Africa Day 2023 came and went. H.E. Mr. Momar Gueye, Ambassador of the Republic of Senegal and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in the Netherlands, and his colleagues and Ambassadors welcomed the guests in style. A total of well over 250 persons attended the function. The date was 23 June 2023.
The commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the OAU-AU is a milestone that vividly portrays the continentâs commitment to solidarity, peace, security, and economic integration.
Africa Day is annually celebrated to commemorate the founding of the Organization of African Unity in 1963. This day is extraordinary and significant in many aspects, as it marks the solidarity, unity in diversity, and a common strategy for developing the African continent and the prosperity of its people. This yearâs celebration theme is âOur Africa, Our Future.â Africaâs future.
The Ambassador of Angola, H.E. Ms. Maria Isabel Gomes de Resende Encoge.
AGENDA 2063 – Africaâs Aspirations for the Future
AGENDA 2063: The Africa we want, is Africaâs blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. It is the continentâs strategic framework that aims to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete manifestation of the Pan-African drive for unity, self-determination,
Agenda 2063 encapsulates Africaâs Aspirations for the Future and identifies key Flagship Programmes which can boost Africaâs economic growth and development and lead to the rapid transformation of the continent.
The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, underlined that the continent, with its 55 African Union members, is very strong and is fast becoming a critical voice in the global arena, âwe have come a long way in promoting and defending an African common position on issues of interest to our continent and our people, yet much remains to be done, in realizing the aspirations of our forefathers as stipulated in the founding charter and that of our Agenda 2063â he added.
Mr. Paul Huijts, Permanent Secretary of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Guests turned out in their numbers to celebrate this momentous occasion. Ambassadors, Diplomats, African businesspeople included, and guests from other continents were on hand to enjoy the festivities. Of course, the diaspora showed up in all its colours and resplendent beauty.
As H.E. President William Ruto of Kenya recently stated in his interview with Diplomat Magazine, âThe conversation in September 2023 (Africa Climate Action Summit, prelude to COP 28) will have depth and detail. We want to bring an African perspective to climate action, put our ideas on the table, and formulate innovative solutions that will help tackle this monster that is threatening humanityâ.
President Ruto further declared, âthe current architecture of the African Union is not effective. We, African Leaders, are having a very frank, intense, and honest conversation about what we need to do differently because we certainly must change. We need to give the AU the power and resources to engage with the European Union, America, China, and all of our other partners so that we can be able to get what we need to transform our countries. Look at what the Asian countries are doing (ASEAN).â
AmbassadorH.E. Mr. Maria Isabel Gomes de Resende Encoge was adamant in her statement, Africa has to move forward!
Mr. Paul Huijts, the Permanent Secretary of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a keynote speech at the Africa Day event. He shared the government’s renewed approach towards Africa and touched upon the official visits to the continent.
Showcasing Africaâs progress
An upcoming event showcasing Africaâs progress is OPCW CHEMEX Africa 2023 Capacity Building through the South-South Cooperation, which will be held in Algeria.The Algiers event is scheduled from September 23 to October 04, 2023. This landmark event is a Pan-African multi-component emergency response exercise and demonstration. It aims to develop counter-chemical capability in Africa to mitigate, investigate, respond, and recover from chemical incidents or attacks involving chemical weapons and toxic industrial chemicals. It also intends to foster âSouth-Southâ cooperation by encouraging broad participation of African instructors and to check and improve the preparedness of African countries to respond to chemical-related incidents.
The AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area)Â is an ambitious trade pact to create a single market for goods and services for almost 1.3 bn people across Africa and deepen the continentâs economic integration.
The League of African Ambassadors will be coordinating African-centric positions and activities.
The Africa Day program further offered cultural performances by drummers and dancers from Angola, Morocco, and Rwanda, contributing to the celebrative ambiance of the momentous Africa Day event. The food outlet provided a selection of savoury dishes and drinks from different African nations.
The success of the 2023 Africa Day celebrations left all the participants enthusiastic and anticipating the next edition scheduled for 2024.
On 20th of June 2023 on behalf of the Embassy of Georgia, H.E. Ambassador David Solomonia and Mrs Olena Terentieva hosted the reception on the occasion of 105th anniversary of Georgiaâs State Independence.
In his opening speech, Ambassador welcomed the guests among which were representatives of Dutch public service, civil society organizations, diplomatic corps and the Georgian diaspora. He thanked everyone involved in the preparations of the event and acknowledged the dedications by the Honorary Consuls of Georgia in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Georgiaâs National Day is, by all means, a joyous occasion. 26th of May marks the day when the people of Georgia restored its statehood in the form of the first democratic republic. With their unique culture and language and the centuries of statecraft traditions Georgians once again asserted itself in the mosaic of interstate realm.
According to Ambassador Solomonia: âIndependence Day holds significant place in our hearts. It symbolizes the triumph of liberty and the pursuit of a better future. It represents the collective aspirations of our society to break free from the irons of oppression and determine our own destiny.
SAKARTVELO choir
Today, we pay tribute to the visionaries who paved the way for an Independent Georgia and to all those who continue to preserve and uphold those values.â
Several months ago, on 14th of April, Georgia celebrated another significant historical event –
âGeorgian Language Dayâ in cooperation with Leiden University. It marked the events that occurred in 1978 when the Soviet Authorities unsuccessfully attempted to remove the official status of Georgian throughout the country. âGeorgia cherishes the bravery and efforts of those people who stood up against the oppressive regime and protected their language – a core of our cultural identity.â – stressed the Ambassador.
