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<strong>67</strong><br />
INTERLINKING POLITICS, DIPLOMACY, BUSINESS & FINANCE<br />
ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY, CULTURAL DIPLOMACY & HEALTH<br />
HER<br />
MAJESTY<br />
QUEEN<br />
MATHILDE<br />
THE QUEEN<br />
OF THE BELGIANS<br />
EMMANUEL<br />
MACRON<br />
PRESIDENT<br />
OF THE<br />
FRENCH REPUBLIC<br />
H.E.<br />
PROF AMEENAH<br />
GURIB-FAKIM<br />
6 th PRESIDENT OF THE<br />
REPUBLIC OF<br />
MAURITIUS<br />
H.E.<br />
BUDDHI<br />
K. ATHAUDA<br />
H.S.H.<br />
PRINCE<br />
MICHAEL<br />
OF<br />
LIECHTENSTEIN<br />
Spring 2022 www.diplomatic-world.com Quarterly edition<br />
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Barbara Dietrich<br />
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The texts were written in English or Dutch and translated in the other language.<br />
Some expressions can change by the translation. To safeguard the language and<br />
tone of all authors, the author’s initial choice of spelling has been maintained as<br />
much as possible. The editorial staff has done its utmost to identify and mention<br />
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We live in convulsive times. The world order is increasingly<br />
characterised by confusion, unbalance and unpredictability.<br />
There are seemingly unbridgeable differences on many issues<br />
between the world’s major powers. At the same time, there<br />
seems to be less and less room, willingness and capabilities<br />
for diplomatic solutions to resolve conflicts.<br />
The historic moments we are living in Europe will define the<br />
future not only of this continent but of the whole world and for<br />
generations to come.<br />
In the streets of cities across the world, people are demanding<br />
peace. The 21st Century should be characterised by dialogue<br />
and diplomacy, understanding and inclusion, not by war and<br />
hate. Our already fragile planet must be a place for sharing, not<br />
for dividing. We should show a greater interest in the genuine<br />
needs and concerns of others and our actions to be emphatic,<br />
caring and directed towards a tangible and respectful solution<br />
acceptable to all.<br />
All of us need to think long and hard what kind of world we wish<br />
to hand over to successive generations and how future historians<br />
will look back at the decisions we take today.<br />
We are not naïve. We realise that the challenges we face today<br />
are demanding and often insurmountable. But our message is<br />
clear: every window of opportunity - no matter how small - for<br />
diplomacy to prevail should be firmly grasped!<br />
Barbara Dietrich, CEO<br />
<strong>Diplomatic</strong> <strong>World</strong><br />
The publisher has made every eff ort to secure permission to reproduce the listed<br />
material, illustrations and photographs. We apologize for any inadvert errors or<br />
omissions. Parties who nevertheless believe they can claim specific legal rights<br />
are invited to contact the publisher.<br />
Opinions in this magazine belong to the writers and are not necessarily endorsed<br />
by <strong>Diplomatic</strong> <strong>World</strong>.<br />
All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a<br />
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photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of<br />
the artist and publisher. ©2021 <strong>Diplomatic</strong> <strong>World</strong> Magazine.<br />
3
8 14 16 60<br />
62<br />
66<br />
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MATHILDE,<br />
THE QUEEN OF THE BELGIANS<br />
FRENCH PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL<br />
OF THE EUROPEAN UNION MESSAGE FROM<br />
PRESIDENT MACRON<br />
H.E. FÉLIX ULLOA<br />
VICE-PRESIDENT OF EL SALVADOR<br />
H.E. HASSAN SOBIR<br />
AMBASSADOR OF THE MALDIVES<br />
IT IS ALL ABOUT BUSINESS PLANS<br />
AND FINANCIAL MODELS<br />
H.E. BUDDHI K. ATHAUDA<br />
21 22 25 68<br />
72<br />
74<br />
CHANTAL YELU MULOP SPECIAL ADVISOR TO<br />
H.E. FELIX TSHISEKEDI PRESIDENT OF THE<br />
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO<br />
H.E. SAMEH SHOUKRY MINISTER OF FOREIGN<br />
AFFAIRS OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT<br />
MAHMOUD MOHIELDIN, UNITED NATIONS<br />
SECRETARY GENERAL SPECIAL ENVOY ON<br />
FINANCING THE 2030 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA<br />
CAIRO’S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF EGYPTIAN<br />
CIVILIZATION HOSTED THE “WORLD ART<br />
FORUM”<br />
H.S.H. PRINCE MICHAEL OF LIECHTENSTEIN<br />
BETTER INFORMATION HELPS TO MAKE<br />
BETTER DECISIONS<br />
AT A GLANCE THE INTERNATIONAL EVENT IN<br />
THE PROVINCE OF NAMUR IN SPRING 2022<br />
26 28 30 82<br />
83<br />
84<br />
DUBAI EXPO 2020 SHOWS THAT WE CAN<br />
LEARN A LOT FROM THE UNITED ARAB<br />
EMIRATES FOR THE FUTURE<br />
AFREXIMBANK WORKS WITH AFRICAN<br />
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THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE<br />
IS REVERBERATING ACROSS THE WORLD<br />
ADNAN AL NOORANI CHAIRMAN OF THE<br />
BOARD OF THE PRIVATE OFFICE OF SHEIKH<br />
SAQER BIN MOHAMED AL QASIMI<br />
THE FUTURE INNOVATION SUMMIT<br />
32 36 88<br />
94<br />
100<br />
BELGIAN SPACE WEEK<br />
DIRK FRIMOUT<br />
6 TH EUROPEAN UNION AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT A JOINT VISION FOR 2030 H.E. FARUK KAYMAKCI DEPUTY MINISTER<br />
THE ARTISTIC FACE OF EUROPE<br />
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H.E. AKMAL SAIDOV FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER<br />
OF THE LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER OF THE OLIY<br />
MAJLIS OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN<br />
H.E. KHALID FAHAD AL-HAJRI<br />
AMBASSADOR OF THE STATE OF QATAR<br />
TO THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM<br />
H.E. TSHERING GYALTSHEN PENJOR<br />
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CHÂTEAU PAPILLONS DES ARTS DE ST. MORITZ<br />
127<br />
KOEN VANMECHELEN GUY PIETERS GALLERY<br />
128<br />
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6 7
HER MAJESTY<br />
QUEEN MATHILDE,<br />
QUEEN OF THE BELGIANS<br />
Her Majesty the Queen was born in Uccle on 20 January 1973. President of the Queen Mathilde Fund, the Queen endeavours<br />
She is the daughter of Count and Countess Patrick d’Udekem to assist the weakest members of our society.<br />
d’Acoz.<br />
The Queen is also concerned with a range of social issues<br />
She attended primary school in Bastogne and secondary school including education, child poverty, intergenerational poverty,<br />
in Brussels, before studying speech therapy and psychology.<br />
the position of women in society and literacy.<br />
The Queen worked as a speech therapist from 1995 to 1999.<br />
The Queen is Honorary President of Child Focus Foundation for<br />
She married Prince Philippe on 4 December 1999 and they had Missing and Sexually Exploited Children. Children’s well-being is<br />
four children: a daughter Elisabeth (2001), now Duchess of<br />
for Her a fundamental principle and she dedicates herself in the<br />
Brabant, two sons Gabriël (2003) and Emmanuel (2005), and<br />
fight against abduction and all forms of sexual abuse.<br />
another daughter Eléonore (2008). As the mother of four young<br />
children, the Queen attaches great importance to her family.<br />
The Queen is Honorary President of UNICEF Belgium and of<br />
the Breast International Group (a non-profit organisation for<br />
The Queen assists the King in carrying out his functions as Head academic breast cancer research groups from around the world).<br />
of State. These include numerous visits to institutions, contacts She was the <strong>World</strong> Health Organisation Europe’s Special<br />
with the population, ceremonies in Belgium and abroad, state<br />
Representative for Immunisation. As from 2014 the Queen has<br />
visits, promoting Belgium’s image abroad, audiences with representatives<br />
of various groups in society and countless trips all Music Competition founded in 1937 as an initiative of<br />
given Her High Patronage to the International Queen Elisabeth<br />
over the country.<br />
Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth and Belgian composer and violist<br />
Eugène Ysaÿe.<br />
Apart from her activities in the company of the King, the Queen<br />
also devotes time to issues that are close to her heart. She regularly<br />
visits social institutions and medical centres. These contacts to join the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Advocacy<br />
In 2016, the Queen was invited by the UN Secretary General<br />
help her to stay in touch with the people and their needs and<br />
Group. This group of eminent personalities supports the United<br />
requirements and with the many initiatives undertaken in Belgium Nations Organization in mobilizing the international community<br />
to help others. The Queen attaches a great deal of importance to to take action to achieve the SDGs by 2030. The Queen received<br />
close contact with the population.<br />
the Honorary National German Sustainability Award 2017 for<br />
her years of social and humanitarian commitment as well as her<br />
The Queen deploys the Queen’s Charities to offer help to citizens contribution to the debate on the implementation of the<br />
who are struggling to cope with financial hardship in their daily UN Sustainable Development Goals.<br />
lives and often turn to her as a last resort. She takes part in the<br />
social debate on subjects of relevance to the population. She<br />
In 2018 Queen Mathilde became the Honorary President of the<br />
has a particular concern for vulnerable people. As Honorary<br />
Federal Council for Sustainable Development. According to a<br />
Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of The Belgians<br />
Photo: Palais Royal - Bas Bogaerts<br />
8 9
oyal tradition, the Queen became an Honorary Member of the<br />
Académie royale de Médécine de Belgique (ARMB) and a<br />
Protective Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Medicine<br />
of Belgium (KAGB).<br />
The Queen is a greater believer in lifelong learning and as one of<br />
the <strong>World</strong> Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders has attended<br />
a number of leadership courses at the Harvard Kennedy School<br />
and Yale University.<br />
HER MAJESTY QUEEN OF THE BELGIANS<br />
QUEEN OF HEARTS<br />
The Queen is a member of the Schwab Foundation Board for<br />
Besides Dutch and French, the Queen speaks English, Italian and<br />
Social Entrepreneurship. She was a United Nations Emissary<br />
some Spanish.<br />
for the International Year of Microcredit 2005, which focused in<br />
As Queen of the Belgians, Mathilde carries out several official<br />
Whether she visits schools, talks with governments, or par-<br />
particular on financial inclusion and financial literacy. The Queen<br />
The Queen has a broad interest in art and dance. She likes mod-<br />
roles, including representing Belgium on state visits, receiving<br />
ticipates in international conferences, the Queen seizes every<br />
also attends the annual <strong>World</strong> Economic Forum in Davos.<br />
ern as well as classical music and plays the piano. She also loves<br />
state visits from abroad, and as the patron of many charities.<br />
opportunity to make a passionate plea in favour of the child. This<br />
literature. She is a keen cyclist, tennis player and swimmer, and<br />
commitment is not limited by national borders. The Queen has<br />
Belgian development cooperation is an important issue for the<br />
enjoys nature and outdoor activities.<br />
One of the guiding principles in all this is her strong commitment<br />
already visited several UNICEF projects worldwide and regularly<br />
Queen. She has undertaken a number of humanitarian missions<br />
to the promotion and protection of children’s rights.<br />
participates in international events and conferences on the<br />
(mainly in Africa), highlighting areas such as children’s rights,<br />
rights of the child, also from her role as ‘UN Advocate for the<br />
health issues, poverty reduction, education, good governance,<br />
Since 2009, her Majesty the Queen is Honorary President of<br />
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’ that the UN wants<br />
the empowerment of women, HIV/AIDS and orphans (UNICEF/<br />
UNICEF Belgium. This role goes way beyond the traditional role<br />
to achieve by 2030.<br />
UNAIDS), and non-communicable diseases.<br />
of an Ambassador and is of the highest importance because of<br />
the authentic involvement of Her Majesty the Queen.<br />
Kenya 2019 ©UNICEF Belgium/Frank Dejongh<br />
Kenya 2019 ©UNICEF Belgium/Frank Dejongh<br />
10 11
EU Launch 2022 © EU/Aurore Martignoni<br />
EU Launch 2022 © EU/Aurore Martignoni<br />
and a happy childhood”, the Queen stated at the presentation of<br />
tocol to a strict minimum. She wants to maximize the available<br />
As SDG advocate, The Queen is particularly involved and<br />
Kyriakides and young people from Belgium, Spain and Ireland,<br />
the EU brief in Brussels.<br />
time to talk and listen to children and community leaders.<br />
focused on the issue of mental health.<br />
Queen Mathilde launched this report during an event in the<br />
Potentially “difficult topics” are not avoided, on the contrary,<br />
EU Berlaymont building that reached more than 200,000 people<br />
Her majesty joined UNICEF’s plea to invest in quality childcare,<br />
Her Majesty will use her diplomatic skills to put them on the<br />
The COVID-19 pandemic increased the vulnerability of children<br />
via a livestream.<br />
parenting, and family-friendly measures across all sectors.<br />
agenda. The Queen wants to be a voice for children. And chil-<br />
in many ways. A growing number of children and young people<br />
She highlighted the importance of facilitating vulnerable groups’<br />
dren have no taboos.<br />
around the world are struggling with mental health problems.<br />
The report stated that 19 percent of European boys aged 15 to<br />
access to mental healthcare services, the use of the opportu-<br />
19 suffer from mental health disorders, followed by more than<br />
nities offered by digital and online technologies to reduce gaps<br />
This attitude is not solely based on theoretical insights, on the<br />
This topic was discussed extensively in the past year, both dur-<br />
16 percent of girls the same age. Nine million adolescents in<br />
in access to mental health support, the need for programs at<br />
contrary. During many of the Queen’s interactions with children<br />
ing virtual interactions between the Queen and UNICEF field staff<br />
Europe (aged 10 to 19) are living with mental health disorders,<br />
school to build awareness and emotional coping skills for ado-<br />
and young people one notices that Her Majesty is a mother. She<br />
and during the Queen’s interventions at international conferences.<br />
with anxiety and depression accounting for more than half of all<br />
lescents; integrate mental health counselling services; training<br />
communicates and interacts at the level of the children, listens<br />
cases. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in Europe<br />
for teachers and staff and creating safe spaces for children to<br />
to them, and wants to megaphone their voices to the outside<br />
The Queen also personally met the young people and children<br />
among young people. Only road injuries take more lives of<br />
discuss and share.<br />
world, to the political decision makers and society at large. And<br />
involved.<br />
people aged between 15 and 19 years old.<br />
because of this authentic attitude, people listen, and doors open.<br />
The Queen wants to help young people adapt and thrive in a<br />
UNICEF could not dream of a better advocate.<br />
In October 2021, the Queen participated in the presentation of<br />
The Queen of the Belgians took a firm stand on the need to<br />
rapidly changing and ever-demanding world. Through her training<br />
the European analysis of UNICEF’s flagship publication “The<br />
protect our children and young people against the impact of the<br />
and work experience as a psychologist, the Queen knows very<br />
Philippe Henon<br />
State of the <strong>World</strong>’s Children Report”.<br />
mental health crisis: “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted<br />
well how important it is to listen to children and young people<br />
External Relations Manager UNICEF Belgium<br />
some factors that put our mental health at risk: isolation, family<br />
and to act accordingly.<br />
Twitter: @philippehenon<br />
This analysis contains disturbing data on the mental stress<br />
tensions, loss of income, … Too often children and young people<br />
affecting young people, together with clear recommendations<br />
carry the brunt of this. We must invest time, effort, and com-<br />
Over the past 13 years Her Majesty joined UNICEF Belgium in<br />
for governments across Europe and for the institutions of<br />
mitment into strengthening and improving our health and social<br />
numerous advocacy activities and 10 field visits. During these<br />
the European Union. Together with EU Commissioner Stella<br />
systems to provide every child access to a mental well-being<br />
visits the Queen insists on limiting the official meetings and pro-<br />
12 13
FRENCH PRESIDENCY OF THE<br />
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION<br />
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT MACRON<br />
This is a time for Europe. Faced with health and economic<br />
challenges, the rise of aggressive powers and climate change,<br />
the best response is a European one.<br />
Our Union never succeeds as well as when it defends its values<br />
and interests: the COVID-19 crisis and its consequences have<br />
proved this once again. In this crisis, Europe has been able to<br />
cope, faithful to its model. No other political area has vaccinated<br />
as much of its population, while donating the largest number<br />
of vaccines in the world, and no other area has protected its<br />
citizens from unemployment and bankruptcy like the EU has.<br />
Rights have been respected, laws passed by elected parliaments,<br />
and judges have supervised these decisions. Solidarity<br />
and democracy form the basis of the European model.<br />
On 1 January and for six months, France will hold the Presidency<br />
of the Council of the European Union. The responsibility to finalize<br />
projects and laws for Europe is first and foremost something<br />
we are proud to do. We are proud to say, “we act as Europeans”.<br />
French President Emmanuel Macron<br />
© Ghislain Mariette / Présidence de la République<br />
Through its words and actions, France has been preparing for<br />
this Presidency since 2017. Europeans no longer complain that<br />
Europe does too much, but rather that it does too little. Which<br />
is why the EU has been pursuing a sovereignty agenda for the<br />
last four years: in economic matters with shared debt; ecological<br />
matters with carbon neutrality for 2050; defence with the first<br />
common military budget; and social matters with the revision of<br />
the posted workers directive, Europe is already taking charge of<br />
its fate.<br />
This agenda for a sovereign Europe will be accelerated with<br />
the French Presidency. Europe must rise to the major economic,<br />
educational, migration and military challenges. The French<br />
presidency must be a moment of truth for the regulation and<br />
accountability of digital platforms, the carbon pricing at European<br />
borders on imported products, minimum wages, and our<br />
relationship with Africa.<br />
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union will also<br />
be a time for France. In the coming months, we must discuss<br />
together Europe’s strengths and weaknesses, what it is lacking,<br />
and agree on what it should do. Hundreds of events, conferences,<br />
artistic workshops, debates, films and collective activities will<br />
be organized all over the country so that each of us can bring a<br />
piece of Europe home.<br />
Lastly, the French Presidency will be a time to look forward. We<br />
must deal with pressing matters, but also look to the future by<br />
launching new European projects, in the wake of the Conference<br />
on the Future of Europe; projects for young people, and on the<br />
protection of our democracies and our values, to strengthen the<br />
sense of a shared European culture and history.<br />
It is this message of pride and ambition that I wish to convey<br />
to all Europeans on behalf of the French people.<br />
French President Emmanuel Macron<br />
Photo: Shutterstock<br />
14 15
H.E. FÉLIX ULLOA<br />
VICE-PRESIDENT OF EL SALVADOR<br />
RECENTLY, EL SALVADOR HAS ATTRACTED MUCH<br />
INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION BY TAKING A VERY<br />
INNOVATIVE STEP – THAT IS MAKING BITCOIN<br />
A LEGAL CURRENCY. CAN YOU TELL US MORE<br />
ABOUT THE REASONS BEHIND THIS DECISION<br />
AND ABOUT ITS IMPACT SO FAR? IN WHAT WAY<br />
WILL IT CONTRIBUTE TO THE COUNTRY’S<br />
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT?<br />
As a matter of fact, it was during an international conference in<br />
Florida (the Bitcoin conference in Wynwood, held in June 2021)<br />
that President Bukele announced his willingness to adopt the<br />
Bitcoin as a legal currency in El Salvador.<br />
After this, President started working with experts in a way that<br />
made the country ready to adopt Bitcoin, which is one among<br />
many cryptocurrencies. In doing so, President Bukele prepared<br />
the legal framework in order to adopt legally the Bitcoin, which<br />
was enacted on September 7, 2021 by Congress.<br />
But before that, he had announced how the situation would be<br />
managed. There were some pilot experiments in touristic spots<br />
where tourists could use Bitcoin as a legal tender. An international<br />
surf championship was held in May that allows to bring surfers<br />
(male and female) from 52 countries around the world. Most of<br />
them were using bitcoin in that specific area. The ATM machines<br />
were Bitcoin-ready.<br />
And this experience was the pilot programme to extend it all<br />
over the country afterwards. Now we have these Bitcoin-ATM<br />
machines across the country and in our consulates in the United<br />
States. Our President wanted to encourage our diaspora to use<br />
them, because they represent a faster and more secure system<br />
to send remittances to their families in El Salvador; in addition to<br />
the fact that they get rid of expensive commissions.<br />
Of course some companies like Western Union were upset;<br />
Western Union makes USD 400 million per year in the fees they<br />
charge to the people who use their services to send money.<br />
There were doubts of course. Some voices were worried the<br />
adoption of Bitcoin could be used for money laundering, and<br />
there were similar “urban legends”. We have been working hard<br />
to diminish the fears of the population.<br />
When the law was enacted and all the ATM machines were in<br />
place, President Bukele attracted users by giving everyone who<br />
signed up for the government’s app a USD 30 bonus in Bitcoin.<br />
Furthermore, 4,000 young people were trained to travel across<br />
the country and help elderly people or those living in rural areas.<br />
Today, there are more than 3 million Salvadoreans with Bitcoin<br />
accounts (more than double than the number of users with traditional<br />
bank accounts).<br />
Now you can go to the supermarket, the drug-store, to the gas<br />
station, and pay with bitcoin. We have inaugurated a new airline<br />
H.E. Félix Ulloa Vice-President of El Salvador<br />
(Volaris) which also accepts bitcoin payments. We can see that<br />
Bitcoin is becoming part of a normal life and widely accepted by<br />
everybody.<br />
We are seen as a model worldwide. People from all over the<br />
world have expressed an interest in coming to El Salvador to<br />
study our experience.<br />
For those who were so sceptical, today we realise that Bitcoin is<br />
skyrocketing. We first bought 400 bitcoins – worth an estimated<br />
USD 21 million at the time of purchase – then another 300.<br />
In the end, our final goal is none other than to improve economic<br />
processes, facilitate the way to do conduct business and raise<br />
the living standards of the population.<br />
EL SALVADOR IS PAYING GREAT ATTENTION TO<br />
THE 2030 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AGEN-<br />
DA, HAVING RECENTLY CREATED THE NATIONAL<br />
COUNCIL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT<br />
(CONSEJO NACIONAL DE DESARROLLO SOSTENI-<br />
BLE). HOW IS EL SALVADOR INCORPORATING AND<br />
MAINSTREAMING THE 2030 SUSTAINABLE DEVEL-<br />
OPMENT GOALS INTO ITS NATIONAL STRATEGIES<br />
AND POLICIES? IS EL SALVADOR ON TRACK OF<br />
MEETING THESE GOALS?<br />
I am the Chairman of the Board of the National Council for<br />
Sustainable Development, which is in charge of tracking the<br />
17 SDGs.<br />
H.E. Félix Ulloa Vice-President of El Salvador<br />
For instance, let us consider SDG 2: Zero Hunger. We are reviewing<br />
our agricultural policy. Because in the past, the previous<br />
government abandoned all activities in rural areas.<br />
Now we are going back to develop the coffee plantations, for<br />
example. In May, we approved with the new national assembly<br />
a trust fund for USD 1.2 billion – 50 percent of that fund will<br />
be used to recover 50,000 acres of coffee which will allow<br />
El Salvador to be a big exporter. In the past, we were one of<br />
the top five exporters worldwide – this was before the Civil War.<br />
16 17
Photo: Shutterstock<br />
Recovering coffee plantations will also contribute to the 2030<br />
SDG agenda – we recover the environment, employment, provide<br />
work for women. It is an industry that covers different SDGs.<br />
We have a national bank – BANDESAL (Development Bank of<br />
El Salvador) – to promote and empower the entrepreneurs the<br />
micro, small and the medium businesses. In doing so this bank<br />
will manage the above-mentioned trust fund for recovering<br />
agriculture. They have also implemented different programmes<br />
during the pandemic. For instance, they provided USD 300 to<br />
each family, 1.5 million families benefited from this. Now they<br />
have some special lines to empower small entrepreneurs. This<br />
bank has received from the United Nations an acknowledgment<br />
for their alignment with the 17 SDGs.<br />
Again, let me emphasise that the Vice-President is not the implementing<br />
agency. It is the different ministries and entities and<br />
agencies that do so. We coordinate, track, advice them and keep<br />
them moving forward.<br />
TOURISM IS A VITAL BUSINESS SECTOR FOR EL<br />
SALVADOR, AND ONE OF THE WORST AFFECT-<br />
ED BY THE PANDEMIC-INDUCED CRISIS. HOW<br />
IS EL SALVADOR BRANDING AND POSITIONING<br />
ITSELF TO ATTRACT FOREIGN TRAVELLERS ONCE<br />
AGAIN? HAVE YOU TAKEN ANY SPECIFIC MEAS-<br />
URES TO PROTECT YOUR NATURAL HERITAGE,<br />
WHICH IS KEY TO ATTRACTING TOURISTS?<br />
We have bet on tourism, on eco-tourism. This is one of our goals<br />
and priorities to prove our development process, to attract investors<br />
and tourists. We have set up a project which is called Surf<br />
city, thanks to our strategic and privileged position as a surfing<br />
hotspot. During a recent championship, one of the jury members<br />
mentioned that El Salvador is the only country in the world where<br />
the jury can track the surfers all the time – in other countries due<br />
to the position of the sun it cannot be surfed between certain<br />
times of the day. That is a natural advantage that we need to<br />
profit from.<br />
Then, of course, through bitcoin, we will try to create this new<br />
financial market for the future. Traditionally, we have had a focus<br />
on maquilas – the textile industry. We are the 7th or 8th exporter<br />
of textiles to the US market. Now, we need to move to the Fourth<br />
Industrial Revolution in order to import software, new technologies,<br />
to duplicate the production, and compete with Viet Nam<br />
and other countries which are big exporters of textiles to the<br />
United States.<br />
Our country has had a bad image in the past. When we talked<br />
about El Salvador people thought about the violence, the gangs,<br />
etc. This discouraged tourism in the past. Our country was<br />
known as the most violent in the world.<br />
But, under the Bukele Presidency, we have overturned this<br />
image, we have succeeded in combatting the violence. When<br />
we entered government, we had approximately 20-22 deaths<br />
per day. After two years of our mandate, in the month of August<br />
2021, we reached zero homicides. We have recovered the peace<br />
and the tranquillity in our communities. This means harmony and<br />
security for the investors and for the tourists.<br />
18 19<br />
Photo: Shutterstock
ENJOY THE UNIQUE EATING EXPERIENCE<br />
OF THE BISTRONOMY<br />
INTERVENTION BY H.E. SAMEH SHOUKRY<br />
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS<br />
OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT<br />
CONCERNING THE REPORT<br />
ON THE ACTIVITIES OF<br />
THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL<br />
AND THE STATE<br />
OF PEACE AND SECURITY IN AFRICA IN 2021<br />
Your Excellency President Macky Sall, President of the sisterly<br />
Republic of Senegal, Chairperson of the African Union,<br />
Honorable African Union Heads of State and Government,<br />
Mr. Moussa Faki, Chairperson of the African Union Commission,<br />
Ladies and Gentlemen,<br />
At the outset, I would like to convey the greetings of His Excellency<br />
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his congratulations to<br />
His Excellency President Macky Sall on the assumption of the<br />
African Union Chairmanship by the sisterly Republic of Senegal.<br />
Ladies and Gentlemen,<br />
I would like to refer to various peace and security issues, as<br />
follows:<br />
First: It gives Egypt a great pleasure to launch the African Union<br />
Centre for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (AUC-<br />
PCRD) in Cairo in December 2021, to be the operational arm for<br />
reconstruction and development, and to carry out its tasks in<br />
assessing the needs of countries emerging from conflict, as well<br />
as developing and implementing comprehensive peace-building<br />
programs in these regions that ensures that the roots of conflicts<br />
are addressed in the framework of national ownership.<br />
Second: Although the context of each conflict or hotbed in the<br />
continent varies, there are many commonalities in the ways and<br />
mechanisms of dealing with these challenges, with the aim of<br />
immunizing the continent against tensions in the framework of a<br />
clear vision, mainly, consolidating the institutional structures of<br />
national governments, thus empowering them of extending their<br />
sovereignty over their territories and protecting their citizens,<br />
and developing a clear African strategy to eradicate the threat<br />
of extremism and terrorism and dry up its sources of financing,<br />
in addition to formulating a unified African position against<br />
foreign interventions, under attempts by certain external forces<br />
to destabilize their security and stability. In this context, Egypt<br />
expresses its deep concern regarding the increase in the pace of<br />
domestic turmoil in the countries of the continent, and stresses<br />
the importance of investigating its real causes, not only adopting<br />
a policy of reaction, but rather taking the initiative and working<br />
hand in hand with countries facing political, economic and security<br />
problems.<br />
Ladies and Gentlemen,<br />
In conclusion, I would like to affirm that Egypt, as always, will<br />
spare no effort to work with its African brethren, thus to contribute<br />
to overcoming the challenges facing our African continent,<br />
and returning steadily towards achieving the aims and aspirations<br />
of our peoples for a better future.<br />
Indringingsweg 1, 1800 Vilvoorde-Koningslo, Belgium - +32 2 263 01 31 - info@thebistronomy.com<br />
H.E. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt<br />
Thank you, Mr. President.<br />
Addis Ababa - February 5th, 2022<br />
21
“LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND”<br />
EGYPT VISION 2030<br />
FINANCING SUSTAINABILITY REPORT<br />
LAUNCHED AT THE ARAB SUSTAINABILITY<br />
DEVELOPMENT WEEK<br />
IN CAIRO<br />
Mahmoud Mohieldin<br />
United Nations Secretary General<br />
Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Development Agenda<br />
Executive Director, International Monetary Fund<br />
Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, the 2030<br />
Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a blueprint for<br />
achieving peace and prosperity for both people and the planet.<br />
The fourth Arab Sustainable Development Week (ASDW)<br />
witnessed the launch of the first Financing Sustainable Development<br />
report, which attempts to identify sustainable mechanisms<br />
for future development financing. While this first report focused<br />
on Egypt, future reports will address the situation in other Arab<br />
states. The report will help decision-makers understand the situation<br />
of the development at the national level and introduce approaches<br />
and recommendations that are suitable for the region,<br />
noted Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul-Gheit.<br />
At the heart of the 2030 Agenda, the 17 Sustainable Development<br />
Goals (SDGs) reflect a recognition of the need to integrate<br />
and balance economic, social, and environmental dimensions of<br />
sustainability with an emphasis on the universal goal of “Leaving<br />
No One Behind”. Since its adoption, the 2030 Agenda has been<br />
incorporated in the national priorities of many countries, including<br />
Egypt. In 2016, Egypt asserted the commitment to sustainable<br />
development with the launch of its first Sustainable Development<br />
Strategy (SDS): Egypt Vision 2030. The SDS is aligned with<br />
the priorities specified in the SDGs as well as the 2063 African<br />
Agenda. Moreover, the principles and objectives of the SDGs<br />
guide emphasised in the SDGs, putting the report together<br />
provided a platform for knowledge sharing.<br />
Through excellent coordination efforts from the Ministry of<br />
Planning and Economic Development of Egypt, the report was<br />
developed in close cooperation with various Government stakeholders<br />
and the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), closely coordinated<br />
with the Ministry of International Cooperation, the Ministry<br />
of Finance, the Ministry of Communication and Information<br />
Technology, the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the Ministry of Trade<br />
and Industry, and the General Authority for Investment and Free<br />
Zones and furthermore the Organization for Economic Co-operation<br />
and Development (OECD), and the United Nations System.<br />
Mahmoud Mohieldin to coordinate non-state efforts from businesses, investors,<br />
cities and civil society at COP27 in Egypt later this year<br />
Opening of the Arab Sustainable Development Week 2022 by Ahmed Aboul-<br />
Gheit, Secretary General of League of Arabic States and Minister of Planning<br />
and Economic Development Hala El-Said the Arab League headquarter in Cairo<br />
DEPENDABLE DATA, EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION<br />
OF DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMS,<br />
AND ADEQUATE FINANCE<br />
The report traces Egypt’s aspirations and endeavours towards<br />
achieving the SDGs, demonstrates the significant progress made<br />
by Egypt on a number of SDGs, but also that the country still<br />
faces some challenges before being on track to achieving the<br />
other goals and stresses that accelerating progress depends on<br />
three critical factors: dependable data, effective implementation<br />
of development policies and programs, and adequate finance.<br />
Designing effective and coordinated policy actions, monitoring<br />
progress, preventing and managing crises require the availability<br />
of timely, disaggregated, and good quality data to enhance evidence-based<br />
policy making. Investing in data and strengthening<br />
data systems is required.<br />
Achieving the SDGs and the national development ambitions is<br />
based on the availability of adequate financing and the alignment<br />
of both public and private financial resources. By all measures,<br />
the level of financing needs to achieve the ambitious 2030<br />
Agenda was already high even before the COVID-19 pandemic,<br />
which only added to these needs. Developing economies faced<br />
an SDG financing gap of USD 2.5 trillion per annum. This gap<br />
widened after the pandemic to spike to USD 4.2 trillion.<br />
LOW-INCOME DEVELOPING COUNTRIES LOSE<br />
AROUND 53 PER CENT OF THE RETURN ON ITS<br />
INVESTMENT TO INEFFICIENT PUBLIC INVEST-<br />
MENT MANAGEMENT<br />
According to the global study by Gasper and others, prior to<br />
COVID-19, low-income developing countries faced an average<br />
additional spending of 15 percentage points of their GDP in 2030<br />
to make substantial progress toward the SDGs in the areas of<br />
Opening of the Arab Sustainable Development Week 2022 by Ahmed Aboul-<br />
Gheit, Secretary General of League of Arabic States and Minister of Planning<br />
and Economic Development Hala El-Said the Arab League headquarter in Cairo<br />
education, health, roads, electricity, water and sanitation. For<br />
emerging economies, the average additional total spending<br />
required represented 4.2 percentage points of their 2030 GDP.<br />
Focusing on the sectors of electricity, transport, water and sanitation,<br />
flood protection, and irrigation, Rozenberg and Fay estimate<br />
that annual investments of 4.5 per cent of GDP from 2015<br />
to 2030 would allow low-and middle-income countries (LMICS)<br />
to reach infrastructure-related SDGs and stay on track to limit<br />
climate change to 2 degrees Celsius. LMICS would also need to<br />
spend around 2.7 per cent of their GDP annually in maintenance<br />
costs for their existing and new infrastructure, increasing the<br />
overall investments to be around 7.2 per cent of GDP.<br />
When being planned and implemented, investments and national<br />
projects need strong monitoring and evaluation systems in<br />
place to guarantee better public investment management and<br />
infrastructure governance. This is crucial considering the global<br />
estimates that show that an average low-income developing<br />
country loses around 53 per cent of the return on its investment<br />
to inefficient public investment management, in contrast to an<br />
efficiency losses of 34 per cent and 15 per cent in emerging market<br />
economies and advanced economies, respectively.<br />
These global SDG cost estimates need to be complemented by<br />
granular examinations at the national levels as global and regional<br />
aggregations tend to mask asymmetric access to finance and<br />
to downplay the role of policy and institutions in implementing<br />
national goals. Moreover, costing national development priorities<br />
allows countries to assess their future expenditure requirements,<br />
to plan their budgets and to pin down the additional resources<br />
that need to be mobilised. Such careful identification of the cost<br />
and of available financial flows is crucial in the Egyptian case as<br />
the country is embarking on ambitious initiatives and mega-projects<br />
that could benefit from the multiplier effects and positive<br />
externalities inherent in the SDGs.<br />
22 23
Investments in the SDGs that maximise synergies, minimise<br />
trade-offs, and address the priorities of the local communities<br />
involved can lead to a reduction of the requires expenditures of<br />
achieving the SDGs in Egypt by 22 percent, compared to the<br />
initial allocation that is calculated based on the sum of individual<br />
SDGs costs. The Hayah Karima project, which covers approximately<br />
60 per cent of total population and focuses on rural<br />
Egypt, is estimated to cost USD 45 billion during its three year<br />
implementation period. This is roughly 4.2 per cent of Egypt’s<br />
GDP. Comparing that figure to the 4.2 per cent of emerging economies<br />
average as proposed by Gasper and others, this shows<br />
that the estimate is a conservative one.<br />
A country’s Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs)<br />
establishes a basis for financing national sustainable development<br />
priorities. It is noteworthy that Egypt is taking solid steps<br />
towards developing its INFF through its joint program with the<br />
Joint SDG Fund.<br />
Based on the INFF, and in line with the global Financing for<br />
Development (FFD) framework, the report goes on to analyse the<br />
different financial flows in the Egyptian financing landscape. The<br />
first and the increasingly important source of finance is domestic<br />
public finance. Fiscal policies should work to ensure that no one<br />
is left behind during the transitional phase of reforms by properly<br />
planned and fiscally sustainable social protection systems that<br />
improve access to essential services and contribute to breaking<br />
the cycle of poverty and how trade can be a possible engine for<br />
inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction.<br />
Throughout the chapters of the “Financing Sustainable Development<br />
in Egypt” report, the key message that is clearly emphasised<br />
is that finance goes beyond mere funding. Finance for<br />
Sustainable Development is a critical measure as it provides a<br />
comprehensive framework to enhance the efficiency of funding<br />
and directing the flows of funds.<br />
It helps maximise coordination and complementarity among the<br />
different sources of funding, and incentivises warranted changes<br />
in investment, production, saving, and consumption. For finance<br />
to contribute to sustainable development, it needs to be evidence-<br />
based, supported by effective institutions and well-coordinated<br />
public policies with frequent monitoring and evaluation<br />
so as to achieve the common good aspired to in the SDGs.<br />
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization will hosted for the<br />
first time, the <strong>World</strong> Art Forum (WAF), the largest international<br />
contemporary art event that adopts the sustainable development<br />
goals (SDGs) at the core of their mission under the auspices of five<br />
ministries: The Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Planning and<br />
Economic Development, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities,<br />
the Ministry of State for Immigration and Expatriates’ Affairs, the<br />
Ministry of Environment, and the State’s Department of Tourism<br />
in Cairo.<br />
CAIRO’S NATIONAL MUSEUM<br />
OF EGYPTIAN CIVILIZATION HOSTED THE<br />
“WORLD ART FORUM”<br />
The <strong>World</strong> Art Forum (WAF) – organized by Sheranda <strong>World</strong> Art –<br />
reflects the link between contemporary art and Sustainable<br />
Development Goals (SDGs) which in line with Egypt’s 2030<br />
Vision. The Forum aims to consolidate the relationship of art in<br />
general and contemporary art in particular with the development<br />
of a culture that promotes a more sustainable future playing a<br />
role in enriching human beliefs and the dimensions of human<br />
identity and its role in constructing it.<br />
The Contemporary Artist, Ms. Randa Fouad, president of Sheranda<br />
<strong>World</strong> Art and president of the <strong>World</strong> Art Forum, stated: “The<br />
<strong>World</strong> Art Forum endorses the link between contemporary arts<br />
and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which is<br />
