Mexican general consul-designate to Shanghai Lorena Larios – Picture by Lorena Larios. Mexican Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the United Mexican States to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg (with seat in Brussels), Minister-Counsellor Lorena Larios Rodríguez, is departing this November 2017 to Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, to take up her new position as General Consul of Mexico in the aforementioned city.  Lorena Larios is a career diplomat. She has excelled in representing her homeland vis-à-vis the European Union. In the past, she has also served as Deputy Director General for Europe and the United Nations at the Mexican Foreign Office.  Minister Lorena Larios Rodríguez holds a degree in Law from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara and a Master’s degree in International Politics from the Center for International and Strategic Relations Studies (CERIS) in Brussels. She specialised in Public Administration at the National Institute of Public Administration of Mexico as well as International Law and Human Rights at the Washington College of Law of the American University in Washington, D.C. She has completed diplomatic studies at the Matías Romero Institute of Diplomacy and on European integration at the College d’Europe in Bruges. Additionally, she obtained a Diploma in Strategic International Scenarios at Mexico’s Autonomous Institute of Technology (ITAM) and on Mexico-U.S. relations at the University of California, San Diego. She has been a panelist at national and international fora regarding migration, development, human rights and foreign policy. Her nomination had been approved by the Mexican Senate already on 14 September 2017.  Shanghai is Asia’s most important economic and financial centre as well as one of global relevance. Its port is the main point of entry for Mexican agricultural products entering the Chinese market.  Sino-Mexican diplomatic ties are excellent. Thus far seven presidential encounters have taken place since President Enrique Peña Nieto took office.  ———- For further information: 

• Lorena Larios: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkcjloLVBNw
• http://noticieros.televisa.com/ultimas-noticias/nacional/2017-09-14/rinden-protesta-senado-14-embajadores-y-consules/
• Mission of Mexico to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg: https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/belgica/index.php/es/
• Mexican Consulate General in Shanghai: https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/shanghai/

 

By Roy Lie A Tjam. On, 14 November 2017, The Hague acknowledged the establishment of the International Institute for Justice Excellence and celebration of the legacy of the ICTY. The ceremony took place at the Great Hall of Justice of the Peace Palace, and attendees included representatives of the various tribunals, ambassadors, and diplomatic staff of an array of embassies. Mr. Jeffery Apperson, chairman and founder of the International Institute for Justice Excellence (IIJE), delivered the opening remarks. Jeffrey Apperson presented his board members to the audience, whom have come from the four corners of the globe- among them: China, USA, Nigeria, Netherlands, Trinidad & Tobago. For additional Hester Dijkstra’s pictures, please open the link below: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157664116126258  

Mr. Jeffery Apperson went on to explain the reasons behind the selection of The Hague and for being at the Peace Palace that particular evening. “The Hague, Apperson said, is about windmills, palaces and dreams of achieving the impossible; it is an international symbol of justice with institutions and a government dedicated to that symbol. I envision our institution adding value to these local and international institutions and hope we will eventually be a good local partner.” As for being at the Peace Palace he exclaimed, “We are gathered here to announce the establishment of the International Institute for Justice Excellence, to establish an international justice excellence day and to honor the legacy in justice administration of a truly historic institution and its people, the UNICTY, and Lord Harry Woolf, a historic public figure.”

Other Speakers Apperson was followed by Ms. Astrid Bronswijk, Head of International Affairs, and municipality of The Hague. Bronswijk expressed the municipality’s contentment with the arrival of yet another International Institute in The Hague- city of peace and justice. Bronswijk was followed by the Honorable Justice Kashim Zanna of Bornio State Nigeria. Justice Kashim Zanna commenced his discourse with a quotation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. exclaiming, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. He furthermore stated, “The mission of the International Institute for Justice Excellence (IIJE) is to contribute to the refinement and enhancement of the vehicle for justice delivery, everywhere. It is an endeavor: to establish a non-political, non-profit, international institution dedicated to developing a collaborative approach to improving, globally, the administration of justice more uniformly and efficiently by promoting and providing: research and more.” The final speaker was Mr. John Hocking, Registrar UN-ICTY. The Award Ceremony. An Award presentation ceremony followed, The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) was presented with the first Justice Administration Excellence Award. The Tribunal received the award for its significant contributions to the field of Justice Administration. The President of ICTY Carmel Agius received an award. In his Keynote address, President Agius expressed his gratitude noting that the award speaks to the ICTY’s lifetime achievements. According to Agius, the award is also an acknowledgement of its judges, principals, and past and present staff members who have excelled in the performance of their assignments.