In his speech, Ambassador emphasized the importance of current affairs as well. He stressed that as the world is facing great crises, including the worst possible one – the terrible war, Russiaâs brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine, which had started in Georgia back in 2008: âNo nation can feel safe until Russia is held accountable for violating the fundamental principles agreed by allâ.
Georgia National Day 2023.
At this point, Georgian-Dutch cooperation, friendship and long-standing ties are of great value for both countries. While the Dutch Embassy is representing the Netherlands in Tbilisi, the Embassy of Georgia maintains close cooperation in bilateral and multilateral level, and as the Ambassador put it âall time high like-mindedness on all major topics, including in The Hague based institutions, be it ICC, ICJ or OPCWâ. Not least to mention that according to first quarter statistics of the year of 2023, the Netherlands is the biggest investor in Georgia.
The reception was adorned by stunning performances of Amersfoort based Choir âSAKARTVELOâ who are specialized in famous Georgian polyphony – another cultural asset which has international recognition and is inscribed in the UNESCO list for intangible cultural heritage.
The celebratory evening concluded with a degustation of Georgian cuisine and beverages. Most notably, the notorious Georgian wine boasts its oldest wine-making traditions and increasing popularity in Dutch markets.
Guests were invited to come and delight themself in a splendid evening with wine tasting. There were three white wines: Elephant Chardonnay, Stone Castle Chardonnay and Kalaveshi Sauvignon Blanc. Two red wines: Besa and Elephant Cabernet Sauvignon.
Kosovo wine testing – Deputy ministers mingle with guests.
The event was part of the continuous efforts to promote Kosovo produce and allow the international community to try and enjoy high-quality Kosovo wines.
Simultaneously the Embassyâs Art Gallery of 13 art pieces by Kosovarian artists was inaugurated. The exposition is part of the project âMoving Art Exhibition Abroadâ.
Also on the program was the launching of the three-day activity at the Embassy with the Kosovo-Albanian scientific diaspora aiming at coordination among main stakeholders on how to advance Kosovo abroad, specifically within European academic circles.
Noteworthy were the Kosovo Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Ms. Liza Gashi, and the Deputy Minister of Education, Ms. Edona Maloku, who graced the event with their presence. Both dignitaries briefly address the guests.
Visitors were pleased with the fabulous evening, featuring excellent wines from Kosovo.
Thursday, 29 June 2023, Ahal Province, Turkmenistan: The opening ceremony of the city of Arkadag took place. The relevant decree was signed by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov during an expanded offsite meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held in this city.
The document was adopted “in order to organize the opening of the city of Arkadag at a high level, built on the initiative of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov based on the concept of “smart city” using advanced technologies of the new generation.”
The ruling prescribes:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the hyakimlik of the city of Arkadag, the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, the Ministry of Culture and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs jointly ensure the opening ceremony of the city of Arkadag on June 29, 2023 at a high organizational level;
To provide the relevant ministries and departments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the hyakimlik of the city of Arkadag, the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, the Ministry of Culture and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs with all possible assistance in preparing and holding the opening ceremony at a high organizational level;
To the Ministry of Culture, the State Committee for Television, Radio Broadcasting and Cinematography, the State News Agency to provide high-level media coverage of the opening ceremony and measures taken in Turkmenistan in the field of the smart city concept.
According to President Berdimuhamedov, the construction of the city of Arkadag was planned to be carried out in two stages.
âCurrently, the first phase of its construction has been completed. In the near future, the grand opening ceremony and commissioning of the new city, built on the basis of the smart city concept, will take place. As part of the first stage of development, 336 modern buildings were erected, including two and multi-storey comfortable residential buildings, public, educational, medical and cultural facilities, sports facilities and engineering systems,â Serdar Berdimuhamedov said.
According to him, all the high-quality work carried out in the new city meets international standards. A digital system has been introduced in educational institutions, and a âsmartâ house system has been introduced in residential buildings, the head of state emphasized. A set of necessary measures has been taken to ensure the environmental cleanliness of the new city. In particular, for its harmonious coexistence with the surrounding nature, a lot of trees and flowers have been planted along the streets and in the adjacent territory, and a road transport infrastructure that meets environmental requirements has been formed.
âIn general, the new city of Arkadag has become one of the most perfect cities, with the most favorable conditions for living, working and recreation,â said President Serdar Berdimuhamedov”
At the same time, the emphasis was placed on its important political, economic and social significance for our state and people. In this context, the head of state stressed that the work aimed at the prosperity of the mighty Motherland would be continued together with specialists well versed in modern technologies.
The city of Arkadag, which will house approximately 70 000 people, is being built on an area of 950 hectares, 30 kilometers southwest of the Turkmen capital. âSmartâ residential buildings controlled via a smartphone, a square with a flagpole, buildings of the hyakimlik and other institutions have been built here.
The construction of this mega-project was started in 2019.
On March 24, 2023, a new Law of Turkmenistan came into force, according to which a special legal status is assigned to the city of Arkadag – a city of state importance.
