The Ambassador of Vietnam, H.E. Ms. Ngo Thi Hoa.
Its new year in Asia; a dozen or so countries in the region celebrate the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. Vietnam is one of them.
It’s on this occasion that H.E. Ambassador Ngo Thi Hoa of Vietnam, in keeping with an old Vietnamese tradition invited colleagues and friends to come and celebrate Vietnam new year with her at the Chancellery in The Hague on February 14, 2018.
The Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr. HIroshi Inomata, Mr. Peter Bouman, Director of the Asia-Pacific Department at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh.
A Vietnamese duo consisting of the artists Bui To Nga and Bui Thanh Hung performed folk melodies from the North, Central and South of Viet Nam. Chef de Cuisine Quyen prepared a variety of delightful Vietnamese dishes.
For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157663757408587The Ambassador of Korea, H.E. Mr. Yun Young Lee, Ambassador Hoa and H.E. Dimitris Iliopolus, Ambassador of the European Union to the International Organizations.
Ambassador Ngo Thi Hoa welcome delivery now follows.
“I’m honored to welcome you all to our New Year Reception this evening. When the traditional New Year comes around, Vietnamese people tend to gather with close friends to reflect on the past year and celebrate the new one that’s coming. Therefore, I’m very glad that we have the chance to gather here on this fine evening to share this very special moment, true to Vietnamese tradition.2017 was quite a memorable year for us as the Vietnam – Netherlands relations flourished incredibly, proceeding towards our 45th year anniversary; as well as our increasingly active contributions to multilateral relationships.Without a doubt, these accomplishments couldn’t have been achieved without all of your assistance and cooperation; which is why we’d like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I hope that you’ll continue to assist us in the upcoming year to achieve even greater results together and to strengthen our relations even more.Some of you may not know this but, 2018 is the year of the Dog, according to the 12-zodiac cycle. The animal is perceived as a man’s best friend. Well, in Vietnamese culture, it’s regarded as an even more special and auspicious creature that can bring good fortune and prosperity to human beings. This is why I believe that 2018 will be a great year for us all.In the spirit of friendship, we would like to invite you to celebrate the New Year with us.”
The Hague, Netherlands — 14 February 2018 — The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, met with the Minister of State for Defence for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Earl Howe, yesterday during a visit to OPCW Headquarters in The Hague.
Mr Howe was accompanied by the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the OPCW, H.E. Mr Peter Wilson.
The Director-General and the Minister of State for Defence discussed the progress of the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), OPCW’s continuing activities in Syria, initiatives to counter the use of chemical weapons by non-State actors as well as recent proposals to enhance the capabilities of the OPCW such as the expansion of the Laboratory and the establishment of the Rapid Response and Assistance Mission (RRAM).
The Director-General expressed his gratitude for the United Kingdom’s valuable support for OPCW’s work and the UK’s contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons.
————-
Photography by OPCW.
Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, President of the International Criminal Court, (left) and William R. Pace, Convenor of the Coalition for the ICC, (right) speaking at the Coalition for the ICC’s Open Forum held at the seat of the Court on 15 February 2018 in The Hague (Netherlands).
ICC hosts launch of civil society forum to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Rome Statute
On 15 February 2018, the International Criminal Court (ICC) hosted the launch of the Coalition for the ICC’s commemorations of the20th anniversary of the Rome Statute – the Court’s founding treaty– with an Open Forum at the seat of the Court in The Hague, The Netherlands. More than 280 persons attended the event, including protagonists of the Rome Statute’s adoption, ICC officials, representatives of states, regional and international organizations, and civil society.
“It is a great pleasure for me to receive at the ICC so many of those very same people who worked so hard to make this Court possible”, said the President of the International Criminal Court, Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi,calling the adoption of the Rome Statute “one of the biggest achievements of recent decades to advance the rule of law, a ‘revolution’ according to some.”
“This event recognises the role of the variety of stakeholders involved in the adoption of the Rome Statute – states, regional and international organisations, and civil society, and aims to spur a global dialogue on advancing justice for atrocities,” said the Convenor of the Coalition for the ICC, William R. Pace. “We call on all actors in the international system, organizations and individuals to organize 20th anniversary events throughout 2018 to raise awareness of this historic treaty and organization and commit to taking strides towards universal ratification and cooperation with ICC decisions, such as arresting wanted persons. Let us eliminate war and impunity for mass violence and repression.”
The ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, thanked the Coalition for the ICC and its membership from across the globe for their invaluable contribution to the cause of international justice, the establishment of the Court and marking this milestone achievement. “The creation of the International Criminal Court must surely be one of humanity’s proudest moments,” said ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. “Cooperation efforts need to amplify in order to secure long-term gains for justice.”
Recalling that victims participation and reparations are unique and cornerstone features of the Rome Statute system, Registrar Herman von Hebel stated that the “success of the Court will depend not only on its judgements and sentences for individuals who have committed the gravest crimes of concern to the international community as whole. Rather, the success of the Court will also – if not even to a greater extent – depend on giving the victims voice and adequate reparation and assistance in re-building their lives.”
“Twenty years since the Rome Conference, the ICC is now an integral part of the international system. Its work contributes to the rule of law, the promotion of human rights and to a more peaceful and secure world,” said the President of the Assembly of States Parties O-Gon Kwon. “At this important juncture in its history, the Court needs our support more than ever […] In the end, the Rome Statute system can only be as effective and efficient as we, States Parties, together with the Court, and other stakeholders, make it through our actions and cooperation. ”
Interventions included the Coalition’s Convenor, the ICC President, Prosecutor and Registrar, the President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims, the UN Secretary-General and UN Human Rights Chief, and the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs, among other high level officials and participants of the 1998 Rome Conference.
The Open Forum continued today, 16 February, at the Peace Palace in The Hague and commemorations will take place throughout the year worldwide, including around 17 July 2018, the Day of International Criminal Justice, and the Rome Statute’s official anniversary. It is hoped that the 20th anniversary will be a time for renewed commitment to the Rome Statute, the ICC, and the unprecedented system of international criminal justice created by the treaty.
In the photo you can seethe HSV Management Team. From left: Helen Claus (Interim Director – Lighthouse Special Education and Three Little Ships), Lorraine Dean (Director – HSV International Primary School), Anita van Schie (Head of School – Het Open Venster) and Hans van der Vlugt (Executive Director – HSV).
The HSV International Primary School is an established international school, currently housing three locations in the heart of The Hague. It is with great enthusiasm that the Board of HaagscheSchoolvereenigingannounces the opening of its 4th location on van Heutszstraat 12in the Bezuidenhout neighbourhood from August 2018.
The expansion was initiated by the City of The Hague as part of the Dutch Government’s expansion of (subsidised) International Education in The Netherlands. The new location will help reduce the significant waiting lists, especially for the younger year groups.
HSV is glad to announce the relocation of the Lighthouse Special Education into the same building as the fourth International Department location. This will provide a more inclusive environment for these children and provide additional learning support expertise to the International Department.Families who have children with both special educational needs and typically developing children will have the opportunity for their children to attend school in the same building.
In addition, the HSV is working on expanding its current Early Years Provision. The Three Little Ships Preschool will move into the new location, enabling children to transition easily into international education.
The new location will also house HSV’s board office, and the HSV’s Dutch School for children with Dyslexia and Dyscalculia, Het Open Venster.
H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of Rwanda to the Netherlands.
For the 9th time Rwanda showcased its unique attractions at the Vakantiebeurs tourism exhibition, the largest tourism exhibition in the Benelux that took place from 9 to 14th of January in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
The exhibition kicked of with a trade day for the Dutch travel industry professionals and travel media.
Rwanda was among the 160 countries that participated at the Vakantiebeurs, which attracted more than 100,000 visitors. This years’ edition of Remarkable Rwanda at the Vakantiebeurs was all about getting inspired. First, by getting in touch with the local specialists from Rwanda and hearing the stories and experiences from first hand. The Rwanda Development Board, the Embassy of Rwanda in The Hague, RwandAir, Amahoro Tours, Wildlife Tours Rwanda and
Mercator Assistance were represented at the Rwanda stand during the six-day event.
Then, cultural inspiration came while enjoying a traditional dance performance by the Rwanda dance group, followed by a culinary experience served by the barista on the Rwanda stand, serving specialty coffee and tea from the land of thousand hills.
All visitors enjoyed live presentations by the co exhibitors and inspirational video presentations in the RwandaFul Lounge. Included in the program were the brand new TV episodes of the most famous biologist in the Netherlands, Freek Vonk. In the Summer 2017 his dream came true while discovering Rwanda. In total, 4 TV episodes about Freek
Vonk in Rwanda have been broadcasted in November. With his enthusiasm, Freek gave a wonderful impression about nature and wildlife in Rwanda and it’s expected that this will attract crowds to the Rwanda stand.