compatible with Egypt’s 2030 Vision. We are pleased to see five<br />
ministries supporting such an important event, along with our<br />
partners the United Nations Representative Office in Egypt and<br />
the New York International Contemporary Art Society.”<br />
Ms. Randa added: “This event is the first of its kind and will be<br />
held in Egypt, the land of civilization and culture. After the event,<br />
several artistic and development initiatives will be expected to<br />
launch, to emphasize the concept of continuity and sustainable<br />
development”.<br />
Ms. Shereen Badr, Co-founder and CEO of Sheranda <strong>World</strong> Art<br />
and the CEO of the <strong>World</strong> Art Forum, said: “Through this forum,<br />
we strive to bring together artists from all over the world to<br />
spread a message that elevates the importance and value of art<br />
by playing a key role in spreading and raising awareness of social<br />
issues, exchanging ideas and experiences about a sustainable<br />
future of which we are all a part of. The forum features exhibitions,<br />
cultural institutions and artists from 30 countries.<br />
Photo: Shutterstock<br />
Together we draw the future! Debut of the <strong>World</strong> Art Forum in Egypt: Artists and galleries, showcased artworks from over thirty counties, spreading art<br />
and culture that raises awareness about global issues and humanitarian values.<br />
24 25
AFREXIMBANK WORKS<br />
WITH AFRICAN INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS<br />
TO ACCELERATE TRADE<br />
AND INVESTMENT INTEGRATION<br />
UNDER AFCFTA<br />
A record USD 42.1 billion in trade and trade-related investment<br />
deals was generated at last year’s Intra-African Trade Fair in<br />
Durban, South Africa. Organised by African Export-Import Bank<br />
(Afreximbank), the African Union (AU) and the African Continental<br />
Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, IATF2021 welcomed over<br />
1,500 exhibitors from 46 African countries and 23 non-African<br />
countries who showcased their goods and services to benefit<br />
Africa.<br />
The record investment value in deals is reflective of the record<br />
participation, a strongly assembled platform, diversity and depth<br />
of goods and services and a rich programme.<br />
Attended by businesses, governments, diplomats and VIPs, the<br />
event generated this record amount through a common purpose<br />
that intra-Africa trade is taking root under the Africa Free Continental<br />
Trade Agreement (“AfCFTA”). Momentum has continued<br />
post IATF 2021 and the Afreximbank has signed more agreements<br />
in its wake, underpinning its strategic focus on bringing<br />
the continent together.<br />
IATF2021 surpassed its target of USD 40 billion in trade and<br />
investment deals and went well beyond the USD 32 billion in<br />
transactions closed in Cairo, Egypt in 2018. In addition, the fair<br />
attracted more than 32,000 participants including 1,501 exhibitors.<br />
Afreximbank was a key player at IATF 2021 and continued the<br />
momentum into 2022. In February 2022, Banque Misr announced<br />
that it had invested USD 201.1 million in Afreximbank, becoming<br />
the largest non-sovereign shareholder in the Bank and increasing<br />
its stake from 3.1% to 5.8%.<br />
The investment, via a General Capital Increase, aims to significantly<br />
contribute to the Bank’s capacity to drive ongoing<br />
Covid-19 recovery efforts, support the implementation of the<br />
AfCFTA, while continuing to strongly support Egypt’s trade with<br />
the rest of Africa as well as promote and finance intra-African<br />
trade and export development.<br />
In the same month, Afreximbank and the Secretariat of the<br />
AfCFTA signed an agreement to support African countries and<br />
the private sector to effectively participate in the new trading<br />
environment established under the AfCFTA.<br />
The funds will be used to address short term disruptions while<br />
enabling the private sector to retool, reskill, and develop capabilities<br />
to produce value-added goods and services that can be<br />
traded competitively within the continent and provide the catalyst<br />
for the emergence of AfCFTA-led regional value chains.<br />
A loan agreement of EUR 250 million was signed on 17 February<br />
2022, between Afreximbank and the German Development<br />
Bank KfW, acting on behalf of the German Federal Ministry<br />
Kanayo Awani, Managing Director African Export-Import Bank<br />
IATF ended with a collective commitment from seven Heads of States, Government and businesses across the continent, to strengthen the AfCFTA. “Not a single Country<br />
in Africa will be able to compete globally alone, hence African Countries must just integrate the market, something that has been evaded Africa from 1963, when our<br />
forefathers hatched African Unity,” said H.E Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat<br />
for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The loan<br />
supports the Bank’s Covid-19 intervention programme, and<br />
specifically its financing for the production, acquisition and<br />
distribution of vaccines and medical supplies.<br />
Following Afreximbank’s pivotal role in structuring and financing<br />
the AVAT initiative that procured over 400 million doses of J&J<br />
vaccines in order for Africans to receive their fair share of vital<br />
protection in the face of global supply challenges exercebated<br />
by vaccine nationalism, the Bank has continued work to support<br />
member states as they collectively pursue the African Union’s<br />
goal of vaccinating at least 70% of the continent’s population by<br />
the end of 2022.<br />
Many agreements have been signed during the Covid-19<br />
pandemic and validate the Bank’s Covid-19 response strategy<br />
and its extension to develop pharmaceutical capacity in Africa.<br />
www.afreximbank.com<br />
Photos: African Export-Import Bank<br />
26 27
INVESTMENT IN SCIENCE<br />
AND TECHNOLOGY IS KEY<br />
TO AN AFRICAN ECONOMIC BOOM<br />
The African continent represents 20 percent of the Earth’s<br />
surface and is home to 1.3 billion people – likely reaching 2.53<br />
billion people by 2050. It boasts 60 percent of the world’s arable<br />
lands, large swathes of forests, 30 percent of the world’s reserve<br />
of minerals, and the youngest population of any continent. Yet,<br />
despite these riches, it produces only 3 percent of global GDP,<br />
accounts for less than 3 percent of international trade (mainly<br />
primary commodities and natural resources), and shoulders 25<br />
percent of the global disease burden. The picture is particularly<br />
bleak when it comes to research and innovation: Africa contributes<br />
just 2 percent of world research output, accounts for only<br />
1.3 percent of research spending and produces 0.1 percent of all<br />
patents. 1<br />
How can a continent that has fueled the world’s industrial revolutions,<br />
that helped drive the dominance of the mobile phone industry,<br />
and whose large store if rare earth minerals are integral to<br />
the global green energy transition tolerate such dismal statistics?<br />
A lack of investment in science and technology has undermined<br />
Africa’s economic transformation at both the structural level (the<br />
shift of workers and resources from low-to higher-productivity<br />
sectors) and the sectoral level (the growth of productivity within<br />
sectors).<br />
This lack of investment has had far-reaching consequences:<br />
Without the economic and scientific infrastructure necessary for<br />
innovation, the continent has continued to rely on the colonial<br />
development model of resource extraction, which is both unsustainable<br />
and largely responsible for its debilitating poverty and<br />
aid dependency. These challenges have been compounded by<br />
economic fragmentation, as smaller markets constrain the longterm<br />
investments and patient capital that would foster innovation<br />
and drive technology transfer in the context of globalization.<br />
The silver lining is that there is potential here with growing recognition<br />
by policymakers of the role that science and technology<br />
can play in achieving national development goals and transforming<br />
Africa’s economic growth story. Moreover, given the positive<br />
correlation between growth and environments that beget competition<br />
and innovation, competitiveness must be fostered. 2 3<br />
Thus, African countries must create an enabling environment<br />
through pro-innovation, pro-science, and pro-technology policies<br />
dedicated to overcoming barriers related to regulation, corruption,<br />
and investment, while enabling private-sector innovation,<br />
adaptation, and adoption. At the same time, African governments<br />
must also invest in creating an ecosystem that facilitates<br />
investment in science and technology in a way that will not just<br />
accelerate discovery but allow innovations to enter the marketplace<br />
more Bridging the skills deficiency gap in science, technology,<br />
and innovation is vital to unlocking Africa’s potential and<br />
acceleration economic growth and prosperity.<br />
The best-trained, most talented researchers gravitate to environments<br />
where their work is leveraged by modern equipment,<br />
reliable utilities, and sufficient funding for supplies – and, perhaps<br />
most critically, where they can benefit from the presence of<br />
other talented people. Thus, the tide of Africa’s brain drain must<br />
be reversed by creating a world-class education and research<br />
infrastructure that will keep the best minds on the continent and<br />
attract new ones. Already, South Africa lead the way here, with<br />
a robust research system compromised of excellent universities<br />
and science facilities that allow it to be a full-fledged contributor<br />
to the global scientific community and an integral participant in<br />
international collaborations. 4<br />
As human talent is developed across the continent, investment<br />
in research, science, and innovation will increase dramatically<br />
across various sectors, including manufacturing, which will be<br />
a significant factor in helping Africa realize its development<br />
potential and narrow its income and welfare gaps. In fact,<br />
business-to-business spending in manufacturing in Africa is<br />
projected to reach USD 1 trillion by 2050 5 – a trend that creates<br />
a massive opportunity for the continent’s overall growth. 6<br />
THE TIDE OF AFRICA’S BRAIN DRAIN<br />
MUST BE REVERSED BY CREATING<br />
A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION<br />
AND RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE<br />
THAT WILL KEEP THE BEST MINDS<br />
ON THE CONTINENT<br />
AND ATTRACT NEW ONES.<br />
H.E. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Former President Republic of Mauritius<br />
Creating an ecosystem where scientific culture can be central<br />
to economic transformation and policymaking decisions is a<br />
long-term investment that must not be at the mercy of either<br />
1<br />
Kariuki, T., and Kay, S. (2017). There are not enough<br />
scientists in Africa. How can we turn this around? <strong>World</strong><br />
Economic Forum<br />
political or business cycles. Success will require effective tripartite<br />
(public-private-academia) collaborations and partnerships<br />
that will need to be sustained over time. If Africa can do this in<br />
2<br />
OECD. (2019). Measuring external factors influencing innovation<br />
in firms in Oslo Manual 2018: Guidelines for Collecting,<br />
Reporting and Using<br />
the era of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, the benefits of<br />
science, technology, and innovation can be marshaled for greater<br />
4<br />
South African scholars continue to play a key role in detecting<br />
and sharing information about emerging COVID-19 variants.<br />
economic, social, and environmental sustainability, both on the<br />
continent and beyond.<br />
5<br />
Signé, L. (2020). Unlocking Africa’s business potential: Trends<br />
opportunities, risks, and strategies. Brookings Institution Press.<br />
Brookings Institution<br />
• H.E. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Former President Republic of<br />
Mauritius, Distinguished Advisor Global Network for Africa’s<br />
Prosperity @aguribfakim<br />
• Landry Signé, Senior Fellow, Africa Growth Initiative, Global<br />
Economy and Development, Brookings Institution, Professor<br />
and Managing Director, Thunderbird School of Global<br />
Management @landrysigne<br />
6<br />
In particular, for countries such as South Africa, Egypt, and<br />
Nigeria (all regional outperformers on the Global Manufacturing<br />
Competitiveness Index) and rising players such as Ethiopia,<br />
Morocco, Rwanda, and others that have recently adopted<br />
promising policies for boosting manufacturing and industrial<br />
development.<br />
28 29
THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE<br />
IS REVERBERATING<br />
ACROSS THE WORLD<br />
Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim<br />
Distinguished Professor in Women Leadership,<br />
John Wesley School of Leadership, Carolina University, USA<br />
Former President of the Republic of Mauritius<br />
The world is tackling the challenges of maintaining biodiversity<br />
and decelerating climate change, but the trade-offs that they require<br />
inevitably pit one country’s interests against another’s. We<br />
must bring all possible human and financial resources to bear on<br />
fighting climate change, protecting our biodiversity and creating<br />
a better Earth for peoples everywhere.<br />
This challenge is not easy: reaching it depends on the contributions<br />
of highly-skilled individuals from everywhere in the world,<br />
political courage and foresight, and creative, ambitious innovation.<br />
But it can be done because it must be done. Our ability<br />
to create a sustained future for ourselves is not optional: it is<br />
existential.<br />
Droughts, heat stress, and flooding have led to a reduction in<br />
crop yields and livestock productivity, and to the destruction<br />
of homes, shelters, and villages. Observable effects on water<br />
resources include flooding, drought, change in distribution of<br />
rainfall, drying-up of rivers, melting of glaciers, and receding<br />
bodies of water. A United Nations report predicts that access to<br />
water may be the single biggest cause of conflict and war in the<br />
next generation.<br />
Conflicts over resources, in turn, exacerbate environmental<br />
impacts contributing further to ongoing migration within and between<br />
countries. Climate change and biodiversity loss and their<br />
impact on agriculture and, therefore, food security add urgency<br />
to our fight against poverty and disease.<br />
Yet, technology now exists to make crops more viral-resistant<br />
or drought-resistant through gene-splicing sprays. The CRISPR<br />
technology, for instance, provides an alternative approach for<br />
improving the genetic traits of plants that is easier and generally<br />
cheaper than traditional breeding techniques. Rapid innovations<br />
such as these have the potential to improve the lives of people<br />
through advancement in areas such as smart agriculture, environmental<br />
conservation, healthcare and disease prevention, big<br />
data-driven bioinformatics, and industrial biotechnology.<br />
Agricultural biotechnology can help meet the world’s food<br />
supply needs as population increases. Scientific advances have<br />
produced new genes that can fortify crops to withstand natural<br />
calamities such as pests and diseases (including crops like Bt<br />
cotton) and provide higher nutritional value (as with golden rice).<br />
The broad elements of diverse diets, seed and crop diversity,<br />
improvements in seed and crop delivery and cultivation, and the<br />
maintenance of our agrobiodiversity must be optimized to ensure<br />
a healthy and prosperous future for all our people. Evidence that<br />
the wisdom of these investments is strong and growing, so we<br />
must continue to invest in in order to improve Sustainable Food<br />
Systems to meet many of our Sustainable Development Goals<br />
(SDGs).<br />
At the same time as we modernize, we must support traditional<br />
knowledge systems, such as those related to sustainable agriculture.<br />
Among the features of this preservation are enlightened<br />
agriculture and trade policies, intellectual property rights on the<br />
conservation and sustainable use of biological resources, the<br />
empowerment of women as guardians of these systems, and<br />
the equitable sharing of benefits across sectors, genders, and<br />
communities.<br />
We have special obligation to build a rhetorical bridge between<br />
our environment and scientific research. The vital threats of biodiversity<br />
loss and climate change are themselves nested in the<br />
drive to advance human health and wellbeing. And the effectiveness<br />
of driving human health and well-being is correspondingly<br />
leveraged by a continued investment in research and innovation.<br />
Our very existence sits at the nexus of not just the interdependent,<br />
trans-disciplinary nature of scientific research, but in a<br />
broader context, at the intersection of nutrition, health, agriculture,<br />
environment, governance, and the economy.<br />
These investments require sustained operational funding and<br />
capital support and the capacity to engage successfully with<br />
funders, governments, policy makers, and communities.<br />
Only significant and simultaneous investment in the many<br />
elements of environmental preservation and scientific research –<br />
public-private investment in basic and applied research, building<br />
access to sustainable resources, creating the legal, regulatory,<br />
and policy conditions to encourage research in and for sustainable<br />
economies, enlightened policy development, and innovative<br />
training will create the robust conditions that lead to the deceleration<br />
of climate change and biodiversity loss, less disease, but<br />
more prosperity.<br />
Foreword: The Impact of Climate Change is Reverberating<br />
Across the <strong>World</strong><br />
Photo: Shuttterstock<br />
30 31
Learning from the current health crisis, we are committed to<br />
supporting the full-fledged African health sovereignty, in order for<br />
the continent to respond to future public health emergencies. To<br />
this end, we support a common agenda for manufacturing vaccines,<br />
medicines, diagnostics, therapeutics and health products<br />
in Africa, including investment in production capacities, voluntary<br />
technology transfers as well as strengthening of the regulatory<br />
framework to enable equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics<br />
and therapeutics.<br />
6 TH EUROPEAN UNION<br />
AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT<br />
A JOINT VISION FOR 2030<br />
The African Union and the European Union underlined the urgency<br />
of the WTOs contribution to the fight against the pandemic<br />
and to the recovery of the global economy, and commit to engage<br />
constructively towards an agreement on a comprehensive<br />
WTO response to the pandemic, which includes trade related, as<br />
well as intellectual property related aspects.<br />
In response to the macroeconomic effects of the Covid crisis<br />
on African economies, we support the Common Framework for<br />
We, the Heads of State and Government of the Member States<br />
alia: the security and prosperity of our citizens, the protection of<br />
Debt Treatments beyond the Debt Service Suspension Initiative.<br />
of the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) met<br />
human rights for all, gender equality and women’s empowerment<br />
We also call for ambitious voluntary contributions, by channelling<br />
on 17–18 February 2022 under the Co-Chairpersonship of<br />
in all spheres of life, respect for democratic principles, good<br />
part of the recently allocated Special Drawing Rights, in order<br />
H.E. Charles Michel, President of the European Council and<br />
governance and the rule of law, actions to preserve the climate,<br />
to achieve the total global ambition of at least USD 100 billion<br />
H.E. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal and<br />
environment and biodiversity, sustainable and inclusive econom-<br />
liquidity support to countries most in need, of which a major part<br />
Chairperson of the African Union.<br />
ic growth, the fight against inequalities, support for children’s<br />
should benefit Africa. We welcome the USD 55 billion that have<br />
rights, and the inclusion of women, young people and the most<br />
been pledged already from the new allocation of SDRs, of which<br />
We recall the 5th AU-EU Summit held in Abidjan, C te d’Ivoire<br />
disadvantaged. We recognise the importance of food security<br />
several EU Member States (Team Europe) have so far pledged<br />
on 29-30 November 2017 and the 2nd AU-EU Foreign Affairs<br />
and nutrition and welcome the AU Theme of the Year 2022.<br />
USD 13 billion and encourage more EU member states to con-<br />
Ministerial Meeting held in Kigali, Rwanda, on 25-26 October<br />
sider contributing to this global effort.<br />
2021.<br />
Aware of unprecedented and mounting common challenges and<br />
A RENEWED PARTNERSHIP<br />
African institutions, in consultation with national authorities, will<br />
be involved in the use of these SDRs to support the continent’s<br />
opportunities, the leaders of the EU and AU commit to a Joint<br />
Our renewed Partnership addresses both the immediate oppor-<br />
recovery. We will seek to ensure increased spending through in-<br />
Vision for a renewed Partnership to build a common future, as<br />
tunities and challenges, as well as the long-term possibilities<br />
ternational programmes in the fields of health, climate, biodiver-<br />
closest partners and neighbours.<br />
offered by our partnership.<br />
sity, education and security to facilitate economic recovery. We<br />
agree to examine lending instruments for sustainable investment<br />
TWO UNIONS, A JOINT VISION<br />
The immediate challenge is to ensure a fair and equitable access<br />
to vaccines. Together we will support local and regional mechanisms<br />
for procurement, as well as allocation and deployment of<br />
projects in priority sectors. While enhancing our capacity to face<br />
these challenges, we agree that recovery investments should<br />
continue building resilience and more sustainable economies to<br />
AU-EU Innovation Agenda. We will encourage exchanges of<br />
young citizens, volunteers and students, through the expanded<br />
We agree that the aim of the Joint Vision is to consolidate a<br />
medical products. The EU reaffirms its commitment to provide at<br />
achieve our long-term priorities.<br />
Erasmus+ programme and develop partnerships between univer-<br />
renewed Partnership for solidarity, security, peace and sustain-<br />
least 450 million of vaccine doses to Africa, in coordination with<br />
sities, in order to improve our mutual understanding and foster<br />
able and sustained economic development and prosperity for<br />
the Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) platform, by<br />
We commit to combatting Illicit Financial Flows (IFF) and to<br />
excellence. We will strive to facilitate cultural exchanges and the<br />
our citizens and for our future generations, bringing together our<br />
mid-2022. Contributing to this and complementing the actions of<br />
addressing domestic tax base erosion, profit shifting (BEPS), and<br />
movement of artists and artworks between our two continents,<br />
people, regions and organisations.<br />
the AVATT, Team Europe has provided more than USD 3 billion<br />
cooperate in tax transparency. In this regard, we agree to contin-<br />
and encourage mutual undertaking for the restitution of cultural<br />
(i.e. the equivalent of 400 million vaccine doses) to the Covax<br />
ue cooperating to develop and consolidate the strategic capa-<br />
assets and promote access to and protection of cultural heritage.<br />
This renewed Partnership will be founded on geography,<br />
Facility and to vaccination on the African continent.<br />
bility in the fight against different types of IFFs including money<br />
acknowledgment of history, human ties, respect for sovereignty,<br />
mutual respect and accountability, shared values, equality<br />
between partners and reciprocal commitments.<br />
Team Europe will mobilise EUR 425 million to ramp up the pace<br />
of vaccination, and in coordination with the Africa CDC, to support<br />
the efficient distribution of doses and the training of medical<br />
laundering, the financing of terrorism, and proliferation financing<br />
as well as those linked to fiscal governance systems and return<br />
of stolen funds and items from countries of origin.<br />
A PROSPEROUS AND SUSTAINABLE AFRICA<br />
AND EUROPE<br />
It aims to be the driving force in promoting our common prior-<br />
teams and the capacity of analysis and sequencing. We will<br />
Together, we will step up our support to scientific cooperation<br />
We announce an Africa-Europe Investment Package of at least<br />
ities, shared values, international law, and preserving together<br />
also contribute in this context to the fight against health-related<br />
between researchers to develop knowledge together, as well<br />
EUR 150 billion that will support our common ambition for 2030<br />
our interests and common public goods. This includes inter<br />
disinformation.<br />
as sharing technology and expertise, including through a joint<br />
and AU Agenda 2063, composed of an Investment, a Health and<br />
32 33
an Education Package. The Investment Package will help build<br />
more diversified, inclusive, sustainable and resilient economies.<br />
Our two continents aim to demonstrate and share with the rest<br />
such as infrastructure trusts and capital market instruments, to<br />
ensure support to African entrepreneurship in engaging in strong<br />
and vibrant economies. International and national financing de-<br />
AN ENHANCED AND RECIPROCAL PARTNERSHIP<br />
FOR MIGRATION AND MOBILITY<br />
full implementation of the Paris Agreement and the outcomes of<br />
the COPs. We recognise that Africa’s energy transition is vital for<br />
its industrialisation and to bridge the energy gap. We will support<br />
of the world the success of an agenda of prosperity respectful<br />
velopment institutions, including the European Investment Bank,<br />
We will continue addressing all aspects of migration and mobility,<br />
Africa in its transition to foster just and sustainable pathways to-<br />
of our people and our planet. This Global Gateway Investment<br />
and the African Development Bank, and public/private partner-<br />
in line with national competences, in an integrated, compre-<br />
wards climate neutrality. We recognise the importance of making<br />
Package aims to boost public and private investment building on<br />
ships will be mobilised to this effect. We will continue our work<br />
hensive and balanced manner. We will work in a spirit of joint<br />
use of available natural resources within that energy transition<br />
existing initiatives and partnerships.<br />
to leverage and facilitate transparent remittances, including the<br />
responsibility and commitment, in full respect of international<br />
process. We support Africa’s hosting of COP 27 in Egypt in<br />
reduction of transaction costs, for the development of national<br />
law and fundamental human rights. Through joint action and<br />
2022, as well as an ambitious global biodiversity framework. We<br />
The Package will boost large-scale sustainable investments,<br />
and local economies.<br />
capacity-building, including with dedicated African migration in-<br />
commit to working together to develop a new ambitious WHO<br />
supported by Team Europe Initiatives, with due consideration<br />
stitutions, we will aim at preventing irregular migration, enhancing<br />
international agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness<br />
to the priorities and needs of the African countries, including: I)<br />
We will also boost regional and continental economic integration,<br />
cooperation against smuggling and trafficking in human beings,<br />
and response.<br />
investment in energy, transport and digital infrastructure aligned<br />
particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area. The<br />
supporting strengthened border management and achieving<br />
with the PIDA PAP II) energy transition that is fair, just and equi-<br />
existing trade agreements between the EU and some African<br />
effective improvements on return, readmission and reintegration,<br />
table, taking into account specific and diverse orientations of the<br />
countries have contributed to the strengthening and deepening<br />
including promoting voluntary return and facilitating sustainable<br />
We welcome the fruitful discussions in the Roundtable Sessions<br />
African countries with regards to access to electricity; III) green<br />
of trade and economic development between the two continents.<br />
reintegration of returned persons, as well as enhancing migration<br />
on Financing for sustainable and inclusive growth; Climate<br />
transition including supporting the implementation of the Nation-<br />
We will work gradually towards the progressive and mutually<br />
dialogues between the two Continents and delivering on their key<br />
change and energy transition, digital and transport (connectivity<br />
ally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation<br />
beneficial integration of our respective continental markets.<br />
priorities.<br />
and infrastructure); Peace, Security and Governance; Private<br />
Plans (NAPs) of African Countries under the Paris Agreement to<br />
sector support and economic integration; Education, culture and<br />
enhance mitigation and adaptation; IV) digital transformation that<br />
supports trusted connectivity through investments in infrastructures<br />
and an affordable and enhanced access to the digital<br />
and data economy while boosting digital entrepreneurship and<br />
A RENEWED AND ENHANCED COOPERATION FOR<br />
PEACE AND SECURITY<br />
We will deepen our cooperation in finding durable solutions<br />
for those asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants in<br />
need of international protection and commit to revitalise the<br />
work of the joint AU-EU-UN Tripartite Task Force. We will further<br />
vocational training, migration and mobility; Agriculture and sustainable<br />
development; and Health systems and vaccine production<br />
held during the Summit.<br />
skills; V) sustainable growth and decent job creation, including<br />
Facing growing common security challenges, we announce a<br />
strengthen asylum systems with a view to providing adequate re-<br />
We take note of the contributions by the Youth, Civil Society,<br />
by investing in the establishment of youth-owned businesses in<br />
renewed and enhanced peace and security cooperation. The<br />
ception and protection for those entitled, as well as work on their<br />
Local authorities and private sector during the Africa-Europe<br />
Africa; VI) transport facilitation and efficiency of connected trans-<br />
two continents have a long-standing cooperation premised on<br />
integration. We will keep addressing the root causes of irregular<br />
Week and the Europe-Africa Business Forum and we encour-<br />
port networks; VII) human development, notably through scaling<br />
the principle of African solutions to African problems, within the<br />
migration and forced displacement, and enhance cooperation on<br />
age all relevant stakeholders to continue to engage towards our<br />
up mobility and employability of students, young graduates and<br />
framework of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA)<br />
tackling all issues related to migration.<br />
renewed Partnership.<br />
skilled workers. It will support industrialisation and the develop-<br />
and reflected in the AU-EU Memorandum of Understanding on<br />
ment of sustainable and resilient value and supply chains.<br />
Peace, Security and Governance (2018), designed to combat in-<br />
Respecting national needs, competencies and legal frameworks,<br />
We commit to following up on our engagements to monitor the<br />
stability, radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorism, tackling<br />
pathways for legal migration opportunities will be further devel-<br />
implementation of the commitments undertaken during AU-EU<br />
The Package will be complemented with specific packages in<br />
the root causes of conflicts, and addressing the entire conflict<br />
oped between both continents and within Africa. We commit to<br />
Summits. Follow-up will be done on a regular basis via existing<br />
support of health and education systems. For the health sector,<br />
cycle through the integrated approach.<br />
addressing the challenges posed by the brain drain, and invest-<br />
AU-EU structures, including the AU-EU Ministerial Follow-up<br />
we will support initiatives for pandemic preparedness, health<br />
ing in youth and women to support their empowerment, skills,<br />
Committee.<br />
security and equitable access to quality essential health services,<br />
We express our commitment to foster our cooperation through<br />
education and employment prospects, notably through increased<br />
in line with the Rome Declaration adopted at the Global Health<br />
support for adequate training, capacity building and equipment,<br />
support for technical and vocational education and training.<br />
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/africa-and-europe-a-<br />
Summit. For education, we will invest in inclusive and equitable<br />
to strengthen and scale up autonomous peace operations of Af-<br />
joint-vision-for-2030/<br />
quality education by improving policy and legal frameworks,<br />
access and teacher training, to contribute to safe delivery of<br />
education services and ensure learning gaps resulting from the<br />
rican defence and security forces, including through EU missions<br />
and assistance measures, as well as support for law-enforcement<br />
capacity-building. Together, we will also continue to sup-<br />
A COMMITMENT TO MULTILATERALISM<br />
pandemic are addressed. To this end we will promote opportuni-<br />
port African-led Peace Support Operations and the on-going dis-<br />
We will work together to promote effective multilateralism within<br />
ty oriented technical and professional Vocational Education and<br />
cussions on the use of UN-assessed contributions for operations<br />
the rules-based international order, with the UN at its core. We<br />
Training, including at regional level.<br />
authorised by the UN Security Council, and the implementation<br />
pledge to work towards more converging positions in multilateral<br />
of the AU human rights compliance framework in that context.<br />
fora to reduce global inequalities, strengthen solidarity, promote<br />
To implement the Package, we will leverage public funds to<br />
international cooperation, fight and mitigate climate change and<br />
stimulate private investments by mobilising innovative financing<br />
We will intensify our cooperation on security, including on cyber-<br />
improve delivery on ‘global public goods’, in line with the 2030<br />
instruments. We commit to promote accountable, transparent,<br />
security. We will join efforts to further promote the rule of law and<br />
Agenda for Sustainable Development and AU Agenda 2063. We<br />
inclusive and responsive governance, in conformity with the rele-<br />
the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security, Children<br />
commit to providing political support to achieve the necessary<br />
vant international instruments, to boost efforts towards improving<br />
and Armed Conflict and the Youth, Peace and Security Agendas,<br />
reform of the WTO and to improve its functioning with a view to<br />
investment and the business climate as well as towards un-<br />
and underpin it with concrete actions to achieve durable peace.<br />
strengthening the multilateral trading system.<br />
locking and increasing responsible and sustainable African and<br />
We will continue to respect and promote compliance with human<br />
European investments. We will use all means of implementation,<br />
rights and international humanitarian law.<br />
Both sides commit to contribute to the UN system reform efforts,<br />
including Official Development Assistance and financial tools<br />
including of the UN Security Council. We also recommit to the<br />
34 35
H.E. FARUK KAYMAKCI<br />
DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS<br />
AND DIRECTOR FOR EU AFFAIRS<br />
REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE<br />
YOUR EXCELLENCY, YOU HAVE MENTIONED ON<br />
A FEW OCCASIONS THAT TURKEY WANTS TO<br />
PROCEED WITH A POSITIVE AGENDA WITH THE<br />
EUROPEAN UNION – WHAT ARE THE KEY PILLARS<br />
UPON WHICH THIS POSITIVE AGENDA SHOULD BE<br />
BASED AND TAKEN FORWARD?<br />
The positive agenda is also proposed by the EU side at the<br />
European Councils. We do not need to look for new ideas. We<br />
have already the structure: the 18 March Statement with all six<br />
dimensions.<br />
THE FIRST DIMENSION IS THE ACCESSION<br />
NEGOTIATIONS<br />
Unfortunately, our EU accession negotiations have been brought<br />
to a standstill due to some political issues even though it is mainly<br />
a technical process. Consequently, our accession negotiations<br />
did not advance as fast as we wanted. But we are still a negotiating<br />
candidate country. Turkey’s EU accession perspective should<br />
be protected and strengthened.<br />
The more Turkey believes that it will become a member of the<br />
EU, the faster the reforms will happen in Turkey and the better<br />
Turkey-EU relations will be. But if Turkey feels being discriminated<br />
among candidate countries, or pushed away from the rest of<br />
Europe, then we will have less and less trust towards each other,<br />
and this is not helpful.<br />
We are not saying that we will join the EU tomorrow. Turkey will<br />
join the EU only when we fulfil the membership criteria. But also<br />
when we have a better understanding between the Member<br />
States and candidate countries. Until that time, we should not<br />
have any pre-judgement and should continue the accession<br />
process. Therefore, the accession process has to be revitalised.<br />
THE SECOND DIMENSION – THIS IS A LOW<br />
HANGING FRUIT – REFERS TO TURKEY-EU<br />
HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE MEETINGS<br />
We had already established high-level dialogue meetings<br />
between the related Turkish Ministers and European Commissioners<br />
on economy, energy, transport and foreign policy.<br />
However, they have been suspended by the EU side. Later on,<br />
the EU decided to have new high-level dialogue meetings on<br />
climate change, migration and security as well as on health after<br />
the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we would like to hold all<br />
these high-level dialogue meetings, both the new and old ones,<br />
but also to revitalize already established mechanisms between<br />
Turkey and the EU such as the Association Council meetings and<br />
Political Directors’ meetings. Turkey should also be invited to all<br />
meetings that candidate countries are regularly invited, such as<br />
Gymnich meetings and others.<br />
THE THIRD DIMENSION OF POSITIVE AGENDA<br />
WOULD BE THE UPDATE OF THE CUSTOMS<br />
UNION<br />
Turkey already implements the EU’s trade and competition policy<br />
in line with Turkey-EU Customs Union (CU). Turkey, in terms of<br />
trade, economy, and competition can be already considered a<br />
Bosphorus Bridge<br />
member of the EU. No other candidate country has a CU with the<br />
EU. The CU, which has been in force since 1996, needs to<br />
be updated. The updated version can include services, agriculture,<br />
energy and maybe other areas. As Turkey and the EU economies<br />
are highly interlinked and interdependent, the modernization<br />
of the CU would create a win-win situation for both sides.<br />
Half of the Turkish exports towards the EU are composed of<br />
goods produced by EU companies in Turkey. Turkish companies<br />
have also billions of dollars of investment in other European<br />
countries. By the way, it is not easy to differentiate between the<br />
Turkish and German companies, as there are so many joint ventures.<br />
Also, the Green Deal requires us to update the CU since<br />
the new trade mechanism has to be green and digital. So, we<br />
cannot continue with the system of 1996.<br />
FOURTH DIMENSION IS VISA LIBERALIZATION<br />
The EU and Turkey have agreed that when Turkey fulfils 72<br />
benchmarks on visa liberalization dialogue, Turkish citizens<br />
should be able to travel freely– we are not talking here about the<br />
free movement of labour – within the Schengen zone. We are<br />
working on fulfilling the remaining few benchmarks.<br />
Due to the current visa system, Turkish citizens cannot travel<br />
freely in the Schengen zone. Entrepreneurs of the small and<br />
medium-sized companies are faced with constant difficulties.<br />
Thousands of Turkish students who are part of the Erasmus+<br />
Programme and researchers who are part of the Horizon Europe<br />
Programme cannot easily travel into the Schengen zone. They<br />
have to wait for weeks to get visa to come to Belgium. We consider<br />
the visa liberalization important to ensure people-to-people<br />
dialogue, but also to prepare our common future, because this<br />
is the Erasmus generation. This is the Horizon generation. I think<br />
exchanges between the peoples of Europe is vitally important.<br />
This is why we have to be more flexible in terms of visa liberalization<br />
for Turkish citizens.<br />
Photo: Shutterstock<br />
Counter-terrorism is another important dimension as there is a<br />
mistrust issue between Turkey and some of the Western countries.<br />
When we see terrorist organizations like the PKK acting<br />
in European capitals, making propaganda, recruiting people,<br />
practising money laundering or getting involved in the narco<br />
business, we are worried for all of us and our common future.<br />
This requires us to have a good cooperation in the fight against<br />
terrorism, all sorts of terrorist organisations including PKK,<br />
Al-Qa’ida, Daesh, Fetullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO) etc.<br />
We would like to be like Luxembourg or the Netherlands, where<br />
we have no complicated neighbours or no close terrorist threats.<br />
This global challenge necessitates our close cooperation. I think<br />
it is important that we come to the same level everywhere in<br />
terms of our fight against all sorts of terrorist organizations.<br />
36 37
THE SIXTH DIMENSION IS MIGRATION<br />
MANAGEMENT<br />
Today, we are faced with a major challenge of irregular migration.<br />
Turkey hosts 4.2 million people, the largest refugee community<br />
in the world, of which 3.7 million are Syrians and the rest are<br />
Asians, mostly from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq,<br />
Sri Lanka and Africans, etc.<br />
This is a very heavy burden that we cannot assume alone and<br />
we expect the EU side is to share this. We had some sort of a<br />
deal with the EU related to migration. Within the framework of<br />
the deal, we gave two promises; preventing illegal crossings and<br />
taking back illegally crossed people from the Greek islands. We<br />
kept our promises by taking all the people returned by Greece<br />
until February 2020 and by preventing more than 2 million<br />
additional refugees that could have otherwise gone to other<br />
European countries beyond Turkey.<br />
I remember the former president of the European Commission,<br />
Mr Juncker, speaking at the European Parliament, saying that we<br />
