I would like to say that, in comparison with the architecture of the eastern countries, that is conservative and follows religious traditions, the situation in Azerbaijan is completely different: here national color always shows through skyscrapers made of glass and concrete. This feeling is especially strong in the Heydar Aliyev Center that is an image of modern Azerbaijan, its communication with the past and with the future.
The architecture of the Center seems to break all the laws of nature: the building created after the personal signature of the national leader is flowing and wave-like, but it is very strong and stands even violent Baku winds. That’s what the Azerbaijanian national character is!
—————-
Photography Galina Gerasimova. 
One of the highlights of our year, which we are looking forward, is the inauguration of the Pearling Path’s Visitor Center. The center is the main information point of the Pearling Path, Testimony of an Island Economy, the second UNESCO world heritage site in Bahrain, which was listed in 2012.
In November, Muharraq witnesses a large gathering of international guests concerned with the importance of preservation of the heritage of humanity. No matter wherea cultural site may be geographically located, it is valuable as it completes the story of our shared heritage. Thereby, welcoming visitors from the region and elsewhere is a means to showcase our rich and authentic heritage and is a means to enhance our mutual understanding and appreciation of one another and in deepening our relations.
The story of the pearling path is a unique one, in which we recount through innovative and modern tools and stories those who walked the narrow streets of Muharraq.We created an atmosphere to transport the visitor to a different time to learn about our ancestors and the legacy they left behind.
The pearling path is a visual investigation and exploration to a time before the discovery of oil in the 1930s, it recounts the stories at a very specific period of time where the main actors of this unique socio-economic period was one of sea traders, pearl merchants, divers and other instrumental characters that made up the city at that time all tied together by the lure of the pearl.
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Images by Bahrain Antiquities and Culture Authority (BACA)
City of Muharraq 
One of the highlights of our year, which we are looking forward, is the inauguration of the Pearling Path’s Visitor Center. The center is the main information point of the Pearling Path, Testimony of an Island Economy, the second UNESCO world heritage site in Bahrain, which was listed in 2012.
In November, Muharraq witnesses a large gathering of international guests concerned with the importance of preservation of the heritage of humanity. No matter wherea cultural site may be geographically located, it is valuable as it completes the story of our shared heritage. Thereby, welcoming visitors from the region and elsewhere is a means to showcase our rich and authentic heritage and is a means to enhance our mutual understanding and appreciation of one another and in deepening our relations.
The story of the pearling path is a unique one, in which we recount through innovative and modern tools and stories those who walked the narrow streets of Muharraq.We created an atmosphere to transport the visitor to a different time to learn about our ancestors and the legacy they left behind.
The pearling path is a visual investigation and exploration to a time before the discovery of oil in the 1930s, it recounts the stories at a very specific period of time where the main actors of this unique socio-economic period was one of sea traders, pearl merchants, divers and other instrumental characters that made up the city at that time all tied together by the lure of the pearl.
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Images by Bahrain Antiquities and Culture Authority (BACA)
City of Muharraq 