A great dining experience requires a careful balance between flavours, quality of the ingredients, presentation, ambiance, and a welcoming service. Blue Blood at the Hilton has managed to get it all just right.
Hilton’s bar, The Hague.
Entering through a huge hippodrome-shaped bar that wouldnât be out of place in New York or Hong Kong, you come into a low-key dining area where, if you are lucky, you get a table with a view of the canal.
While the bar is big, bright, and lofty, the restaurant proper is intimate and restful. You can hear your footsteps, you can hear your companions talk.
John and Anne DunkelgrĂŒn with friends at Blue Blood, HIlton The Hague.
The staff is proficient and warmly welcoming. Being guided to our table, we passed a sushi-bar that made our mouths water. We lucked out with a table at the window. It was a balmy evening and we saw the Ooievaart boat slide by and watched people canoeing and paddle boarding. We were totally relaxed, even before the drinks arrived.
The real secret behind this restaurant is its chef. Hilton The Hague has managed to lure Chef Luis Rojas away from Abu Dhabi, where he wore the Toque at the Hilton restaurant on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Chef Rojas has worked all over the world, but was trained in Lima, which has become the epicenter of great cuisine in Latin America.
Chef Luis Rojas, from Blue Blood.
Blessed with a long coast teeming with fish and seafood, its cuisine was inspired by a large Japanese immigrant population that has thrived in the country for well over a century. The fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine became known as Nikkei Cuisine blending the many varieties of corn, potato, and chillies with local herbs, fish and seafood.
The development of Nikkei was helped by Le Cordon Bleu School of Cooking in Lima, which has produced hundreds of top chefs for restaurants all over the Americas.
Chef Rojas, a big amiable teddybear of a man, exuded enthusiasm about the Nikkei tradition. We had ordered the tasting menu, which was organized in waves of dishes rather than in courses. Each âwaveâ was a feast to the eye and its individual dishes were a true taste sensation.
I am not a restaurant critic and will not give a dish-by-dish description. You must really try for yourself the spectacular presentation and WOW-delicious flavors of each successive wave.
I have been lucky to dine in in top restaurants all over the world, but this evening just blew our party of four completely away. The experience was so special, that I just had to share it with you.
Meeting Chef Rojas is a pleasure in itself. He is very good at describing his creations vividly and clearly, while charming you with obvious pride in his creations.
The Hague has really gained a dining experience of international standard. Chapeau (or perhaps âtoqueâ) to the chef, his kitchen brigade, and the wonderful restaurant staff.
Dining at Blue Blood with Chef Rojasâ Nikkei cuisine, is something you really must not miss.
Chef Luis Rojas, John and Anne DunkelgrĂŒn and friends.
On July 28th, the Embassy of Peru to the Netherlands together with Hiltonâs BlueBlood Restaurant in The Hague, celebrate Peru and its culinary tradition through a delicious food marathon, under the direct supervision of Chef Luis Rojas.
As Diplomat Magazine is supporting the event, we talked to Chef Rojas about his passion for food, vast experience and love for Peruvian traditions.
As he recalls, some of his warmest childhood memories in Peru are related to food, to going to the market with his mother and choosing fresh ingredients for their family.
He says: âI started cooking when I was only 14 year old and I remember being especially inspired by how my mother managed to make the most savory and delicious dishes with the simplest ingredientsâ.
After he completed his studies in culinary school in Peru, he started working as a professional cook in different countries, and the list is quite impressive: Chile, Brazil, Qatar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and now, The Netherlands. He has fond memories from everywhere, he worked in a Michelin-Star restaurant in Brazil, worked for Marriott in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and he is now the Head Chef at the BlueBlood Restaurant at the prestigious Hilton The Hague.
He traveled the world looking for inspiration, always learning new techniques and discovering âsecretsâ about fine cuisine. He also experienced cooking fusion Indian-Peruvian foods, as both usually use lots of spices.
âComing to Europe offered me additional opportunities to learn new cooking techniques and experience high quality local ingredientsâ, he mentions.
At Hilton he is managing a professional team where, he says, âgood atmosphere is everything. I need to feel comfortable in the kitchen, I am not the boss; I am part of my team. We cook together, make authentic food together and always add a little bit of magic to itâ.
He says his favorite dish is Peruvian Ceviche, a spicy food which he prepared even for royal guests at Blueblood restaurant. When talking about his local guests, he says that âDutch people like to go out to eat a lot, and they like doing it in style. They like good food and quality wines and they are always eager to try new foods, they also like spicesâ.
He is proud of his national heritage. He says: âone of my main goals is to present Peruvian food to the world because it has a lot of history and it is so rich in ingredients. Peru has more than 2000 different kinds of chilly, 200 different types of potatoes, there is a lot to discover and experimentâ.
Chef Luis Rojas at Hiltonâs Blueblood Restaurant, The Hague.
Because of that, he had the idea of a Peruvian Food Festival at Hilton. He has done similar projects in Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with the Peruvian Consulate.
âIn The Hague, I presented the idea to the Peruvian Ambassador, H. E. Marisol Flavia Aguero Colunga, who was very receptive and immediately agreed to participate to it. We are planning the event togetherâ.
The event, with more than 20 different traditional Peruvian and Nikkei inspired dishes on the menu, is expected to be attended by around 100 guests, hosted by Hiltonâs exquisite BlueBlood Restaurant.