succeeded 97%. This is a huge success, thanks to Turkey. The<br />
EU also gave four promises, which were unfortunately not fully<br />
kept. The EU promised that for every refugee being returned to<br />
Turkey from the Greek islands, a Syrian would be resettled to the<br />
EU. The EU kept this promise of 1 to 1.<br />
The second promise concerned a package of EUR 3+3 billion to<br />
be mobilized by 2018. By the way, this money is allocated to the<br />
refugees in Turkey. Unfortunately, in parts of Europe, people think<br />
that this money is given to Turkey or transferred to the Turkish<br />
national budget. The migration burden has so far cost us more<br />
than EUR 40 billion. We are talking about only EUR 6 billion of<br />
EU support for Syrians in Turkey and out of these 6 billion, only<br />
EUR 4.2 billion has been spent as of today. The flow of the funds<br />
is very slow, very bureaucratic, even though it is the fastest<br />
mechanism in the EU system.<br />
especially after the Afghan crisis, has to focus on cooperation in<br />
and return to Northern Syria, cooperation on the Turkish-Iranian<br />
border, joint action in source countries and fair burden sharing in<br />
terms of financial support and resettlement.<br />
We need to cooperate in Afghanistan, for example, through running<br />
Kabul airport and creating necessary conditions to ensure<br />
that young Afghans can stay and work in the country. It is not a<br />
big deal. I served in Afghanistan and with small investment packages<br />
you can create a big impact. Instead of spending EUR 600<br />
per refugee in Turkey or in the rest of Europe, it is better to spend<br />
maybe EUR 50-100 per person through some investment, which<br />
is more sustainable and keeps people in their home country.<br />
This is feasible since Turkey has a lot of influence in Afghanistan,<br />
and there are many Turkish companies operating in the country,<br />
building bridges, roads, dams, and running factories. I think we<br />
need to create this opportunity for the young Afghans. Otherwise<br />
it will be complicated for us to curb these irregular migration<br />
flows towards us and in Europe.<br />
ANOTHER A SPECT OF A POSITIVE AGENDA<br />
WOULD BE TO ENABLE TURKISH CIVIL SOCIETY,<br />
TURKISH STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS TO FUL-<br />
LY AND EASILY ENJOY EU PROGRAMMES SUCH<br />
AS ERASMUS +, HORIZON EUROPE, SOLIDARITY<br />
CORPS, CREATIVE EUROPE, ETC<br />
There are around forty programmes and agencies and Turkey<br />
decided to be part of 13 EU programme and agencies in 2021-27<br />
period. The EU should facilitate Turkey’s association with these<br />
programmes.<br />
This is one of the reasons why I came to Brussels. I signed<br />
three agreements with Commissioner for Innovation, Research,<br />
Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel on Horizon Europe,<br />
Erasmus + and the European Solidarity Corps.<br />
H.E. Faruk Kaymakcı Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Republic of Türkiye<br />
What we are saying basically is that the EU should speed up this<br />
Until now we have had 550,000 Turks who became part of<br />
country of Western or Northern Europe, it is possible to see<br />
For Turkish students, Erasmus + is a golden opportunity to dis-<br />
flow of funds, but also increase the amount of funding, because<br />
Erasmus or European Solidarity Corps. Some of them spent two<br />
differences. The differences are good. These differences are our<br />
cover the rest of Europe. The same goes for Horizon Europe: it is<br />
the number of refugees is not decreasing. Unfortunately the num-<br />
weeks in Germany in a factory. Some students went to Brugge to<br />
richness. So I think this richness should be protected and we<br />
important for our academicians, our researchers, our universities,<br />
ber is increasing day-by-day and after the Afghan crisis, there will<br />
produce Belgium chocolate and some French students came to<br />
should enjoy this richness through these programmes.<br />
our laboratories to engage and exchange with the rest of Europe.<br />
be more refugees. Due to the pandemic millions of refugees are<br />
my hometown to take care of the health of some animals in our<br />
also expected to head towards Turkey and the rest of Europe. We<br />
have to manage this better. Our new migration deal has to focus<br />
on dealing especially with the situation in Northern Syria, which<br />
is also the fourth promise of the EU. The Article 9 of 18 March<br />
Statement requires joint endeavours by the EU, Member States<br />
and Turkey to create better living conditions in Northern Syria to<br />
veterinary institution.<br />
Every single year, under Erasmus +, we have 20,000 university<br />
students from Turkey going to other European universities. It is<br />
important to give the right image of Turkey and Turks. We have<br />
quite a lot of prejudices against Turkey, and this mentality has to<br />
These programmes are so important to build personal connections.<br />
For example, you send a student from Germany to Turkey<br />
and this student has a prototype Turkish image in her/his mind:<br />
“bloody aggressive Turks”. She/he thinks that döner kebab is<br />
the only Turkish meal. But thanks to Erasmus, she/he discovers<br />
that Turks are not different from others and there are other meals<br />
THE LINK BETWEEN SPORTS AND DIPLOMACY IS<br />
NOT OFTEN EVIDENT. COULD YOU EXPLAIN TO<br />
OUR READERS THE IMPORTANCE OF SPORTS IN<br />
TURKEY-EU RELATIONS?<br />
enable safe return of the Syrians. This promise was never kept<br />
change. Turks are an essential part of Europe. Turkey and Turks<br />
and delights. But also by studying, by living in another country,<br />
I would say it is vitally important because sometimes, some Turks<br />
by the EU.<br />
are part of the European history culture and civilisation. We might<br />
trying to learn another culture and language, the personality of a<br />
do not realise how European they are until their favourite team<br />
have different food preferences or different ways of praying, but<br />
student is developing with broadened horizons.<br />
plays in the European Championships.<br />
So what we are saying now is that the new migration deal,<br />
these differences are everywhere. So even within the same<br />
38 39
A BESPOKE<br />
KITCHEN TOWER IN<br />
SOLID SURFACE<br />
H.E. Faruk Kaymakcı Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Republic of Türkiye with Barbara Dietrich, Ipek Tekdemir and Alberto Turkstra<br />
Turkish teams playing in the European leagues in different<br />
tennis with me. Tennis reflects all aspects of a person’s charac-<br />
branches, also constitute important components of our European<br />
ter. If I play tennis with someone for one hour, I can write a book<br />
identity and belonging to Europe.<br />
about this person. Sports is important to connect you with other<br />
people. Thanks to tennis, I have also made many friends, wher-<br />
Sports is also part of my diplomatic life. I am an amateur<br />
handball player. During my tenures here in Brussels twice, for<br />
six years, I played in a club – Evere Club. During these years I<br />
discovered all parts of Belgium. My teammates were asking me<br />
different questions. One Flemish friend once asked me: “Faruk,<br />
you are a Muslim, your country is Muslim. So when Turkey will<br />
join the EU, does this mean you will convert all of us into Islam<br />
ever I worked like in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Belgium. I still<br />
have friends that I made in Turkey on vacation meeting at tennis<br />
courts. We became close friends and now they are my close<br />
friends in Belgium: in Antwerp, in different towns.<br />
Through sports, the EU is trying to bring peoples of Europe<br />
together, because one dimension of the Erasmus + programme is<br />
THE BENETORRE ® KITCHEN TOWER<br />
IS A REVOLUTIONARY CONCEPT TO<br />
INCOR PORATE A FULL KITCHEN IN OPEN<br />
LIVING SPACES WITHOUT COMPRO-<br />
MISING ON SPACIOUSNESS, COMFORT<br />
AND SHEER LUXURY PLEASURE.<br />
and will we be circumcised?”. I replied, “we will continue to<br />
also sports. Federations, sports clubs, universities, schools can<br />
respect each other and our differences and we will be happier<br />
develop projects. I saw two successful Erasmus sports projects<br />
since we will belong to the same Union.”<br />
on tennis, implemented by the Turkish Tennis Federation. One<br />
This is an example of prejudice and even educated people may<br />
have these sorts of prejudices. But of course, after some time,<br />
everyone just realizes that there is not that much of difference<br />
is to expand tennis all over Turkey, not only in major towns, but<br />
also in villages and remote areas. Another project is to train<br />
professionals. We have very good tennis players, but this is not<br />
sufficient, you have to orient them, give them also psychological<br />
BENETORRE ® IS LOOKING FOR NEW<br />
INTER NATIONAL PARTNERS.<br />
INTERESTED? CONTACT US NOW!<br />
among us. The religion or belief are subjects of privacy of individuals.<br />
Sports is an important means of communication and<br />
exchange, but also creates a common goal through which mem-<br />
support and prepare them to become professional players.<br />
To conclude, sports and diplomacy fit together. And I think sports<br />
BENETORRE ®<br />
bers of the team leave all the differences behind. It also helps<br />
diplomacy is quite influential and it really helps a lot in terms of<br />
eliminating the prejudice.<br />
overcoming prejudices, connecting peoples and nations, and<br />
If I need to know better my counterparts in diplomacy, how<br />
creating a healthy and stable environment.<br />
MEMBER OF THE ENGELS GROUP<br />
WWW.BENETORRE.COM<br />
committed, nervous or nice a person is, I invite them to play<br />
40
H.E. AKMAL SAIDOV<br />
FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER<br />
OF THE LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER<br />
OF THE OLIY MAJLIS<br />
OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN<br />
PRESIDENT SHAVKAT MIRZIYOYEV HAS JUST<br />
STARTED HIS SECOND TERM IN OFFICE. WHAT<br />
WILL BE THE FOCUS AND PRIORITIES OF THE<br />
NEXT PHASE OF REFORMS IN UZBEKISTAN?<br />
Last year the Uzbek people celebrated the 30th anniversary of<br />
Independence. During the last five years, large-scale creative<br />
and improving work is being carried out on the idea “New<br />
Uzbekistan”. Human rights protection is considered one of the<br />
priorities of our state policy. Today the country has a stable political<br />
system that meets the modern criteria of democracy<br />
and human rights, and the legislative, executive and judicial authorities<br />
at all levels are actively working to strengthen respect for<br />
human rights and to promote human rights education throughout<br />
the country. But the most important is that the Uzbek society<br />
maintains respect for the principles of the Rule of law and human<br />
rights.<br />
We always know that without ensuring human rights, it is<br />
impossible to advance socio-economic, political, legal, cultural<br />
and humanitarian development of states. The President Shavkat<br />
Mirziyoyev has initiated a comprehensive and ambitious New<br />
Uzbekistan’s Development Strategy for next 5 years with 7 priority<br />
areas of the country’s development. The 7 priority areas are:<br />
1. Creation of a humane state by increasing human dignity and<br />
further development of a free civil society.<br />
2. The transformation of the principles of justice and the rule of<br />
law into the main and necessary condition for the development<br />
of the country.<br />
3. Development of the national economy, ensuring its growth<br />
rates at the level of modern requirements.<br />
4. Conducting a fair social policy, development of human capital.<br />
5. Ensuring spiritual development, cardinal reform and raising this<br />
sphere to a new stage.<br />
6 Solving universal problems based on national interests.<br />
7. Strengthening the security and defence potential of the country,<br />
conducting an open and pragmatic, active foreign policy.<br />
According the President’s initiative, “the New Uzbekistan is a<br />
state, developing in strict compliance with the universally recognized<br />
norms in the field of democracy, human rights and freedoms,<br />
on the basis of the principles of friendship and cooperation<br />
with the international community, the ultimate aim of which is<br />
to create a free, comfortable and prosperous life for our people”.<br />
New Uzbekistan’s Development Strategy will mark the beginning<br />
of a new stage of our national development on the basis of a new<br />
principle: “human being - society – state”. The implementation of<br />
the new reforms to this end have become an objective necessity,<br />
a major strategic task.<br />
The strategic goal of building “New Uzbekistan” is laying the<br />
foundations for the Third Renaissance. As it is well-known that<br />
the territory of modern Uzbekistan in the ancient times was the<br />
cradle of two great renaissance epochs - the First (enlightenment<br />
- IX-XII centuries) and the Second (Temurid - XIV-XV centuries)<br />
Renaissance.<br />
H.E. Akmal Saidov, First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan<br />
Today Uzbekistan is becoming a country of democratic transformation,<br />
big opportunities and practical deeds. This process is Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers,<br />
Uzbekistan: Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief,<br />
the greatest result of our reforms during last years. Uzbekistan Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human<br />
has also developed national indicators for the implementation<br />
rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.<br />
of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Uzbekistan was the<br />
first Central Asian State to establish a system of national human This year we are waiting for a visit of the UN Special rapporteur<br />
rights institutions, which includes Parliamentary Ombudsman, on torture and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.<br />
Children’s Ombudsman, Business Ombudsman and National<br />
In his speeches at the sessions of the UN General Assembly, the<br />
Human Rights Centre.<br />
46th session of the UN Human Rights Council, as well as in his<br />
Address to the Uzbek Parliament, the President of Uzbekistan<br />
In June 2020 the National Human Rights Strategy of Uzbekistan identified the key priorities of New Uzbekistan on human rights:<br />
was adopted for the first time and is being consistently implemented.<br />
It provides for the implementation of the recommenda-<br />
• gender equality;<br />
• ensuring the right to health;<br />
tions of the UN Human Rights Council and the treaty bodies. The • protection of the rights of persons with disabilities;<br />
adoption of the National Strategy took into account the views of • protection of the youth rights;<br />
not only the expert community, but also the general public and • human rights education;<br />
international organizations.<br />
• strengthening the independence of the courts;<br />
• the fight against torture;<br />
Uzbekistan maintains an active and constructive dialogue with • development of regional cooperation on human rights;<br />
the UN Charter and Treaty bodies, specialized agencies and<br />
• development of civil society institutions.<br />
Special procedures of the UN Human Rights Council. The<br />
Government has submitted timely 41 periodic reports on the<br />
From this year Uzbekistan’ representative is a deputy chair of<br />
implementation of the main international human rights treaties, the UN Human Rights Council. Last year on our initiative the<br />
as well as on the follow-up to the recommendations of the treaty Human Rights Council adopted resolution on young people’s<br />
bodies. During last 4 years three UN Special rapporteurs visited rights during the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative to adopt an<br />
42 43
International Convention on the Rights of Youth and establish-<br />
there are a strong political willingness between our sides on topi-<br />
Assembly Uzbekistan Leader has proposed to adopt a special<br />
modern standards of general education, vocational and higher<br />
ment the institution of a Special Rapporteur on Youth Rights put<br />
cal issues on the bilateral and international agenda. It is gratifying<br />
resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on enhancing<br />
education have been introduced. In the last four years alone,<br />
forward by the President of Uzbekistan from the high rostrum of<br />
that contacts are regularly maintained between the Parliamentary<br />
the role of parliaments in achieving the Sustainable Development<br />
dozens of branches of leading foreign universities have been<br />
the United Nations General Assembly, has been supported with<br />
Friendship Groups. Now we have established more than 50 such<br />
Goals and ensuring human rights.<br />
opened in the republic, the programme “Digital Uzbekistan -<br />
great interest by the international community.<br />
groups with our foreign parliaments as well as Uzbek parliamen-<br />
2030”, the Concept “Youth of Uzbekistan - 2025” have been<br />
Uzbekistan actively participates in the United Nations <strong>World</strong><br />
Programme for Human Rights Education. Together with the<br />
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, we are planning<br />
to hold a Global Forum on Human Rights Education.<br />
The fight against torture is a priority area of judicial and legal<br />
reforms in Uzbekistan. The work has begun on the implementation<br />
of a national preventive mechanism for the elimination of<br />
torture. We intend to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention<br />
against Torture.<br />
tarians are close with the IPU, European Parliament, PA OSCE<br />
and other international parliamentary structures.<br />
By a joint decision of the Council Chambers of the Uzbek<br />
Parliament of September 25, 2020, the Concept of Parliamentary<br />
Diplomacy was approved. It defines strategic goals and<br />
objectives, priority directions, principles and mechanisms for the<br />
implementation of the activities of the Parliament on international<br />
cooperation. In recent years, our Parliament has become an<br />
active subject of foreign policy. The geography of parliamentary<br />
diplomacy is expanding and its effectiveness is increasing. This<br />
THE STRENGTHENING OF THE ROLE OF PARLIA-<br />
MENT AND POLITICAL PARTIES IN DEEPENING<br />
DEMOCRATIC REFORMS AND MODERNIZATION<br />
OF THE COUNTRY WAS A PRIORITY DURING THE<br />
FIRST PHASE OF REFORMS. WHAT ARE THE NEXT<br />
STEPS IN UZBEKISTAN TO CONTINUE STRENGTH-<br />
ENING THE ROLE OF THE PARLIAMENT, PARLIA-<br />
MENTARY OVERSIGHT AND ENSURING TRANS-<br />
PARENCY IN THE WORK OF THE PARLIAMENT?<br />
developed and are gradually being implemented.<br />
Imparting greater mobility and optimization of the management<br />
system of executive authorities, radical reform of the civil service<br />
and administrative procedures, including the provision of services<br />
to the population, the introduction of effective mechanisms<br />
to combat corruption. In fulfilling these tasks, it was the Head of<br />
State that proposed the Concept of Administrative Reform in<br />
the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as the creation of the Civil<br />
Service Development Agency under the President and the<br />
Anti-Corruption Agency.<br />
makes it possible to establish close ties in the socio-political,<br />
Today the process of democratic transformations in New<br />
Uzbekistan also intends to continue to promote the establish-<br />
economic and cultural spheres, contributes to the strengthening<br />
Uzbekistan has become irreversible. The last presidential and<br />
The new procedure for approving ministers by parliament was<br />
ment of a regional human rights mechanism in the Asian region.<br />
of friendly relations between our countries.<br />
parliamentary elections demonstrated the growing political<br />
introduced, which is detailed in accordance with foreign practice.<br />
In this regard, a permanent platform has been created – the<br />
activism of the population and parties, the role of civil society<br />
Now a candidate for membership in the Cabinet of Ministers<br />
Samarkand Forum on Human Rights.<br />
One of the positive indicators of friendly relations is that<br />
institutions and the influence of the media.<br />
is considered and approved at a meeting of the Legislative<br />
Uzbekistan and European countries on a permanent basis<br />
Chamber of the Uzbek parliament after its preliminary considera-<br />
YOU ARE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PARLIAMENTA-<br />
RY FRIENDSHIP GROUPS BETWEEN UZBEKISTAN<br />
AND A NUMBER OF EU MEMBER STATES INCLUD-<br />
ING BELGIUM, AS WELL AS CO-CHAIR OF THE<br />
PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION COMMITTEE<br />
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT-UZBEKISTAN PARLIA-<br />
MENT. COULD YOU HIGHLIGHT THE BENEFITS<br />
OF SUCH INTER-PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION<br />
AND DIALOGUE AS THE BASIS OF STRENGTH-<br />
ENED RELATIONS BETWEEN UZBEKISTAN AND<br />
ITS FOREIGN PARTNERS?<br />
support each other’s candidacies for the UN institutions, OSCE<br />
and other international structures. In this regard, the Uzbek side<br />
expressed gratitude for the support of Uzbekistan’s candidacy<br />
for membership in the UN Human Rights Council for 2021-2023,<br />
as well as the development of the UN International Convention<br />
on the Rights of Youth.<br />
It was noted that the Uzbek side attaches great importance<br />
to the development of cooperation with the Parliamentary<br />
Cooperation Committee within the framework of the interaction<br />
“Uzbekistan – European Union”. We can note that at present the<br />
role and importance of inter-parliamentary ties in the development<br />
of interstate relations is increasing markedly. It is necessary<br />
The gender equality policy became a priority for Uzbekistan<br />
policy, and the role of women in public administration is growing.<br />
In our Parliament the number of women deputies has doubled.<br />
Such negative phenomena as forced and child labour, which<br />
have been a big problem for us for many years, have been<br />
completely eradicated. In accordance with the call of the United<br />
Nations to reduce the number of stateless persons, more than<br />
70,000 of our compatriots were granted the citizenship of the<br />
Republic of Uzbekistan.<br />
Today the most important areas of our economic strategy are a<br />
comprehensive increase in the well-being and living standards<br />
of people, which demands the creation of new jobs, sources of<br />
tion by the responsible committee, fractions of political parties.<br />
A candidate presents an action plan that provides for legal, economic,<br />
social, organizational and technical measures to achieve<br />
targets and tasks for the future, interconnected with the action<br />
program of the Cabinet of Ministers. If the Legislative Chamber<br />
rejects the candidacy for membership in the Cabinet of Ministers,<br />
the Prime Minister submits a new candidate for consideration<br />
and approval. A member of the Cabinet of Ministers takes up his<br />
duties after his approval by the President.<br />
The practice has been also introduced, according to which the<br />
Prime Minister, together with members of the Government, quar-<br />
For more than 25 years, I have served in the positions of a<br />
to continue harmonizing legislation, to participate in the develop-<br />
income, poverty reduction, and the development of our villages<br />
terly submits to the chambers of the Oliy Majlis a report on the<br />
Deputy of the Oliy Majlis (the national parliament). I can say with<br />
ment and expansion of the legal framework for cooperation, as<br />
and cities.<br />
progress of the implementation of the state program for the corre-<br />
complete confidence that I know from the inside all benefits and<br />
well as inter-parliamentary ties in the field of science, education,<br />
sponding year, the tasks arising from the Address of the President<br />
problems of the parliamentary system. Now the work of our par-<br />
culture and tourism.<br />
A completely new and unique system for solving social problems<br />
to the Oliy Majlis, as well as on execution of legislative acts.<br />
liament rapidly changed. The wise words “Justice is the basis of<br />
has been created in our country. That is the reason why<br />
the state and the motto of the rulers”, inscribed on the portal of<br />
Last June the Uzbek Parliament organized the International<br />
we have recently introduced such practices as «Iron book»,<br />
Uzbek parliament has also established the Parliamentary<br />
the residence of our great ancestor Amir Temur (Tamerlane) – the<br />
Forum of Global Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation in implementing<br />
«Women’s book», «Youth book», « Kindness book», «makhalla-<br />
Commission on the observance of international obligations<br />
Oqsaroy Palace in Shakhrisabz, carry a very deep meaning.<br />
the Sustainable Development Goals in Bukhara.<br />
bay» (meaningfully, each community residential area – ‘one by<br />
on human rights. In cooperation with the UK Parliament, the<br />
one’) and «khonadonbay» (meaningfully, each house – ‘one by<br />
Parliamentary Commission organized an online training course<br />
Today such fundamental democratic concepts and phenomena<br />
We organized the Sustainable Development Week under the<br />
one’). Proceeding from this, the problems are thoroughly studied<br />
consisting of five modules on implementing the international<br />
as “human rights and freedoms”, “rule of law”, “openness and<br />
motto “Leave no one behind!”, with the participation of the IPU<br />
on the spot, not based on some abstract indicators, but taking<br />
obligations on human rights. The Parliamentary Commission is<br />
transparency”, “freedom of speech”, “freedom of religion and be-<br />
Secretary General, members of national parliaments of Europe-<br />
into consideration the problems of each family and citizen, wom-<br />
also responsible for monitoring of the National Human Rights<br />
lief”, “public control”, “gender equality” are becoming an integral<br />
an countries and other international participants. The Forum is<br />
en and youth who need help and support, thus we tackle them<br />
Strategy.<br />
part of our life.<br />
aimed at strengthening the inter-parliamentary cooperation in<br />
timely and effectively.<br />
implementing the SDGs, exchange of experience and promoting<br />
In our country, where over half of the population is young, an<br />
The Uzbek Parliament is in favour of intensifying inter-parlia-<br />
new ideas and initiatives.<br />
The President Shavkat Mirziyoyev outlined new priorities for<br />
extensive work is underway to ensure that every young person<br />
mentary dialogue with the European Parliament and National par-<br />
public administration of the education system, as a result, the<br />
takes a worthy place in society and demonstrate their potential.<br />
liaments of EU states at various levels. It was emphasized that<br />
In addition, at the 75th session of the United Nations General<br />
preschool education system has been completely reformed,<br />
The Youth Parliaments and the Agency for Youth Affairs are<br />
44 45
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H.E. Akmal Saidov, First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, H.E. Dilyor Khakimov Ambassador of Uzbekistan,<br />
Barbara Dietrich CEO <strong>Diplomatic</strong> <strong>World</strong> and Alberto Turkstra Project Manager <strong>Diplomatic</strong> <strong>World</strong><br />
operating in Uzbekistan. In last June the Youth parliamentary<br />
event “I Say Yes to Youth in Parliament!” was successfully held<br />
under the auspices of the IPU.<br />
LAST YEAR, UZBEKISTAN RATIFIED THE UN CON-<br />
VENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DIS-<br />
ABILITIES. WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATE OF THE<br />
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS CONVENTION INTO<br />
THE NATIONAL LEGISLATION OF UZBEKISTAN?<br />
meet modern requirements. The number of types of prosthetic<br />
and orthopaedic products and rehabilitation equipment provided<br />
to our citizens free of charge has been increased from 22 to 27.<br />
In the system of public education, the implementation of the program<br />
for the development of inclusive education has begun, and<br />
more than 300 schools have created the necessary conditions for<br />
teaching children with disabilities. In addition, the Inter-agency<br />
Council on the affairs of persons with disabilities operating permanently<br />
under the Government was established with participation<br />
of disabled persons NGOs.<br />
Energia Europa develops and produces<br />
innovative systems for the energy<br />
efficiency of production sites, retail<br />
stores and office units. The heart of<br />
its production is represented by the<br />
patented E-Power system, which allows<br />
the achievement of real efficiency in an<br />
electrical line, and therefore true energy<br />
saving with equal output.<br />
It is known that the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with<br />
Disabilities is the first human rights treaty adopted in the 21st<br />
century. One of the priorities of the state policy in the field of protection<br />
of the rights of persons with disabilities is the universally<br />
recognized norms and principles of international law in the exercise<br />
of civil, economic, political and other rights and freedoms<br />
provided to persons with disabilities, as well as ensuring equal<br />
opportunities with other citizens in accordance with international<br />
agreements of the Republic of Uzbekistan.<br />
More than 760,000 people with disabilities live in Uzbekistan. They<br />
are covered by social protection and support, medical and social<br />
rehabilitation measures. A new Law on the Rights of Persons with<br />
Disabilities came into force last year. The Parliament of Uzbekistan<br />
also ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.<br />
Uzbekistan also proposes to create a Regional Council for the<br />
self-realization of People with Disabilities.<br />
Important measures are also being taken for the social adaptation<br />
and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. In recent years,<br />
27 medical and social institutions have been reconstructed, 1,5<br />
thousand medical and rehabilitation beds have been created that<br />
Now we are preparing a draft of National actions plan on implementation<br />
of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with<br />
Disabilities with a broad participation of civil society institutions<br />
and international partners as well as representatives of disables<br />
persons.<br />
For the active participation of citizens with disabilities in the<br />
social, economic and political life of the country, a “barrier-free”<br />
environment will be created. In particular, measures will be taken<br />
to create a special infrastructure in the construction of government<br />
buildings, social facilities, parks, as well as in public transport,<br />
the system of public services for persons with disabilities,<br />
increase the number of special information portals, televisionprograms,<br />
literature and libraries. Persons with disabilities will be<br />
provided with subsidies for the purchase of housing, and preferential<br />
loans for improving housing conditions. Most importantly,<br />
a system of constant dialogue between heads of all levels and<br />
responsible persons of state bodies with persons with disabilities<br />
will be established to study and solve their problems.<br />
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46
H.E. KHALID FAHAD AL-HAJRI<br />
AMBASSADOR OF THE STATE OF QATAR<br />
TO THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM<br />
AMBASSADOR AL-HAJRI, COULD YOU GIVE US<br />
YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS ABOUT YOUR STAY<br />
IN BRUSSELS AND BROADLY OUTLINE THE<br />
PRIORITIES YOU WILL PURSUE DURING YOUR<br />
TENURE HERE?<br />
My stay in the capital of Europe is first of all an honour for me<br />
and a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and acquire experience<br />
that will serve the interests of both the State of Qatar<br />
and the Kingdom of Belgium. Since assuming my position as<br />
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of<br />
Qatar “resident” to the Kingdom of Belgium, I have as ambition<br />
to continue to build trust and to further strengthen the good<br />
relations between the two countries by exploring new horizons<br />
for cooperation, that could be enhanced through the conclusion<br />
of new agreements in a number of fields, particularly in sectors<br />
that have not been exploited yet.<br />
The medical field could be one of them, as in the context of<br />
the COVID-19 crisis that affects all countries of the world, many<br />
opportunities are available to establish new partnerships to<br />
better protect our citizens.<br />
Indeed, one of my main tasks as an ambassador is to represent<br />
my country in Belgium and to defend the interest of the State<br />
of Qatar and its people by facilitating communication between<br />
officials and peoples and by presenting the best image of the<br />
State of Qatar at both public and private levels. Representing my<br />
country’s progress and its latest achievements in the political,<br />
social, economic, cultural and educational fields is at the core of<br />
my mission. I am also honoured to be in this position to highlight<br />
the remarkable efforts of the State of Qatar in the regional and<br />
international arena and the important role that my country plays<br />
H.E. Khalid Fahad Al-Hajri, Ambassador of The State of Qatar<br />
Presentation of the Letters of Credence to the King of the Belgians, His Majesty King Philippe<br />
in a number of issues of common interest, to which officials in<br />
Brussels attach great importance and that may open the door to<br />
establishing new and fruitful ties.<br />
On the political level, there is an ongoing dialogue that started<br />
after the signing of the Agreement on Political Consultations<br />
between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Belgium on 4th<br />
September 2013, and I look forward to organize the next round<br />
of these consultations, which is supposed to be held during this<br />
year. This high-level meeting, which brings together senior Qatari<br />
and Belgian political officials, is an opportunity to discuss bilateral<br />
relations as well as regional and international concerns and<br />
other issues of common interest.<br />
In this regard, mutual visits and meetings show their importance<br />
as they represent one of the main axes of cooperation between<br />
the two countries and contribute to build up cooperation and<br />
coordination, it’s also an essential tool for exchanging experiences<br />
and boosting joint work mechanisms. The most momentous<br />
visit that took place during the recent period by the Qatari side<br />
was the famous visit of His Highness Sheikh / Tamim bin<br />
Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom<br />
of Belgium from 6 to 7th March 2018, where His Highness<br />
participated in a session of talks with the Belgian Prime Minister,<br />
Photo: Royal Palace, Belgium<br />
and was invited to an official lunch hosted by His Majesty<br />
King Philippe of Belgium organized in His honour. During this<br />
fruitful visit, His Highness also met with the Speaker of the House<br />
of Representatives and the President of the Senate, and attended<br />
the Qatari and Belgian Business Forum. The visit culminated<br />
with the signature of several agreements with the Kingdom of<br />
Belgium, the European Union and the NATO.<br />
On the economic level, I have the ambition to work in the coming<br />
years to promote economic and trade relations and upgrade<br />
the exchange of investments to the level of comprehensive<br />
cooperation.<br />
I will also size the opportunity of my presence in Brussels to<br />
discover the Belgian culture and Belgian specialties starting<br />
with the delicious Belgian chocolate.<br />
A GREAT DEAL OF UNTAPPED POTENTIAL EXISTS<br />
TO EXPAND TRADE AND INVESTMENT TIES<br />
BETWEEN BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG, ON<br />
THE ONE HAND, AND QATAR, ON THE OTHER.<br />
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST PROMISING<br />
SECTORS FOR INVESTMENT IN QATAR?<br />
48 49
Film city traditional Arabic Village in the Ras Brouq Resreve near Zekreet Qatar Photo: Shutterstock Qatar National Museum in Doha, Qatar Photo: Shutterstock<br />
We cannot address the untapped potentials, before clarifying the<br />
importance of the existent trade and investment ties between<br />
the State of Qatar and both the Kingdom of Belgium and the<br />
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, which have witnessed remarkable<br />
development in recent years. Since 2004, the level of exchange<br />
has increased in various fields of joint cooperation. The economic<br />
relations between the State of Qatar and Belgium were<br />
strengthened after the conclusion of the gas agreement in 2007,<br />
according to which the State of Qatar supplies the Kingdom of<br />
fields, such as services, clean water technology, construction,<br />
engineering, offshore drilling, renewable energy, transportation.<br />
As there are Belgian companies involved in projects in the sectors<br />
of energy, health, pharmaceutical industry, electrical equipment<br />
and management of modern technologies in the agricultural<br />
sector. Major Belgian companies are also executing several<br />
projects directly related to the FIFA <strong>World</strong> Cup Qatar 2022.<br />
What about the Duchy of Luxembourg? The State of Qatar has<br />
THE ANNUAL DOHA FORUM IS A GLOBAL<br />
PLATFORM FOR DIALOGUE, BRINGING TOGETHER<br />
LEADERS IN POLICY TO DISCUSS CRITICAL<br />
CHALLENGES FACING OUR WORLD, AND TO<br />
BUILD INNOVATIVE AND ACTION-DRIVEN<br />
NETWORKS. WHAT WILL BE THE THEMATIC<br />
FOCAL POINTS OF THE NEXT DOHA FORUM<br />
TAKING PLACE IN 2022?<br />
innovative policy aimed at saving lives and avoiding lasting damage<br />
from this health crisis that has created an unprecedented<br />
volatile global situation. These huge changes revealed the weaknesses<br />
and strengths, accelerated current trends, and shifted the<br />
balance of power.<br />
Therefore, the forum will focus on discussing the “Transforming<br />
for a New Era”, the exchanges will mainly cover four core areas:<br />
geopolitical alliances and international relations; the financial<br />
Belgium with Qatari liquefied gas. In 2019, Qatar Petroleum and<br />
built strong relations with the Grand Duchy and, thanks to the<br />
The Doha Forum has become a milestone in Qatar’s activity and<br />
system and economic development; defence, cyber security and<br />
Fluxys Belgium extended these relations by signing a long-term<br />
similar conditions of the two countries and our respective strong<br />
diplomacy, attracting day after day the attention of politicians,<br />
food security; sustainability and climate change.<br />
LNG Services Agreement for the Zeebrugge LNG terminal. Under<br />
economies, our cooperation has been further boosted. Besides,<br />
decision makers and opinion leaders (activists, journalists and<br />
the agreement, Qatar subscribes unloading slots at the facility<br />
up to 2044.<br />
With regard to trade exchange, let me highlight the most important<br />
exports and imports from both sides. Regarding Belgian<br />
exports to the State of Qatar they are mainly chemicals (44.4%),<br />
machinery (11.4%) and foodstuffs (8.7%), and in turn Belgium<br />
imports from the State of Qatar a number of materials, especially<br />
base metals (59.6%), chemicals (25.2%) and plastics (14.1%).<br />
the two countries also have close partnership in the field of<br />
global finance and investments in Islamic finance.<br />
We can also precise that regarding trade exchange, the imported<br />
and exported materials are similar, indeed the most important<br />
materials that Luxembourg exports to the State of Qatar are<br />
machinery and mechanical devices, electrical equipment and<br />
related devices; chemical products, base metals and related<br />
materials and plastics. From its side, Luxembourg imports mainly<br />
academics) from all over the world. Each year, thousands of<br />
participants and hundreds of speakers participate in this large<br />
gathering, including high-level officials from different countries.<br />
Thanks to the significant position it acquired, Doha Forum has<br />
established partnerships with a large number of well-known<br />
policy-making institutions, leaders in the process of research<br />
and debate on global issues.<br />
The 20th edition of the Forum, scheduled for March 2022, comes<br />
QATAR IS IN THE MIDST OF THE IMPLEMENTA-<br />
TION OF ITS AMBITIOUS QATAR 2030 STRATEGY<br />
WHICH AIMS TO “TRANSFORM QATAR INTO AN<br />
ADVANCED SOCIETY CAPABLE OF ACHIEVING<br />
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT BY 2030. COULD<br />
YOU OUTLINE TO OUR READERS WHAT ARE THE<br />
MAIN PILLARS OF THIS VISION?<br />
from Qatar base metals, machinery and mechanical devices,<br />
at a time when the global economy tries to recover from its<br />
Indeed, the comprehensive development vision for the State of<br />
We are also glad to see the large number of Belgian companies<br />
electrical equipment and related devices.<br />
biggest shock since <strong>World</strong> War II, the COVID-19 crisis. There is a<br />
Qatar, “Qatar National Vision 2030”, it aims, as you mentioned,<br />
(more than 40 companies) working in Doha in a wide range of<br />
need for leaders and policymakers to come together to develop<br />
to transform Qatar into an advanced country capable of<br />
50 51
Doha Qatar<br />
Photo: Shutterstock<br />
West Bay on the Corniche in Doha Qatar<br />
Photo: Shutterstock<br />
achieving sustainable development and also ensuring the con-<br />
Secondly, Social Development, as establishing a just and secure<br />
Qatar’s success in organizing the Arab Cup, which ended on<br />
security, and the environment, the National Development Strategy<br />
tinuation of a decent standard of living for its people, generation<br />
society, based on high moral standards, would create a society<br />
18th December 2021 with the victory of Algeria, has proved the<br />
has helped Qatar to be fully prepared for the tournament that<br />
after generation.<br />
capable of dealing and interacting with other societies, and play-<br />
full readiness of the State of Qatar to host the next edition of the<br />
every Qatari, Arab and sports fanatic around the world awaits.<br />
ing an essential role in the global partnership for development.<br />
<strong>World</strong> Cup. The Arab Cup was the best opportunity to prepare for<br />
This vision was approved by Amiri decision No. 44 of 2008,<br />
this year’s <strong>World</strong> Cup, and to inaugurate the stadiums as compe-<br />
Finally, the 2022 <strong>World</strong> Cup will open new doors allowing people<br />
considering that comprehensive development is the fundamen-<br />
Thirdly, Economic Development, through which the State of<br />
titions were held in six of the <strong>World</strong> Cup venues. Indeed, it was<br />
around the world to know Qatar closely. I wish you will enjoy<br />
tal objective for the achievement of progress and prosperity<br />
Qatar would develop a diversified and competitive national econ-<br />
a unique event to test a range of operational and management<br />
attending or watching the biggest and most important sports<br />