Furthermore, the Right Honorable Lord Woolf has been acknowledged with the International Justice Excellence Award. In conclusion of the inaugural ceremony, Alexis Gill singer accompanied by Victor Segura piano, gave a rendition of “From a Distance” and concluded with a reception.

Ambassador Christine Weil hands over her Letter of Introduction to Director General H.E. Ahmet  Üzümcü(© OPCW) The German Permanent Representation to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, is under the direction of Ambassador Christine Weil since early august. Ambassador Weil recently declared: “Our central objective is the one of the OPCW: to free the world of chemical weapons. Major challenges remain. Germany wants to play an active role in solving them.”    

H.E. Mrs Kaili Terras, Ambassador to Estonia; H.E. Mr Vidmantas Purlys, Ambassador of Lithuania; Keukenhof Flower Exhibition’s director, Mr. Bart Siemerink and H.E. Mrs Ilze Rūse, Ambassador to Latvia.   By Roy Lie A Tjam. A tulip-bulb planting ceremony took place at the Keukenhof Flower Exhibition. Ambassadors of the Baltic states, H.E. Mrs Kaili Terras, Ambassador to Estonia; H.E. Mrs Ilze Rūse, Ambassador to Latvia; and H.E. Mr Vidmantas Purlys, Ambassador of Lithuania, planted the tulip bulb “Flaming Baltic” also known as Tulipa ‘flaming baltic’.

The Flaming Baltic Tulip is a tulip variety that was created to commemorate the Baltic Way, a movement that stands for the Baltic states’ independence and freedom. The special tulip will also mark the upcoming centenary of the Baltic countries in 2018. Thanks to the contributions of Dutch tulip-growers and the excellent collaboration with Keukenhof Flower Exhibition, a ‘Baltic flowerbed’ adjacent to the William-Alexander pavilion featuring a tulip collection associated with each of the Baltic states. The numerous Keukenhof visitors will enjoy the wide spectrum of tulips such as “Tallinn”, “Latvija” and “Gintarine Lietuva”. The planting event took place under direction of the Keukenhof Flower Exhibition’s director, Mr. Bart Siemerink, on 13 November 2017. In his speech, Siemerink indicated how delighted and pleased Keukenhof is to cooperate with the Baltic States, and that he is aware of the significance of next year’s historical celebrations for the Baltic States. ———  Photography by Mr. Kristaps Kļaviņš.  

By Roy Lie A Tjam. The Hague 27 October 2017, The Hague philharmonic orchestra or Residentie Orkest hosted Diplomat Magazine guests at their special concert. The concert was attended by a number of Ambassadors: Russia, Armenia, Ecuador. Korea. Indonesia, being amongst them. The Residentie Orkest artistic director Mr Sven Arne Tepl cordially welcomed the distinguished guests. A highlight of the evening was the one-minute symphony called “who is who” its a three-part piece by the talented young Ghanaian composer David Azaglo, the audience roared its approval. Power of Sjosta Kovitsj, it was Russian Roulette at the Zuiderstrand theatre when Nicholas Collon took on three Russian masterpieces: Ljadov’s poetic and atmospheric Enchanted Lake, the Tenth Symphony by Shostakovich – which recently shook up the Alpha tent at Lowlands Music Festival – and, lastly, the cello concerto by the not so well known Kabalevsky. He composed a piece bubbling over with absolute excitement, virtuosity, and vigour. This concerto is just perfect for the super-talented Leonard Elschenbroich. All enjoyed the superb evening at the zuiderstrand theatre. Concert details:

• Nicholas Collon, conductor
• Leonard Elschenbroich, cello
• Ljadov – The Enchanted Lake
• Kabalevsky – Cello Concerto no. 2
• Shostakovich – Symphony no. 10

                         

First Lady honored with African Woman Personality of the Year & African Heroine Awards The annual Voice Achievers’ Award in Amsterdam, the Netherlands took place on 17th November 2017. This year’s ceremony celebrated the First Lady of Republic of Rwanda, Her Excellency, Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, the Founder and Chairperson of Imbuto Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support the development of a healthy, educated and prosperous society in Rwanda and beyond. She was honored with “African Woman Personality of the year & African Heroine Awards”. The award was received by Ambassador Jean-Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of Rwanda to the Netherlands. Ambassador Karabaranga was accompanied by his spouse and members of the Rwandan community in the Netherlands. The Voice Achievers Award is established in the Netherlands, as a project of The Voice Magazine to recognize Africans and friends of Africa of outstanding achievement on a yearly basis. Since 2012, the award took a global outlook recognizing people outside of the Netherlands. Last year, the Embassy of Rwanda in the Netherlands was awarded the Best African Embassy within The Netherlands, according to the Statement from the Embassy.