Chef Rojas hopes that this will become an established annual event which will attract many people and will bring Peruvian food to everyoneâs attention.
This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute which established the International Criminal Court. Different commemoration events will be organized with a view to celebrate this extraordinary achievement of the international community. This includes an exhibit entitled âCommon bondsâ in The Hague, which opens on 12 July, a commemoration event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 17 July, the day when the Rome Statute was adopted, and an event in Rome on 12 and 13 October.
Looking back at the Rome Diplomatic conference in July 1998, what were the hopes then when deciding on the creation of the worldâs first permanent International Criminal Court? How much has been achieved, and how much is yet to be fulfilled?
At the end of the diplomatic conference, on 17 July 1998, an enthusiastic crowd of representatives of States and civil society hailed the adoption of the treaty – the âRome Statuteâ – creating the first international permanent criminal court to investigate and try perpetrators of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Rome Statute also covered the crime of aggression, but only in a programmatic way pending an agreement on its definition and other requirements, which could only be attained some years later.
Expectations were high. The creation of the Court was based on the belief that prosecuting those responsible for the worst atrocities would not only bring remedy for past crimes but also prevent others in the future, thus contributing to international peace and security.
In the 25 years that followed, the Court demonstrated its capacity to investigate and prosecute in situations in Africa, Asia, America and Europe. It also showed that it was possible to involve the victims and survivors of the crimes in its proceedings and to repair the harm suffered by thousands of them, with the assistance of the Trust Fund for Victims.
Notwithstanding these achievements, the Court has not been able to meet the expectation that all atrocities, wherever committed, would be addressed. This is because the Court can, in principle, only intervene in those situations where States directly concerned are parties to its founding treaty. This leaves entire situations beyond its reach and is the reason why achieving universality is so important.
The Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened at the World Forum Convention Center in The Hague, The Netherlands.
As President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, and former President of the International Criminal Court, what are the challenges that you foresee for this institution in the future?
The main challenge is to ensure that the Court can indeed address all atrocity crimes equally. Today, the Rome Statute has 123 States Parties, a significant number that comprises two thirds of the international community, but still insufficient to achieve the Courtâs global aspirations. Increasing this number to attain universal participation is thus of crucial importance. Another important challenge is to ensure sufficient political support and resources for the Court as well as concrete cooperation for its investigations and prosecutions. The Court has no intelligence service, police, or army of its own. It relies entirely on the cooperation of States, organizations, and civil society to collect evidence, protect witnesses, arrest suspects, and provide victims access to justice and reparations.
In a world that is becoming more polarized than in the 1990s, and in the midst of violent conflicts, how do you think the Assembly and the Court should proceed to be able to meet the expectations of the victims around the globe?
In our turbulent world, justice is more necessary than ever. It is thus crucial that the Court can deliver justice to its full potential. Currently, the Assembly is undertaking, together with the Court and civil society, a holistic review that aims at strengthening the Rome Statute system by accelerating proceedings and improving the performance, governance, and work culture of the Court. Among other initiatives, the Assembly has already implemented measures and practices to improve the selection of judges and other high officials, in recognition that the Court can only be as good as the individuals that are trusted with its important functions.
However, to meet the expectations of all victims of the world, it is necessary not only to deliver high quality justice at the Court but also to contribute to justice efforts undertaken by others. Fighting impunity for massive crimes cannot be and was never intended to be the work of the Court alone. On the contrary, the Court was created as a complementary institution of last resort.
It is a welcomed development that nowadays, despite adverse current circumstances, the international community has redoubled its demand for justice and initiatives to that effect have multiplied. In addition to proceedings by the Court and other international tribunals, more States are willing to exercise jurisdiction over international crimes at the national level, and international mechanisms are set up to assist in the collection and preservation of evidence. Furthermore, a new treaty was adopted in Slovenia, a few weeks ago, to facilitate inter-State cooperation for the investigation and prosecution of these crimes, which will be opened for signature in The Hague early next year. We witness the gradual emergence of a global justice system, or a justice âeco-systemâ, within which international and national courts have a role to play. In this context, the Court and the Assembly must join forces with all those involved in justice efforts to help to consolidate this system.
Many major powers have not ratified the Rome Statute, some of them were or are openly hostile to the ICC. Does this affect the cohesion of the Assembly of States Parties and its commitment to defend its Court?
The lack of universal participation in the Rome Statute affects the effectiveness of the system. We need more States to join, big or small. Open hostility against the Court, when it translates into threats and attacks, seeks to frustrate its core mandate by undermining its independence and integrity.
These attempts are extremely grave and need to be countered effectively. These are not just hypothetical dangers. We have already witnessed economic sanctions being imposed against the former Prosecutor and one of her directors, which were lifted by the new US administration in April 2021. When these sanctions were imposed, States and civil society mobilized against them, demonstrating their commitment to the Court. I trust the same resolve will be shown to counter the reprisals by the Russian Federation against the Prosecutor and judges involved in the Ukraine situation.
The Assembly has recently adopted a mechanism to be followed in case of threats and attacks against the Court, its officials and staff, and any other person cooperating with it. This mechanism intended to improve coordination within the Assembly and to contribute to a robust collective response is without prejudice to any other initiative that may be taken by individual States or civil society.