for the citizens. The targeted results of the vision are the most<br />
omy, capable of meeting the needs of its citizens at present and<br />
issues, primarily stadiums, training sites, transportation, accom-<br />
event of the year!<br />
important, because the means are clear as the Vision provides a<br />
in the future, and ensuring a high standard of living.<br />
modation, fan cards, volunteers, and other challenges.<br />
general framework within which national strategies and implementation<br />
plans are established.<br />
Lastly, Environmental development, by managing the environ-<br />
With regard to Qatar’s benefits from the 2022 <strong>World</strong> Cup, what<br />
ment in a way that ensures harmony and balance between eco-<br />
is beyond the economic aspect and most importantly is that the<br />
The National Plan addresses five major challenges facing Qatar:<br />
nomic and social development and environmental protection.<br />
<strong>World</strong> Cup will shed light on what Qatar has gained and will gain<br />
modernization while preserving traditions; the needs of the<br />
That is Qatar’s current master vision and its roadmap!<br />
in building a positive social, economic and cultural legacy for the<br />
current generation and those of the future generations; targeted<br />
country, the region and the world. This event will also show Qatar’s<br />
growth and uncontrolled expansion; development track, size and<br />
quality of targeted expatriate labour force; economic growth and<br />
social development and environmental management.<br />
The Vision also included the important guiding principles, which<br />
embody the protection of public and personal freedoms; protecting<br />
moral and religious values and traditions; ensuring security,<br />
stability and equal opportunities.<br />
NEXT NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, QATAR WILL BE<br />
IN THE GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT AS IT HOSTS THE<br />
FIFA WORLD CUP. HOW ARE PREPARATIONS<br />
PROCEEDING AND WHAT ECONOMIC BENEFITS<br />
IS THIS MEGA-EVENT EXPECTED TO DELIVER TO<br />
THE QATARI ECONOMY?<br />
ability to host major tournaments. Besides, the benefits are not<br />
limited to the Qatari economy only, but it has emphasized the<br />
social achievements as the State of Qatar took advantage of the<br />
preparations to improve labour rights, especially for foreign workers,<br />
to become the leader in the Gulf on labour reform.<br />
This event has also encouraged the country to create new infrastructure,<br />
including the metro line and other important develop-<br />
The State of Qatar has been preparing to host one of the most<br />
ment projects. The national development strategy “Qatar National<br />
It also focuses on four axes, the first of which is Human Develop-<br />
anticipated events in the <strong>World</strong>, and we are very glad and proud<br />
Vision 2030” also contributed to Qatar’s efforts to make the FIFA<br />
ment, as the development of the Qatari population would enable<br />
to build a prosperous society.<br />
of what our country has accomplished! The preparations are<br />
going very well and I am pleased to inform you that all stadiums<br />
have been inaugurated.<br />
<strong>World</strong> Cup a resounding success. By focusing on areas such as<br />
sports, infrastructure, health care, culture, public safety and<br />
H.E. Khalid Fahad Al-Hajri, Ambassador of The State of Qatar with Barbara<br />
Dietrich CEO <strong>Diplomatic</strong> <strong>World</strong> and Alberto Turkstra Project Manager DW<br />
52 53
H.E. TSHERING GYALTSHEN PENJOR<br />
AMBASSADOR OF BHUTAN<br />
TO THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM<br />
AND THE EUROPEAN UNION<br />
UNLIKE MOST COUNTRIES THAT USE THE GROSS<br />
DOMESTIC PRODUCT INDEX TO MEASURE<br />
DEVELOPMENT, BHUTAN USED THE GROSS<br />
NATIONAL HAPPINESS INDEX. IN A GLOBAL<br />
SOCIETY OBSESSED WITH ECONOMIC MEAS-<br />
URES, THIS MODEL PROVIDES A REVOLUTIONARY<br />
AND HOLISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF DEVEL-<br />
OPMENT. HOW HAS THIS MEASURE OF GROSS<br />
NATIONAL HAPPINESS HELPED BHUTAN IMPROVE<br />
ITS ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL<br />
CONDITIONS?<br />
we are set to graduate to a lower-Middle Income Country in<br />
2023. We have more than halved our poverty rates since<br />
2007 and the 2020 UNDP Human Development Report ranks<br />
Bhutan highest amongst the Least Developed Countries on<br />
overall human development. Our constitution mandates us to<br />
maintain 60 percent of the country under forest cover for all<br />
times to come. We currently have a total forest cover of 72.5<br />
percent and we are one of the only carbon negative countries<br />
in the world today, meaning that we sequester more greenhouse<br />
gases than we ever release. Our ‘high value, low volume’<br />
sustainable tourism policy has also helped our economy while<br />
making sure that the negative impact from the tourism sector on<br />
The term Gross National Happiness (GNH) was promulgated by<br />
our environment and communities remain as low as possible. All<br />
His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck<br />
these improvements in the social, economic and environmental<br />
in 1972 when he said that “Gross National Happiness is more<br />
spheres are due to the conscious policy decisions made under<br />
important than Gross Domestic Product.” Since then, all socio-<br />
the overarching philosophy of GNH.<br />
economic policies and programs in Bhutan have been guided by<br />
the philosophy of GNH. Through the GNH Index, Bhutan aimed<br />
to create a measurement or screening tool that would be useful<br />
for policy making and hence give rise to a conducive environment<br />
for all to maximize happiness. The GNH index includes four<br />
pillars viz. good governance, sustainable socio-economic development,<br />
cultural preservation and environmental conservation.<br />
Furthermore, the four pillars are classified into nine domains viz.<br />
IN ITS 12TH FIVE YEAR PLAN (2018-2023), WHICH<br />
WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR THE COUNTRY’S GRAD-<br />
UATION FROM LDC STATUS, BHUTAN IS PAYING<br />
CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE 2030 SUSTAINABLE<br />
DEVELOPMENT AGENDA. WHAT STEPS IS<br />
BHUTAN TAKING TO INTEGRATE AND MAIN-<br />
STREAM THE 2030 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT<br />
GOALS INTO ITS NATIONAL STRATEGY AND<br />
POLICIES? IS BHUTAN ON COURSE TO ACHIEVE<br />
THESE OBJECTIVES?<br />
use, cultural diversity and resilience, and community vitality. The<br />
17 NKRAs are therefore closely aligned to the SDGs and their<br />
targets and indicators are integrated into the 12th FYP. Bhutan<br />
presented its second Voluntary National Review Report on the<br />
implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda in<br />
September 2021.<br />
psychological well-being, health, education, time use, cultural<br />
In Bhutan, we follow a planned five-year socio-economic devel-<br />
diversity and resilience, good governance, community vitality,<br />
opment program (FYP) which charts out the development agen-<br />
When Bhutan undertook its first Voluntary National Review in<br />
ecological diversity and resilience and living standards. These<br />
da of the Government for a five-year period. The FYP coincides<br />
2018, all SDGs except for SDG 17 were reported to be on track.<br />
nine domains further cascade down into 33 indicators that aim<br />
with the tenure of the elected Government which also lasts for<br />
However, given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the<br />
to capture the different aspects of well-being. The philosophy<br />
five years. The 12th FYP commenced from 1st November 2018<br />
achievement of several SDGs are reported to be at risk today<br />
of GNH functions on the basis that humans need more than just<br />
and will end on 31st October 2023. It has 17 National Key Result<br />
particularly SDGs 1,4,8,10 and 17. Impacts across other SDGs<br />
material wealth to pursue a productive life; it gives equal empha-<br />
Areas (NKRAs) and takes into consideration the SDGs and other<br />
have also been evident. While Bhutan has done well in terms of<br />
sis to other non-material indicators such as spiritual, cultural and<br />
regional and international commitments. Hence, all goals such<br />
containing the spread of the pandemic and in keeping infection<br />
environmental needs.<br />
as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are mainstreamed<br />
levels low, the implementation of pandemic containment meas-<br />
into the respective FYP development programs. Moreover, all<br />
ures has had far reaching impacts on the overall socio-economic<br />
The GNH Policy Screening Tool implemented by the Gross<br />
development policies and programs are guided by the overarch-<br />
growth, with economic growth being revised to negative 6.1<br />
National Happiness Commission makes sure that all government<br />
ing philosophy of GNH. There is a strong resemblance between<br />
percent in December 2020 from a growth projection of<br />
projects and policies complement each other thereby maximizing<br />
the domains of GNH and the SDGs. The SDGs call for pursuing<br />
6.9 percent for 2020.<br />
GNH. Guided by the philosophy of GNH, Bhutan has consider-<br />
development through a balanced approach on social, econom-<br />
ably improved its economic, environmental, social and governance<br />
situation in the past four decades. We have recorded an<br />
average growth rate of 7.5 percent since the early 1980s and<br />
ic and environmental conditions. Similarly, the development<br />
philosophy of GNH focuses on these three aspects as well as<br />
on the other aspects such as psychological well-being, time<br />
BHUTAN HAS MADE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES<br />
BY BECOMING THE WORLD’S FIRST CARBON<br />
54 55
NEGATIVE COUNTRY: IT TAKES MORE GREEN-<br />
HOUSE GASES FROM THE ATMOSPHERE THAN IT<br />
EMITS. FURTHERMORE, MORE THAN HALF THE<br />
COUNTRY IS PROTECTED AS NATIONAL PARKS,<br />
NATURE RESERVES AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES,<br />
ALL CONNECTED BY A NETWORK OF BIOLOGI-<br />
CAL CORRIDORS. HIGHLY VULNERABLE TO THE<br />
EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE, HOW IS BHUTAN<br />
ENSURING THAT ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINA-<br />
BILITY, CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION<br />
REMAIN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE NATIONAL<br />
AGENDA? WHAT IS BHUTAN’S VIEW ON THE OUT-<br />
COMES OF THE 2021 UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE<br />
CHANGE CONFERENCE (COP 26)?<br />
Conservation of environment is one of the four pillars of GNH.<br />
This pillar ensures that Bhutan pursues socio-economic development<br />
programs that do not compromise its environment and<br />
biodiversity. Article 5 of the Constitution of Bhutan mandates<br />
every Bhutanese to ‘serve as a trustee of the Kingdom’s natural<br />
resources and environment for the benefit of present and future<br />
has also been experiencing increasing numbers of forest fires,<br />
glacial lake outburst floods and high intensity erratic rainfall<br />
events. Such incidences are only likely to increase in the future<br />
with increasing global warming. Moreover, more than half of the<br />
Bhutanese population is dependent on the agricultural sector<br />
while the main contributor to the country’s economy is the hydropower<br />
sector. These sectors are highly sensitive to changing<br />
climate. Therefore, understanding the importance of adapting to<br />
the impacts of climate change, Bhutan has ratified all the three<br />
Rio Conventions on Biodiversity, Climate Change and Desertification.<br />
Bhutan also committed to remain carbon neutral for all<br />
times at the COP15 in Copenhagen in 2009 and has ratified the<br />
Paris Agreement on Climate Accord in 2016. Bhutan has successfully<br />
implemented many of the activities under the National<br />
Adaptation Program of Action and has developed a roadmap for<br />
disaster risk management since 2019 to enhance disaster risk<br />
management governance and coordination. Towards achieving<br />
a coordinated national approach in addressing climate change,<br />
the Climate Change Policy of the Kingdom of Bhutan has been<br />
adopted. Furthermore, the National Environment Strategy 2020<br />
aimed at creating a healthy and sustainable environment has<br />
Glasgow Climate Change Conference (COP 26) was convened<br />
in very challenging and unprecedented circumstances, we are<br />
happy that the conference secured important decisions on the<br />
priority areas for the LDCs such as enhancing the NDCs, scaling<br />
up finance for adaptation, renewing focus on adaptation and<br />
resilience, finalization of remaining items of the rulebook of the<br />
Paris Agreement and long-term decarbonization strategy in line<br />
with mid-century net zero commitments.<br />
BHUTAN IS DRAWING IMPORTANT LESSONS<br />
FROM THE PANDEMIC – INCLUDING THE NEED<br />
AND POSSIBILITIES FOR LONG TERM, TRANS-<br />
FORMATIVE AND GREEN SOLUTIONS FOR ITS<br />
FOOD SYSTEM, LOCAL ECONOMY, PUBLIC SER-<br />
VICES DELIVERY, APPROACHES TO LEARNING,<br />
DATA ECOSYSTEM AND PREPAREDNESS FOR<br />
DISASTERS AND FUTURE PANDEMICS. WHAT ARE<br />
THE NEXT NECESSARY STEPS TO BE TAKEN TO<br />
RECOVER FROM THIS PANDEMIC?<br />
in our system and hence given us the opportunity to reform and<br />
strengthen them.<br />
While a primary focus would be on recovering from the pandemic<br />
at a faster rate, importance will also be given to designing sustainable<br />
solutions that will not just help Bhutan recover quickly<br />
but help achieve a high income sustainable economy for all<br />
Bhutanese. Going forward, our primary focus therefore would be<br />
on reforming the education system and the civil service system<br />
towards creating a knowledge based economy and a resilient<br />
and adaptive 21st century workforce respectively, in keeping with<br />
His Majesty The King’s Royal vision for Bhutan. A lot of initiatives<br />
and programs are already underway in Bhutan on achieving this<br />
vision. Furthermore, initiatives are already being taken in Bhutan<br />
towards reforming the Technical and Vocational Education and<br />
Training sector to equip our youths with 21st century skills. The<br />
Build Bhutan Project and Skills Development Program being<br />
implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources of<br />
Bhutan are specifically aimed at skilling our youths and reducing<br />
the youth unemployment rate which has been further exacerbated<br />
by the pandemic.<br />
generations.’<br />
been recently endorsed.<br />
Bhutan has managed to successfully keep infections from COV-<br />
ID-19 at low numbers. This success has however come at a huge<br />
A key challenge that remains to be addressed is in diversify-<br />
Geographically, Bhutan is located in the eastern Himalayan belt<br />
As the Chair of the LDC Group on Climate Change, Bhutan par-<br />
cost for the country’s economy and has further exacerbated<br />
ing our narrow economic base. Our economy is today largely<br />
and has a fragile mountainous environment. The impacts of<br />
ticipated and led the LDC group in numerous high-level as well<br />
the many challenges the country was already facing. And while<br />
dependent on the hydropower and tourism sector. The impact of<br />
global warming are resulting in loss and damage of properties,<br />
as technical level meetings and negotiations, within and outside<br />
the challenges presented by the pandemic have been huge, it<br />
the pandemic on the tourism industry and hence on our econ-<br />
assets and lives in some cases. Over the past few years, Bhutan<br />
the UNFCCC process, throughout 2020 and 2021. While the<br />
has also made us realize the shortcomings and vulnerabilities<br />
omy has been huge. The pandemic has only heightened our<br />
56 57
need to explore and establish more export products. Promoting<br />
Brand Bhutan (a concept focused on export of high value-low<br />
volume Bhutanese products geared towards high-end markets)<br />
could have a significant impact on the economy of a country like<br />
Bhutan, which doesn’t have the size and scale. Further, using<br />
the unique selling points of Bhutan such as the Gross National<br />
Happiness brand, the high English literacy, highly educated and<br />
young population, political stability, a well-established tourism<br />
industry based on sustainable policies, and the advantage of<br />
being located in between some of the fastest growing economies<br />
of the world, Bhutan should identify sectors of interest to foreign<br />
investors and attract Foreign Direct Investments.<br />
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE BHUTAN’S RELA-<br />
TIONSHIP WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU)?<br />
WHAT ARE THE MAIN AREAS OF COOPERATION<br />
AT PRESENT AND WHAT WOULD BE SOME SHORT<br />
AND LONG TERM OBJECTIVES THAT BHUTAN<br />
WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE WITH THE EU?<br />
Bhutan and the EU enjoy warm and friendly relations. Bhutan<br />
deeply values its partnership with the EU and we remain fully<br />
committed to this relationship. Bhutan and the EU share common<br />
values on good governance, sustainable development and<br />
climate change and as a result of which we cooperate and work<br />
closely in the UN and other multilateral fora to promote our mutual<br />
interests. The EU is also one of Bhutan’s most important and<br />
remaining development partners. While we have diplomatic relations<br />
with 13 EU members, the EU as an institution also remains<br />
a vital link for us with the rest of its members.<br />
The current areas of cooperation between Bhutan and the EU are<br />
in 1) Climate Change, Green Growth for resilient Bhutan; 2) Good<br />
Governance for inclusive socio-economic development; and 3)<br />
Digital Transformation as a driver for change in education and<br />
public services. Bhutan continues to benefit from the support<br />
received under the EU’s Erasmus plus programme. Bhutan and<br />
the EIB signed the Framework Agreement under which the EIB<br />
can now provide finance for capital investment projects selected<br />
and approved by the RGoB. The framework agreement was subsequently<br />
ratified by the Parliament of Bhutan in December 2020,<br />
formally opening the door to commence financing cooperation<br />
between Bhutan and the EIB. The EU will not only support the<br />
Government but will also continue working with CSOs as they<br />
have the potential to play an active role in development including<br />
by promoting transparent and inclusive governance and gender<br />
equality and women empowerment. The EU has confirmed<br />
continued support to Bhutan’s democratic transition process and<br />
sustainable economic development, even after Bhutan’s graduation<br />
from the Least Developed Country status in the year 2023.<br />
58 59
H.E. HASSAN SOBIR<br />
AMBASSADOR OF THE MALDIVES<br />
In 2005, I came to Brussels as Ambassador to the EU. The year<br />
before, the European Parliament has passed a resolution critical<br />
of the political and human rights situation in the Maldives.<br />
the Parliament. In 2019 we received the visit of HRVP Federica<br />
Mogherini, who addressed the Parliament of the Maldives. This<br />
was, to date, the highest level visit by the EU to the Maldives.<br />
Gerard Huiting Honorary Consul of The Maldives, Barbara Dietrich CEO <strong>Diplomatic</strong> <strong>World</strong><br />
and H.E. Hassan Sobir Ambassador of The Maldives<br />
But we were starting to make the transition towards a multi-party<br />
When I arrived in Brussels, on top of our to-do list was to get<br />
These two issues still are very active, but we have been able to<br />
I would also like to mention that the Maldives has decided to join<br />
democracy, with a new Constitution and renewed penal code in<br />
a waiver for the tuna tariff (the Maldives pays 24 percent for<br />
establish now a parliamentary friendship group at the European<br />
the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific states (OACP).<br />
place. The Maldivian government wanted to highlight this to the<br />
exports of tuna into the European Union) and also work on the<br />
Parliament. Also, on the civil society side we have seen the set-<br />
Alone we are vulnerable, we need to be part of a larger grouping,<br />
European Union and the other EU institutions, in our journey to-<br />
visa waiver for Maldivians to travel freely inside the Schengen<br />
ting up of the Benelux-Maldives Friendship Group. I am also very<br />
to advocate for issues such as climate change and a fair trading<br />
wards becoming a respectable small island democratic country.<br />
zone.<br />
honoured that, for the first, time we have an Honorary Consul<br />
system, to allow our nation to play a bigger role in international<br />
of the Maldives for the region of Flanders, my good friend Mr<br />
fora.<br />
At first, there was inevitable scepticism on both sides on whether<br />
The tuna tariff issue is a very difficult one because the EU insti-<br />
Gerard Huiting.<br />
we would be able to make this transition in a very short period of<br />
tutions kept telling me that it is because of the WTO regulation<br />
In the international arena, the Maldives is also seeking a seat at<br />
time. However, I assured my counterparts here that we were very<br />
that we are considered an upper middle income country, and<br />
With the EU, our cooperation is multi-faceted and multi-layered.<br />
the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the term<br />
committed, and we were serious about the roadmap.<br />
hence we have to pay this tariff. We keep saying that our tuna is<br />
We are actively participating in programmes such as the EU<br />
2023-2025. The Maldives proudly and effectively served in the<br />
harvested in a very sustainable way (through the pole-and-line<br />
Green Deal and the Global Gateway. We are grateful for the help<br />
Human Rights Council for two consecutive terms, from 2011 to<br />
In 2008, the Maldives held its first multi-party election which re-<br />
fishing method) and while we are an upper middle income coun-<br />
of the EU in the times of pandemic, with a EUR 3 million grant to<br />
2016. With your support, we would like to once again seek the<br />
sulted in the election of our first democratically elected president<br />
try, we should not be punished for this and we should be allowed<br />
support our COVID-19 response and support our health sector<br />
opportunity to serve in the Council and contribute to the work<br />
in our history, Mohamed Nasheed.<br />
to participate in a fair trade system.<br />
and tourism industry.<br />
of the Council to promote and protect human rights, while also<br />
making it more dynamic. Our membership at the Council would<br />
The transition, like many expected, was quite turbulent. We<br />
We feel that it is a very unjustified tariff that has been adopted<br />
Furthermore, under the new Multi-Annual Indicative Framework,<br />
help us in our democratic consolidation process and to further<br />
again had an election in 2018 and at that time, when I returned<br />
and that it should be lifted. Sustainability is mentioned in the<br />
we have been allocated EUR 12 million for the period 2021-2024<br />
accelerate the ongoing efforts to modernize our institutions<br />
to Brussels as Ambassador to the EU, the Foreign Affairs Council<br />
WTO regulations but in practice, lip service is paid to it.<br />
for the priority areas of Good Governance and Green Recovery.<br />
and instil a culture of respect for human rights in the Maldivian<br />
adopted a framework for targeted restrictive measures against<br />
society.<br />
persons and entities responsible for undermining the rule of law<br />
As for the visa waiver, Maldives provides free visas on arrival to<br />
Preparations are underway to negotiate a Partnership and<br />
or obstructing an inclusive political solution in the Maldives.<br />
all countries of the world. Our passport is a very strong one, with<br />
Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with the EU. The main advantage<br />
Currently, there are only two Small Island Developing States<br />
However, in 2019, the Council decided to revoke this framework,<br />
very solid security features implemented – including biometric<br />
of a bilateral agreement with the EU is that the outcome will be<br />
(Republic of Marshall Islands and Cuba) in the UNHRC and the<br />
and since then the trust and confidence of the European Union<br />
passports.<br />
tailored-made to Maldives’ unique case, covering the particular<br />
term for Marshall Islands will conclude at the end of 2022. There-<br />
institutions in the Maldives has only grown.<br />
needs of the Maldivian political, economic, and social landscape.<br />
fore, to ensure a full range of views is considered and to promote<br />
Yet, there is only one European country that provides on-arrival<br />
The EU’s decision to enter into PCA negotiations with Maldives<br />
universality and diversity of the council membership, it is vital for<br />
We were able to establish the kind of trust that the Maldives is a<br />
visas (for 6 months) for Maldivian citizens: the United Kingdom.<br />
is a strong signal of the importance of Maldives as a bilateral<br />
the Maldives to become a member of the council to represent<br />
genuine democracy, a government with respect for human rights,<br />
The Maldives does not pose any migratory threat to any country<br />
partner in the Indo-Pacific region.<br />
the voices of SIDS.<br />
which does not put opponents in prison because of ideological<br />
for that matter, because our population is very small (just over half<br />
differences.<br />
a million). Furthermore, Maldivians today travel to participate in<br />
In the years to come, I shall like to see a greater diplomatic<br />
I leave Brussels with mixed feelings, having met many close<br />
various tourism fairs and other activities. Yet, the Maldives is listed<br />
representation of the EU and its Member States in the Maldives,<br />
friends both in the diplomatic circles and outside of it. I shall<br />
With those assurances, we started a new chapter completely. In<br />
under the common list of countries whose nationals must have a<br />
among many other reasons, because we receive half a million EU<br />
cherish my tenure here and wish relations between the Maldives<br />
this new era, there has been a very strong engagement with the<br />
visa when travelling to the Schengen area. So, I believe it is only<br />
tourists on a yearly basis, who may need consular support and<br />
and the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg will keep<br />
European Union institutions: the Commission, the Council and<br />
appropriate to ask for reciprocity from the European side as well.<br />
assistance.<br />
reaching new heights!<br />
60 61
IT IS ALL ABOUT BUSINESS PLANS<br />
AND FINANCIAL MODELS<br />
H.E. BUDDHI K. ATHAUDA<br />
H.E. Buddhi K. Athauda has quite a diverse career. He started<br />
out by joining the tech start-up IRIDIUM LLC in Washington DC,<br />
in USA, the first ever global mobile satellite phone venture, then<br />
became Sri Lanka’s ambassador in the Netherlands and France<br />
INDEED, THE DAYS OF FOSSIL FUELS SEEM TO<br />
COME TO AN END. HOW LONG WILL THIS<br />
TRANSITION TAKE?<br />
and now is back in the start-up universe with a very ambitious<br />
The use of fossil fuels will continue in different ways. But I think<br />
Greentech company. He has been talking to Dieter Brockmeyer,<br />
currently so many new technologies are invented that I believe<br />
co-founder and director Innovation & TIME of the <strong>Diplomatic</strong><br />
that the need to burn fossil fuels will become obsolete before the<br />
<strong>World</strong> Institute, about the global rollout of renewable energy,<br />
already depleted resources run out. I really hope so since it is<br />
which he believes is most likely one of the largest tasks of<br />
useful in so many other ways than burning it. Most scientific<br />
mankind.<br />
institutions predict that it will run out in this century. So, when<br />
looking at the United States, in some states like California<br />
YOU HAVE A VERY DIVERSE CAREER, FROM TEL-<br />
ECOMMUNICATIONS TO DIPLOMACY AND NOW IN<br />
RENEWABLE ENERGY. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?<br />
renewable energies already have a 20 percent share, only 2 to<br />
3 percent in others.<br />
That means this is just the beginning. We are at the beginning of<br />
a truly big transition, and I believe our personal and commercial<br />
I first was in a group of young entrepreneurs trying to build up a<br />
decisions need to be congruent with this change. If you look<br />
first venture in satellite telecommunications. This was the begin-<br />
at the bigger picture, 50 percent of the emissions in the US are<br />
ning of my professional life in a tech start-up. Upon the invitation<br />
coming from the energy and transport sector. We think that 20<br />
of the then Sri Lankan president to join diplomatic services, I ac-<br />
percent of the US energy demand can be compensated by solar<br />
cepted this offer and viewed it as an opportunity to represent the<br />
energy. Together with the new battery technology and wind and<br />
country within the spheres of commerce, diplomacy, and interna-<br />
the other renewables we, at some time, can reach 100 percent.<br />
tional development. I thought I would do it for about three years.<br />
But I ended up doing it for 13 years, from 2007 to 2020. After a<br />
We want to expedite this transition. That is the whole purpose<br />
of our company.<br />
H.E. Buddhi K. Athauda<br />
career spanning over a decade in diplomacy I am now back on<br />
home turf in tech industry, to renewable energy now amidst what<br />
experts are calling the 4th Industrial Revolution. Technology is<br />
my passion. The reason why I’ve chosen renewable energy is<br />
because of my personal conviction towards contributing to a<br />
sustainable world while enjoying building a global company.<br />
IT IS GOING TO BECOME QUITE A BIG COMPANY<br />
AGAIN. DO I UNDERSTAND THIS RIGHT?<br />
Usually, start-ups start small. This was not the case at my previous<br />
one. We raised USD 7.5 billion then. We launched 77 satel-<br />
WORLD LEADERS HAVE AGREED ON THE PARIS<br />
AGREEMENT AS WE ALL KNOW. BUT CRITICS SAY<br />
THEY ARE TOO SLOW ADOPTING TO IT. WHAT<br />
CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS?<br />
The global leaders agreeing to it is a very good starting point.<br />
That is unbelievable. And they returned to their countries and<br />
started on regular frameworks. Visions are transferred into targets<br />
how to get there. Some countries are very cautious because<br />
they fear to lose their industry base; India, China…<br />
BUT THE INFLUENCE OF THE UNITED NATIONS IS<br />
LIMITED AND CHALLENGED BY NATIONAL INTER-<br />
ESTS. IS THERE A WAY TO STRENGTHEN THESE<br />
ORGANIZATIONS?<br />
I think the United Nations needs to integrate the Paris Convention<br />
and its main points into ALL things they do. For example,<br />
when giving help to other countries. This should be based on<br />
whether the country has functioning transition policy in place<br />
or not, and they should provide help to implement these things.<br />
They should give technical assistance and train officials. The UN<br />
can do a lot. But also, institutions like the UNESCO regarding<br />
launch many platforms to support government officials. Therefore,<br />
we plan to provide these tools.<br />
HOWEVER, YOU HAVE NATIONS, LIKE RUSSIA<br />
OR THE MIDDLE EAST THAT WANT TO CONTINUE<br />
TO SELL THEIR OIL OR GAS – AND COUNTRIES<br />
LIKE CHINA OR INDIA THAT INTEND OR NEED<br />
TO GROW THEIR ECONOMIES, CONTRADICTING<br />
A FAST TRANSITION. HOW CAN WE DEAL WITH<br />
THIS?<br />
lites all around the planet to make signals available for the entire<br />
But the European nations I noticed are working firmly on not<br />
science, education and culture could do a lot of things – or the<br />
If you look at how the demand is developing globally you see<br />
surface of planet Earth, enable telephone calls from all around<br />
leaving the mission to voluntary action but instead enforcing<br />
global financial institutions like the <strong>World</strong> Bank.<br />
that renewable energies have become a global driver. My impres-<br />
the world. So, I got used to large scale projects. Our future goals<br />
compliance through regulatory frameworks. I think once the lead-<br />
sion is that major economies see this as an opportunity to grow.<br />
include becoming a catalyst in the transition from fossil fuel<br />
ers have agreed, the field organizations and global institutions<br />
I know some of these institutions have decided not to fund any<br />
energy production to renewable energy production and to help to<br />
need to execute certain things.<br />
fossil related projects anymore, even in the US that funded the<br />
Even the Middle East has some of the biggest turn around plans.<br />
reduce the carbon emissions by building platforms for solar and<br />
last coal power plant in 2014. There is the lot that can be done<br />
It’s a question of technology – it does not necessarily have to be<br />
wind energy worldwide.<br />
at this end. There is also place for other initiatives. We intend to<br />
solar or wind. For example, the time you use the energy is not<br />
62 63
necessarily the time to use it. Energy storage becomes an important<br />
part of the renewable energy world.<br />
THIS REQUIRES MASSIVE FINANCING – AND A<br />
MASSIVE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK. WHAT IS<br />
ALREADY IN PLACE, AND MORE SO, WHAT IS IN<br />
THE MAKING?<br />
In my last conversation with the king of the Netherlands, HRH<br />
King Alexander, he said that renewable energy will take off the<br />
day when subsidies are not needed anymore – in other words<br />
when your business/economic models do not require subsidies<br />
anymore. And this happens now. We really are living in exciting<br />
and defining times.<br />
NUCLEAR ENERGY IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY<br />
POPULAR AGAIN. MANY COUNTRIES DECIDED<br />
TO CONSTRUCT NEW PLANTS. I THINK THERE<br />
ARE ABOUT 180 PROJECTS GLOBALLY EITHER IN<br />
PLANNING OR ALREADY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.<br />
ONLY NUCLEAR COULD PROVIDE ENOUGH<br />
CARBON FREE ENERGY FOR THE GROWING<br />
DEMAND. DO YOU AGREE IT BELONGS INTO<br />
A “GREEN” ENERGY MIX?<br />
If you are serious about keeping our planet clean you should not<br />
transfer the responsibility to future generations for cleaning up<br />
another toxic storage on our planet. I don’t see a reason for it.<br />
There is plenty of renewable energy. The only reason I can see for<br />
nuclear is when some global leaders from.<br />
THE HURDLES STILL ARE HIGH…<br />
Let me put it this way: When you can match your business model<br />
with the financials this proves that it can be financed. There is<br />
enough money in the world for sustainable causes. Right now,<br />
there is more funding for renewable energy than can be handled.<br />
The problem is there is no expertise to match these business<br />
models with the right place. Countries need to standardize<br />
the approval process, so that the international investors have<br />
confidence investing in faraway countries without any unknown<br />
risk elements due to standards governing regulatory framework.<br />
When you come up with a legal framework where all the risks are<br />
standardized the market will accelerate.<br />
ALSO, BIOFUELS ARE OFTEN CONSIDERED NOT<br />
TO BE THE BEST SOLUTION BECAUSE OF THE<br />
LIMITED AGRICULTURAL SPACE. DOES IT MAKE<br />
SENSE TO DEFOREST THE AMAZON RAIN FOREST<br />
FOR BIOFUELS INSTEAD OF FOR FOOD?<br />
I did not understand from the beginning why people are burning<br />
forests. To me saving forests, the national habitat is imperative.<br />
We intend in our company to allocate some of our funds to<br />
support these issues. In fact, we have designed a system for indigenous<br />
groups living in forests that they don’t need to get their<br />
electricity from cross country transmission lines that cut through<br />
forests to reach remote villages.<br />
LET’S COME TO THE FINAL QUESTION: YOU<br />
INTEND TO MAKE YOUR HOME COUNTRY SRI<br />
LANKA THE HUB FOR YOUR GLOBAL COMPANY.<br />
DO YOU SEE THE POTENTIAL FOR YOUR COUN-<br />
TRY TO BE FIT FOR THIS ROLE?<br />
Throughout my career I have noticed how countries managed to<br />
provide services for the entire world. The example of Singapore<br />
is very inspiring. So are the stories of Samsung and others in<br />
Korea. The US and some industrial countries outsourced work<br />
to the developing countries, and they realized that it has caused<br />
major economic harm in the society without jobs for rural youth.<br />
Each village needs some factories for employment. If you only<br />
focus on white collar jobs this does not solve a country’s issues.<br />
I see myself as a global citizen.<br />
I have been living in five countries and I believe this expertise can<br />
be used as a catalyst for the transition into a net zero society.<br />
As a tropical island Sri Lanka has the chance to become an early<br />
adopter of renewable energies. However, at the time being we<br />
have our focus on projects in Sri Lanka and USA. Many places<br />
including Taiwan will be our next target countries before we also<br />
role out with partners in Asia, Africa, South America, and Europe.<br />
But you are right, people always believe in their perspective.<br />
When you talk to an expert in the coal industry, he still believes<br />
in sustainable coal. He thinks renewable energy is a joke. The<br />
shift of paradigm will come with the new generation that have<br />
an environmental consciousness.<br />
64 65
CHANTAL YELU MULOP<br />
SPECIAL ADVISOR TO<br />
H.E. FELIX TSHISEKEDI<br />
PRESIDENT<br />
OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO<br />
A RELAXED CONVERSATION WITH CHANTAL YELU<br />
MULOP, A LADY WITH A GENEROUS AND SUNNY<br />
PERSONALITY, CHOSEN BY FELIX TSHISEKEDI,<br />
THE PRESIDENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC<br />
OF CONGO TO BE A SPECIAL ADVISOR IN MARCH<br />
2019. SHE IS IN CHARGE OF YOUTH, GENDER AND<br />
THE FIGHT AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.<br />
With a beautiful smile, Chantal Yelu Mulop told us her story<br />
and how being a woman means being a warrior for change and<br />
equality. She was born in Lubumbashi in DRC. She comes<br />
from a family of 7 children, - three boys and four girls who are<br />
now all grown women and mothers. She is second eldest in<br />
this lovely big group of siblings. Her family was amongst the<br />
first wave of Congolese immigrants to Belgium following<br />
independence.<br />
Chantal gracefully continued to share her fascinating tale, that<br />
of a true blood princess. She is a Suku traditional leader, of the<br />
Banvula ethnic group, which has assets of 56 villages and no<br />
less than 3 million inhabitants. They form the largest majority in<br />
the population of Masimanimba (the territory they inhabit).<br />
Her Canadian adventure began at Windsor on the American<br />
Canadian border, and it was here that she obtained her Bachelor<br />
of Nursing with honour, after which she lived in different towns<br />
around Canada.<br />
In Ottawa, she met Felix Tshisekedi, the President of the Democratic<br />
Republic of Congo, during a work meeting while they were<br />
both working on a project in common. After this joint collaboration,<br />
the President decided that she had the necessary potential<br />
that he was looking for in an ally and thus she became the head<br />
of state’s Special Advisor in March 2019.<br />
It is important to mention here some of her main achievements<br />
from this date: the launch of the immediate zero tolerance campaign<br />
against crimes of sexual and gender-based violence, the<br />
holding of the first conference of Heads of State of the African<br />
Union on Positive Masculinity in the DRC, the signing of the<br />
addendum to the joint agreement between the Government of<br />
the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Nations on<br />
sexual violence related to the 2019 conflict, participation in<br />
several G100 meetings on gender equality, participation in<br />
the G20 meeting and preparation of the DRC President’s<br />
H.E. Felix Tshisekedi the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo<br />
As a little girl her dream was to become a doctor like the father<br />
she so admired, so as to continue the family tradition. He was<br />
and still is a great source of inspiration for her. He was an obstetrician<br />
and an aerospace doctor; this had a great impact on the<br />
multicultural education of all of the children.<br />
She has in fact spent her whole life to-ing and fro-ing between<br />
Africa and Europe and a large part of her education took place in<br />
Belgium. For example she obtained her Bachelor of Science in<br />
Hospitality Management, specialising in Management at I.S.E.E.,<br />
Verviers-spa.<br />
She was then seized with a desire to explore the unknown. She<br />
flew to Canada, which she considered to be a land of opportunity,<br />
and still does. This is where her six children were born and<br />
have grown up.<br />
official statement on the promotion of women’s rights, gender<br />
equality and the fight against impunity.<br />
To end our conversation, just out of curiosity, we asked her what<br />
motivates her every day to continue. Without hesitation, this<br />
mother of six replied: It is the determination of the young, seeing<br />
the potential, creativity and innovation in each one of them. They<br />
contain real resourcefulness and a desire to conquer the world -<br />
this fires her daily inspiration.<br />
We sincerely thank Chantal Yelu Mulop, the magnificent princess,<br />
for having shared with us her force, vitality and infectious joie de<br />
vivre.<br />
Dr Pick Keobandith<br />
Founder and International Director, Inspiring Culture<br />
66 <strong>67</strong>
H.S.H. PRINCE MICHAEL<br />
OF LIECHTENSTEIN<br />
BETTER INFORMATION HELPS<br />
TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS<br />
HSH Prince Michael of Liechtenstein is active in many fields;<br />
sources. That is not true. To get that, you need to tap experts.<br />
in wealth management via “Industrie und Finanzkontor”; he<br />
We try to get those who also express their opinion even if it is not<br />
is founder of Geopolitical Intelligence Services a geopolitical<br />
always wanted. We have the problem that newspapers reduce<br />
think thank and the magazine “Der Pragmaticus” as well as a<br />
the number of their correspondents to reduce cost. Also, intelli-<br />
co-founder of a preventive health institution. <strong>Diplomatic</strong> <strong>World</strong><br />
gence services including the U.S. use fewer agents and control<br />
CEO Barbara Dietrich and Dieter Brockmeyer, co-founder and<br />
electronic devices instead. In the 1990s, we should believe to<br />
director for Innovation at <strong>Diplomatic</strong> <strong>World</strong> Institute talked to him<br />
get all the information by taping telephone lines. But Osama bin<br />
about the state of the world and possible solutions to solve the<br />
Laden did not use telephones or the internet.<br />
planet’s current problems.<br />
We now also started a publication in German, also based on<br />
YOUR ACTIVITIES ARE IN DIVERSE AREAS.<br />
HOW DO THEY ALL FIT TOGETHER?<br />
the knowledge of experts targeting a wider public in all German<br />
speaking areas. As the philosophy of GIS was visionary pragmatism<br />
we adopted this for the German publication and called it<br />
“Der Pragmaticus”. We launched it last September.<br />