RwandAir, Rwanda’s national carrier, operates three weekly direct flights
from/to Brussels on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
On behalf of the Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda’s Ambassador to
the Netherlands, H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, invited the Dutch tourism
professionals and travel media to the RwandaFul Coffee Break.
The trade&media day on 9 January at Vakantiebeurs was an opportunity to
meet with new Dutch tour operators that have great interest to include
Rwanda (both leisure and MICE) in their brochures and on their websites.
Furthermore, it was an opportunity to promote the news that, effective 1
January 2018, Rwanda grants visitors a 30-day visa upon arrival without
prior application. During the trade day Ambassador Karabaranga invited Mayor Van Zanen
of Utrecht to the Rwanda stand to discover the tourism opportunities in
the land of a thousand hills.
——–
Co-exhibitors at the Rwanda stand
RwandAir – Mrs Pulchérie Nyinawase, Sales executive RwandAir –
Brussels
Amahoro Tours – Mr Gregory Bakunzi, Owner
Wildlife Tours Rwanda – Mr Davidson Mugisha, Owner
Mercator Assistance – Mr Vedaste Kayiranga, Owner
Events & activities at the Rwanda stand
Networking: RwandaFul Coffee Break for trade & media on Tuesday 9
January – 12pm at the Rwanda stand
Culture promotion: Rwanda dance performances right in front of the
Rwanda stand.
Coffee/Tea promotion: Barista (Mr Paul van Weert / Brewanda) with
daily free Rwanda specialty coffee & tea tasting
Story telling promotion: a varied program of presentations in the
RwandaFul lounge at the stand. Live presentations by the coexhibitors,
African Parks, Embassy of Rwanda in The Hague and Bird
specialist Mr Karel Werdler from the Inholland Tourism University in
Amsterdam.
Monday-Tuesday, 5-6 February 2018, Ljubljana, Republic of Slovenia: For the very first time leaders of all three Benelux countries were hosted for a multilateral summit by the Government of Slovenia.
10th Slovenian Premier Minister, H.E. Mr. Miro Cerar hosted a dinner for Luxembourgian Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Xavier Bettel and Belgian Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Didier Reynders at Ljubljana Castle before they are joined on 6 February by Dutch Premier H.E. Mr. Mark Rutte for a working session at Podrožnik Villa on Tuesday.
After lunch all four on Tuesday, strolled through the city of Ljubljana. They ended up their meetings with a supper at Strmol Mansion north of the capital.
One of the topics under discussion was the implementation of the border arbitration award after Benelux prime ministers urged Slovenia and Croatia in July last year to respect the award in a constructive spirit.
Mark Rutte touched on the issue again when visiting his Austrian counterpart H.E. Mr. Sebastian Kurz early in January 2018, when they both expressed concern about the dispute and their willingness to contribute to its solution.
Slovenia has very good relations with the Benelux countries, something that was noted when Cerar hosted his Belgian counterpart H.E. Mr. Charles Michel for a meeting in Ljubljana in May 2017. The countries have similar views on the EU’s future. Both Slovenia and Belgium were at the time said to be advocating a strong, forward-looking and development-oriented EU.
Cerar highlighted the usefulness for Slovenia to build stronger ties with the Benelux countries, considering the shared values and political policies with them.
24-25 January 2018, Brussels, Berlaymont: UNESCO Director GeneralMs. Audrey Azoulay met in Brussels with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission H.E. Ms. Federica Mogherini.
On the occasion of her first visit in Brussels, UNESCO Director General held a fruitful first encounter with the High Representative, aimed at discussing priority areas for further EU-UNESCO cooperation.
Director General Azoulay received strong support for UNESCO’s mandate from the High Representative, stressing that the Organisation will continue to be a significant partner for the EU. In their discussion, in addition to relevant achievements in the cultural sector as the European Union’s strategy for international cultural relations, the protection of cultural heritage in danger and the recently launched European Year of Cultural Heritage, it was reiterated the support of the European Union to UNESCO’s work in preventing radicalisation and in the fields of education and science.
High Representative and Director General explored future opportunities to cooperate having regard to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including further joint action on women and youth empowerment.
Director General Azoulay also took the opportunity to encounter Mr. Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis as well as Ms. Neven Mimica, Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development.
ICC President Judge Fernández de Gurmendi receives the Global Jurist of the Year 2017 Award.