The twenty-first session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened today at the World Forum Convention Center in The Hague, The Netherlands.
Finally, as we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Rome Statute, what message you would like to leave our readers, here in the Netherlands, with?
The Court has its seat in the city of The Hague, which has now become the symbol of justice against the worst crimes and a beacon of hope for victims of all over the world. I encourage all those in the Netherlands that have not yet done so to visit its beautiful premises, to see the Court in action and get to know more about its goals and achievements. This year is a particularly good occasion to do this as we commemorate the twenty fifth anniversary of its historic creation. In 1998, the Court was an idea seeking to be realized. Now that we confront an increasingly fragmented world, it is the time to join our efforts again to preserve the bonds that united us at the time of its creation.
Silvia FernĂĄndez de Gurmendi is the President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute. She was President of the International Criminal Court (2015 – 2018) and served as a judge (2010 – 2018). She played a leading role in multilateral efforts to create the International Criminal Court (ICC), by presiding over the entire negotiating process of the ICC criminal procedure provisions in the Rome Statute and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence (1995 â 2000); as Vice President of the Ad Hoc Committee and the Preparatory Committee on the Establishment of the ICC, which led to the Rome Conference (1995 â 1998); as Vice President of the Committee of the Whole (the negotiating forum) and President of the Working Group on criminal procedures in 1998; and as part of the Preparatory Commission of the International Criminal Court (2001 â 2002).
The Hague, the 29th anniversary of Rwandaâs liberation, was celebrated on the 4th of July 2023 under the theme âTogether we prosperâ. The Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda hosted the Kwibohora29 celebration with an elegant reception at the Marriott Hotel The Hague.
H.E. Ambassador Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, his spouse and the Embassy team welcomed more than 150 guests including members of the diplomatic community, hight-ranking representatives of the Dutch government, representatives of international organizations, leaders of the Rwandan community and friends of Rwanda.
The breakdown of the program. Dutch National Anthem, Rwandan National Anthem, immediately followed by a Kwibohora29 video.
Ms. Martine Van Hoogstraten, Deputy Director for Sub-Saharan Africa’s desk of the Ministry of Foreign The Hague, delivered her remarks at the Liberation Day festivities, she made the following statement:
âI am honoured to stand here in commemoration of the 29th Liberation Day and the celebration of the 61st Independence Day of the Republic of Rwanda. While we celebrate this memorable moment, let us also reflect on the many obstacles Rwanda had to overcome. The decades that followed on independence were characterized by turbulence and trials. Ethnic tensions and political conflicts often intertwined, leading to acts of violence against innocent civilians.
Ms. Martine Van Hoogstraten, Deputy Director for Sub-Saharan Africa’s desk of the Ministry of Foreign The Hague.
Tragically, these events reached a devastating climax with the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. The genocide destroyed the lives of countless Rwandans, including those of moderate Hutu and others who opposed the atrocities. To honour the victims, our Director General, Mr. Marcel de Vink, participated in a Kwibuka ceremony held in Amsterdam on the 19th of April this year. During the event, he assisted in the unveiling of a commemorative statue in the Beatrixpark.
Exemplifying our longstanding collaboration in the field of justice, a high level delegation from the Rwandan justice sector recently visited the Netherlands. During this visit, the delegation members met with esteemed institutions such as our Supreme Court and the International Criminal Court (ICC). These fruitful exchanges of perspectives benefitted both sides involved.”
Hoogstraten further stated, in line with the new Africa strategy of the Netherlands “I would like to emphasise the importance of reciprocity. The relationship between our countries is now characterised by enhanced bilateral trade rather than development aid. This new focus marks a significant milestone in our bilateral relations. It is fitting to highlight this today, during this celebration of independence and emancipation.
By working as equal partners, we can jointly find solutions for global threats to peace and security, such as Russiaâs war against Ukraine. The vicinity of both our countries to armed conflict shows that peace is never self-evident. In light of the escalating tensions in Eastern DRC, I encourage Rwanda to maintain open lines of communication with its neighbouring countries and actively pursue the de-escalation of tensions in the Great Lakes Region. â
The Keynote address was delivered by H.E. Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda.
The Ambassador commenced his keynote address as follows. Some extracts.
â My wife Virginie, the whole staff of the Embassy of Rwanda and I wish to thank you all for finding time on your busy schedule to be with us today. I will only take a few minutes of your time to tell you why you were invited and what we are celebrating. This evening, we are not celebrating a national day only. We are celebrating values and principles – actually three sets of values: (1) togetherness and prosperity, (2) friendship and cooperation, and (3) multilateralism and international law.
Rwanda Independence and Liberation Day, 4 July 2023.
We are celebrating togetherness and prosperity on the occasion of the National Day of Rwanda, which is a two-in-one event. Today 4th July 2023 is first and foremost the 29th anniversary of Rwandaâs Liberation Day, which marks the day on which the forces of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) overthrew the ethnic regime that was committing the genocide against the Tutsi for the previous hundred days.