The activities I have are all related to the notion of long-term<br />
perspective, pragmatism, and relevance. The financial company<br />
Two years ago, I co-founded an institution in preventive health<br />
“Industrie und Finanzkontor”, which is the basis of my activities,<br />
in the sector of longevity. This is to be done by applying the<br />
is active in wealth preservation. Wealth preservation is more than<br />
latest scientific knowledge in science and medicine combined<br />
just wealth management. It not only includes management but<br />
with technology to delay or prevent age-related diseases such<br />
also definitions of the objective of family’s wealth and long-term<br />
as cancer, diabetes, dementia, etc. In asset protection, we see<br />
preservation. We strongly advocate that entrepreneurial fami-<br />
that as the main issue, asset preservation is more a responsibility<br />
lies develop structures for long-term protection and growth of<br />
than an entitlement. Similarly, we consider that health is a gift<br />
business and wealth across generations. This is based on the<br />
of very high value and is also a very important personal asset.<br />
conviction that family businesses are the most important driving<br />
Prevention in health, is therefore also a personal responsibility.<br />
force for development and innovation and that private assets and<br />
But besides this responsibility, good health is also fun. In this<br />
property rights are essential for the cohesion of society.<br />
context preservation and responsibility and long-term use of<br />
these activities fit together.<br />
We have a problem at the moment because property rights are<br />
challenged even in our western democracies. Since wealth is<br />
always challenged, one must fully grasp the long-term trends and<br />
developments. Therefore, good and real information are necessary<br />
as a basis for reasonable decisions. Out of this conviction<br />
I founded Geopolitical Intelligence Services. Here we try to build<br />
in a very neutral way based on expert’s scenarios future develop-<br />
AMONG OTHER THINGS, YOU ARE THE FOUNDER<br />
OF GEOPOLITICAL INTELLIGENCE SERVICES, GIS.<br />
HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS OFFER FOR YOU<br />
PERSONALLY?<br />
H.S.H. Prince Michael of Liechtenstein<br />
open-mindedness and respect for different opinions. Better information<br />
helps to make better decisions, and this helps making a<br />
is strongly following and certain NGOs are enforcing their opinion<br />
on the public. Political correctness does not allow opinions in ar-<br />
ments in economics, innovative technologies, politics, security,<br />
All my activities are important to myself, and I identify myself<br />
better world.<br />
eas of climate, environment, gender that differ from the so called<br />
and energy. Through our experts we have access to genuine<br />
with them. The issue of getting the right information, information<br />
“accepted view”. Cancel culture looks at past events from a<br />
information which might not be available in open sources. It is<br />
which is true, critically validated, and relevant. We don’t say we<br />
Today we are living in a quite dogmatic time. The presumption of<br />
present, moralizing point of view. Academics frequently see their<br />
like a pyramid, an iceberg of information. There is only about<br />
want to make a better world as many NGOs do, because this<br />
knowledge – frequently based on ignorance – becomes domi-<br />
roles to be to develop attitudes and ethics rather than to teach<br />
25 percent above sea level, the rest is below.<br />
is dangerous. Because then you follow an ideology claiming<br />
nant and intolerance against other opinions increases. Politicians<br />
knowledge. With Geopolitical Intelligence Services we really want<br />
you know how to create a better world. We want to add value<br />
frequently talk about choices without alternatives. This is a big<br />
to give information. As said before, information from experts and<br />
We believe we can find everything on the internet and in open<br />
by providing better information. That requires a great deal of<br />
mistake but helps to kill a contrary position. Media, unfortunately,<br />
without trying to colour it by issues of subjective value.<br />
68 69
Certainly, values are important for us, but we must also stay realistic.<br />
We do not like the attitude of many ideologists, to give an<br />
illusion of making the world a better place. We want to add value<br />
by better information. And truth, even if it hurts, is necessary for<br />
a healthy progress.<br />
THIS LEADS DIRECTLY TO THE STATE OF THE<br />
WORLD. INCREASING GEOPOLITICAL INSTABILITY<br />
COMBINED WITH SIMULTANEOUS GLOBAL PROB-<br />
LEMS (PANDEMIC CONTROL, GLOBAL WARMING)<br />
WHICH CAN ONLY BE TACKLED WITH A JOINT<br />
EFFORT. CAN THE WORLD STILL BE SAVED?<br />
Unfortunately, I must say politics have become very ideological<br />
and emotional – from all sides. It was much easier during the<br />
Cold War when it was clearly defined who was good and who<br />
was bad, but nobody wanted the neutral distraction. If we look<br />
at the present crisis around the Ukraine, I’m very sorry for them<br />
because they are the ball in this game. I have the impression that<br />
the decisions of the West lack sufficient knowledge and willingness<br />
to try to understand how the Russians think. We do not<br />
need to agree to what they are doing but we need to be aware<br />
how they think. What makes this so difficult is the lack of realism<br />
and pragmatism. We should support Ukraine. I fully agree to that.<br />
But it is not creditable enough.<br />
We should start negotiating – without preconditions. Of course,<br />
there are other issues: China and Taiwan. And not to forget, there<br />
is the economic issue. We have huge problems with the supply<br />
chains, we will face strong inflation – and this is an unsolved<br />
problem especially as we still try to ignore it. This is really dangerous<br />
because inflation hurts societies, it hurts the middle class<br />
and old people. How will our democracies deal with that? I think<br />
we should be brutally honest and clear without trying appeasement<br />
politics. We are going directly into a crisis. I do not want<br />
to be too pessimistic. Mankind needs crisis and we are a very<br />
resistant race. We need this crisis to wake up.<br />
WHILE THE PANDEMIC (HOPEFULLY) SEEMS TO<br />
BE SLOWLY COMING TO AN END, THE CLIMATE<br />
ISSUE IS COMING BACK INTO FOCUS. HOW ARE<br />
WE POSITIONED HERE?<br />
Mankind regularly constructs scenarios about the end of the<br />
world. When the year 1000 after Christ came, many people<br />
believed it would be the end of the world. When the year 2000<br />
approached, we talked about Y2K problem. Mankind has survived<br />
many and very violent epidemics. Covid is therefore not<br />
an exception in history.<br />
Certainly, epidemics spread faster and faster around the globe<br />
through better transportation, but as we can see we learned<br />
to live with it. It might even be a certain warning and help us<br />
to understand that crises can come, and we need a better civil<br />
protection against diseases, catastrophes or other problems like<br />
cyber break downs or electricity black outs. The idea to solve<br />
every issue on super-national, global level is an illusion. Certainly,<br />
global learning is very helpful but as people are different, regions<br />
are different, countries are different, habits are different a lot must<br />
be done on a regional and local level.<br />
Looking for remedies by cartelization and centralisation might<br />
work in a few cases but in general it is a disaster. We must<br />
think more about collaboration than about centralization and<br />
harmonization. A big issue is that so-called climate debate. The<br />
danger of this is that it gets very dogmatic. We have the big need<br />
to contain and reduce pollution and waste. We tried now with a<br />
global top-down approach setting temperature and CO2 targets.<br />
Not everybody will participate and it is also not sure that we can<br />
reach it by human measures. We should rather try a bottom-up<br />
way to contain pollution and waste. Politics in this area is a difficult<br />
issue as certain countries will not follow.<br />
Ideology is another problem because measures are getting<br />
very pragmatic and not measured. For instance, in a dogmatic<br />
way Germany phased-out nuclear. That led to an increased use<br />
of brown coal to produce energy. This is just what should not<br />
happen, but politics sticks to it. General efforts must continue<br />
but it would be very important to find pragmatic ways to provide<br />
energy in a cleaner way also for countries and regions like China,<br />
Indonesia, India and Africa. But on the other hand, nature had<br />
always changed the climate and climate will always change. So,<br />
we must live with these changes. However, we must find ways<br />
to protect the environment. Thinking that we can stop climate<br />
change might be fatal because it does. I would not be too pessimistic.<br />
Although the world and nature never have stability or<br />
safety, the world will go on.<br />
A RATHER GENERAL QUESTION AT THE END: HOW<br />
DO YOU PERSONALLY SEE THE FUTURE OF THE<br />
PLANET?<br />
I think it is always dangerous to be a prophet because you can<br />
be wrong. But at least one must take certain assumptions.<br />
Nature always regenerates and mankind is a resident race. And<br />
if we apply the beautiful phrase of apostle Paul in the second<br />
letter to Timothy: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but<br />
of power and love and a sound mind.”, we can look trustworthily<br />
into the future.<br />
In a world that has returned to great power rivalry, understanding<br />
the grand strategy of these powers is crucial. This book introduces<br />
ten key terms for analysing grand strategy and shows how<br />
the world’s great powers – the United States, China, Russia and<br />
the European Union (EU) – shape their strategic decisions today.<br />
Outlining the steps needed for a less confrontational grand strategy<br />
and a more peaceful and stable world order, this lively and<br />
accessible introduction shows how the choices made in each of<br />
these ten areas will determine the course of world politics in the<br />
first half of the 21st century.<br />
Sven Biscop is Director of the Europe in the <strong>World</strong> Programme at<br />
the Egmont–Royal Institute for International Relations in Brussels<br />
and Professor at Ghent University. He is an Honorary Fellow<br />
of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), and an<br />
Officer in the Order of the Crown of the Kingdom of Belgium.<br />
THE PROGRESSIVE POST<br />
This is a timely analysis that – crucially – also manages to feel<br />
both very real for the time it is written and future-proof in terms<br />
of the insights it includes and the lessons it uncovers… a great<br />
contribution to the global debates around the current and future<br />
dynamics of great power politics.<br />
JOURNAL OF COMMON MARKET STUDIES<br />
Elegant and sophisticated .<br />
BEATRICE HEUSER, UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW<br />
A leading European expert giving wise counsel to strategy<br />
makers on both sides of the Atlantic, for a community of values<br />
that has choppy waters behind it, likely to face further rough seas<br />
ahead. Strongly recommended empirically-derived navigation<br />
aids for practitioners!<br />
GENERAL SIR RUPERT SMITH KCB DSO OBE QGM<br />
An excellent and readable book. His analysis is clear and his<br />
suggestions for the future pertinent. He provides a comprehensive<br />
framework for understanding strategies in general, let alone<br />
the Grand Strategies of major powers.<br />
GRAND STRATEGY<br />
AND GREAT POWER POLITICS<br />
PROFESSOR SVEN BISCOP<br />
BARRY R. POSEN, MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE<br />
OF TECHNOLOGY<br />
A timely work accessible to practitioners, illuminating to scholars,<br />
and instructive to students....elegantly combines theory, history,<br />
and current-policy analysis to provide not only a primer on Grand<br />
Strategy, but a guide to how to mobilize the concept to understand<br />
and navigate an increasingly multi-polar world.<br />
HAL BRANDS, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY AND<br />
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE<br />
This book is both a conceptual treatment of grand strategy and a<br />
prescriptive argument about 21st century geopolitics. While I do<br />
not agree with all of its conclusions, I believe all readers will find<br />
it most stimulating.<br />
BRENDAN SIMMS, UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE<br />
At a time when it faces a double ‘no deal’ on Brexit and the<br />
Coronavirus Recovery Plan, the European Union badly needs a<br />
strategy. Sven Biscop, who has spent his entire career analysing<br />
the Union’s strengths and weakness is well-placed to help her to<br />
start thinking about one. My recommendation can be summarised<br />
in fewer than ten words: ‘buy this book’.<br />
70 71
AT A GLANCE<br />
THE INTERNATIONAL EVENT IN THE PROVINCE<br />
OF NAMUR IN SPRING 2022<br />
Organized by the Consular Corps of the Province of Namur, the<br />
The Consular Corps of the Province of Namur, in its objective of<br />
AMBASSADOR’S RALLY (29/05/2022) is definitely the interna-<br />
participating actively in economic development, also wants to<br />
tional economic event not to be missed this spring!<br />
include the most disadvantaged. This year, the profits from the<br />
event will be donated to the charities “La Société Royale<br />
In a relaxed atmosphere, the Rally will introduce the most beau-<br />
Moncrabeau” and “Educ’Action”. Help us to help them.<br />
tiful landscapes and assets of the Province of Namur to Ambassadors<br />
from all over the world and will be followed by a GARDEN<br />
PARTY in the prestigious setting of the Château de Freyr.<br />
CORE TEAM<br />
Economic diplomacy at the service of companies is the objective<br />
Magali Dugardin, Chairwomen, Honorary Consul of the<br />
pursued by the Consular Corps of the Province of Namur. What<br />
Republic of Congo for the Walloon Region.<br />
could be better than a friendly afternoon to discuss international<br />
business opportunities with the first representatives,<br />
Ambassadors and Consuls?<br />
The unique opportunity to meet in the same place Ambassadors,<br />
Jérôme Bestgen, Head of Protocol, Honorary Consul of the<br />
Republic of Haiti for the Walloon Region.<br />
David Dannevoye, General Secretary, Honorary Consul of the<br />
Republic of France for the Province of Namur.<br />
MAGALI DUGARDIN, CHAIRWOMEN, HONORARY<br />
CONSUL OF THE REPUBLIC OF CONGO FOR<br />
THE WALLOON REGION<br />
Consular Corps’ Garden Party, emerged as the best way to bring<br />
together members of the diplomatic corps, institutions and business<br />
leaders around a friendly event highlighting the beauty and<br />
richness of Namur’s heritage as well as the quality and creativity<br />
Diplomats, Consuls, entrepreneurs, industrialists, exporters…<br />
Contact and information:<br />
The Consular Corps of the Province of Namur – CCPN – mis-<br />
of our businesses.<br />
Book now your participation in this major event so as not to miss<br />
contact@corpsconsulairenamur.be<br />
sion’s is to develop commercial, economic, cultural and academ-<br />
the opportunity to present your company, your projects, your<br />
www.ambassadorsrally.be<br />
ic relations between the Countries represented by its members<br />
Corps Consulaire de la Province de Namur ASBL<br />
products, your know-how to the whole world!<br />
www.corpsconsulairenamur.be<br />
and the Province of Namur. It is also to promote friendly relations<br />
Palais Provincial – Place Saint-Aubain 2, 5000 Namur<br />
between them and any other stakeholders including colleagues<br />
N° d’entreprise : BE0781.330.545, RPM Liège – Division Namur<br />
from other Belgian Consular Corps. <br />
contact@corpsconsulairenamur.be, www.corpsconsulairenamur.be<br />
Created in 2013, the CCPN, whose honorary president is the<br />
Governor of the Province, Mr. Denis Mathen, is today composed<br />
of 47 Honorary Consuls. This number is constantly increasing<br />
thanks to the economic and political role of Namur (Capital of the<br />
Walloon Region) and the proximity to the Walloon institutions in<br />
particular.<br />
Despite the sanitary situation, the CCPN took on added momentum<br />
last year. The idea was to strengthen its footprint to fully play<br />
its economic and cultural diplomacy role and to be prepared to<br />
face new challenges in a post-pandemic context.<br />
Among others, a new institutional not-for-profit structure has<br />
been created to ensure the highest level of transparency and<br />
governance. The CCPN core team joined several working groups<br />
including the International Program of the Province of Namur<br />
(PRIN) and the CCPN is now represented at business and networking<br />
meetings and events.<br />
Last but not least, the Ambassador’s Rally, followed by the<br />
Magali Dugardin, Chairwomen, Honorary Consul of the Republic of<br />
Congo for the Walloon Region<br />
72 73
DUBAI EXPO 2020 SHOWS<br />
THAT WE CAN LEARN A LOT FROM<br />
THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES<br />
FOR THE FUTURE<br />
We need to be more ambitious<br />
and think 50 years ahead<br />
The United Arab Emirates has been celebrating its 50th anniversary<br />
with Dubai Expo 2020 in recent months. However, rather<br />
than just looking backwards, the country is looking 50 years into<br />
the future as well. It has a complete plan for 2071 ready and the<br />
first projects are already being implemented. “It’s inspiring how<br />
efficient and decisive the UAE is engaging in very long-term<br />
projects and getting everyone involved,” Living Tomorrow CEO<br />
Joachim De Vos says. Here are the five learnings we have taken<br />
from the Living Tomorrow Presidential Innovation Mission with<br />
more than 80 international decision makers.<br />
THINK FAR, VERY FAR AHEAD<br />
Joachim De Vos<br />
“The United Arab Emirates is not just thinking a few years ahead.<br />
It has plans for the next 50 years. The forward-looking government<br />
has developed a full plan for 2071 to build a well-educated,<br />
positive society with a diverse knowledge economy. All<br />
decisions the country is making are based on this. It is inspiring<br />
and instructive,” Joachim De Vos says. “Forward thinking is no<br />
easy task – Living Tomorrow knows this all too well. When we<br />
predicted the arrival of smartphones, e-commerce and screens<br />
throughout the home with our first House of the Future more than<br />
25 years ago, everyone said we were mad. Many people find it<br />
hard to grasp how innovation will change society. Even now, we<br />
can’t imagine what actual long-term changes will come from innovations<br />
like Artificial Intelligence, real-time internet, blockchain<br />
and virtual reality, but there are techniques for this. For example,<br />
we can engage in scenario thinking and properly capture early<br />
warning signals with regard to new technologies. The government,<br />
businesses and population of the United Arab Emirates<br />
are already fully on board with all this, so the whole country is<br />
moving in the same direction. Of course that doesn’t mean they<br />
are losing sight of what’s important in the short term. For example,<br />
Dubai has incredibly impressive hospitals that look much like<br />
74 75
luxury hotels with state-of-the-art equipment. Occupancy is low,<br />
but again this is an investment in the future. They want to double<br />
their population in just a few years and encourage all kinds of<br />
tourism, including medical tourism. That is why they are now<br />
trying to attract the best consultants with the best hospitals and<br />
the latest equipment. They also see their state-of-the-art hospitals<br />
as a new generation of training centres for the consultants<br />
of tomorrow. It will take 10 to 15 years to see the results of these<br />
training centres, but the plan is definitely going ahead as part of<br />
the country’s vision for 2071.”<br />
BROAD AND DECISIVE ECOSYSTEM<br />
all the data from trains, trams, buses, underground transport,<br />
taxis, water taxis, drones and so on. It can then provide insights<br />
on how taxis can be guided through traffic more quickly and how<br />
congestion in underground stations can be avoided by running<br />
buses differently.<br />
Dubai brings together companies or organisations, people and<br />
data from different sectors to gather a lot of new insights that<br />
lead to innovations. This creates a true ecosystem that fosters a<br />
healthy knowledge economy and innovation. It also allows them<br />
to build historical data series that can be used to turn simulations<br />
and pattern recognition into smarter policy visions. We talk about<br />
it, but they are doing it today, and doing it well.”<br />
“One of the UAE’s main assets is that it has its finger on the<br />
pulse of developments far beyond the country’s own borders.<br />
They get their inspiration from all over the world and then implement<br />
specific plans within their own context. They also manage<br />
to remove or transcend the boundaries between different<br />
sectors, companies and organisations. One example of this is an<br />
integrated command and control centre we visited that combines<br />
SPEED AS THE NEW NORMAL<br />
“Dubai has hardly any income from oil, like the United Arab<br />
Emirates’ capital Abu Dhabi or neighbouring country Saudi Arabia.<br />
Dubai has to make do with trade, tourism and innovation in<br />
all kinds of sectors that they can then market globally.<br />
76 77
It has established innovative free zones where foreigners can<br />
quickly set up their own company to attract leading foreign companies.<br />
Such thematic ecosystems also allow them to bring the<br />
right people together and make decisions more quickly. It is really<br />
remarkable how fast everything happens in Dubai. Very fast.<br />
Major infrastructure works that on average would take 7 years<br />
in our country are completed in less than 1.5 years in Dubai, for<br />
instance. How is this possible? They have a clear framework<br />
to work in and everyone sticks to it. At the beginning of each<br />
project, clear KPIs are set and specific agreements are made<br />
that nobody deviates from. The UAE government also works very<br />
quickly and efficiently. And innovation is paramount. The country<br />
even has specific ministers of AI, Advanced Technology and<br />
Sustainability.”<br />
MORE COMMUNICATION<br />
“To move that quickly, it is obviously important to explain to<br />
people what is happening and what the goal is. That is something<br />
the UAE knows very well. They communicate very well<br />
about everything that is happening to inform people and to get<br />
them on board with the plans. The decision-making processes<br />
are also very transparent. Communication becomes far easier if<br />
you determine well in advance who is responsible for what. They<br />
use the latest media channels to inform everyone about their<br />
vision and how people can participate. Area 2071 is the umbrella<br />
website. It tells you how you can join the innovation ecosystem<br />
that has been set up by the government, the private sector and<br />
a wide range of talented people. It presents Dubai Future Labs,<br />
UAE regulation labs, innovative office complexes and much<br />
more, all at your service.<br />
Bringing Expo 2020 to Dubai was also a very deliberate strategic<br />
communication move. This edition of the <strong>World</strong> Expo managed<br />
to attract many leading international visitors despite the Covid-19<br />
pandemic. It gave many people including our mission participants<br />
a very different perspective on Dubai and the opportunities<br />
this city and by extension the UAE can offer as a global testing<br />
platform for new services, technologies, infrastructure and<br />
buildings.”<br />
78 79
EXPERIMENT, THEN REGULATE<br />
“Learning by experimentation is the UAE mindset, which has<br />
resulted in free zones and specific labs all working towards<br />
the Vision 2071 ambition. They have large R&D centres for just<br />
about everything. For example, there is an energy test centre<br />
that does a lot of experiments in order to store solar energy or<br />
convert it into other forms of energy. The same R&D centre also<br />
focuses on water and 3D printing, so they can explore integrated<br />
solutions from those three angles, to develop hydrogen energy,<br />
for instance. They can still learn a thing or two from us in terms<br />
of sustainability, though. The first e-drone flights have already<br />
taken place there. The UAE wants to be the first to build a fully<br />
operational hyperloop for both people and logistics. Autonomous<br />
vehicles are already being introduced in Masdar City in<br />
Abu Dhabi. We saw autonomous vehicles delivering meals at the<br />
Expo 2020 site. Many tasks you normally need to visit a police<br />
station or town hall for can now be completed either online or at<br />
smart police stations. I saw for myself how an expat extended his<br />
residence visa at a virtual counter in a matter of seconds.<br />
In terms of data protection regulations, for example, they first<br />
looked at what worked and didn’t work in Europe. Then they<br />
carried out some experiments themselves and only then did they<br />
introduce their own final regulations based on their learnings.<br />
This gave them a sound foundation for introducing their regulations<br />
and gave the population an opportunity to give feedback<br />
before anything is enforced. A very interesting approach.”<br />
“All this is obviously possible because the UAE is a very different<br />
kind of country than Belgium with less history (i.e. less of an<br />
installed base), a higher investment budget and a more centrally<br />
managed policy, but we can conclude that we can certainly learn<br />
from its exciting approach. Even though it brings many advantages,<br />
there are of course also disadvantages and concerns, but<br />
as a pioneer of democracy, sustainability and humane innovation<br />
in the Arab world, Dubai does take these to heart.<br />
I therefore hope that we can soon start putting this into practice<br />
with the many other decision makers who travelled to the Dubai<br />
Expo 2020 with us. Our new Living Tomorrow innovation campus<br />
is of course a crucial part of this endeavour. Ecosystems and<br />
communication are key. Firstly, we offer our partners a platform<br />
to showcase and explain their innovations and gather feedback<br />
from their target groups. And secondly, we bring together<br />
unexpected partners across sector boundaries. We don’t just<br />
inspire with the knowledge we gain in Europe. We also reach out<br />
globally to translate the best concepts and changes in society,<br />
technology, services, products and infrastructure into valuable<br />
insights. It is knowledge and experience our organisations –<br />
our participants – desperately need to prepare for the future.<br />
This cross-fertilisation with tangible results is what Living<br />
Tomorrow is focusing on with our new innovation campus that<br />
is opening next year.”<br />
www.livingtomorrow.com<br />
80 81
ADNAN AL NOORANI<br />
Chairman of the Board of the Private Office<br />
of Sheikh Saqer Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi and Group of Companies,<br />
Founder of The Future Innovation Summit,<br />
CEO of D1 Technologies & LEO Investments<br />
THE FUTURE INNOVATION SUMMIT<br />
Chairman of the Board of the Private Office of Sheikh Saqer<br />
Leo Investments is safety: the company is using a unique invest-<br />
The Future Innovation Summit was initiated in summer 2021<br />
Staff Pilot Stephen A. Toumajan PHD, Asst. Undersecretary for<br />
Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi and Group of Companies, Founder of<br />
ment pool to secure investor, moreover, provides investors with<br />
by its founder Adnan Al Noorani, as the first governmental level<br />
Medical Practice in UAE Ministry of Health H.E. Dr. Amin Hussain<br />
The Future Innovation Summit, CEO of D1 Technologies & LEO<br />
valuable, strong, and profitable projects to invest in.<br />
conference and exhibition gathering the best technologies and<br />
Al Amiri, Managing Director and CIO of Dubai Group, H.E. Khalid<br />
Investments - Adnan Al Noorani.<br />
innovations from all over the world under one roof. Today it has<br />
Al Shamsi, <strong>World</strong> Bank Association, Royal Families of UAE,<br />
Adnan Al Noorani is also The Chairman of the Board of The<br />
become a proper platform that is working as a bridge between<br />
Government Representatives from Europe, the USA, CIS<br />
A visionary leader and believer, Adnan Al Noorani has worked<br />
Private Office of Sheikh Saqer Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi and<br />
Government and Private sectors.<br />
countries, representatives of the largest companies, such as<br />
to the core of his strengths to bring success to the UAE in the<br />
Group of Companies, a visionary leader who sees the potential<br />
NASA, Roscosmos, Microsoft, Marvel, Disney, Forbes,<br />
form of the Future Innovation Summit. In October 2021, he did<br />
for how the world should exist and then takes steps to get there.<br />
Under the bright leadership of Adnan Al Noorani, the first edition<br />
Bloomberg, VISA, United Nations, UNESCO, and many<br />
not only launch the biggest governmental conference & exhibi-<br />
He has over 18 years of experience on the market. He has been<br />
of the Future Innovation Summit, which took place in October<br />
others into one place to speak about the future of innovations<br />
tion (the Future Innovation Summit) but also made sure that it<br />
working across the Royal Families of the UAE. Well-connect-<br />
2021, brought together UAE key decision-makers from DHA,<br />
and human development.<br />
is a huge success. This was a feat that no one of his calibre or<br />
ed throughout the governmental agencies and Royal Families,<br />
KHDA, Ministry of Energy, Dubai Municipality, DLD, Smart Dubai<br />
age has achieved in the country to date. In the same year, he<br />
Adnan Al Noorani also guides and advises the clients towards<br />
Government, leaders of opinions from all over the world, inves-<br />
In partnership with governments of several countries, such as<br />
successfully founded D1 Technologies, which is a company that<br />
successful avenues to grow in the UAE and abroad. His primary<br />
tors, businessmen, entrepreneurs and start-ups.<br />
Malta and Mexico, Future Innovation Summit is a unique platform<br />
deals in every technological needs of any company including<br />
expertise is Government Market, UAE Law, Finance and GCC<br />
representing the UAE for organizations, businesses, and individ-<br />
blockchain technology & the Metaverse.<br />
Business. Recognized for the humanitarian works, Adnan Al<br />
During the first edition, our experts were sharing their expertise,<br />
uals alike to share their expertise, knowledge, technologies and<br />
Noorani, is well known for investing a sheer amount of faith<br />
knowledge, technologies, and laid the foundation for future vision<br />
lay a foundation for future vision and innovation for the world in<br />
The primary focus of the company is modern technologies and<br />
in the goodwill of the community. By leading The Private Office<br />
and innovation for the world in healthcare, education, real estate,<br />
the industries, such as space, sustainability, and metaverse.<br />
digital transformation. D1 Technologies has become one of the<br />
of Sheikh Saqer Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi and Group of<br />
AI & technologies, telecommunications, blockchain, digital as-<br />
strongest companies-platforms, that supports and develops<br />
Companies, The Future Innovation Summit, D1 Technologies &<br />
sets, and NFT.<br />
For more information, please contact:<br />
blockchain technologies, FinTech, digital assets, progressive<br />
LEO Investments, Adnan Al Noorani has created a better place<br />
E-Mail: exhibitions@hhshkqasimi.ae<br />
IT solutions, NFTs, Metaverse, and many other divisions in the<br />
for investors seeking to invest in GCC and he continues his<br />
For the second edition, Adnan Al Noorani together with the Fu-<br />
Tel.: +971 54 545 9999, +971 54 220 9999, +971 4 326 9999<br />
tech industry. Having all of that on the list, D1 Technologies<br />
journey to establish more global connections and to create a safe<br />
ture Innovation Summit team announced the new topics that will<br />
has become a new tech hub for the companies coming to the<br />
haven for business. His one and only goal is to build a healthy,<br />
be discussed on May 11-12, 2022, during the conference and<br />
UAE. Meanwhile, LEO Investments is one of the top investing<br />
strong future business generation and a healthy economic<br />
exhibition in The Meydan Hotel, Dubai.<br />
brands under the hood of Adnan Al Noorani. The core idea of<br />
environment.<br />
‘We are so excited about the second edition of Future Innovation<br />
Summit. We look forward to meeting the experts from Space,<br />
Sustainability, and Metaverse industries. We believe that together<br />
we will be able to discover new opportunities for a brighter future<br />
of humanity’ - said Adnan Al Noorani, founder of the Future<br />
ne<br />
Technologies<br />
Innovation Summit.<br />
This year the Future Innovation Summit is oriented on the space<br />
industry, sustainability, metaverse, customs, telecommunications,<br />
energy solutions, robotics, investments, security & safety,<br />
and climate change.<br />
The Future Innovation Summit is bringing President of Interpol<br />
H.E. Major Gen. Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, General Manager of<br />
National Search and Rescue Center (NSRC) H.E Major General<br />
Adnan Al Noorani<br />
82 83
BELGIAN SPACE WEEK<br />
DIRK FRIMOUT<br />
On 24 March 2022, it will have been 30 years since the first<br />
Belgian went into space. It was on this date that astro naut Dirk<br />
Frimout left for space in the American shut tle Atlantis. The year<br />
2022 also marks the 20th anniver sary of Frank De Winne’s first<br />
space flight.<br />
THIS YEAR IS A VERY SPECIAL YEAR. WOULD YOU<br />
EXPLAIN US WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN OCTOBER?<br />
So, first the year 2022 is the 30th anniversary of my flight to<br />
space. I was in space in March 1992. We are trying to organise<br />
something related to 30th anniversary of my flight and we want<br />
this to coincide around the same time during which another<br />
Belgian went to space 20 years ago – Frank De Winne. So, we<br />
decided to do it together. It will be the 20th anniversary of his first<br />
flight and the 30th anniversary of mine.<br />
I have invited the whole team that I was flying with back then<br />
– six Americans and myself, the only Belgian on board. For the<br />
Photo: nasa.gov<br />
Dirk Frimout<br />
Photo: nasa.gov<br />
84 85
done around 16 tours around the globe, and you are able to<br />
see all the countries of our planet. I have the feeling that I do<br />
not come from one country anymore, I come from our planet,<br />
because we have seen the whole Earth. In the International<br />
Space Station (ISS), there are different nationalities together,<br />
with different languages, religions and educational backgrounds.<br />
But this diversity is not conducive to problems, on the contrary.<br />
We all have in common that the Earth is our home and once<br />
you experience it in all its glory and it is extraordinary to witness<br />
something like that.<br />
Today, everyone is very eager on getting more of us out there in<br />
space. After the first moon landing, there has been no break in<br />
finding ways to explore or possibly other planets. That is typical<br />
for human beings, they always want to get a little but further, so<br />
now there are talks of going to Mars later on, and other planets.<br />
We have just now started to conquer our whole solar system.<br />
This is something our future generations will tackle.<br />
as friends. We are with 600 but from every region around Earth.<br />
When I go to another country the first thing I think about are<br />
“who are the astronauts from this region?”.<br />
I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE COULD INVITE<br />
ALL OF THEM BECAUSE THIS WOULD SEND AN<br />
INCREDIBLE MESSAGE TO THE WHOLE WORLD<br />
Everybody is working together. The Earth is another spaceship<br />
with 7 billion people on it. Once you are in a real shuttle with<br />
around seven people; they all have an important task and assist<br />
one another to reach success. If one fails, all fail and this could<br />
lead to catastrophe. It is the same with people, they all have<br />
their own task here on Earth and they should be doing it for the<br />
well being of the others. We first have to complete all our tasks<br />
to start the next step or reach a new level. Then maybe we can<br />
take steps to find perhaps other intelligent life out there in the<br />
universe and take greater steps.<br />
I am involved in a project with Nicole Stott, an American astronaut.<br />
She is an artist too, she has made some space-themed<br />
paintings, one of which is displayed in Living Tomorrow. She is<br />
working with children with cancer. These children paint on the<br />
clothes of the astronauts.<br />
Thank you so much for the peace message for the world and the<br />
readers of <strong>Diplomatic</strong> <strong>World</strong>.<br />
www.belgianspaceweek.be<br />
Dirk Frimout and Jan Engels<br />
I know Nicole and have contacted her. I actually was planning<br />
on inviting her for our Space Week. We first tried to arrange it<br />
around March this year but because of COVID-19 it was not<br />
possible. We wanted to organise a get together with quite a lot of<br />
young people to try and teach them, maybe even persuade them<br />
a little, to join astronauts’ world of technology and science.<br />
20th anniversary we came together as well and everyone who<br />
was on board that day also accompanied me. That was the first<br />
time we had ever been together again since my flight to space so<br />
I am thrilled to live it all over again.<br />
I am the president of a non-profit organization, the Euro Space<br />
Society, and we have a lot of young people who are interested<br />
in our cause. In a nutshell, Euro Space Society has the objective<br />
to promote space and technology to a younger audience. But<br />
because of the COVID-19 crisis, since two years we have not<br />
been able to do any sort of activity because we could not come<br />
together. However, this year we have more room to come up with<br />
ideas so we started the program. We have invited 12 “flyers”<br />
(astronauts and cosmonauts) and together we will visit universities<br />
across Belgium. These participating universities will organise<br />
activities for the young people involved.<br />
FROM WHAT COUNTRIES WILL THE INVITED<br />
COSMONAUTS/ASTRONAUTS BE COMING FROM?<br />
The invited astronauts and cosmonauts that have flown with me<br />
and Frank, are coming from the United States, Russia and<br />
Canada, and there is also one from France.<br />
FOR US SPACE SYMBOLISES PEACE, A SIGN OF<br />
TRANQUILLITY. I FIND IT CRUCIAL THAT YOU<br />
HAVE INVITED ASTRONAUTS FROM VARIOUS<br />
COUNTRIES. THIS IS A SIGN TO SHOW THAT<br />
PEACE ALSO EXISTS ACROSS BORDERS<br />
We have the Association of Space Explorers. Basically, everyone<br />
who has been to space can automatically become a member of<br />
that organization. It is encouraging to have contacts with these<br />
people all around the world. We all have something so incredible<br />
in common, a remarkable connection. We call it the overview<br />
effect, it is something very special and difficult to explain, but we<br />
have all seen the Earth from higher up, from an orbit around the<br />
Earth. Our orbit was circular, at a height of 300 kilometres, fixed<br />
to the sun, but the Earth is turning. And so in one day, you have<br />
We reschedule our Belgian Space week in October and now we<br />
try again to invite Nicole. If she would be free around October<br />
that would be wonderful.<br />
We live in a very big world, however we are all connected<br />
Astronauts and cosmonauts are closely in contact and we may<br />
not have the opportunity to meet at any given moment, immediately,<br />
but we are friends. We have something in common.<br />
I STAND BY YOUR CAUSE AND THE MESSAGE<br />
BEHIND IT. I FIND THIS A VERY INTERESTING<br />
SUBJECT AND I AM HONOURED THAT YOU SENT<br />
OUT AN INVITATION TO DIPLOMATIC WORLD SO<br />
THAT WE CAN BE A PART OF THIS JOURNEY WITH<br />
YOU, TOGETHER<br />
We are a small group of people. There are around 600 astronauts<br />
and cosmonauts who have gone in space and if we meet<br />
somebody, they may come from anywhere, we see each other<br />
Dirk Frimout and Barbara Dietrich<br />
86 87
THE ARTISTIC FACE<br />
OF EUROPE<br />
NEW TRETYAKOV GALLERY<br />
Following its run in Berlin,<br />
The Exhibition Diversity United<br />
has now arrived at the second venue of its tour.<br />
The works of 90 artists from 34 countries showcase<br />
the phenomenal diversity and vitality of the contemporary<br />
European art scene – from Portugal to Russia,<br />
from Norway to Turkey<br />
Greeting by Ambassador von Geyr on the occasion of the open-<br />
others, Mr Windhorst, please accept my grateful thanks.<br />
ing of Diversity United in Moscow.<br />
Professor Shvydkoy, Mikhail Yefimovich, I don’t know how often<br />
Ms Tregulova,<br />
we have met and talked about this project in the last few years.<br />
Professor Shvydkoy,<br />
Thank you so very much for the work you have put into Diversity<br />
Mr Großmann,<br />
United, not least as an important project of the Year of Germany<br />
Excellencies,<br />
here in Russia. I would moreover like to thank you on a very per-<br />
Honoured guests,<br />
sonal level for the good and trust-based working relationship. My<br />
thanks also go to the Russian Ministry of Culture, to you, Minister<br />
Madam Director, Zelfira Ismailovna, this is the third time during<br />
Lyubimova, to Deputy Minister Manilova and to the Russian<br />
our year of Germany that we have opened an exhibition here<br />
Foreign Ministry.<br />
in your Tretyakov Gallery. You have my heartfelt gratitude for a<br />
partnership that is as professional as it is devoted.<br />
I want to say very clearly that this exhibition is also, to a great<br />
extent, the outcome of good and thoughtful German-Russian<br />
I cannot deny that my delight today is particularly great be-<br />
cultural relations.<br />
cause Diversity United, after having been in Berlin, is now being<br />
Petersburg Dialogue. I mention this because the exhibition,<br />
What Europe stands for today – as it has done for millennia – is<br />
launched here in Moscow. More than three years of preparations,<br />
The Year of Germany – I mentioned it earlier – is ending with a<br />
designed as it is to be German-Russian, German-Russian-French<br />
a unique wealth of culture; it means a vast range of experience<br />
with a variety of difficult situations – it was all worth it!<br />
major and powerful climax: Diversity United. In spite of pandem-<br />
and at the same time European, demonstrates what civil society<br />
from outstanding times and from dreadful times; it means lan-<br />
ic-related obstacles and a number of political difficulties, we have<br />
dialogue can do, what it can achieve.<br />
guages, religions, history and histories. What Europe defines is<br />
I am sure that people in Moscow and elsewhere in Russia will<br />