On 14 February 2018, Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, President of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”), was awarded the Global Jurist of the Year 2017 Award by the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law’s Center for International Human Rights (CIHR) at a ceremony held in The Hague, Netherlands. The award is given annually to honour a sitting judge, whether in an international or national court, who has demonstrated in his or her career courage in the face of adversity to uphold and defend fundamental human rights or the principles of international criminal justice.Presenting the award to Judge Fernández, Ambassador David Scheffer, Director of CIHR, stated: “her jurisprudence […] has confirmed her insightful and prescient mind in the realm of international criminal law. I see in her jurisprudence the seasoned deliberation of one of the framers of the Rome Statute and its Rules of Procedure and Evidence.” He also said: “Judge Fernández has played a critical role in speeding up the proceedings while still protecting the rights of the accused. Under her leadership as president, the Court has significantly improved the efficiency and timelines of its trial work. That is critical in garnering political support for the ICC today and in the future.”In her acceptance speech, President Fernández expressed her gratitude for the award and discussed some of the key challenges the ICC faces today, stating: “The International Criminal Court was created in the 1990s, when idealism was as it peak. Now it needs to develop in a less benign world where there is a serious push back against global values, and nationalism and intolerance are on the rise. We will need all the stubborn optimism of the Rome generation in the more turbulent years to come. The Court is mature enough to survive but survival is not enough – it needs to maintain membership, grow and thrive.” ——————–Previous recipients of the Global Jurist Award include Justice Dikgang Moseneke of the Constitutional Court of South Africa (2013), Justice Shireen Avis Fisher of the Special Court of Sierra Leone (2014), Judge Gloria Patricia Porras Escobar of the Constitutional Court of Guatemala (2015), and Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella of the Supreme Court of Canada (2016).
“MUMMIES in BRUGES – Secrets of Ancient Egypt” \ Unique exhibition with mummies as of 31 March in Bruges!
The temporary exhibition “Mummies in Bruges – Secrets of Ancient Egypt” will be inaugurated on 31 March at the Oud Sint-Jan Exhibition Center in Bruges (Belgium, Europe). This fascinating exhibition comprises 9 human and animal mummies from Ancient Egypt that are more than 2000 years old, plus more than 200 objects (likewise from Ancient Egypt), including some that have never been shown before. These objects and mummies belong to the collection of the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden [National Museum of Antiquities] in Leiden (Netherlands), which boasts one of the 10 most important Egyptology collections in the world. Large information panels and videos throughout the exhibition provide explanations on the remarkable rituals of the Ancient Egyptians concerning death and their unshakable belief in the afterlife.
This exhibition at the Xpo Center Bruges is intended for a broad public.For children (8 to 12) in particular, there is a quest with Dummie the Mummy, known from the eponymous children’s book series. Dummie the Mummy guides the young public through this exhibition with the help of a coloring and activity book.
Dr Ekaterina Trendafilova, President of Kosovo Specialist Chambers.
Following the statement issued by the Specialist Prosecutor David Schwendiman announcing
his departure from office, effective 31 March 2018, the President of the Kosovo Specialist Chamber, Dr. Ekatherina Trendafilova declared the following:
“Mr Schwendiman was appointed as Specialist Prosecutor on 1 September 2016. Since thenhe has worked relentlessly to establish the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office in order to carry outthe mandate of ensuring fair, efficient and independent investigations and prosecutions ofalleged crimes within its jurisdiction, with a special regard to the protection of potentialwitnesses.As President of the Specialist Chambers, I had the privilege to know and work with theSpecialist Prosecutor on matters of mutual concern to our institutions. On a personal level, Ihave been impressed by his professionalism, dedication, and intellect. I thank the SpecialistProsecutor for establishing a solid and independent institution.Both institutions, the Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, will continuethe fulfilment of their mandate without disruption.I am very grateful to the Specialist Prosecutor for his committed service and wish him all thebest for his future endeavors.”
Without a doubt, these accomplishments couldn’t have been achieved without all of your assistance and cooperation; which is why we’d like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I hope that you’ll continue to assist us in the upcoming year to achieve even greater results together and to strengthen our relations even more.
Some of you may not know this but, 2018 is the year of the Dog, according to the 12-zodiac cycle. The animal is perceived as a man’s best friend. Well, in Vietnamese culture, it’s regarded as an even more special and auspicious creature that can bring good fortune and prosperity to human beings. This is why I believe that 2018 will be a great year for us all.
In the spirit of friendship, we would like to invite you to celebrate the New Year with us.” 