The official theme of this Liberation Day is âTogether We Prosperâ. Those two words âtogetherâ and âprosperâ are equally important. Indeed, unity, reconciliation and togetherness were critical in July 1994 to rebuild todayâs Rwanda, because itâs the destruction of the social fabric of our country over several decades, through a divisive ideology that was entertained by the colonial administration and two successive regimes, which led to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. As for prosperity, it was the blueprint of the government of Rwanda since the end of the genocide, which led to a significant socio-economic transformation that we all witnessed over the past 29 years.
Todayâs national day is a two-in-one event as I said earlier, because we also mark the 61st anniversary of the Independence of Rwanda, which was recovered on July 1st, 1962, after more than six decades of colonisation.
Some of the ambassadors attending Rwanda Independence and Liberation Day 4 July 2023.
This evening, we are also celebrating friendship and cooperation. Friendship of Rwanda with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but also with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, to which I am also accredited as non-resident Ambassador. Those three Baltic States have become solid economies since their independence and reliable partners of Rwanda, to which they serve as development models, especially in e-governance, FinTech, manufacturing industry and technology.
The Netherlands is also a shareholder of our âprosperityâ, to which they contributed by their significant and growing trade and investments with Rwanda, as well as cooperation in critical sectors such as agriculture and water resources management. As the two countries have now transitioned from aid to trade, we hope that our friendship and cooperation will continue to flourish.
Finally, we are today celebrating multilateralism and international law. This celebration is sometimes necessary in this troubled world; and there was no better city on this planet where we can do that other than The Hague, the international city of peace and justice. Rwanda, as a small country on the map but great in ideas, firmly believes in multilateralism, which is a kind of âinternational togethernessâ. We all know our divergent geostrategic interests and the tensions and conflicts in our respective regions, but we believe that institutions such as the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) are playing a critical role in bridging the gaps between nations and building a better world free of chemical weapons. As we cannot all of us be âlike-mindedâ, I hope that we will at least remain âopen-mindedâ and continue supporting this organization and its work.
Rwanda also appreciates the contribution of The Hague-based international courts to peace, justice and international law. Beyond the internationally-renowned jurisdictions, I would take this opportunity to congratulate and highlight the work done by three institutions in the promotion of international law. Those are (1) The Hague Academy of International Law, which celebrated its centenary this year; (2) the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which will celebrate its 125th anniversary next year; and (3) The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), which Rwanda has just decided to join.
H.E. Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, Ambassador of Rwanda together with Ms. Martine Van Hoogstraten, Deputy Director for Sub-Saharan Africa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Let me conclude my remarks by making an obvious toast, together with Mrs Van Hoogstraten, whom I invite to join me: âTo our togetherness and prosperity, to our friendship and cooperation; and to multilateralism and international lawâ.
Traditional Rwandan dance performers animated the reception.
Amsterdam, 29 June 2023, H.E. Mr Giorgio Novello, Ambassador of Italy in the Netherlands together with H.E. Mr Juan (Ady) Thijsen, Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba, organized a cordial event at the Italian Cultural Institute in Amsterdam which is part of the Italian Diplomatic Mission in the Netherlands.
The Italian Cultural Institute in Amsterdam served as a backdrop for the special Aruba â Italy evening. This evening we are going to explore the connections and relations between Italy and one of the four countries which constitute the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba.
Ambassador Giorgio Novello who is at the heart of this initiative will be our first speaker. Ambassador Giorgio Novello touched on many aspects of the event. He addressed the audience in Papiamentu, Dutch and English. In part, this is what he said in Papiamentu:
Kara amigonan, bon binà na Instituto Cultural Italiano na Amsterdam caminda awe anochi tin un evento sumamente special pa nos. Mi ta hopi agradecido na Ministro Plenipotenciario Juan Thijsen, kende ta un bon amigo di mi, cu kende mi deseo ta pa cuminsa awe anochi un colaboracion cu lo dura durante lunanan y añanan cu ta bin.
The public roared! A prolonged applause followed. The text was composed by the Ambassador just hours before the presentation.
The speech in Dutch, âsinds twee jaar ben ik Ambassadeur van ItaliĂ« in Nederland. Ik heb veel belangrijke dagen meegemaakt, maar vandaag is een speciale dag.â
Ambassador Giorgio Novello went on to state.
âSince my arrival here, I have harbored a strong desire to collaborate with Aruba. I am well aware that the Kingdom of the Netherlands comprises four equal nations. During my time in the Caribbean, I had the opportunity to work with the French and even visited Saint Martin, crossing the land border between France and the Netherlands on a motorcycle.
While studying law at university, I closely followed the developments surrounding the separate statute with great interest. Consequently, I have always deemed it crucial to strive for the position of Italian Ambassador in Aruba as well.
In due course, I had the pleasure of meeting the remarkable Minister of Aruba, Mr. Thijsen. Together, we formed a trio, uniting Thijsen’s office, the Italian Embassy, and the Italian Cultural Institute. I would like to express my gratitude to the exceptional director, Ms. Paola Cordone, for hosting us tonight at the institute.
Ambassador Novello during his speech at the Italian Cultural Institut in Amsterdam.
My passion lies in exploring the parallels, similarities, and exchange of experiences between Italy and the Netherlands. There is always room for mutual learning, and this extends to the relationship between Italy and Aruba.
Undoubtedly, Italy and Aruba are two distinct countries with their own unique characteristics. However, there is a strong sense of affinity between us, as we share many common traits. In fact, I consider myself a genuine friend of Thijsen, not only due to the respect I hold for his esteemed position but also because of the deep connection we have established.