succeeded in putting together over a thousand events in seventy<br />
the fundamental feeling, held by proud nations, that all of this is<br />
find this exhibition a highly interesting encounter with Europe –<br />
Russian cities and regions during this Year of Germany.<br />
Diversity United also is an important project of the Petersburg<br />
what makes us, together, what we are.<br />
and thus with their own selves.<br />
Dialogue here in Moscow today.<br />
A thousand events – that is a thousand opportunities for people<br />
My focus is on the forward perspective. Europe, I am convinced,<br />
Diversity United was the magnificent idea of the Foundation for<br />
to get to know Germany, a thousand opportunities for encoun-<br />
Diversity and unity in a very special balance – that is what distin-<br />
represents a major opportunity, particularly in our globalised<br />
Art and Culture and its Chairman, Walter Smerling. We owe this<br />
ters, for dialogue, for exchange.<br />
guishes our cultural Europe as we confront the big questions of<br />
future – if we uphold and protect the value of our precious diver-<br />
exhibition to his imagination and his determination.<br />
our coexistence, exchange views on them and contemplate them<br />
sity; if we uphold tolerance and respect for one another.<br />
Our priority in all of this is to showcase our country’s diversity,<br />
together, agreeing here, differing there.<br />
I would ask you, Mr Großmann, as head of the foundation’s<br />
to show Germany as it is today, in all the variety of our scientific,<br />
I keep being reminded of a phrase, coined by a Briton, which<br />
Project Advisory Board, to pass on my thanks to Mr Smerling.<br />
business, cultural and, like today, artistic achievements. And<br />
And through all this, we agree on the importance of diversity for<br />
expresses all of this so succinctly: “the dignity of difference”.<br />
the European perspective is central, time and again: Germany is<br />
all of us. Europe equals diversity; the European cultural area has<br />
Support came from many quarters, including Germany’s Federal<br />
firmly embedded in Europe.<br />
learned the hard way how vital it is to accept diversity – meaning<br />
Perhaps it is exactly this that must and hopefully will characterise<br />
Foreign Office – but without sponsors, an exhibition of this<br />
the rich variety of our culture as well as diversity of opinions.<br />
our shared European cultural area more than ever.<br />
calibre could not exist. As chief sponsor and representing many<br />
Part of the inspiration for Diversity United came from the<br />
88 89
Tolerance and respect – without both of them, our cultural<br />
Europe cannot function. This is true for my country as it is for<br />
all others, including Russia. Diversity needs to be protected<br />
everywhere. And since we have gathered here in Moscow today,<br />
I do want to point out that my government and many, a great<br />
many Europeans are concerned by the shrinking of space here<br />
for civil society organisations and for the important cross-border<br />
dialogue at civil society level, including with us – particularly at<br />
this time.<br />
With Diversity United, the artists are now in the spotlight, drawing<br />
on their exceptional perspicacity to show us their thoughts on<br />
Europe.<br />
That’s the strong message of today: the artists are showing us<br />
that cooperation works in their circles. Together, they are showcasing<br />
Europe’s superb contemporary art; they are demonstrating<br />
European civil-society cooperation in its best light. Indeed,<br />
in some sense, these artists are showing our diplomats and<br />
politicians the way forward.<br />
To conclude, therefore, as German ambassador, I am proud that<br />
here in Moscow, after Berlin and before in France, we now have<br />
an exhibition of a truly European character on display: an exhibition<br />
involving 90 artists, some of them world renowned, from 34<br />
countries – with Germans and Russians among them.<br />
I am certain that the people of Moscow and Russia will be curious<br />
about this exhibition and the many discussions and workshops<br />
in the accompanying programme over the coming months,<br />
eager for stimulus, agreement and dissent – the stuff Europe and<br />
our times are made of.<br />
The people of Moscow can look forward to encounters with<br />
Europe and thus with their own selves.<br />
90 91
92 93
BERNAR VENET RETROSPECTIVE<br />
60 YEARS OF SCULPTURE<br />
PAINTING & PERFORMANCE<br />
1961-2021<br />
Kunsthalle Berlin – Tempelhof Airport<br />
“Bernar Venet Retrospective, 60 Years of Sculpture, Painting &<br />
Performance, 1961-2021” is the internationally-renowned French<br />
artist’s largest and most comprehensive retrospective in the<br />
world to date, spanning the entirety of his complex and widely<br />
diverse oeuvre as a sculptor, painter, performance artist – and<br />
radical conceptual artist. The exhibition will bring together over<br />
150 works, reflecting the artist’s uncompromising approach and<br />
natural obsession for constantly shaping his environment through<br />
his art. On view from January 29 – May 30, 2022, the show is the<br />
first in a series of exhibitions to unfold over the next two years in<br />
the Kunsthalle Berlin across the spectacular hangars 2 and 3 of<br />
Berlin’s emblematic Tempelhof Airport.<br />
Organized by the Stiftung für Kunst and Kultur, curated by Walter<br />
Smerling, Bernar Venet, 1961—2021 charts the trajectory of the<br />
artist’s career from his very beginnings in his studio, which was<br />
made available to him by the French army during his military service,<br />
and which form the cornerstone of a body of work that has<br />
repeatedly called itself into question. Venet has consistently affirmed<br />
his concept of art as an attitude which extends far beyond<br />
the formal and the spatial. His aspirations to this day are firmly<br />
rooted in the unbounded desire to simply never accept the world<br />
as it is, instead lending it his own perspective. Landscapes and<br />
spaces suddenly assume a new dimension, allowing the observer<br />
to differently view – and feel – the energetically charged space<br />
in which his signature steel lines, arcs and angles are installed.<br />
The exhibition is a personal homage to Dr. Paul Wember, as<br />
Venet pays tribute to the director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Museum<br />
in Krefeld – the very first to grant the artist a solo exhibition in<br />
1970 at a time when no gallery had shown his work outside of<br />
group exhibitions.<br />
One of the exhibition’s focuses is Venet’s work from 1966 to<br />
1970 – his conceptual years in the United States – revealing<br />
the extreme radicality of an artistic approach which gave him<br />
international recognition at a very young age. Since 1979, and<br />
the fabrication of his Indeterminate Lines, his work has taken<br />
a turn towards the formalist. In addition to his wood reliefs, he<br />
has developed a unique steel sculpture style which can be seen<br />
today in capitals across the continents. For the show, Venet will<br />
use the sculptural elements of his large-scale installation at the<br />
Louvre Lens (France) to specially conceive four different installations<br />
made of Arcs, Angles and Straight Lines unfolding across<br />
Tempelhof Airport’s spacious, yet seldom invested warehouses.<br />
In tandem with his sculptural work, the exhibition expands<br />
Venet’s complete painting work, from his first 1961 Goudron<br />
(Tar) paintings to his most recent, Equations and Saturations, the<br />
textual and mathematical symbols of which become the defining<br />
elements over richly coloured backgrounds. With these paintings,<br />
Venet rejects formalism as much as the idea of abstraction.<br />
While abstract art commonly refers to what is non-figurative,<br />
these new works function within another category. By presenting<br />
what are usually defined as “mathematical objects” (numbers,<br />
figures, spaces, functions, relations, structures), the works attain<br />
a maximum level of abstraction: the non-referential is pushed to<br />
its extreme limits. In sum, contrasting it to abstract art where a<br />
symbolism of form or colour is implied, Venet offers a maximal<br />
self-referential system, which only a mathematical equation can<br />
offer.<br />
Throughout the course of exhibition Venet will activate the space<br />
with on-site performances, including Domino Effondrement,<br />
first performed in 2021 as part of the Venet Foundation’s annual<br />
exhibition (Le Muy, France), in which he uses a forklift to trigger<br />
94 95
the collapse of a seemingly random array of corten steel arcs<br />
– weighing over 30 tons – leaving them scattered across the<br />
floor, as order and chance grow inextricably bound together in<br />
this clearly visible accident. Also presented are iterations of The<br />
Steel Bar and the Pictorial Memory of the Gesture performance,<br />
which use the line as a tool to intersect the mediums of performance,<br />
painting, and sculpture. Using a steel beam coated in<br />
paint, Venet leaves the trace of the movement of the bar on the<br />
exhibition walls. Calling to mind the subtle asymmetry of inkblots<br />
used during The Rorschach Test, the work pushes the boundaries<br />
of Venet’s oeuvre by demonstrating how the body can be<br />
used as a tool to bring the mathematical concept of the line to<br />
life. Unerringly direct, calculating, convinced of the emotionality<br />
and of the intention to symbiotically marry his existence with<br />
his creative aspirations, Venet once again renders his ultimately<br />
deeply optimistic aspiration not to reinvent the world, but to alter<br />
his viewers’ perception of it.<br />
The exhibition follows the presentation “Diversity United. Contemporary<br />
European Art” in the former Tempelhof Airport from<br />
June 9 to October 10, 2021. Following its successful joint<br />
collaboration, Tempelhof Projekt GmbH and the Foundation for<br />
Art and Culture have agreed to work together and present<br />
future exhibitions in the Kunsthalle Berlin – Tempelhof Airport<br />
at hangars 2 and 3 of the former Tempelhof airport, initially for<br />
the next two years. The project is realized with the generous<br />
support of CG Elementum AG and its CEO Christoph Gröner.<br />
INTRODUCTION TO THE CATALOGUE<br />
BY WALTER SMERLING<br />
Bernar Venet’s concept of art could be described as an attitude<br />
which extends far beyond the formal and the spatial. His aspirations<br />
are firmly rooted in the unbounded desire to simply never<br />
accept the world as it is but to lend it his own perspective. It is<br />
as if he never really left behind his “Sturm und Drang” phase—in<br />
a variation of the Goethean Prometheus: Bernar Venet creates<br />
not people but his very own cosmos. Landscapes and spaces<br />
suddenly assume a new dimension which enables the observer<br />
to view differently, or even feel, the horizon of the landscape and<br />
the energetically charged space in which the steel lines and the<br />
arcs are installed.<br />
In Venet’s works, nature, ratio and emotion combine to form a<br />
symbiosis. Usually weighing tonnes, his sculptures cannot be<br />
moved without the aid of heavy machinery. Yet they are still possessed<br />
of a lightness, like beings suddenly infused with life.<br />
96 97
They exude a fascination both optically and atmospherically,<br />
Accident, Venet’s 1996 performance, that he will be perform<br />
“I am honoured to exhibit my works at Flughafen Tempel-<br />
“Bernar Venet is a sculptor, painter, photographer and also<br />
which initially remains amorphous. His game with the system-<br />
again at the opening in Berlin, is an important example of his<br />
hof, this historic place that my generation has known, over<br />
shows performances. For the first time, we are showing<br />
atic, mathematically and geometrically calculated structure of<br />
artistic position. With his own hand, he triggers the collapse of<br />
the years, due to its various and memorable missions. In<br />
the French artist’s work in its full dimension, starting with<br />
the works, on the one hand, and the seemingly random self-for-<br />
a seemingly random array of metal bars arranged into a wall<br />
these two vast hangars, now adapted to showcase works<br />
his artistic roots in 1961 until today. The constant ques-<br />
mation of the material on the other, generates an overarching<br />
installation. The impact of the action leaves its marks on the wall<br />
of art, I have been offered the possibility of presenting all<br />
tioning of what is happening around us as well as the<br />
tension. Bernar Venet’s uncompromising approach can only be<br />
of the exhibition space; the bars remain scattered across the<br />
the aspects of my work, staging its diversity, from my first<br />
questioning of his own work were and are essential for him<br />
understood through his natural obsession to artistically shape<br />
floor or against the wall and the outcome of the “accident” is<br />
and hypothetical experiments to my most recent paintings<br />
as a conceptual artist. Nature, reason and emotion form<br />
his environment, regardless of where he is located—unerring-<br />
clearly visible. Additionally, Venet will perform another highlight,<br />
and sculptures, which try to impose themselves in this<br />
the symbiosis with which Bernar Venet gives us new per-<br />
ly direct, calculating, convinced of the emotionality and of the<br />
a new work from 2021 named Domino Effondrement (Domino<br />
space, itself so present and physical. It is a challenge on<br />
spectives on space, architecture and our environment. His<br />
intention to symbiotically marry his existence with his creative<br />
Collapse) which is a further development of the Accidents that<br />
a scale that I have not encountered before. It should be<br />
sculptures are real and paradoxical – they convey a certain<br />
aspirations.<br />
contains three distinct states: erecting a set of arcs, a perfor-<br />
seen as a tribute to Germany, which was the first country,<br />
lightness, the lightness of gravity.”<br />
mance in which they were toppled, and the result, a visible trace<br />
in 1970, to offer me a solo museum exhibition.”<br />
The exhibition at Tempelhof Airport, Berlin, coherently charts the<br />
of entropy. In these works, order and chance are inextricably<br />
Walter Smerling, Curator of the exhibition and Chairman of<br />
trajectory of the artist’s career, the various work phases and his<br />
bound together. Material, location and time, traces of our exist-<br />
Bernar Venet<br />
the Board of the Stiftung für Kunst und Kultur Bonn<br />
extensive activities as a sculptor, painter, graphic artist, perfor-<br />
ence, a gamut of emotions – from fear and uncertainty to joy and<br />
mance actor—and ultimately always as a conceptual artist who,<br />
confidence – all collide with one another here. Yet there remains<br />
as he confesses in the conversation with Hans Ulrich Obrist,<br />
the optimistic stance of the artist, who aspires not to reinvent the<br />
had outside art as a model, for example mathematics. Entitled<br />
world but to alter our view of it.<br />
“The retrospective of the lifetime oeuvre of Bernar Venet<br />
For many years now, the CG Elementum AG has assumed<br />
in the Hangars 2 and 3 is a further milestone on the path<br />
social responsibility by long-term funding of social and<br />
of Flughafen Tempelhof to becoming an internationally<br />
cultural projects throughout Germany. By supporting<br />
renowned venue for art and culture. Already, Diversity<br />
the Kunsthalle Berlin in Tempelhof over a period of two<br />
United, last year’s exhibition dedicated to contemporary<br />
years, the company not only wants to make possible the<br />
European art, and the yearly art fairs during Art Week Ber-<br />
excellent major exhibition of Bernar Venet’s work, but also<br />
lin vividly demonstrated how art shows can benefit from<br />
wants to enable a continuing access to culture during the<br />
the historically industrial atmosphere of the large hangar<br />
pandemic. “This is the crucial moment to support culture.<br />
spaces. THF-Flughafen Tempelhof is and can be both:<br />
Firstly, so that people can broaden their horizons and ex-<br />
large-scale construction site as well as partner within a<br />
perience something with the potential to foster their inner<br />
very special event and exhibition location.”<br />
strength. On the other hand, it is equally essential to sustain<br />
artists and their existence livelihood” notes Christoph<br />
Jutta Heim-Wenzler, Managing Director Tempelhof<br />
Gröner, adding “my company and I were immediately cap-<br />
Projekt GmbH<br />
tivated by the idea of establishing a temporary Kunsthalle<br />
at the historic Tempelhof site and are convinced that the<br />
Bernar Venet retrospective will be followed by a series of<br />
singular exhibitions.”<br />
I would like to thank Walter Smerling for bringing art of the<br />
highest quality back to Berlin !<br />
Christoph Gröner, Chairman of<br />
the Board CG Elementum AG<br />
Barbara Dietrich, CEO <strong>Diplomatic</strong> <strong>World</strong><br />
98 99
H.E. ANNE-MARIE DESCÔTES<br />
AMBASSADOR<br />
OF FRANCE TO GERMANY<br />
I am very grateful to Walter Smerling for having given me the<br />
opportunity to inaugurate alongside him this unique exhibition of<br />
the works of Bernar Venet, in the presence of this immense and<br />
singular artist.<br />
It is fantastic that Bernar Venet’s individual retrospective is the<br />
first exhibition of a series in the historic and extraordinary premises<br />
of Tempelhof Airport.<br />
Time and again, Bernar VENET has been making guest appearances<br />
in Germany since the seventies. His sculptures are well<br />
known in many German Länder and have also shaped the<br />
cityscape here in Berlin. Here I am thinking of the sculpture<br />
“Arc de 124,5°” at the Urania, donated to the city by the French<br />
state in 1987 to mark Berlin’s 750th anniversary.<br />
the greatest German contemporary artists: Georg Baselitz at the<br />
Centre Pompidou, Anselm Kiefer at the Grand Palais Ephémère<br />
and Josef Beuys at the Palais de Tokyo. This is a strong sign of<br />
mutual interest at a time when Franco-German cooperation is<br />
so indispensable in all fields. That is why we generally promote<br />
exchanges of artists, which is so important.<br />
Furthermore, in the context of France’s six-month Presidency<br />
of the Council of the EU, culture is fundamental in promoting a<br />
European identity. Our Presidency’s triple motto is “recovery,<br />
strength and a sense of belonging”. Art and culture are key to<br />
mutual understanding and can help to create a sense of belonging<br />
among citizens, especially among young people to whom art<br />
is so meaningful, to which Bernar Venet’s unique retrospective<br />
makes an exceptional contribution.<br />
It is a great pleasure for me to have this exhibition in Berlin. There<br />
are also currently three exhibitions in Paris dedicated to some of<br />
100 101
KOEN VANMECHELEN<br />
UBUNTU<br />
As I was walking down the stately corridors of the Uffizi’s first<br />
and second floor, among the classical statuary, it suddenly struck<br />
me. I was contemplating my new exhibition Seduzione. My<br />
horned iguanas, marble red tiger, my Medusa’s, and all my other<br />
hybrids and fantastical creatures as they interacted with the<br />
masterworks, and together sang a new song.<br />
me something else too. The choir of their ancient voices almost<br />
overwhelmed me. Yet, they helped me understand the magnitude<br />
of absence needed to elaborate their germinating ideas<br />
and transform them for an audience of the future. And even to<br />
deconstruct them to construct something entirely new. And that<br />
is exactly what I did with my exhibition Seduzione.<br />
Passing the old masterworks, I understood that W.H. Auden<br />
rightly referred to the old masters as wise in his well-known<br />
poem Musée des Beaux-Arts. “About suffering, they were never<br />
wrong”, he said. Suffering, yes, sure. But it unexpectedly dawned<br />
on me that here in Firenze, in the vast spaces of this renowned<br />
museum, the old works were also carrying the echoes of times<br />
gone by and things hidden somewhere long ago. The works’<br />
messages transcended their aesthetic value. They whispered to<br />
During the vernissage in the Uffizi Museum, I hoped future visitors<br />
would feel like Piranesi, the fictitious character in Susanna<br />
Clarke’s book. His extended stay in a Uffizi-like universe forced<br />
him to construct a third identity from the remnants of the other<br />
two. The former one constructed in our reality, the other in the<br />
vast House he had been locked away in for years. A true renaissance<br />
is what the third, new identity was. And what I am always<br />
aiming for in my work, a rebirth.<br />
Installation view, Temptation, Seduzione, Koen Vanmechelen, Uffizi Galleries, 2022 Photo: Francesco Allegretto<br />
Connection, Seduzione, Koen Vanmechelen, Uffizi Galleries, 2022 Photo: Francesco Allegretto<br />
102 103
Vesta - Mechelse Cubalaya - CCP11, Seduzione. Koen Vanmechelen. Galleria degli Uffizi, 2022 Installation view, Medusa by Caravaggio (middle) and Koen Vanmechelen, Seduzione, Uffizi Galleries, 2022 Photo: Francesco Allegretto<br />
My installations are meant to encourage a Cosmopolitan Renaissance,<br />
developing new philosophies, ideas, and approaches that<br />
could herald new and better futures. Reason why, interspersed<br />
among Uffizi’s paintings and statues, you can find my Temptation<br />
sculptures: 15 marble busts inspired by the Classical sculptures<br />
of figures such as Augustus, Caesar, Hermes, Niobe, Plautilla,<br />
and Socrates. Emperors, philosophers, warriors, heroes, and<br />
divinities. They all carry a cracked glass egg from which hybrid<br />
creatures spring forth, representing the mind’s freeing and imagination.<br />
They create an evocative and disorienting journey around<br />
the idea of seduction, offering a kind of hymn to the power of life<br />
and the regenerating, although sometimes monstrous, force of<br />
the natural world.<br />
Another realisation hit me when I left the Uffizi the day before the<br />
official opening. Some museums might indeed risk becoming<br />
tombs, offering works without a context, masterpieces that have<br />
just become mere projections of the occasional visitor’s mindscape.<br />
Art always carries the generations and their contexts.<br />
Its meaning cannot be interpreted without knowing the nest it<br />
emerged from.<br />
I stopped at Caravaggio’s Medusa after lingering in front of works<br />
of Raphael, Michelangelo, and the Flemish Painters. The Medusa<br />
was made at the end of the 16th century. The start of science,<br />
of the world economy, of interconnectedness. People from the<br />
Middle East, Europe, Central, South and North America, Asia and<br />
Oceania connected with people from distant cultures. Wars of<br />
ideas were fought. It was the beginning of the Eurocentric and<br />
anthropocentric biases. But it was also a time when nature was<br />
in abundance, the wilderness was not tamed yet, and scientists<br />
in different places and cultures had different systems for naming<br />
life. Then, only a fraction of all the green growth on Earth was<br />
consumed by humans.<br />
One can only truly grasp the meaning of Caravaggio’s Medusa<br />
if one realises this was a time new narratives were being born<br />
and were flooding past ones, when a global movement of genes<br />
and memes was violently kickstarted, giving an opening to the<br />
creation of new worlds. As usual, creations always appear out of<br />
confrontations.<br />
The Renaissance was the start of the effort by humanity to<br />
control the unstoppable forces of nature. They chose not to work<br />
with the planet but to control it. Rob Dunn, in A Natural History of<br />
the Future, puts it like this: “We seek, collectively, to simplify the<br />
living world and channel it into our service, to circumscribe it so<br />
fully within our powers that it ceases even to be visible.”<br />
The Cosmopolitan Renaissance encourages a more loving and<br />
healing embrace of the broader natural ecosystem. This is a particularly<br />
salient and poignant point in the context of our ongoing<br />
pandemic, which is an urgent warning to what could follow.<br />
I quote Dunn again: “Even under the most optimistic scenarios,<br />
by the year 2080, hundreds of millions of species will need to<br />
migrate to new regions and even new continents to survive. We<br />
are reshaping nature at unprecedented scales, and for the most<br />
part, we are absentmindedly looking the other way while doing<br />
so.” Conclusion: we must reshape our minds and perspective<br />
in relation to the world. We have to make a new canvas for ourselves<br />
and the rest of life on our planet.<br />
The question then is: which painting would you like to live in?<br />
Or better yet: in which painting do we live? I remember a mysterious<br />
children’s book about a strange man who took refuge<br />
in a painting in times of need. How big was that other world he<br />
Vesta, Seduzione, Koen Vanmechelen, Uffizi Galleries, 2022<br />
Photo: Francesco Allegretto<br />
104 105
LUXURY AND WARMTH<br />
BROUGHT TOGETHER IN<br />
HOTEL BRITANNIA<br />
Installation view, Ubuntu, Seduzione, Koen Vanmechelen, Uffizi Galleries, 2022<br />
Photo: Francesco Allegretto<br />
stepped into? It fascinated me immensely. Was it oppressive, like<br />
in a Schrödinger box? Or was the painting frame more of a gate<br />
to another dimension than a door to a small, invisible isolation<br />
cell? That the man could get in and out of the painting at his<br />
discretion brings me to here and now, to us.<br />
Surrounded by the splendour of the Uffizi museum, I also had the<br />
feeling that we were living in a specific painting. Definitely not in<br />
a village of Clive Hicks-Jenkins, on a raft of Théodore Géricault,<br />
or an escalator of a Mark Wallinger. No, we currently exist in a<br />
Michelangelo painting. On the tension of the time. Searching,<br />
looking, reaching, struggling. Desire to make a new frame.<br />
We want to break out of the box. In our times of uncertainty and<br />
tension, we try to find what Leonardo da Vinci was looking for.<br />
We also want to fly. Break the frame. We just don’t know how.<br />
The solution, I think, also lies with da Vinci. After all, man’s inventions<br />
did not come out of the blue. They were based on earlier<br />
designs from older cultures. From Greece and Rome, from China,<br />
Egypt and Persia. Da Vinci disassembled their old concepts and<br />
combined them with new technical inventions.<br />
We, too, have to recombine the old recipes into something new,<br />
in the spirit of an open university. A Cosmopolitan Renaissance<br />
can arise from new ideas, new fusions and connections, and<br />
exploring new boundaries. The philosophy that carries that,<br />
for me, is Ubuntu, as propagated by Desmond Tutu and<br />
Nelson Mandela. “I am because we are”. We seek contact with<br />
each other because we do not exist without the other. I am human<br />
because you are human. Together we form a community.<br />
Together we will step out of the old painting. That’s how it felt<br />
when I flew from Belgium to Zimbabwe a week after the opening<br />
of Seduzione. A sense of what the ancient Greeks called koinonia<br />
came over me—a sense of being a community, a society. We are<br />
a group determined to clamber out of the old painting to live in<br />
a new reality. Undoubtedly this too will become a painting. But<br />
indeed, not a garden by Hieronymus Bosch, some heaven by<br />
Jeff Koons, or a diner by Edward Hopper. Something completely<br />
different. Something blazingly new.<br />
WHY DOES KOEN VANMECHELEN HAVE A<br />
COLUMN IN DIPLOMATIC WORLD?<br />
Unlike anyone else, this visionary artist bridges the<br />
divides between cultures, disciplines, communities and<br />
generations. Belgian artist Koen Vanmechelen (1965)<br />
is an internationally acclaimed conceptual artist.<br />
His exploration of crucial issues as diversity, fertility and<br />
identity is translated into highly idiosyncratic works and<br />
projects. Decoding and recoding nature’s language,<br />
the artist tackles contemporary issues regarding human<br />
rights, sustainability and multiculturalism.<br />
Knokke-Heist<br />
hotelbritannia.be<br />
106
A TAXONOMY<br />
OF AUTHORSHIP AND THE HAND<br />
OF SIR ANTHONY VAN DYCK<br />
IN HIS FIRST ANTWERP PERIOD 1615-20<br />
IN MEMORIAM DR. ARNOUT BALIS<br />
Univ. Prof. Dr. hc Jan De Maere<br />
University of Art & Design, Cluj-Napoca<br />
Anthonis Van Dyck and Studio,<br />
Cook version, 112 x 11,5 cm, c. 1620<br />
X-ray Cook version<br />
In red, reworked parts in a second stage<br />
of the Cook version<br />
ABSTRACT<br />
teraction, involved in the two best (known) versions of the Family<br />
portrait of Cornelis de Vos and his Family, interdisciplinary exam-<br />
For the first part of van Dyck’s career, when in Rubens’ studio,<br />
inations high-end technological methods, such as X-radiography,<br />
little can be said about the specific characteristics of the best<br />
X-ray computer tomography, mammographic tomosynthesis and<br />
assistant’s paintings compared to these of Van Dyck’s own hand.<br />
macroscopic X-ray fluorescence, can be employed to render the<br />
Some of Sir Anthony Van Dyck’s early paintings exist in different<br />
overpainted layers visible again.<br />
versions. Different versions, copies and replicas of his paintings<br />
are often contemporary, sometimes from his workshop while<br />
Recently, connoisseurship experienced a revival due to the latest<br />
others are later copies by others.<br />
technological developments of the material analysis and history<br />
As Rubens did, Van Dyck had apprentices and assistants (gezellen)<br />
to work on his paintings. The issue of originality, invention<br />
of old master paintings. Nevertheless, technology did not offer<br />
a definite meta-methodological tool 2 replacing the traditional<br />
connoisseurship. It reveals the need of a special kind of interdis-<br />
Anthonis Van Dyck and Studio,<br />
Baron Janssen version, 115 x 111,5 cm, c. 1620<br />
Xray Baron Janssen version<br />
and authorship while acknowledging the status of a painting had<br />
ciplinary connoisseurship 3 .<br />
become a concern since the last quarter of the XVIth century<br />
in Antwerp. Flemish vernacular language developed a nuanced<br />
Technology allows in some cases to refine the distinction be-<br />
vocabulary for artistic replication with a precise taxonomy. The<br />
tween the production of the master and that of his workshop,<br />
analysis of different versions in the light of the ‘hand of the mas-<br />
and between different versions. The actual state of mastery and<br />
ter’ needs categorization in an adequate taxonomy.<br />
authorship in Anthony van Dyck’s paintings is not tethered to the<br />
physical execution of paintings in the same way as in Modernity,<br />
In the art market, the word ‘workshop’ indicates a lesser qualita-<br />
where the polarization of the terms ‘hand of the artist’ and ‘copy’<br />
tive criterium, but in art history it relates to the precise ontological<br />
are the primary locus for authorship.<br />
context of the creation of the painting. An Antwerp studio of a<br />
famous master was an organized industry directed by a skilful<br />
Authenticity in Antwerp in early XVIIth century terms is more<br />
and educated entrepreneur, the master.<br />
anchored in invention than in execution. As in the earlier painting<br />
practices of the XVth and XVIth centuries, collaboration in<br />
He was assisted, even for his autograph paintings by several<br />
famous artist’s workshops, both vertically and horizontally, often<br />
assistants who had to follow his style. Some of them had some-<br />
involved assistant work on the same panel or canvas 4 .<br />
what creative freedom expressed in their individual ‘ductus’, as<br />
the young Van Dyck in Rubens’s studio 1 . His artistic dialog with<br />
‘Multiple hands’ is the rule for the most successful artists of the<br />
Rubens determined the first Antwerp period of his career.<br />
early 17th century in Antwerp, heavily relying on gifted assistants<br />
5 , but the degree of implication of the master determined<br />
1* THE YOUNG ANTHONY VAN DYCK<br />
greatly pricing.<br />
To reconstruct the genesis and the degree of master-studio in-<br />
The young Van Dyck wants to emulate Rubens and to develop<br />
Comparison X-rays, left Baron Janssen version-right Cook version<br />
108 109
at the same time his personal style, but Rubens’s influence is<br />
always present. For history paintings, the young prodigy makes<br />
numerous preparatory drawings or bozzetti, but not for portraits.<br />
In these, he used the support as experimental field, often work-<br />
2* A VERNACULAR ANTWERP VOCABULARY<br />
CONCERNING AUTHENTICITY, LATE XVITH- XVIITH<br />
CENTURY<br />
by the artist, but not always unique or totally by his hand 26 . Some<br />
multiple versions by Veronese or Titian can now be considered<br />
as ‘second originals and possibly with the involvement of the<br />
master’. 27 Such multiple original versions containing multiple<br />
Justin Davis describes: ‘… the absence of any compositional<br />
studies, bozzetti, modelli or head studies’ and ‘It is convincingly<br />
argued that Van Dyck’s thorough and often complex preparatory<br />
thoughts and ideas were worked out on paper and on canvas’ in<br />
ing out several versions in parallel 6 . This is rarer in his early his-<br />
Issues of originality and authorship in paintings had become<br />
hands complicate the statute of the ‘principael’; even if they<br />
Van Dyck’s first period 36 . Angel Veregara shares this opinion 37 .<br />
tory paintings, but well documented for the many versions of the<br />
legal concerns for Antwerp dealers, collectors, and artists.<br />
maintain a close affiliation to the master’s perceived authorship 28 .<br />
‘Martyr of Saint Sebastian’, worked out with a different degree<br />
The Flemish poet, writer, and painter Lucas de Heere (Ghent<br />
It illustrates a sense of responsibility and a guarantee of quality in<br />
In Rubens’s studio, where the young Van Dyck was active 1617-<br />
of studio assistance for each.<br />
1534-1584) was a pupil of Frans Floris I 17 . In an ‘Ode’ c. 1559, he<br />
a legal and qualitative sense, but not necessarily the sole involve-<br />
1620, different hands were involved in portraiture, resulting in<br />
coined the neologism ‘kopie’ 18 , derived from the French ‘copie’<br />
ment of the master.<br />
different levels of ‘handelinghe’ on the same painting, as a con-<br />
There is a relative consistency in 12 early reference works 7 on<br />
to indicate Michiel Coxcie’s replica of Hubert and Jan van Eyck’s<br />
temporary, Dr Otto Sperling, observed in 1621 38 .<br />
plain-woven linen, establishing idiosyncratic modus for Van<br />
Altarpiece, commissioned by King Philips II of Spain.<br />
Even if in the contract between Rubens and Maria de Medici<br />
Dijck’s first period 1613-21 8 . They represent a sample of high-<br />
concerning the paintings for two Luxembourg galleries it was<br />
This is the case c. 1617/18 in the two ‘Portraits of Jean Charles<br />
quality works, even taking in account the negligent autograph<br />
The growth of large-scale art production for the open market was<br />
written that Rubens had to execute everything by his own hand,<br />
de Cordes (inv.2618) and of his Wife Jacqueline van Caestre’<br />
parts in their ductus.<br />
boosted by artist workshops relying on pupils and professional<br />
it was understood that he did not work alone, but assisted by his<br />
(inv. 2619), panel each 72,2 x 57 cm, in the Brussels Museum 39 ,<br />
assistants. This shift in artistic practice and the widening conno-<br />
studio in the usual way 29 . Arnout Balis observes that this fact is<br />
now sometimes attributed to ‘Rubens and his Studio and Van<br />
These differ often only slightly from the weakness in ductus,<br />
tations of the terms ‘originaal’ and ‘kopie’ gave way to lawsuits.<br />
accepted in the Rubens and Jordaens literature but silenced in<br />
Dijck’, as Balis and Van der Auwera think, or following Hélène<br />
indicating assistant’s work 9 . Replicas are of such a high quality<br />
October 3, 1575, the city council of Antwerp passed legislation<br />
the recent Van Dyck publications, even if Roose, Bode, Rosen-<br />
Dubois and Nora De Poorter by the young Van Dyck with studio<br />
that they only become identifiable as such by comparison with<br />
proscribing forgeries, sanctioning them with a fine of ‘drie pon-<br />
baum, Oldenburg and Glück did mentioned it before 30 .<br />
assistance 40 . Both panels share a plank of the same tree 41 . Balis’s<br />
the ‘principael’.<br />
den Brabantsch’ 19 .<br />
opinion is that in the man’s portrait, the head is by Rubens and<br />
‘Naer t’leven’, asserting a stance towards a source, is in Antwerp<br />
the wife’s head by Van Dyck, the rest of both painting’s by at<br />
He innovates technically through his direct demonstrative touch,<br />
The Antwerp city magistrate relied on painters from the Guild of<br />
in the first quarter of the seventeenth century not only a claim to<br />
least two different assistants.<br />
leaving parts of the canvas empty and covering or not in part the<br />
saint Luke as experts in the matter. Gabriele Druet, an art dealer,<br />
objectivity but also to the artist’s creative approach to his model,<br />
earlier layer or preparation. In most cases multiple hands were<br />
questioned, in a court case on January 7, 1576, the authentic-<br />
as we observe in Van Dyck’s ‘Portrait of Cornelis de Vos and his<br />
Joost Van der Auwera and Arnout Balis share this opinion and<br />
also involved in these experiments. See therefore the München<br />
ity of a signed ‘FF. IN. et F.A.’ ‘Cain killing Abel’ presumably by<br />
Family’, since painting as an ’Ars liberalis’ implicates imagination<br />
remarked both independently that the quality of execution of the<br />
Alte Pinakothek head studies c. 1618/20 realized by a least 3<br />
Frans Floris 20 . Frans Pourbus I and Frans Francken I, both former<br />
(uyt den gheest) in Van Dyck’s pictorial strategy (handelinghe) 31 .<br />
man’s cloth is higher than that of the woman’s dress. Two bigger<br />
hands 10 .<br />
Floris pupils, gave an eyewitness testimony.<br />
The young van Dyck started, in the present author’s opinion,<br />
size versions of the same sitters in the Lazienski Palace, belong-<br />
in many cases more than one original to be able to experiment<br />
ing to the Warsaw National Museum (panel 105,5 x 76,2 cm, inv.<br />
The most extensive primary source for Van Dyck’s early career<br />
Frans Francken the Elder admitted he was asked and direct-<br />
thoroughly his ‘handelinghe’ in a sequential approach on more<br />
LKr 840), are recently cleaned. The discussion if they could be<br />
is a trial held from 1660 to 1662 11 . Three of Van Dyck’s former<br />
ed by Floris to paint it ‘doen conterfeiten’, which means as a<br />
than one canvas.<br />
accepted as original is still open.<br />
associates gave testimony regarding the authenticity of a set of<br />
faithful replica considered as an original, and that he has seen<br />
apostle portraits that were attributed to Van Dyck. Jan Breughel<br />
the Younger testified that he had visited Van Dyck in his workshop<br />
in the house the Dom van Ceulen (probably early 1618 until<br />
March 16, 1620).<br />
Floris himself involved in painting it 11 years before, when he<br />
resided with Floris. This reveals a nuanced vocabulary relating<br />
to a replica in which the master was involved. Therefore, it was<br />
considered as an ‘origineel’, it originated directly from the mas-<br />
3* VAN DYCK’S EARLY STUDIO PRACTICE<br />
1617-1620<br />
The difficulty of authentication is also illustrated by the changing<br />
attributions of a portrait of Van Dyck in the Antwerp Rubenshuis,<br />
now by most scholars accepted as by Rubens 42 .<br />
ter’s invention without being totally made by his hand. It was not<br />
It was common practice to start more than one version at one<br />
These examples demonstrate that multiple anonymous hands<br />
Justus van Egmont and Herman Servaes (1598/1601-1<strong>67</strong>4/75)<br />
made to deceive 21 .<br />
time 32 , as we observe in both canvasses c. 1623/25: the ‘Allegory<br />
were implicated in the ‘handelinghe’ of an original portrait in<br />
declared that they had worked as Van Dyck’s assistants there at<br />
of Fruitfulness’ (201,1 x 229,5 cm, Wallace collection London,<br />
Rubens’s studio at that time the young Van Dyck had a super-<br />
the beginning of Van Dyck’s career, contributing themselves to<br />
A ‘weerga’ indicates a faithful reiteration of a painting, of an ob-<br />
inv. P 120) and the ‘Allegory of Fertility’ (180 x 241 cm, MFA<br />
vising function there and when he was allowed there a certain<br />
these original Van Dyck paintings 12 . Scholars dispute the exact<br />
ject, or of a person’s physiognomy, as in a portrait ‘naer t’leven’,<br />
Brussels inv. 119) by Jacques Jordaens. Under the Wallace<br />
degree of economic and creative freedom.<br />
dates for the Dom van Ceulen workshop and the extent to which<br />
a ‘nabeeld’ or ‘afbeeld’. This indicates a sequential relationship<br />
collection painting, an earlier complete version of the Brussels<br />
it was an independent studio or merely a flexible outgrowth of<br />
with a model, in nature or in art. It does not implicate a difference<br />
painting was discovered by X-ray examination. The artist re-<br />
Technical analysis of different versions can shed some light in<br />
Rubens’s atelier.<br />
in quality of execution as there is in the production of unnamed<br />
worked many times the ‘principael’ in the Wallace collection<br />
this matter of complicated connoisseurship concerning Rubens,<br />
studio assistants. Floris’s workshop may have had 120 assistants<br />
London 33 , upgrading it over time at the evolution of style, and this<br />
van Dyck and Jordaens, in which my longstanding friend Arnout<br />
Justus van Egmont (1601-1<strong>67</strong>4) 13 was recorded shortly after<br />
over the years, trained to work ‘naer’(after) the master 23 .<br />
over some decades.<br />
Balis was the ‘primus inter pares’.<br />
1618 as an assistant to Van Dyck, as well as to Rubens. He<br />
made also copies retouched by van Dyck. In 1617/18 Van Dyck<br />
The verbal taxonomy was precise. Karel van Mander referred<br />
Therefore, as Van der Auwera writes: ‘The current periodization<br />
accommodated on Rubens’s property.<br />
to van Eyck’s original as ‘de principaele tafel’ and to Coxcie’s<br />
of his oeuvre and the dating of several works need more nuance<br />
copie as ‘dese geconterfeyte tafel 24 ’. The ‘principael’ (primacy)<br />
and adjustment’ 34 . The ’principael’ remained in the studio as an<br />
Rubens names someone ‘il meglio mio discepolo’ 14 , we suppose<br />
represented the first and best artistic expression of a the several<br />
asset to be copied. Other original versions were initiated simul-<br />
he refers to Van Dyck, but this is not certain. He assists Rubens<br />
iterations of a composition by the master in a large hierarchical<br />
taneously, as we see in Jan Breughel the Younger’s workshop<br />
on the Decius Mus tapestry series and on the ceilings of the<br />
workshop. Assistants were often tasked to copy it, sometimes<br />
register 35 . This was also the case in Rubens, Van Dyck and other<br />
Jesuit church 15 . Rubens often directs clients for portraits to Van<br />
with a certain limited degree of creativity, under (or not) the<br />
Antwerp studios.<br />
Dyck and Cornelis de Vos 16 .<br />
supervision of the master 25 . It was generally regarded as painted<br />
110 111
1<br />
Mirjam Neumeister, Gemälde von Anthonis Van Dyck,<br />
Gemäldegalerie, in Lange & B. U. Münch (ed) Reframing<br />
pp. 522-552. ‘weergaey’ 1627, n°15; ‘copye’ 1627 n° 19;<br />
40<br />
We are grateful to Arnout Balis for his opinion on these paint-<br />
Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, München, Alte<br />
Jordaens, 2018, p. 275.<br />
‘conterfeytsel’ p 524 n°4.<br />
ings in March 2021 and to Joost Van der Auwera in February<br />
Pinakothek Hirmer 2019, p. 25.<br />
17<br />
Karel van Mander, Het Schilderboeck, 1604, Frans Floris<br />
36<br />
Justin Davis in Joos Van der Auwera Justin Davis et al.,<br />
2022.<br />
2<br />
Sheldon L. & Macaro G., Materials as Makers: how useful are<br />
18<br />
Alexander Nagel and Christopher Wood, Anachronic<br />
Jordaens Van Dyck Journal. The Research publication<br />
41<br />
Joost Van der Auwera & Sabine van Sprang, Rubens, een<br />
distinctive materials as indicators of Master or Copist? In<br />
Renaissance, New York 2010, pp. 7-34.<br />
of the JVD Panel Painting Project, I, 7.2021, pp 50 & 53.<br />
Genie aan het werk, Brussels KMSK Cat. Exh. 14.9.2007-<br />
Hermens E, (ed), European Paintings 15-18th century.<br />
19<br />
Jos Van den Branden, Geschiedenis der Antwerpse<br />
37<br />
Angel Vergara & Friso Lammertse, The Young Van Dyck, Cat.<br />
27.1.2008.<br />
Copying, Replicating and Emulating. London Archetype<br />
Schilderschool, Antwerp Buschmann 1883, pp. 230-231<br />
Exh. Museo del Prado, Thames & Hudson London 2013,<br />
42<br />
Katelijne Van der Stichelen et al., Young Anthony Van Dyck<br />
publications 2014, pp. 105-12.<br />
20<br />
Carl Van de Velde, Frans Floris (1519-1570): leven en werken,<br />
p. 55-56.<br />
revisited: a multidisciplinary approach to a portrait once attrib-<br />
3<br />
Nils Büttner, The Hands of Rubens: On Copies and their<br />
Brussel Paleis der Akademien 1975, vol.1 472-473, doc. 78.<br />
38<br />
Joost Van der Auwera & Sabine van Sprang, Rubens, een<br />
uted to Peter Paul Rubens ‘A Rubens for the Rubenshuis’, Art<br />
Reception, in T. Nakamura (ed), Appreciating the Traces<br />
21<br />
Maria Loh, Originals, Reproductions and ‘a Particular Taste’ for<br />
Genie aan het werk, Brussels KMSK Cat. Exh. 14.9.2007-<br />
Matters International Journal for Technical Art History, 6, 2014.<br />
of an Artists’s Hand, vol. II, Kyoto 2017, pp. 41-54.<br />
Pastiche, in Neil de Marchi & Hans van Miegroet (ed.), Mapping<br />
27.1.2008. p.37.<br />
4<br />
Molly Faries, Technical Studies of Early Netherlandish painting:<br />
Markets for Paintings in Europe 1450-1750, Brepols Turnhout<br />
39<br />
Susan Barnes et al., Sir Anthony van Dyck, 2004, pp. 18-19,<br />
A Critical overview of recent developments, in Molly Faries<br />
2006, 237-262.<br />
‘not van Dyck’.<br />
and Ron Spronk, eds., Recent Developments in the Technical<br />
22<br />
Arnout Balis, Rubens and his Studio: Defining the Problem, in<br />
Examination of Early Netherlandish painting: Methodology,<br />
Joos Vander Auwera & Sabine van Sprang (ed.), Rubens<br />
Limitations & Perspectives, Cambridge, Harvard university Art<br />
A Genius at Work, Brussels KMSK 2007, pp. 30-51.<br />
Museums, 2003, p. 30.<br />
23<br />
Harold Deceulaer and Ann Diels, Artists, Artisans, Workshop<br />
5<br />
Lisbet Helmus, Journeymen and Servants. Century Employ-<br />
practices and Assistants in the Low Countries, in Maximiliaan<br />
ment Contracts with Painters from the Netherlands, in Making<br />
Martens & Natasja Peeters (ed.), Invisible Hands? The role and<br />
and Marketing. Studies of painting Process in Fifteen- and<br />
Status of the Painter’s Journeyman in the Low Countries c.<br />
Sixteenth Century Netherlandish Workshops, Turnhout 2006,<br />
1450)-c. 1650, Peeters, Leuven, 2006, pp. 1-32.<br />
p. 203.<br />
24<br />
Karel Van Mander, op. cit. 1604, 60-61, f 200v.<br />
6<br />
Mirjam Neumeister, op. cit. 2019, p. 46.<br />
25<br />
Elisabeth Honig, Painting, and the Market in early Modern<br />
7<br />
A. Hart, G. Van der Snikt, O. Schalm, K. Janssens, G. Blanck-<br />
Antwerp, New Haven - London, Yale University Press,<br />
aertr, The Young Van Dyck’s fingerprint: a technical approach<br />
1998, p. 196.<br />
to assess the authenticity of a disputed painting, Heritage<br />
26<br />
Maria Loh, op. Cit. 2006, p. 239.<br />
Science, Springer verlag 2017, pp. 5-22.<br />
27<br />
Maria Loh, op. Cit. 2006, p. 240-241.<br />
8<br />
L. Alba et al., Introduction to the Technical Studies: The artistic<br />
28<br />
Anna Tummers, By his Hand: The Paradox of Seventeenth<br />
practice of the young Van Dyck, in Angel Vergara & Friso<br />
century Connoisseurship, in Koenraad Jonckheere & Anna<br />
Lammertse, op. cit, 2012, pp. 337-77.<br />
Tummers (ed.), Art Market and Connoisseurship: A Closer look<br />
9<br />
Mirjam Neumeister, op. cit. 2019, p. 44, note 132.<br />
at paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and their Contemporaries,<br />
10<br />
Mirjam Neumeister, op. cit. 2019, P 81.<br />
Amsterdam University Press, 2008, p. 36.<br />
11<br />
Joost Van der Auwera, The 1660-1661 Antwerp court case<br />
29<br />
Roose, Rubens Bulletin, Jaarboek Antwerp Museum, 1910,<br />
about a series of Van Dyck’s Apostles: two new documents<br />
pp. 216-220<br />
and some reflections on the course of justice and the potential<br />
30<br />
Arnout Balis, op. cit. 1993 p.45 and note 57.<br />
for new discoveries, Jordaens Van Dyck Journal, Brussels-<br />
31<br />
Christopher Wood, Indoor-Outdoor: The Studio around 1500,<br />
Amsterdam 2021, pp. 28-40.<br />
in Michael Cole & Mary Pardo (ed.), Inventions of the Studio,<br />
12<br />
Angel Vergara & Friso Lammertse, The Young Van Dyck,<br />
Renaissance to Romantism, Chapel Hill, University of North<br />
Cat. Exh. Museo del Prado, Thames & Hudson London 2013,<br />
Carolina Press 2005, pp 38-50.<br />
p. 20-28, see notes 75-81. See also Galesloot, 1868,<br />
32<br />
Joost Van der Auwera, Jacques Jordaens and his use of<br />
pp. 603-604.<br />
panels. An Introduction, in Joos Van der Auwera Justin Davis<br />
13<br />
Prisca Valkeneers, Van Timmerszoon tot Schilder aan het Hof.<br />
et al., Jordaens Van Dyck Journal. The Research publication of<br />
De adelijke ambities van Justus van Egmont,<br />
the JVD Panel Painting Project, I, 7.2021, pp. 38-47.<br />
in De Zeventiende Eeuw, vol. 27, n° 2, 2011.<br />
33<br />
Joost Van der Auwera, Jacques Jordaens 1593-1<strong>67</strong>8. Allegory<br />
14<br />
Arnout Balis, Fatto do mio discepolo, Rubens’Studio Practice<br />
of Fertility. The History and Creation of a Masterpiece, Silvana<br />
reviewed: The Flight from Lot and his Family from Sodom,<br />
Editoriale 2016, pp. 45-70. We are grateful to Joost Van der<br />
T. Nakamura (ed), Exh. Cat. National Museum Western Art<br />
Auwera for indicating this publication<br />
Tokyo, 1993, pp. 97-127.<br />
34<br />
Joost Van der Auwera, Justin Davis et al., Jordaens Van Dyck<br />
15<br />
Arnout Balis & Nico Van Hout, Rubens Unveiled. Notes on the<br />
Journal. The Research publication of the JVD Panel<br />
Master’s Painting Techniques, Antwerp 2012.<br />
PaintingProject, II, 12.2021, pp. 70-79.<br />
16<br />
Babette Hartwieg, Formatveranderungen an Holztafelbildern<br />
35<br />
Klaus Ertz, Jan Breughel II. Flämische Maler im Umkreis der<br />
von Rubens. Beobachtungen an der Beständen der Berliner<br />
Grossen Meister, Band I, Luca Verlag Freren 1984,<br />
112 113
SYLVESTER STALLONE<br />
75 TH BIRTHDAY RETROSPECTIVE<br />
OSTHAUS MUSEUM HAGEN<br />
After museum exhibitions at the State Russian Museum,<br />
St. Petersburg (2013) and the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art<br />
Contemporain, Nice (2015), the Osthaus Museum Hagen, on<br />
the occasion of Sylvester Stallone’s 75th birthday, presents a<br />
retrospective of his works. The complete oeuvre from the late<br />
sixties until today is illuminated, as well as the various artistic<br />
phases of the action star. On view are approximately 50 paintings,<br />
including self-portraits and never-before-seen early works.<br />
Stallone’s paintings are on the one hand “action-packed” and<br />
expressive like his films and on the other hand subtle and multi-layered<br />
in their statements. The Hollywood star with an affinity<br />
for art knowledgeably uses various art forms such as surrealism,<br />
expressionism and abstraction as forms of expression.<br />
Painting has been a close and constant part of Sylvester<br />
Stallone’s creative expressions for the past 55 years, with his<br />
artistic output fueling his cinematic work and vice versa.<br />
Sylvester Stallone: “That’s what I love about painting, it’s the only<br />
true communication you can have. Writing can be manipulated,<br />
painting is the fastest and purest translator of the subconscious.<br />
When something is going on inside you and you hit the canvas,<br />
it’s hard to fake it. The artist on the canvas is number one for me<br />
when it comes to conveying his feelings.”<br />
Stallone’s most famous film character, ROCKY, was first created<br />
on screen long before the movie script and is featured in the<br />
exhibition as 1975’s “Finding Rocky.”<br />
Stallone discovered a love of painting at a young age. His early<br />
works, which he signed Mike Stallone, were very experimental.<br />
However, for financial reasons, he worked as a writer and began<br />
his acting career.<br />
Sylvester Stallone was intensively involved with contemporary<br />
art as a collector and as a painter. At the end of the 1980s he<br />
was particularly interested in the art of Picasso, Gerhard Richter<br />
or Anselm Kiefer. He also dealt with the abstract works of Mark<br />
Rothko and developed his own style. In this way, he created numerous<br />
expressionistic works, some as alienated self-portraits,<br />
others playing with language.<br />
The exhibition is accompanied by a comprehensive bilingual<br />
catalogue, with interviews as well as texts by Dr. Tayfun Belgin,<br />
director oft he Osthaus Museum Hagen, Dr. Evgenia Petrova,<br />
scientific director of the Russian Museum, St. Petersburg, and<br />
to Dr. Jérôme Neutres, the former director of the Réunion des<br />
Musées Nationaux-Grand Palais and president of the Musée du<br />
Luxembourg. The catalog will be published in early February.<br />
Copyright: courtesy Galerie Gmurzynska artwork Sylvester<br />
Stallone anf Sabine Brauer Fotos<br />
WHEN ART TOUCHES THE SOUL<br />
SYLVESTER STALLONE IS NOT ONLY<br />
AN ACTOR, HE IS A PERSON WITH<br />
AN INCREDIBLE DEPTH WHO<br />
UNDERSTANDS THE WORLD AND<br />
PROCESSES HIS WORRIES, HIS FEARS<br />
BUT ALSO HIS PASSION FOR THE WORLD<br />
IN HIS WORKS<br />
LOOK AT HIS EXHIBITION<br />
THEN YOU DON’T SEE ROCKY<br />
THE FIGHTER ANYMORE<br />
YOU SEE A WONDERFUL<br />
PERSON AND ARTIST<br />
BARBARA DIETRICH,<br />
CEO DIPLOMATIC WORLD<br />
114 115
116 117
118 119
THE ART OF LEO STOPFER<br />
A ROMANCE BETWEEN<br />
BALLET AND PAINTING<br />
A LOOK AT THE PAINTINGS OF AUSTRIAN ARTIST<br />
LEO STOPFER WHO CAPTURES ON HIS CANVAS-<br />
ES THE BEST BALLET DANCERS OF OUR TIME<br />
Depicting a dance is an almost impossible task.<br />
How to catch a movement with a brush stroke that will inevitably<br />
freeze on the canvas? How to hear music through a painting? For<br />
centuries, artists have been trying to find answers to these questions.<br />
The art of dance and, in particular, the magic art of classical<br />
ballet has always attracted the special attention of artists.<br />
Talking about ballet, it is impossible not to mention the paintings<br />
of Edgar Degas or Pablo Picasso. This tradition is confidently<br />
and consistently continued by Austrian contemporary artist Leo<br />
Stopfer, widely acclaimed as the Painter of the Ballet-Stars.<br />
Working in a realistic, but not in an impressionistic manner, Leo<br />
Stopfer, however, did not avoid comparisons with Edgar Degas.<br />
In contrast, the way he understands and reveals the theme of<br />
ballet is very different from how the French master portrayed<br />
dancers. The great impressionist was attracted by the possibility<br />
of transferring space and forms in this space, plasticity, rhythm<br />
and dynamics, most fully felt in dance. He portrayed young<br />
ballerinas without embellishment, with some kind of sarcasm,<br />
impartially.<br />
120 121
Yakovleva (Vienna State Ballet) or Isabelle Ciaravola and Ludmila<br />
Pagliero (Opera de Paris). A special place in the work of Leo<br />
Stopfer belongs to the collaboration with Diana Vishneva, the prima<br />
ballerina of the Mariinsky Theater. Diana Vishneva is a legend,<br />
who is undoubtedly one of the most talented personalities in the<br />
art of ballet. She won the love of the audience not only in Russia<br />
but also abroad, got recognition and numerous awards.<br />
Ekaterina Shipulina<br />
Leo Stopfer cares about both the external and internal beauty of<br />
a ballet dancer, his paintings are characterised by a completely<br />
different psychology. The spiritual beauty of the ballet, the subtle<br />
spiritual and physical beauty of a creative personality, embodied<br />
through the elegance of lines, the plasticity of forms and the<br />
richness of color palette — this is what is shown in the artworks<br />
of the Austrian master.<br />
Devoting all his work to the study of human nature, Leo Stopfer<br />
always seeks to convey the energy of the living body. The models<br />
depicted by the artist are always characterised by heightened<br />
sensuality and frankness: this is his individual style of perception<br />
of reality, which is revealed in his works — drawings and portraits.<br />
It seems that many of his paintings breathe passion, and of<br />
course, they amaze public with unusual aesthetics.<br />
Leo Stopfer’s ballet paintings are living organisms, representing<br />
a special rhythm of life and grandiose performances on a stage.<br />
The master perfectly knows all the ballet “pas”: he diligently<br />
studied a theory of classical ballet, making sketches in the classrooms<br />
and rehearsal studios of many famous European theatres.<br />
And it is not surprising that these elegant paintings, intriguing<br />
and attracting, diverge all over Europe, taking place in private<br />
collections of connoisseurs of such art.<br />
In earlier years, the artist was painting landscapes in an organic-abstract<br />
style, using a mixed Impasto technique. He combined<br />
earth, sand and stones with acrylic paint to develop a relief-like<br />
texture. Leo Stopfer’s passion for ballet began later, when he met<br />
the ballerina Mitra Nayeri, who inspired Leo Stopfer to create his<br />
first pastels paintings and ballet drawings in the year of 1989.<br />
Another important chapter in Leo Stopfer’s artistic career began<br />
in 2011. On 9 January of 2011 the painter was inspired in the<br />
Vienna State Opera by the performance of two ballerinas — Ketevan<br />
Papava and Marie-Claire D’Lyse in the ballet «Bella Figura».<br />
The dancing bodies fascinated him, initiating a new creative<br />
union. Two weeks later the painter together with the ballerinas<br />
was working on the new masterpiece in his atelier. The result of<br />
this work is the series of paintings ‘Bella Figura’. Later other stars<br />
of the Vienna State Ballet became the models of Leo Stopfer’s<br />
paintings.<br />
Almost a decade later, Leo Stopfer had the big honour to exhibit<br />
his artworks created in collaboration with the ballet dancers of<br />
the Vienna State Opera in the Opera House. The Leo Stopfer’s<br />
personal exhibition “Förderpreisträger und Ehrenmitglieder des<br />
Ballettclubs, Stars des Wiener Staatsballetts” took place at the<br />
Vienna State Opera from November 2019 till February 2020.<br />
Since his first exhibition in 1982, Stopfer’s work has been exhibited<br />
all around Europe, including London, Vienna, Berlin, Moscow,<br />
Luxembourg, Côte d’Azur.<br />
Fascinated by the beauty of classical dance, he made ballet<br />
the main theme of his art, cooperating with many outstanding<br />
dancers of our time for many years. Among them are such grandees<br />
of the world ballet scene as Olga Smirnova and Evgenia<br />
Obraztsova (Bolshoi Theater), Vladimir Malakhov (State Ballet of<br />
Berlin), Maria Abashova (Ballet Theater of Boris Eifman), Maria<br />
Undoubtedly, a personal acquaintance with the dancers and an<br />
incessant dialogue has a particular importance for the artist. The<br />
conversations that arose during the portraiture of great dancers<br />
made it possible to touch on their rich experience, and opened<br />
the spiritual depth of their work. According to Leo Stopfer vision,<br />
the romance between ballet and painting is a story of dramatic<br />
relations between statics and dynamics. And in the end - an<br />
attempt by each of these arts to expand its limits. Thus, ballet<br />
gives the artist inspiration and new subjects for paintings. And<br />
in turn, the fine art takes ballet out of the theatre itself, making it<br />
the destiny of an even wider circle of people. It could be said that<br />
paintings by Leo Stopfer at different times also act as a way to<br />
popularize ballet in society, to form its positive image.<br />
Photos: Claudia Prieler<br />
Diana Vishneva in Woman in a room<br />
Leo Stopfer with Diana Vishneva<br />
122 123
KILIAN SAUERESSIG<br />
PEACE, LOVE AND LIGHT<br />
CHÂTEAU PAPILLONS DES ARTS DE ST. MORITZ<br />
KOEN VANMECHELEN<br />
GUY PIETERS GALLERY<br />
Zeedijk - Het Zoute 755<br />
8300 Knokke-Heist<br />
124 125
WM GALLERY BY PATRICK DECLERCK<br />
SUPPLIER OF GOOD TASTE<br />
DER EWIGE MENSCH<br />
ULRIKE BOLENZ<br />
Ten years after the passage of Custode Samurai<br />
V in the MAS Antwerp, and two successful exhibitions<br />
at WM Gallery, the worldwide renowned<br />
Italian artist Matteo Pugliese is coming back to<br />
Antwerp with the solo exhibition ‘A matter of<br />
trust’, featuring new, impressive, and never-<br />
before-seen artworks.<br />
On the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of<br />
his art career, he is showing, for the first time, a<br />
sculpture that does not fight the wall, but confidently<br />
surrenders to fate. It links to the game of<br />
trust in which the person lets himself fall backwards<br />
into the arms of the person he trusts.<br />
MATTEO PUGLIESE<br />
A MATTER OF TRUST<br />
There are so many artists whose works instil admiration in me.<br />
I only knew Ulrike Bolenz’ work in fragments, partly from a visit<br />
to her studio, where there were mostly recent, large-scale works<br />
on display, together with numerous intriguing sketches. However,<br />
from these fragments it is easy to deduce that they are part of a<br />
larger, coherent and, as far as I am concerned at least, awe-inspiring<br />
whole.<br />
There is nothing better than a monograph to absorb this larger<br />
whole, to allow it to slowly seep into the deepest layers of<br />
consciousness. The pleasure of wandering through a vast body<br />
of work also increases in direct proportion to the care taken in<br />
its publication. In this sense, Ulrike’s recently published monograph<br />
can be considered a climax. The beautiful and captivating<br />
design, the rich and varied choice of images, the luxurious print<br />
- everything shows how much care this book was made.<br />
Above all, it is the whole concept of the book that offers added<br />
value. Where most monographs offer a chronological overview of<br />
an oeuvre, and try to extract the common thread from the logical<br />
sequence of the works, this monograph offers a much more<br />
dynamic perspective on Ulrike’s oeuvre.<br />
It is not so much a thematic presentation, nor an order in style<br />
or colour, but rather its own storyline, which springs from a<br />
careful examination and understanding of the entire oeuvre. The<br />
sequence in the book feels more like a major solo exhibition by<br />
Ulrike in a major museum. Here you have a room with some key<br />
works, there some smaller thematic rooms, a bit further on some<br />
works that resonate with each other in terms of style and feeling,<br />
though the whole thing remains respectful of the artist’s own<br />
stamp, the progression she has made in her practice over many<br />
years, and the central theme of her oeuvre (“She does not dramatise,<br />
but puts her brush in the wound of human fatality”, Willem<br />
Elias beautifully writes in the accompanying text) ...<br />
The book was actually and masterfully curated by Bruno Devos,<br />
director of the Stockmans publishing house. The result is simply<br />
amazing...<br />
I can’t claim to have read all the art books published this year,<br />
but of those that I have held in my hands, this one is certainly the<br />
highlight...<br />
Fréderic De Meyer, The ArtCouch<br />
The sculptures of Matteo Pugliese (Milan, °1969)<br />
enjoy world fame. The exhibition in Antwerp follows<br />
exhibitions in Rome, London, Hong Kong<br />
and New York, among others.<br />
In September 2013, Pugliese had the opportunity<br />
to overhaul the interior of the legendary Caffè<br />
Florian in Venice’s San Marco Square. Matteo’s<br />
work can also be admired in starred restaurants<br />
such as Zilte (Antwerp) and Contraste (Milan).<br />
WM Gallery is very honoured to be able to show<br />
Matteo Pugliese’s sculptures in exclusivity for<br />
BeNeLux permanently in its collection, and this<br />
for more than a decade.<br />
Expo from Saturday 23 April to Sunday 12 June 2022<br />
WM Gallery by Patrick Declerck - Supplier of good taste<br />
Wolstraat 45, 2000 Antwerpen - +32 475 25 14 02 - info@wmgallery.be - wmgallery.be<br />
Open from Thursday to Sunday, continuously from 1 to 6 pm, or by appointment.<br />
126 127
NELSON MANDELA’S PORTRAIT<br />
BOOSTED THE ART CAREER<br />
OF ARTIST PETER ENGELS<br />
WHEN MANDELA TURNED 90, ARTIST PETER<br />
ENGELS PAINTED MANDELA’S LARGE PORTRAIT.<br />
THE PAINTING ENDED UP ON THE WORLD’S<br />
LARGEST BILLBOARD IN TIMES SQUARE, NEW<br />
YORK, ON MANDELA’S BIRTHDAY. THIS BOOSTED<br />
PETER ENGELS’ ART CAREER.<br />
MANDELA IN TIMES SQUARE<br />
Since the Reuters news agency inaugurated the world’s largest<br />
billboard in Times Square with the Mandela portrait by Peter<br />
Engels, the Belgian portrait painter has enjoyed increasing art<br />
attention. “Times Square has really accelerated my career,”<br />
Engels says. “The attention just kept coming. Washington Post,<br />
Los Angeles Times, the British The Independent, New York Daily<br />
News, Sun Herald, Forbes, San Francisco Business Times. I even<br />
made it to the elite Chinese art scene. Wonderful to get all that<br />
positive response from all over the globe.”<br />
The Mandela portrait travelled to various exhibitions. For Peter<br />
Engels, the number of international exhibitions increased as well.<br />
For several years now, works by Engels have been on display<br />
during the Art Basel Miami art week. He personally travelled to<br />
an exhibition in New York. Fortunately, because it was there that<br />
he met Karl Lagerfeld and painted his portrait.<br />
After a few exhibitions the Mandela painting was then sold to a<br />
Mandela fan and art collector who said: “Rarely we have encountered<br />
an artist who was able to create such a remarkable portrait<br />
of an icon.”<br />
MANDELA’S VIVID LOOK<br />
When Mandela died the painting was used in his obituary. “This<br />
portrait is a painted tribute to one of the greatest men ever. In<br />
the painting, in spite of his respectable age at that time, Nelson<br />
Mandela has a vivid appearance,” Peter Engels says. “Time and<br />
a turbulent life have indeed engraved his face, but in this painting,<br />
he will keep that friendly look forever. The stars in his eyes<br />
will twinkle eternally. His smile is warm, and he has a glowing<br />
charisma. For me it was a real pleasure and humbling honour to<br />
paint him.”<br />
MADIBA PAINTED WITH THE ENGELS’ SIGNATURE<br />
Barely a few months after he made the press with the very last<br />
portrait of tenor Luciano Pavarotti, Peter Engels astonished the<br />
world with Mandela’s impressive portrait. Peter Engels paints<br />
with the pallet knife. The paint is applied in a thick layer to the<br />
canvas and gives the art a nice texture. His colour palette is sober.<br />
Engels himself calls his paintings “Vintage Portraits” because<br />
of the sepia colour use. The portrait of Mandela is painted in this<br />
same way. Tens of thousands of strokes of the pallet knife in exactly<br />
the right position form a harmonious and glorious portrait.<br />
Just like the Mandela portrait, all the character heads that Peter<br />
Engels creates are large close-ups painted with the pallet knife in<br />
sepia tones. Together with the separate positioning of the head<br />
on the canvas, this is his personal and unique signature.<br />
THE AMAZING WALK BACK EXPERIENCE<br />
The Nelson Mandela portrait has the Engels’ characteristics.<br />
When you get the chance to see his work, it is intriguing to do<br />
this exercise: look at the work from up close and then gradually<br />
step back and view it from a distance. The effect is impressive!<br />
From a short distance the knife strokes are large, and the painting<br />
seems abstract. Walking backwards one can perceive the<br />
portrait in all its glory and in all its detail. If you take a few steps<br />
sideways, Mandela’s eyes continue to look at you, they follow<br />
you. The amazing effect is that the eye of the viewer is unconsciously<br />
focused on the face. Peter Engels definitely wants to<br />
paint a bright, lively look. This gives the portrait a real soul. That is<br />
exactly what Karl Lagerfeld said: “Peter Engels painted my soul”.<br />
128 129
Be a member of ANADE<br />
FROM SOUTH AFRICA TO MONACO<br />
The fact that the Mandela portrait was unveiled to the world in<br />
Times Square also inspired Prince Albert of Monaco to purchase<br />
a work by Peter Engels. At an auction in Monaco, the Prince was<br />
engaged in a fiery bidding duel with the mayor of the neighbouring<br />
France coastal village of Eze. They were both interested in<br />
the large portrait of Princess Grace by Peter Engels. The Prince<br />
and the mayor kept bidding against each other until the mayor<br />
stood up in the back of the auction room and, and with a broad<br />
and courteous gesture, he left the final bid to the Prince. “I would<br />
have given it to the Prince anyway,” he said.<br />
The Mandela portrait opened many doors for the artist, and he<br />
set out to paint and, if possible, even meet more famous character<br />
heads. Peter Engels met and painted 007-actor Roger Moore,<br />
jazz legend Toots Thielemans, Belgian Princess Astrid and<br />
fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld. Actress Nicole Kidman shortly lived<br />
in Peter Engels’ village where he painted her portrait.<br />
MANDELA’S CHARMING INNOCENCE<br />
Just like Nelson Mandela, the Greek philosopher Hippocrates<br />
has a charming innocence about his personae. Peter Engels<br />
studied the few well-preserved marble sculptures of Hippocrates<br />
and painted his true portrait. Peter Engels was commissioned<br />
to paint the portrait of the late cosmetics tycoon Estée Lauder<br />
to revive her villa in Cannes, South of France. Peter Engels was<br />
commissioned to create an art piece for the Jordan Queen Rania,<br />
a metal portrait sculpture that was flown to Amman.<br />
Peter Engels was commissioned to create the sculpture of<br />
Michelin star chef and father of ‘nouvelle cuisine’ Roger Vergé.<br />
The large sculpture was positioned in the marketplace of the<br />
medieval village of Mougins, South of France. A miniature of the<br />
large sculpture serves as the award for Vergé’s yearly international<br />
chef’s contest.<br />
MANDELA’S FRIEND RICHARD BRANSON<br />
“Meeting your model gives an extra dimension to a portrait,”<br />
Peter Engels says. Fortunately, the artist was able to meet<br />
Mandela’s friend, Richard Branson in person. In fact, Branson<br />
even wanted to pose. But not too long. What better moment for<br />
portrait painter Peter Engels to have Virgin boss and business<br />
tycoon Richard Branson model ‘live’ for him than during a twoand-a-half-hour<br />
interview?<br />
Peter Engels: ‘It seemed the perfect opportunity to have Richard<br />
Branson pose for me. A charming lady interviewed him, but<br />
most of all, she easily kept Richard Branson smiling for a couple<br />
of hours, which was just enough for me to finish the painting.’<br />
In front of an international audience of 1,600 journalists, politicians,<br />
students and entrepreneurs, Peter Engels painted Richard<br />
Branson’s portrait on a large canvas. It was a stressful session<br />
for the artist, but incredibly memorable. The painting was signed<br />
by Richard Branson himself, making this artwork an even more<br />
desirable collector’s item in the charity auction that followed.<br />
COMMISSIONED PAINTINGS WELCOME<br />
But if you think that Peter Engels only paints celebrities, you<br />
are wrong. Because more than half of his paintings are portraits<br />
of lesser-known people. The reveal of these commissions are<br />
always emotional moments of happiness.<br />
www.peterengels.eu<br />
130
Alexander Mordvintsev<br />
Researcher and Artist in Living Tomorrow<br />
BACK TO THE FUTURE<br />
INNOVATION, VISUALIZATION,<br />
INTERPRETATION AND UNDERSTANDING<br />
Artists: Koen Vanmechelen, Sarah Fabergé - Gary James<br />
McQueen, Paul Van Hoeydonck, Frederik De Wilde, Nicole Stott,<br />
Gary James McQueen, Alexander Mordvintsev, Fred Eerdekens,<br />
Peter De Cupere, Panamarenko, Nick Ervinck, Sergey Dozhd,<br />
Ulrike Bolenz, Liudmila Norsoyanand, Louisa Burnett-Hall,<br />
Patricia de Solages, Felix Roulin and Hergé<br />
Curator: Barbara Dietrich<br />
The exhibition is devoted to the future of Art and Humanity and<br />
one of the main ideas is the humanitarian aspects of the Art<br />
uniting different countries from around the world.<br />
Innovation, the value of memories, global prosperity and world<br />
peace. If there is anything certain about our future, it’s that technological<br />
progress will rapidly be creating change of a dimension<br />
mankind never before experienced. This will provide tremendous<br />
opportunities for global prosperity and world peace – but also<br />
huge risks! Some experts speculate that, in less than 20 years,<br />
we will have a “singularity”, meaning that computers and the human<br />
brain may have the same capacity. This fosters many fears,<br />
exceeding today’s fears, about Artificial Intelligence (AI) that most<br />
jobs will soon be gone. However, others are saying that AI is only<br />
based on algorithms without a conscious mind. Machines follow<br />
mere logic, not knowing what – or why – they are doing something<br />
and – of course – without questioning the ethics of what<br />
they are doing. They conclude that man will always be on the<br />
driver’s seat. Unfortunately, this does not reduce related fears in<br />
our societies. All innovations can be used either for good or bad.<br />
That’s nothing new to learn – other than that, in the past, the<br />
outcome often was random.<br />
These innovation cycles can’t be stopped or reverted! However,<br />
if we want our future to be good, we need to tackle the fear.<br />
This can only happen through information that is available to be<br />
accessed by and debated within the wider public. Understanding<br />
takes away fears and leads towards action – in a positive sense!<br />
I like Emergent Phenomenas, Machine Learning, Computer Graphics and Vision.<br />
I like to visualize things. DeepDream is my most known creation. I'm working at Google Research on<br />
Deep Neural Network visualization, interpretation and understanding.<br />
Alexander Mordvintsev invented Google DeepDream, launching an entirely new subgenre of<br />
art using neural networks – and transforming how we visualize images in AI.<br />
132 133
BRASSERIE BRISTOL<br />
INTERVIEW WITH<br />
ANN DECUYPERE & CHRISTIAN DELACOURT<br />
HI CHRISTIAN, HI ANN. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU<br />
FOR WELCOMING AND SPEAKING WITH US.<br />
THREE GENERATIONS. PERHAPS EVEN A<br />
FOURTH?<br />
Christian: My wife made me (he laughs)!<br />
Ann: No. They don’t want to (she smiles).<br />
TOGETHER, YOU RUN BRASSERIE BRISTOL IN<br />
KNOKKE-HEIST, A REMARKABLE RESTAURANT<br />
WITH AN EQUALLY REMARKABLE STORY.<br />
Christian: That’s right. Brasserie Bristol, known previously as the<br />
OH DEAR. DOES IT UPSET YOU THAT THERE WILL<br />
BE NO SUCCESSOR?<br />
Christian: Yes and no. It’s a difficult job, plus I want my kids to<br />
find their own way. At Brasserie Bristol, you can often end up<br />
Ann: For me, it all began as a student job (she blushes). That’s<br />
how we met. What would you call that nowadays? After we got<br />
HOW DO YOU GUARANTEE SUCH HIGH QUALITY?<br />
Hotel Bristol, has occupied the same site since 13 May 1927.<br />
working around the clock. That, combined with the difficulty of<br />
married, I stayed on at the hotel, eventually going on to work<br />
Christian: No plate leaves the kitchen that hasn’t passed by me.<br />
We therefore have deep roots here in Knokke-Heist. The hotel<br />
finding motivated staff, isn’t something I’d want to burden them<br />
front of house in the restaurant. Sometimes, I also help think up<br />
It helps, of course, that I’m surrounded by a strong, competent<br />
was founded by my three great aunts. As unmarried women, the<br />
with.<br />
new menu ideas, albeit just as someone to bounce ideas off.<br />
team. Fortunately, even with the pandemic, we haven’t had to<br />
three sisters would have had plenty of time to put into the hotel.<br />
Chris is the creative one.<br />
cope with any staff turnover. I also make sure to question myself<br />
Ann: Plus, even if your kids do end up working in the business,<br />
every day. For example, if we take our five-weekly suggestions<br />
Christian: During the Second <strong>World</strong> War, the hotel was requisi-<br />
you wouldn’t ever actually get any respite. ‘Mum, can you<br />
Christian: The entire team play their part. Brasserie Bristol<br />
menu, by week five, I’m already asking myself ‘is this still good<br />
tioned by the Germans and used as an arms depot. After the war,<br />
help us?’<br />
wouldn’t enjoy its good reputation and high level of quality with-<br />
enough?’<br />
my great-aunt Alice went to personally plead her case with the<br />
out a strong team behind me.<br />
Ministry of Reconstruction in Brussels. My grandmother – and<br />
the fourth sister – Paula also joined the family business during<br />
this time.<br />
AND YOUR PARENTS PASSED IT DOWN TO YOU,<br />
IS THAT RIGHT?<br />
Christian: Yes, the third generation (he proudly declares). We very<br />
much grew up in the hospitality world. In 2005, we took the decision<br />
to demolish the old hotel and build a new residence, only<br />
Christian: I want to carry on cooking at Brasserie Bristol for as<br />
long as I can, as this really is what I enjoy doing. If it stops after<br />
me, so be it.<br />
SO CHRISTIAN, WHILE YOU’RE IN THE KITCHEN,<br />
ANN OVERSEES FRONT OF HOUSE?<br />
Christian: Yes, having trained as a chef at the Koksijde hotel<br />
school, I spent five years interning at ‘t Molentje, before eventually<br />
working for my parents at the hotel. While the hotel was being<br />
NATURALLY, WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY A RU-<br />
DIMENTARY HOTEL KITCHEN HAS COME A<br />
LONG WAY, BECOMING A PLACE RENOWNED<br />
FOR HIGH-QUALITY FINE DINING, ACHIEVING A<br />
STRONG GAULT & MILLAU SCORE OF 14.5/20.<br />
Ann: Yes, of course! Up until 2005, Bristol was a mishmash of<br />
everything, so to speak (she smiles). A hotel, a terrace, a restaurant,<br />
a pancake house, and so on. When we started up again<br />
WHAT IS THE MOST POPULAR DISH?<br />
Ann and Christian, both in unison: ‘Tomate aux crevettes’<br />
(Belgian shrimp-stuffed tomatoes)!<br />
AH, A BELGIAN COAST CLASSIC. WOULD YOU<br />
AGREE THAT KNOKKE-HEIST IS UNLIKE ANY<br />
OTHER COASTAL MUNICIPALITY?<br />
keeping the ground floor as a restaurant rather than part<br />
renovated, I spent a brief period working alongside my now good<br />
in 2008, we didn’t quite know which direction we wanted to<br />
Ann: Yes. For us, Knokke-Heist is unique. We couldn’t imagine<br />
of a hotel.<br />
friend Bart at Bartholomeus. I learned a lot during my time there.<br />
take, so we went with ‘Brasserie’. Since then, however, we have<br />
running our business anywhere else. It is a municipality with both<br />
moved more towards quality, high-end fine dining.<br />
personality and a true sense of authenticity. A metropolis with a<br />
134 135
eally folksy feel, it has something for everyone. As such, each<br />
and every borough still retains its own personality. Here in Heist,<br />
you can still hear local dialects being spoken in bars. At Tussen<br />
Land en Zee [a local bar], for instance, local folklore societies still<br />
often meet up at the back.<br />
Christian: Not to mention, they have the best draught Stella<br />
Artois!<br />
WHAT PLACES WOULD YOU RECOMMEND<br />
VISITING IN KNOKKE-HEIST?<br />
Christian: I sometimes enjoy browsing the local interior design<br />
shops, such as Final Touch and Bea Items on Kustlaan, or that<br />
interior design shop by the roundabout on Zoutelaan... what’s it<br />
called again?<br />
Ann: Karlijn Wolters!<br />
DO YOU ALSO GO OUT AND SAMPLE THE<br />
LOCAL COMPETITION?<br />
Christian: What competition (he laughs)? No, just kidding.<br />
We don’t see the other restauranteurs in Knokke-Heist as competitors,<br />
simply good friends. Everyone has their own style. We<br />
don’t copy or look down our noses at one another. As a result,<br />
we all have our own customer bases and are able to happily<br />
coexist.<br />
Ann: Christian even goes cycling every week with the so-called<br />
‘competition’.<br />
Christian: Oh yes (he says looking excited)! Together with a few<br />
other restauranteurs, we sometimes go cycling. This is convenient,<br />
as we naturally tend to be closed on the same days. I often<br />
go with the people at Bartholomeus, Le Boudin Sauvage, Escabeche,<br />
Cuines 33... I hope I’m not forgetting anyone (he frets).<br />
APART FROM RIDING BIKES, WHAT DO YOU GUYS<br />
GET UP TO IN YOUR FREE TIME?<br />
Ann: We enjoy going for walks. Of course, Knokke-Heist has a lot<br />
to offer walkers. You can drink in the fresh sea air on the beach<br />
or head for the natural surroundings of Het Zwin. Chris also likes<br />
to surf.<br />
Ann: During our annual holiday, we always go skiing. We definitely<br />
prefer snow to sun. The nature, the outdoors, the sport, the<br />
food after all that exercise... pure bliss! And now, as there is no<br />
après-ski because of the pandemic, we actually end up coming<br />
back well rested for once. If not, I suppose we could always give<br />
the sun a try!<br />
DO YOU PREFER WINTER TO SUMMER? IS THAT<br />
ALSO THE BEST TIME OF YEAR IN KNOKKE-HEIST<br />
FOR YOU GUYS?<br />
Christian: Definitely! The peace and quiet, seeing our regulars,<br />
taking long walks on the beach with our terrier Ronnie romping<br />
around in the dunes... nothing compares to a relaxing walk on<br />
the beach on a cool, clear winter morning in Knokke-Heist.<br />
Ann: And a hot waffle in the afternoon from the Marie-Siska<br />
tearoom!<br />
Christian: Knokke-Heist also makes a real effort to put events<br />
on throughout the year. There’s always a reason to come to<br />
Knokke-Heist. Last Christmas, for example, we had the Light<br />
Art Festival, a wonderful initiative that brought together light and<br />
art. And we benefit from it too. From visitors to local traders,<br />
Brasserie Bristol was full every night.<br />
Ann: Knokke-Heist is also home a lot of second-home owners.<br />
With teleworking becoming more established following the pandemic,<br />
we hope to see them come stay both for longer and more<br />
frequently. By working during the day and enjoying Knokke-Heist<br />
in the evening, every day can feel like a holiday!<br />
136 137
YOU BRIEFLY MENTIONED ART. IN KNOKKE-HEIST,<br />
YOU HAVE MORE THAN 90 DIFFERENT ART GAL-<br />
LERIES, A LOT MORE THAN SOME BIG CITIES<br />
EVEN. ARE YOU ART LOVERS YOURSELVES?<br />
WOULD YOU CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT<br />
KNOKKE-HEIST?<br />
Ann: The parking facilities. We do love it here, but when you<br />
have all the allure of a big city in terms of gastronomy and leisure<br />
SUCH DEDICATION AND NO MICHELIN STAR (YET).<br />
DOES THAT BOTHER YOU?<br />
Christian: No, I don’t really want a star, nor do I harbour any<br />
ambitions of getting one. I simply want to keep doing what we’re<br />
SPEAKING OF WHICH, YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE<br />
THE SEA FROM YOUR KITCHEN (BRASSERIE<br />
BRISTOL OCCUPIES A UNIQUE SEAFRONT LOCA-<br />
TION, PAIRED WITH A MODERN OPEN KITCHEN).<br />
Christian: Yes. I myself am a great fan of art and enjoy visiting the<br />
activities, you also need adequate parking facilities.<br />
doing without creating excessively high expectations. Being<br />
Christian: I rarely look up. I’m always too preoccupied with each<br />
galleries or photo exhibitions at the Scharpoord Cultural Centre<br />
consistent in our quality, that’s the aim. That’s why Knokke-Heist<br />
dish to have time to look at the sea, however close and beautiful<br />
here in Knokke-Heist. We’ve even gone as far as to work with<br />
certain galleries. For example, I was once inspired by a piece in<br />
a local art gallery for a magazine article, with the resulting dish<br />
channelling the piece’s colours and overall composition. I had a<br />
lot of fun doing it!<br />
DO YOU DREAM OF RUNNING ANOTHER<br />
BUSINESS ELSEWHERE?<br />
Christian: No. Absolutely not. Our focus is solely on Brasserie<br />
and Brasserie Bristol go so well together.<br />
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY LIKE TO COOK?<br />
it may be (he smiles).<br />
Ann: We deliberately opted for an open kitchen so that customers<br />
could enjoy a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse during their<br />
visit.<br />
Bristol and Knokke-Heist. As a chef, you cannot be in two places<br />
Christian: I enjoy working with seasonal produce. For this, we<br />
Ann: Some artists have even become regular customers,<br />
at once. Nor can I duplicate my team.<br />
rely on quality, local suppliers. Take our shrimps, for example. We<br />
Ann, Christian. Thank you so much for this fascinating insight into<br />
although I won’t be naming any names!<br />
actually source these directly from a local shrimper. Serving the<br />
your wonderful business, Brasserie Bristol, and for giving us your<br />
sea on a plate in all its goodness, that’s what motivates me.<br />
recommendations in Knokke-Heist. All the best for the future!<br />
138 139
WWW.BARE-JEWELRY.COM<br />
@BARE_FINEJEWELRY<br />
Photo: Istock<br />
140
INTERVIEW WITH<br />
THE PROMISING<br />
BELGIAN TENNIS TALENT<br />
ALESSIO BASILE<br />
I AM VERY HAPPY TO BE HERE WITH ALESSIO<br />
BASILE IN THIS MOMENT, BACK FROM<br />
AUSTRALIA TO MEET AND HAVE A CONVERSA-<br />
TION. HOW WAS AUSTRALIA?<br />
HOW DID YOU FEEL PLAYING WITH OTHERS THAT<br />
HAVE SUCH A HIGH RANKING?<br />
I mean, every player out there is very good at it. So I knew if I<br />
wanted to win rounds there that I had to beat those good players<br />
First of all, it was an amazing experience to be there and to play<br />
that were high on the rankings. It is something normal. If you are<br />
my first grand slam. So that was something new for me and I<br />
there and you win, like against higher players of course it feels<br />
enjoyed every minute. I have never played such a tournament in<br />
good but that is what we are all there for to get better and end up<br />
my life up until now.<br />
higher in the ranking and that is only achievable by beating the<br />
ones already above you.<br />
It was probably the best experience I have ever had. I am very<br />
grateful that I could have played such a tournament but I am also<br />
glad to be back home and share it with everyone else. As for<br />