Moreover, I have come to recognize numerous other similarities that exist between our nations. Although I will mention ten of these parallels, I will refrain from listing them in a specific order, as they pertain to various aspects of our shared interests.
Tourism – For both countries, tourism is essential for the economy. The number of tourists in Italy in 2022 was 252 million. About 10,000 Italians go to Aruba every year.
Green Economy – In recent years, both countries have been experiencing a moment of transition to a greener and more sustainable economy. An excellence in our case is waste recycling, in fact, we are the country with the highest recycling % in Europe. But Aruba is no different, here you can see the transition of an old refinery into a new generation hydrogen factory
Multilingualism – According to a Unesco survey, 31 languages ââare currently spoken in Italy, including Italian and various dialects. The most spoken and remembered Italian dialects are: Veneto, Neapolitan, Friulian, Piedmontese, Sardinian, Lombard, Emilian and Romagna, Sicilian and Ligurian.
One of the great things about Aruba is multilingualism. In Italy it can be seen as vertical, meaning that there are many language groups that coexist. In Aruba, on the other side, it is horizontal because the same people speak all languages ââsuch as Papiamento, Spanish, English and Dutch.
International Organisations – Italy is a member of all the most important international organizations in the world. G20, G7, Council of Europe, NATO, OECD, OPCW (we have the vice presidency), ICC and many others. Only 2 are missing: the security council (in which we were included in the league of nations) and the organization of Caribbean states of which our fantastic Aruba is a part.
Being an Island- Italy is a peninsula because we are surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea but taking into account the presence of the Alps in the north, we can consider ourselves almost an island; Sicily, Sardinia and Elba are the 3 largest and most important islands in Italy; Venice is an island city; Aruba, from above looks very similar to Venice.
Navigation – Evento Margottini nel porto di rotterdam di due settimane fa. Italy ranks first in the world in terms of trade balance in the shipbuilding sector; first in the sector of pleasure or sports yachts and vessels. For the superyacht category, the volume of orders amounted to 49.3% of the total number in the world (December 2022.) According to the latest data (March 2022), the Italian Navy fleet consists of 53 armed units. 2,550 boats fly the Italian flag, for a total amount of 15.252.137 GT.
Geopolitical Dimension – Italy is a European country with the north belonging to Central Europe while the southernmost part (such as Lampedusa) belongs to the African continental shelf. While Arubans are Caribbean, Europeans and Americans at the same time.
Cultural Heritage – Italy is very proud of its cultural heritage, a history spanning 3,000 years and the first country in the world for assets on the UNESCO heritage list. As far as Aruba is concerned, I will leave the word to the minister who surely knows more than I do, but this photo of Oranjestad speaks for itself.
Music & Cuisine – Finally, the last 2 parallels are Music and Cuisine. For these last 2 topics I have no slides because you will be able to see and try them tonight for real.â
Aruba Minister guests.
Mr Juan (Ady) Thijsen, Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba made the following statement.
H.E. Mr Giorgio Novello, Ambassador of Italy in The Hague, Mrs. Paola Cardone director of Instituto Italiano di Cultura in Amsterdam. Ladies and gentlemen. Good evening, Buona Sera, Bon Nochi.
First of all I would like to thank Ambassador Giorgio Novello and director of the Instituto Italiano di Cultura Mrs. Paola Cardone for this beautiful event âAruba and Italy meetâ Aruba, va a ruba â Aruba y Italia ta topa. Thank you for giving Aruba the opportunity to profile our beautiful island.
âAruba is a Dutch island, located in the Southern Caribbean Sea at 18 miles of the coast of Venezuela and has a population of approximately 110 thousand inhabitants. Aruba is a constitutional state within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. After a long struggle, Aruba obtained its autonomous status in 1986. Aruba has its own national anthem and flag of which we are very proud. Together with our Kingdom partners we have the obligation to guarantee good governance, legal certainty and protection of the human rights.
I have the privilege and honor to serve my country for 18 years now. From 2005 till 2021 in the parliament of Aruba, of which the last four years as president of the parliament of Aruba. In 2022 I became the Representative for Aruba at the European Union in Brussel and the Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba in the Hague. The Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba plays a very important role in the development of the island. Together with the staff and personnel we have established our vision and policy for the years to come. Aruba has to be visible and Aruba has to strengthen its relationships within the Kingdom and outside the Kingdom.
As regards the European Union, Aruba is a member of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA), which gives us good opportunities in terms of obtaining support for important projects. Aruba is also an observer in CARICOM. The Caribbean Community promotes and supports a unified Caribbean Community that is inclusive, resilient, competitive; sharing in economic, social and cultural prosperity. We are evaluating the possibility of becoming an associate member.
Aruba has an advantage. Most Arubans speak four languages: our own language Papiamento, Spanish, English and Dutch. Our language Papiamento emerged from the Spanish and Portuguese creole languages that developed in the West Africa coast. It has many similarities with Cape Verdean creole and Guinea-Bissau creole. Besides in Aruba, the Papiamento language is also spoken in Curaçao and Bonaire, yet there is a slight difference in the way it is written and spoken. Whereas Papiamento in Aruba has a more etymological based spelling, Curaçao and Bonaire have a phonological based spelling.
Next to our beautiful language Papiamento, we have our cultural values in music, dance and art. We celebrate San Juan/Dera Gai Festival in June and the Dande Festival in December. And our famous Carnaval celebration in February/March. Tonight we will give you a little taste of our carnival music of calypso and also little carnival show with beautiful costumes. We proudly present one of our famous artists Lord Cachete and the dancers of the carnival group Kingdom under the Sun of well-known Rossini van Wijk.
We consider excellency ambassador Giorgio Novello and the Italian people our friends. Since I met the ambassador I am convinced that we will have a very strong and beautiful relationship between our two countries.
We believe in the potential of Italy. We believe in the potential of Aruba. This can already be proven by the cooperation in the touristic industry between both countries, where recently, Aruba branded trams are making their rounds in Rome and Milan. Iâm sure that much more cooperation can be established between both countries. We both know that we can climb mountains, but we also know that together we can climb higher mountains.
With its world famous pristine white sand beaches, year round warm sunny weather and its friendly people, Aruba is best known as âAruba, one happy islandââŠ. Aruba, lâ isola felice! So, we invite you to plan a visit to our island as we guarantee it will be un unforgettable experience.
Ancora una volta, grazie mille, soprattuto a coloro che hanno reso possibile questo evento. Godetevi la serata!
Grazie mille; Hopi danki
Many blessings, hopi bendicion, tante bendizioni! â
The program featured a genuine Arubian Carnivalesque ambience with dancers and a vibrant show by the renowned s Lord Cachete. To complete it all, finger food from the beautiful island of Sicily, but with a zest of the Caribbean to surprise you.
The âAruba and Italy meetâ, Aruba, va a ruba â Aruba y Italia ta topa, evening was a tremendous success !
Ambassador Giorgio Novello envisages co-organizing similar evenings with other partners of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
A delegation of mayors from the National Region Manila, the seat of government of The Philippines, with an estimated 15 million large population comprising 16 cities, visited several cities an organizations in The Netherlands for a study tour.
The delegation was led by Secretary Romando S. Artes, chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) a government organization responsible for amongst others development planning, solid waste disposal management and flood control and sewerage management.
In his welcoming speech Philippinesâ ambassador to The Netherlands, His Excellency Jose Eduardo Malaya noted that âthere are best practices and cutting-edge technologies available in the Netherlands which can be examined and considered for use in the Philippines, the visit is also in line with the sectors identified as priorities for cooperation at the Philippines-Netherlands Bilateral Consultations in June 2021, namely water and infrastructure, circular economy and sustainable development generallyâ.
Earlier this year President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved the proposal to establish a water resource management office under the Department of Environment and Natural resources, responsible for integration and harmonizing government efforts that will manage Philippine water resources. Such office is also responsible to âshepherd and champion, together with the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, the passage of a law creating an apex body such as the proposed Department of Water and/or a regulatory commission on water.â
During the study tour the mayors visited the Cities of Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam next to that a visit to Global Center on Adaptation, the AEB waste-to-energy plant, and the offices of Royal Haskoning, Deltares and Ocean Cleanup was on the program. The debate at The Hague city hall was focused on waste management as well as the management of water resources and its challenges. Since thereâs no overall water and waste management âcoordinationâ in The Netherlands, there was considerable interest in future developments in The Philippines with the express wish to exchange views and expertise.
The tour started with a welcoming dinner at the Kurhaus in Scheveningen which also included former deputy mayor of The Hague and member of Parliament Ries Smits and former city councillor and founder of Netherlands City Councillors Association (Nederlandsse Vereniging van Raadsleden) Anton Lutter, both have visited The Philippines several times.
The Philippinesâ delegation also composed of MMDA Deputy Chairman Undersecretary Frisco S. San Juan, Jr., Caloocan (population 1.6 million) Mayor Dale Gonzalo R. Malapitan, Malabon (population 380.000) Mayor Jeannie N. Sandoval, Mandaluyong (population 425.000) Vice Mayor Carmelita A. Abalos, Muntinlupa (population 540.000) Mayor Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon, Navotas (population 247.000) Mayor John Reynald M. Tiangco, Pasay (population 440.000) Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, Pateros (population 63.000) Mayor Miguel F. Ponce III, Valenzuela (population 715.000) Mayor Weslie T. Gatchalian and the mayor of the most populated city of The Philippines Josefina G. Belmonte, Mayor of Quezon City (population 3 million) and lastly the Mayor of San Juan (population 126.000) Francisco Javier M. Zamora who is also the Chairman of Metro Manila Council, the governing and policy making body of the MMDA. Next to that several officials and city councillors were part of the delegation amongst them the President of the Metro Manila Councilors League as well as treasurer of the Philippine Councilors League Carolyn Cunanan.
Almost 50% of Philippinesâ population live in cities, estimations are that about 84% are expected to live in urbanized areas by 2050. Manila is now the fourth largest urban area in the world and still growing every year. This rapid urbanization is accompanied with many environmental challenges like solid wastes problems and water problems. All these topics and more have been extensively discussed with a broad variety of organizations and companies in The Netherlands. As Ambassador Jose Eduardo Malaya emphasized in his speech in The Hague city hall âThe delegationâs visit contributes significantly to the deepening of PH-Netherlands partnershipâ