future goals that I set myself, we try to continue and work hard to<br />
achieve many more goals.<br />
HOW ARE YOU FEELING/PREPARING FOR THE<br />
NEXT BIG TOURNAMENTS COMING UP?<br />
For the moment I am number 61 of the worlds under 18 in jun-<br />
injured and it might not be a drastic change but on the other<br />
Every new tournament and country that I visit or am going to<br />
iors. In Belgium I am number three under 18 and of my age<br />
hand who knows if the injury will get far worse so for me it is<br />
play at is very exciting and it adds to the experience. Next week<br />
category. In the future, I want to try to get in the top hundred<br />
more like a backup plan. I am going to try to study as long as I<br />
for example, I am going to Russia, it is something new because<br />
of the men’s pro circuit which is basically the goal from the<br />
can but this year I should be done with secondary school and<br />
I have never been there before. I think I am very fortunate to<br />
beginning, because I mean, everybody wants to say they want<br />
then we will see what the future holds.<br />
visit those places and also do something I love in the meantime,<br />
to be number one and I would be lying if that is not what I want<br />
competing in these tournaments. I will be going there to try and<br />
eventually.<br />
My ultimate goal would still be making a living out of something I<br />
get as many wins/points as I can so that I am qualified for the<br />
love to do which is playing professionally but that does not take<br />
Grand Slam.<br />
However, for now we have to set some realistic goals. It would<br />
away that my studies are also important. Not only for myself but<br />
be already nice to get into the top hundred later on and then try<br />
my parents encourage me with it too.<br />
DID YOU HAVE MUCH TIME TO ACTUALLY<br />
EXPLORE THE COUNTRIES IN QUESTION OR<br />
WERE YOU MOSTLY TRAINING?<br />
We do not have as much time as we would like to be visiting<br />
the city the whole day or even most of the trip because most<br />
of the time we are on the tennis court or we are in the hotel to<br />
rest. However, from the moment that we are done with training<br />
and tournaments we have more time to focus on such things as<br />
sightseeing so we do try to explore the area around us. It is a<br />
great opportunity to have so if we can we like to make the most<br />
of it.<br />
to aim as high as possible in that moment. For that there is still a<br />
long way to go and a lot of steps that need to be taken beforehand.<br />
I will work on this goal and try to achieve it because tennis<br />
is my passion and one of the end goals would be to win a Grand<br />
Slam title.<br />
HOW ARE YOU COMBINING YOUR PASSION WITH<br />
YOUR STUDIES?<br />
I am also pretty satisfied by the fact that I am still able to combine<br />
my studies with all the additional aspects that come to<br />
tennis and going pro. So I am still combining those two and for<br />
the moment, I am holding on to it.<br />
THE PROMISING BELGIAN<br />
TENNIS TALENT ALESSIO BASILE<br />
NUMBER 61 OF THE WORLD UNDER-18<br />
NUMBER 3 UNDER-18 OF BELGIUM<br />
NUMBER 40 OF BELGIUM<br />
ALL AGE CATEGORY<br />
TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR RANKING AND HOW<br />
YOU PLAN ON GETTING HIGHER?<br />
I think it is very important to hold on to your education because<br />
you never know what might happen in the future. You can get<br />
142 143
SASHA LUND<br />
CHALLENGES FOR FAMILY BUSINESSES<br />
IN TODAY’S CHANGING WORLD<br />
“CONTROL IS GOOD, BUT TRUST IS BETTER”<br />
Sasha Lund is a true cosmopolitan. Daughter of a Russian<br />
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FOR FAMILY<br />
BUSINESSES IN TODAY’S CHANGING WORLD?<br />
mother and a Swedish father she lived in many places around<br />
I truly believe that the main challenge is the realisation that a<br />
the world and speaks 11 languages. She is a successful podcast<br />
family business starts with the family itself. In many family busi-<br />
host of Legacy Talks with Sasha Lund and advisor to business<br />
nesses, the company is often considered “child number one”.<br />
families and family offices. Sasha talked to Dieter Brockmeyer,<br />
It is the one thing that is often prioritised. Hence, the children, the<br />
co-founder and director of Innovation TIME of the <strong>Diplomatic</strong><br />
real people, are often neglected. If you are not seen or heard, it is<br />
<strong>World</strong> Institute about challenges family legacies face in these<br />
inevitable that conflict will arise, which often leads to strong egos<br />
times of rapid global change.<br />
being developed and in conflict.<br />
YOU CONSULT BUSINESS FAMILIES AND<br />
FAMILY OFFICES ON HOW TO PRESERVE THEIR<br />
LEGACY. ONE WOULD EXPECT THAT “OLD”<br />
FAMILIES KNOW HOW TO DO IT. HOWEVER, IT<br />
SEEMS THERE IS PLENTY OF DEMAND FOR<br />
YOUR SERVICE. WHAT IS THE REASON?<br />
When I started working in the family office field, I quickly became<br />
interested in the family dynamic side of these family businesses.<br />
Just like you said, I was unable to comprehend why these<br />
well-established names would have any difficulties at all with<br />
legacy preservation. But one needs to understand that a family<br />
business is made up of two sides and often these two sides are<br />
intertwined: the business and the family itself.<br />
Creating an environment in which family members understand<br />
the business and see what each and every individual could<br />
potentially contribute to it, is key. I want to be clear on one point,<br />
however. By saying “contribute,” I do not necessarily mean that<br />
each and every family member needs to play an active role in the<br />
family business machine. But for the machine to stay well-oiled<br />
and for it to run smoothly, each and every component needs to<br />
know its place. This is best done if the business is discussed<br />
with the family members from an early age. And not just the business.<br />
Listening to the needs, wants, and desires of each family<br />
member is crucial. Like in any family, if you want to raise happy<br />
children, you need to learn to let go and let them take their own<br />
decisions and make their own mistakes. Simultaneously, the next<br />
generation needs to show respect and understanding for what<br />
the generations before them have achieved.<br />
YOU ARE OPERATING IN A QUITE CONSERVATIVE<br />
ENVIRONMENT. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO OPERATE<br />
SUCCESSFULLY?<br />
Conservative? Both yes and no. I work with all generations, meaning<br />
that one day I am advising an older patriarch or matriarch,<br />
just to be talking to the teenage granddaughter a few days later.<br />
Thinking about it, I strongly believe that being an effective advisor<br />
in this field requires two main components.<br />
Sasha Lund<br />
SOME OF THESE FAMILIES GROW THEIR FOR-<br />
TUNE OVER MANY GENERATIONS. THIS CAN BE<br />
CONSIDERED SUSTAINABLE. HOWEVER, THIS<br />
HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HOW WE DEFINE THE<br />
TERM “SUSTAINABILITY” TODAY. IN A WAY, THIS IS<br />
A STEREOTYPE BUT DOES “SUSTAINABILITY” IN<br />
THE WAY WE DEFINE IT TODAY HAVE AN IMPACT<br />
ON FAMILIES?<br />
This is an interesting question and I think it really does start with<br />
To grasp the challenges better, over the years I have interviewed<br />
Sharing an aligned family vision, mission and purpose helps<br />
Trust is one: This is much easier said than done, since it usually<br />
the definition of the term sustainability itself. I see it two-fold:<br />
hundreds of business family members and conducted plenty of<br />
these business families to accept and even embrace the differ-<br />
takes a long time to build long-lasting trusting relationships. Hav-<br />
both from a family business and a financial perspective. Mean-<br />
research. I am also constantly reading and publishing articles. It<br />
ences of the family members. At the same time, it allows them<br />
ing said that, I still believe this is the most important component<br />
ing: how do you create sustainable family values and how do we<br />
did not take long until I came to the realisation that – no matter<br />
to really be honest with each other, which translates into easier<br />
of any kind of relationship, be it personal or business. If the trust<br />
ensure that the investment portfolios are impactful?<br />
where in the world and what culture you belong to – the main<br />
and more sound business decisions. But, at the end of the day,<br />
is non-existent, it does not matter how knowledgeable you are<br />
problems and challenges are always the same. More often than<br />
it comes down to one word. A word that is very powerful and not<br />
you. You will be doomed to fail. I always live by the motto: Control<br />
I actually do believe that there is such a thing as a recipe for<br />
not, the dynamic between people, between the family members<br />
easy to gain. However, once you have it, it becomes immensely<br />
is good, but trust is better. The ability to listen and truly hear<br />
success. The “secret sauce” is exactly in those values mentioned<br />
themselves, is a crucial “make or break it” factor.<br />
powerful: Trust.<br />
someone is the other: Working with multi-generational businesses<br />
above. Talking with your children about these values from an ear-<br />
requires you to have a thick skin, and to understand the history<br />
ly age will help the next generation understand why the patriarch<br />
There are several surveys and statistics that have come to the<br />
Last year I started a podcast called Legacy Talks with Sasha<br />
and cultural eras that have and are surrounding the family member<br />
or matriarch works so hard and what meaning this work has both<br />
same conclusion: Over 90 percent of family businesses fail in the<br />
Lund, where each week I have intimate conversations with lead-<br />
you are talking with. A family member who lived through WWII will<br />
for the family and for the individuals involved in the business. We<br />
third generation. This, in turn, is mostly not due to bad invest-<br />
ing members from multi-generational family businesses. Together<br />
most likely have a different approach to a problem than a GenZ.<br />
need to teach our children the importance of trust. What values<br />
ments or faulty investment strategies, but because family mem-<br />
with my guests, we explore the successes and pitfalls that make<br />
Allowing both to express themselves and then looking at the best<br />
are important. And we need to raise them to have a healthy<br />
bers often have quite complicated or sometimes even non-exist-<br />
or break a legacy. The more people I talk with, the more I realise<br />
solution from a non-biased perspective is very important and<br />
relationship with money and finances. If you manage that, then<br />
ent relationships. How do you expect to run a family business in<br />
that trust really is the basis of everything.<br />
much harder than it sounds. It requires time and patience. Howev-<br />
our children and their children will see the world from a different<br />
harmony if you cannot get your home in harmony?<br />
er, often decisions have to be made quickly and time is limited.<br />
perspective, allowing them to act differently, making decisions<br />
144 145
accordingly. This will have a ripple-effect, since we know that<br />
when wealthy, well-established dynasties make decisions, these<br />
decisions often influence a large number of people.<br />
WELL, THIS SOUNDS LIKE A TRULY CHALLENGING<br />
PERIOD<br />
I knew plenty about the problems business families face because<br />
of the literature and the time I had spent talking with families<br />
globally, and I had been reading, but I did not have any actual<br />
What drives me forward is a never-ending curiosity and desire<br />
to leave my footprint behind in the most impactful way. I am a<br />
people’s person and I always strive to serve. What is the quintes-<br />
It was. Having said that, I consider myself incredibly fortunate,<br />
experience in the field and I told them so. Then I heard the sen-<br />
sence that keeps me going? Amor fati!<br />
THIS LEADS ME TO THE SECOND POINT ABOUT<br />
INVESTING IN AN IMPACTFUL, SUSTAINABLE WAY.<br />
HOW DOES THIS WORK?<br />
since these adversities gave me the opportunity to have conversations<br />
with some of the brightest minds and artistic souls of<br />
this planet. My grandfather was a famous Russian film director,<br />
whose movie The Commissar took the world by storm in the late<br />
80ies and early 90ies and won multiple awards in renowned film<br />
tence that stayed with me forever and led to me opening my own<br />
consultancy firm. The daughter was silent for a moment and then<br />
said: “We trust you”. That moment I realised that trust is often<br />
more important than knowledge.<br />
Amor fati is a Latin phrase that can be loosely translated to “love<br />
of one’s fate”. The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche made<br />
it central to his philosophy with the imaginary notion of “eternal<br />
recurrence”. Imagine running your life back over and over again<br />
I increasingly see that the rising generation wants to take on a<br />
festivals globally, such as the Berlinale’s Silver Bear in 1988.<br />
Years down the line, and I now have both the knowledge and the<br />
where everything recurs indefinitely in the exact same way,<br />
more active role in the investment portfolios, demanding more<br />
The German organisation DAAD, which is the German Academic<br />
trust-relationships that have allowed my consultancy company<br />
every pain, every obstacle, every pleasure. One should embrace<br />
sustainable, long-term impact investments. Even the next<br />
Exchange Service, invited him and my grandmother to be honor-<br />
called Core Values Consulting to grow organically. I currently<br />
and celebrate everything that happens in life, being useful, vital<br />
generation family members who do not possess the required<br />
ary citizens, and so they moved to Germany. Hence, I was lucky<br />
work with five multi-generational business families from different<br />
and necessary for one’s development, and choose to re-live life<br />
knowledge to choose their own investments, turn more and more<br />
to be raised in a “bubble”, where we constantly had the crème<br />
parts of the planet: Asia, Europe, and the USA. We focus family<br />
again in the exact same way. Embracing the painful moments will<br />
to advisors and chief investment officers for assistance. The<br />
de la crème of academia and arts in our apartment. All these<br />
dynamics, succession planning and family governance to secure<br />
only help you grow and become stronger.<br />
sustainable mindset is there; the thinking and wanting to change<br />
interesting conversations had an immense influence on me and<br />
healthy generational continuity and longevity.<br />
something. Hence, if you manage to build a bridge between the<br />
triggered a deep curiosity for understanding human psychology,<br />
Life can be beautiful when you salute it. And good will come to<br />
“old way” of viewing sustainably and the “new way”, meaning<br />
embracing the family values while creating impactful investment<br />
portfolios, not only will the family thrive, but also the business<br />
and the many individuals who are part of the entire ecosystem,<br />
leading both to positive long-term change and financial results.<br />
behaviours, needs, and wants.<br />
Berlin also gave me plenty of opportunities, including getting<br />
heavily involved with the Berlinale Film Festival, leading to me<br />
being a jury member at a very young age in several international<br />
IF YOU ARE ASKED TO SUMMARISE YOUR LIFE<br />
SO FAR, WHAT IS THE QUINTESSENCE AND WHAT<br />
DRIVES YOU FORWARD?<br />
you!<br />
film festivals. I also started dancing ballroom and Latin American<br />
YOU COME FROM A HIGHLY INTERNATIONAL<br />
BACKGROUND, AND YOU SPEAK 11 LANGUAGES.<br />
TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS BACK-<br />
GROUND<br />
competitively and enjoyed it tremendously.<br />
Eventually, I moved to the UK where I attended King’s College<br />
London, graduating in Modern Foreign Languages with<br />
Education and Film. I also got a Cambridge University<br />
CELTA-qualification and moved to Barcelona for two years<br />
I am quite the nomad and love exploring different countries and<br />
where I did Shakespearean Studies at the Universitat de<br />
cultures. I was born in Moscow, back when it was the capital<br />
Barcelona.<br />
of the Soviet Union, today Russia. It always makes me laugh to<br />
realise that I was born in a country that no longer exists. The first<br />
three years of my life, I practically lived on the theatre stages of<br />
Moscow and I was a regular at the Bolshoi Theatre. Those years<br />
THIS SOUNDS LIKE A PERFECT NOMAD’S LIVE<br />
were crucial in shaping my love for poetry, acting, literature, film,<br />
As life of a nomad has it, I ended up putting down roots in sunny<br />
and the arts in general.<br />
Cyprus, which has been my home for the past decade. I started<br />
working for a big global event organiser, producing exclusive<br />
At the age of three, we moved to Sweden. My father is Swedish,<br />
B2B events for Family Offices and High Net Worth Individuals<br />
my mother Russian. Then, when I was eleven, I moved to Berlin,<br />
globally. That is how I first entered the world of family businesses.<br />
Germany, to live with my grandparents where I stayed until my<br />
high school graduation. I often get asked why I moved to Berlin<br />
A few years in, I had built quite a substantial global network of<br />
at such an early stage without my parents. Well, they understood<br />
business families that I was in touch with on a regular basis.<br />
very early on that I have an affinity for languages and cultures<br />
Then one day I was approached by a Mediterranean family. The<br />
and that I possessed deep emotional intelligence. When my<br />
patriarch had suddenly passed away, leaving the three children<br />
Russian grandparents moved to Germany, my parents saw a<br />
clueless as to who the successor of the business should be. The<br />
chance for me, in a way. It was the perfect platform to learn<br />
bereaved included a daughter in her early 20ies and two older<br />
German. I grew up multilingual, speaking Swedish and Russian<br />
sons. The daughter was the only one who had the necessary<br />
at home, while living on the border to Norway. Thus, at the age of<br />
qualifications and knowledge required to take over the business.<br />
eleven, my life took me to Berlin. As all beginnings, the start was<br />
However, her two brothers disagreed. They called me for advice<br />
very challenging, but I was a fighter and ended up staying<br />
when they had already almost reached a breaking point.<br />
in Berlin until my high school graduation.<br />
Group with Laura - Ulrike Bolenz<br />
146 147
OPTIMISM<br />
IS A MORAL DUTY<br />
Rudy Aernoudt<br />
Professor<br />
University of Ghent & Nancy<br />
We are overwhelmed by messages claiming that our planet is in a<br />
compare the world as it stood one generation (70 years) ago in<br />
very bad shape, that inflation has returned, meaning that people<br />
1950, with today.<br />
can no longer pay their bills – and in particular their energy bills<br />
– and that a new Cold War is looming over the horizon. People<br />
born in the 20th century are seen to be the cause of all these ills<br />
and are expected to be ashamed of their behaviour. But is there<br />
ZERO HUNGER<br />
such a thing as a guilty generation? And is indeed the world<br />
Today, the UN <strong>World</strong> Food Programme’s live Hunger Map<br />
worse off?<br />
aggregates 957 million people – almost one billion – across 93<br />
countries who do not have enough to eat. This is, of course, un-<br />
DOES PERCEPTION MATCH REALITY?<br />
acceptable. David Gregg, an Oxford economist, estimated that in<br />
1950, our reference year, 850 million people experienced hunger<br />
sometime during the year, corresponding to 34 % of the world’s<br />
Posing this question to people leads to surprising results. Very<br />
population. Although in absolute figures, we nowadays have<br />
few people (only 4%) think the world is getting better whilst a<br />
100 million people more, they represent ‘only’ 12 % of the world<br />
majority (70%) consider that the world in getting worse (data<br />
yougov). To illustrate, most people (52% - data Ipsos) are<br />
population. The percentage has come down from 34% to 12%.<br />
This is relative progress, but these figures nevertheless remain<br />
Rudy Aernoudt Professor University of Ghent & Nancy<br />
convinced that poverty has drastically increased over time. So,<br />
shocking. Therefore, it is not surprising that this is a priority for<br />
indeed, the world is perceived as going worse. And this negative<br />
the general population and should be the first priority of govern-<br />
Economic growth has proven to be the best way to reduce pov-<br />
most all economies went into a temporary lockdown that resulted<br />
perception leads us to have little faith in the future.<br />
ments all over the world.<br />
erty. If this growth can be achieved with relative equality, extreme<br />
in negative economic growth – the most significant in the last<br />
poverty can be eradicated. Without venerating economic growth,<br />
hundred years aside from the two <strong>World</strong> Wars.<br />
But, we all know, thanks to the father of the Enlightenment<br />
Immanuel Kant, that what we comprehend as the external world<br />
is a facet of our mental life. So, the question is if this perception<br />
POVERTY<br />
we can state with a mathematical certainty that, ceteris paribus,<br />
increased population accompanied by zero-growth would have<br />
led to increased extreme poverty. The reduction of extreme pov-<br />
Without trivialising, let’s put the COVID crisis in a larger context.<br />
The Black Death was an epidemic which ravaged Europe<br />
corresponds to reality. Therefore, let’s take a view from nowhere,<br />
“Less than 1.9 USD a day” is considered by most researchers<br />
erty from 75% to less than 10% in the space of 70 years can be<br />
in the second half of the 14th century. It was a disease spread<br />
as the American philosopher Tomas Nagel puts it, and look at<br />
as the level of extreme poverty. Based on that approach, in real<br />
considered a very impressive collective achievement.<br />
through contact with animals basically through fleas and other<br />
pure facts and figures.<br />
terms of course, in the mid of the twentieth century (data 1950),<br />
rat parasites. As rats often coexisted with humans, the disease<br />
three-quarters of the world experienced extreme poverty. One<br />
For the readers of <strong>Diplomatic</strong> <strong>World</strong> preferring absolute figures:<br />
could spread very quickly. The resemblance between both virus<br />
THINGS THAT MATTER MOST<br />
would expect, as outlined in the previously discussed perception,<br />
that since, given the huge increase of population, this would<br />
have become even worse. However, figures from the <strong>World</strong> Bank<br />
in the last 70 years, over 100,000 people were lifted out of extreme<br />
poverty every day. It is true that the fact that one out of 10<br />
people lives in extreme poverty today is unacceptable, but from<br />
diseases is that the Black Death, just like COVID, has been dealt<br />
with through the implementation of quarantines; amazing.<br />
To analyse if the world is better off, we should try identifying the<br />
show that in 2021, less than 10% of the world population was<br />
statistical point of view the world is definitively a better place to<br />
But there the resemblance stops: the Black Death killed an<br />
determinant of ‘being better off’. A recent survey of the <strong>World</strong><br />
living in extreme poverty.<br />
live in than 70 years ago.<br />
estimated 25 million people, almost a third of the continent’s<br />
Economic Forum, conducted in May 2021, concluded that there<br />
population. COVID has killed 0,06% of the world population, or<br />
was a remarkable consensus among citizens from all regions of<br />
the world. In all countries analysed, the top priorities for the global<br />
public were zero hunger, no poverty and good health. Other<br />
This is of course due to the enormous world economic growth<br />
that we have seen since 1950. Economic growth, based on<br />
increased productivity, innovation, and free trade, means that<br />
HEALTH<br />
five 500 times less than the Black Death. The difference is that in<br />
a just couple of months, we succeeded in developing vaccines.<br />
This example should enable us to see the progress made and<br />
priorities that were identified by most countries were economic<br />
world production increases, and this is a blessing for everyone. It<br />
The COVID-19 crisis has put health back on people’s priority list.<br />
show us that we are often unaware of how bad the past was.<br />
growth and quality education. Therefore, we will concentrate on<br />
is worth noting is that this economic growth took place follow-<br />
And, of course, COVID is dreadful, and anyone dying as a result<br />
those things that matter most. And to measure the evolution of<br />
ing productivity gains, with better working conditions and fewer<br />
of an invisible virus is one death too many. Five million people<br />
Not convinced yet? Infant mortality, the death of children under<br />
the world, we will consider the timespan of one generation and<br />
working hours.<br />
have died throughout the world. To reduce further loss of life, al-<br />
the age of one year, was 27%, worldwide, 70 years ago.<br />
148 149
Nowadays, the worldwide average is ten times lower at 2,3 %.<br />
At the other end of the spectrum, the global average life<br />
expectancy is today 72.6 years (United Nations data) – the global<br />
average today is higher than in any country back in 1950, when<br />
the average was 46 years. Modern medicine, sanitation and<br />
housing conditions and improved nutrition all made this possible.<br />
Yes, on health the world is definitively better off.<br />
ECONOMIC GROWTH<br />
We discussed the positive impact of economic growth on<br />
poverty. Of course, economic growth has an impact on employment<br />
and well-being. To date, we can complain of the impact<br />
COVID-19 on economic growth, with a negative growth of 3% in<br />
2020 worldwide and even up to 7% in the US and EU. But the<br />
year 2021 was a grand-cru and 18 months after the big negative<br />
impact, most countries are back on track. This shows that the<br />
world is resilient. Yes, we still must deal with supply disruptions<br />
and the fear of inflation. Instead of complaining we should<br />
remember that economic growth is not linear and that crises<br />
are an integral part. Kraisis is a Greek word referring to seeing<br />
opportunities.<br />
The global literacy rate for all males is 90.0% while the rate for all<br />
females is only 82.7%.<br />
The next challenge to be addressed is the digital divide. Six in<br />
ten people around the world are now online, with almost five<br />
billion people using the internet. But did you know for instance<br />
that 7% of the Americans and 10% of the Europeans have never<br />
gone online? This is of course even more prevalent in the elder<br />
generation. A quarter of the American adults aged 65 and older<br />
report that they never go online. A European survey revealed that<br />
in the EU, 98% of the Europeans aged 16-24 used the internet in<br />
the last 3 months against 61% of those aged 65-74.<br />
So, the digital divide is an inter-generational divide. And of<br />
course, here again we have regional disparities. More than 1<br />
billion people remain unconnected across just three countries –<br />
India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan – and data reveals that women<br />
– once more – make up the majority of these unconnected<br />
populations. But of course, the progress in the last seventy years<br />
is infinite. Internet opens still unexplored opportunities for education<br />
skills in general and is a powerful tool for literacy and female<br />
emancipation.<br />
ENJOY THE UNIQUE EATING EXPERIENCE<br />
OF THE BISTRONOMY<br />
The crisis accelerated mega-trends such as online conferences<br />
or telework and had a positive impact on the climate. The world<br />
gross domestic product rose from USD 5.3 billion in 1950 to USD<br />
94 billion in 2021. In real terms, inflation corrected, GDP rose<br />
almost by five while the population at the same time increased<br />
by 250%. In consequence, the GDP/capita doubled. In terms<br />
of welfare, collectively we are better off. Rising inequalities, for<br />
example in the US, China, India, and Russia do of course offset<br />
the impact on collective welfare. Inequality has grown moderately<br />
in Europe and remained stable, unfortunately at extremely high<br />
levels, in the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa and Brazil.<br />
QUALITY EDUCATION<br />
If you were born in 1950, there was almost one chance in two<br />
that you remained unable to read and to write. Illiteracy leads<br />
to exclusion. The literacy rate at world level has increased by 5<br />
percentage points every decade on average, from 55.7 per cent<br />
in 1950 to 86.2 per cent in 2021. This is progress but still one in<br />
seven people in the world are illiterate. Still far too many.<br />
Of course, one should always be careful with averages as they<br />
hide regional disparities. In countries like Ukraine, Finland, Latvia,<br />
Lithuania, Estonia, Czech Republic, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan,<br />
Uzbekistan, just to name a few, the literacy rate is close<br />
to 100%. At the other end of the spectrum, countries like Chad,<br />
Guinea, South Sudan, Niger and Mali all have a literacy rate below<br />
35%. Moreover, there is an amazing gender disparity as well.<br />
BY WAY OF CONCLUSION<br />
Yes, there is still a long way to go and still a lot of progress must<br />
be made to achieve an inclusive world. But what has already<br />
been achieved, for the things that matter most to people, is impressive.<br />
Never, on a world level, has such an achievement been<br />
realised. The willingness to progress, the technological evolution<br />
and the economic growth made this world a better place to live.<br />
These facts and figures show that perception doesn’t correspond<br />
to the reality. One of the reasons that the world is perceived as<br />
getting worse, as previously explained, is that the media prefer<br />
reporting on war, hunger and dead, and pay hardly attention on<br />
how the world has been reshaped in the last century. The realisation<br />
of the past should give us belief in the future.<br />
Based on what we achieved, I am sure that, yes, we can make<br />
this world CO2 neutral. Yes, we can further eradicate poverty,<br />
reduce inequality, and increase literacy. Taking into consideration<br />
the evolution over the last seventy years, this should allow all<br />
of us to look positively to the future and be an actor for further<br />
change. As the Austrian-British philosopher Karl Popper stated:<br />
“Optimism is a moral duty”.<br />
Indringingsweg 1, 1800 Vilvoorde-Koningslo, Belgium - +32 2 263 01 31 - info@thebistronomy.com<br />
150
EUROPE:<br />
A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES<br />
“CRISES ARE THE GREAT UNIFIER”<br />
JEAN MONNET, FOUNDING FATHER OF THE EU<br />
tion process, with its roots in the aftermath of a major crisis.<br />
Again, COVID-19 can have this effect. The next generation<br />
project is an unprecedented injection into the real economy. The<br />
financing through European loans would never have been possible<br />
without COVID-19. But floating on that intoxication, let us<br />
now celebrate Europe, not for its 65th anniversary, but through a<br />
reflection on the future role of Europe. Europe must be big in big<br />
things, but small in small things.<br />
interested in the European market but do not want to respect the<br />
environmental and social values that go with it.<br />
Values, that is what matters. In the coming decades, values will<br />
be central. They will determine which economies have a future.<br />
America looks enviously at Europe’s socio-economic model in<br />
which poverty alleviation goes hand-in-hand with competitiveness.<br />
China cannot survive as a one-party state where its economy<br />
only flourishes under the yoke of politics.<br />
A lot of books are published on Europe. The book “Europe: a<br />
look behind the scenes”, published in French (l’Europe, vue de<br />
IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE …<br />
CHANGING THE EUROPEAN MINDSET<br />
Europe should be proud of our Europe instead of torpedoing it<br />
“If we continue to build our internal market, we align our economic<br />
policy more closely with monetary policy, we develop a<br />
social policy worthy of the name, then Europe can become the<br />
l’intérieur) and Dutch (Europa, een blik achter de schermen) is<br />
On content, Europe has proven that it can realize what was<br />
again and again. Space policy is a good example here. Europe is<br />
best place in the world for quality of life of the citizens” claims<br />
different on aspects and tone.<br />
considered by a lot of people as impossible. The internal market,<br />
a global player in Earth observation. Europe realized the mon-<br />
the author.<br />
although not fully achieved, has become a feat that many envy.<br />
etary union. Many observers claimed it was impossible and yet<br />
First, it is written by a person on the inside, who is active within<br />
And yes, the process is slow. Rome was not built in a day. And<br />
the Euro has existed for 20 years, survived financial crises and<br />
Or as Henri Malosse, President of the Jean Monnet association<br />
the European institutions at various high-level posts such as<br />
yes, construction errors have been made, such as the decoupling<br />
proved to be more stable than ever.<br />
and former President of the European Economic and Social<br />
chief of staff and special advisor to the EU presidency. This<br />
of monetary and economic policy.<br />
Committee states: “The gap between citizens and the European<br />
explains the title of the book. Secondly, the topic is described<br />
Europe has 500 million consumers, with considerable purchas-<br />
Union today is so deep that it can never be bridged without the<br />
in an exciting way and full of spicy anecdotes but does not<br />
But the European project has proven to be solid, and capable of<br />
ing power and with a much better distribution of income than its<br />
author’s pragmatism and his twelve proposed works.”<br />
lose the rationale behind the proposals. And finally, it describes<br />
navigating through turbulent waters and crises. Moreover, crises<br />
counterparts. Stop thinking of ourselves as the continent where<br />
often appear to act as an accelerator for the European integra-<br />
the sun sets, claims the author; Europe should have the confi-<br />
Barbara Dietrich<br />
an original vision of what the role of Europe should be within<br />
dence to impose its values on other superpowers who are only<br />
Europe and the world.<br />
FROM PASSION TO PRAGMATISM<br />
Whilst reading the book, you feel the author’s passion for Europe,<br />
but without falling into the pitfall of what is done on a European<br />
level is done better. On the contrary, between Euro-optimists and<br />
Eurosceptics, he refutes a status quo and chooses a third way:<br />
Euro-pragmatism.<br />
Europe is, in the eye of the author, neither a deus ex machina,<br />
nor a scapegoat, but it can make a real difference to the<br />
European Citizen in certain areas. The European citizen is the<br />
real stakeholder of the European (hi)story. Europe must focus on<br />
those areas where it can really make a difference to the Citizen.<br />
Let us be pragmatic. Focus on the large voluminous works. He<br />
recalls the Labors of Hercules. Using analogy, he enumerates the<br />
twelve works that should be the twelve priorities for Europe.<br />
At the same time, he clearly identifies what Europe should no<br />
longer do. From that point of view, he pleads for a lean and mean<br />
structure claiming that the European institutions have been victim<br />
of what the German sociologist Max Weber calls the inflation<br />
of bureaucracy, with a mushrooming of services and external<br />
agencies. A reshaping is hence necessary, and the best way to<br />
reconnect with the European citizens.<br />
152 153<br />
Photo: Istock
2021 was the International Year of Creative Economy for<br />
Sustainable Development. <strong>Diplomatic</strong> <strong>World</strong> explored and<br />
highlighted through two articles what cultural diplomacy can<br />
look like through lenses of sustainability, cooperation, mutuality<br />
and solutions on global challenges.<br />
The question “Can the International Year of Creative Economy for<br />
Sustainable Development bring innovation to cultural diplomacy?”<br />
was also asked and two articles highlighted different international<br />
collaborative projects with actions and results aligned<br />
with several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).<br />
This article looks back at the year and provides some food for<br />
thought on questions like “Did the year influence policy?”<br />
“How has it reached culture and creative sector professionals?”<br />
“What has been done during this year?”<br />
We also talk to Emmy-winning film-maker, curator and Founder<br />
of Create2030 and The ARTS x SDGS Festival, Lisa Russell.<br />
CONTEXT: THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF<br />
CREATIVE ECONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE<br />
DEVELOPMENT<br />
In 2019, a United Nations resolution created the International<br />
Year of Creative Economy for sustainable development and the<br />
UN mandated the United Nations Conference on Trade and<br />
Development (UNCTAD) to implement it.<br />
UNCTAD has been the lead agency driving the events and<br />
observations of the year, alongside UNESCO (United Nations<br />
Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation), WIPO (<strong>World</strong><br />
Intellectual Property Organisation), UNIDO (United Nations<br />
Industrial Development Organization), the WTO (The <strong>World</strong> Trade<br />
Organization) and others.<br />
LOOKING BACK<br />
AT THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR<br />
OF CREATIVE ECONOMY<br />
FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT<br />
Many different policy discussions and exchanges have taken<br />
place during the year. There was for example, the Culture Summit<br />
in Abu Dhabi, with participants from governments, policy and<br />
other institutional representatives. Representatives from the art<br />
world were also invited. The UNESCO 14th Intergovernmental<br />
Committee of the 2005 Convention for the Protection and<br />
Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions focused,<br />
among other things, on the international year. There was a UN<br />
high-level event on culture and sustainable development for<br />
Member States where for example experiences were shared<br />
on crisis-response measures to support the creative economy<br />
during the pandemic, how to identify implementation gaps and<br />
solutions and call for strengthening strategic cross-sectoral partnerships<br />
to unlock the transformative potential of culture.<br />
Many of the events have surely increased awareness of creative<br />
economy among governments. It would be interesting to do<br />
an analysis and evaluation of all policy dialogues having taken<br />
place within the context of the international year to see what<br />
the outcomes are. One interesting highlight announced at the<br />
<strong>World</strong> Conference of Creative Economy in December 2021 by the<br />
UAE government was that they have placed creative and culture<br />
industries at the centre of future growth and they have created a<br />
10-year strategy around this.<br />
There are two upcoming interesting follow-ups in regards of the<br />
international year.<br />
The first is the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly<br />
where UNCTAD and UNESCO will “inform about the implementation<br />
through a dedicated section of the Creative Economy<br />
Outlook, elaborating in particular on how the resolution is aligned<br />
with, and advances, the 2030 Agenda, including recommendations<br />
on concrete actions that would help Member States and<br />
the United Nations system to accelerate their efforts in the implementation<br />
of the Agenda”.<br />
The second one is a UN resolution on Culture and Sustainable<br />
Development from November 2021 that calls for a report of implementation<br />
for the same topic for its 78th session in 2023.<br />
These kinds of policy events and dialogues may be seen as abstract<br />
for practitioners. It is clear that there is a need to balance<br />
high-level meetings with practitioner dialogues and events. It is<br />
a problem if sector professionals do not know what is happening<br />
in terms of policy development.<br />
ARTISTS AND CREATIVES PARTICIPATION<br />
Lisa Russell is an Emmy-winning film-maker, curator, founder of<br />
Create2030,and equally founder of The ARTS x SDGS Festival.<br />
This festival brings together members of the growing creative<br />
economy with UN/NGO agencies, the private sector and academia<br />
in support of the SDGs. The first festival was held in<br />
April 2020 and it continues as a gathering for socially conscious<br />
artists and creatives.<br />
Lisa says that she was enthusiastic when the international year<br />
was announced. She had known about it since 2018 and she felt<br />
that the year was going to amplify the important role artists and<br />
creatives bring in helping to solve some of world’s greatest problems<br />
– not just as entertainers or “cheerleaders” for the SDGs,<br />
but to utilize the inherent creative thinking and problem solving<br />
skills to help develop innovative solutions and to help “translate”<br />
the SDGs to a wider audience.<br />
LISA, WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE<br />
INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF CREATIVE ECONOMY?<br />
As 2021 started, I hosted an online event welcoming the international<br />
year that was attended by hundreds of artists, cultural operators<br />
and policy experts interested in ways arts and creativity<br />
could support sustainable global development.<br />
Although unplanned, it also became a year where I began to<br />
strongly advocate for the rights of artists at the UN – in support<br />
of respecting intellectual property rights and ensuring artists<br />
were compensated.<br />
As the Founder of Create2030 and curating many working class<br />
artists, I felt it was my responsibility to push for responsible and<br />
meaningful participation of arts and to also speak out about the<br />
various initiatives and campaigns that were hurting artists at the<br />
height of the COVID-19 pandemic when many of us lost work.<br />
For example, there were numerous UN-led “creative briefs”,<br />
“arts contests” and “calls for art” that were asking for artists to<br />
contribute artwork for free but then were given pro-bono to mega<br />
corporations like Facebook and BBC. I know I made a lot of<br />
people uncomfortable but these were very harmful initiatives that<br />
were created not out of “bad intentions” but because policy and<br />
programme experts who develop these initiatives don’t always<br />
understand our work cultures or our industry standards.<br />
That is why in 2022, I continue to advocate for artists representation<br />
at the United Nations in order to create more ethical policies<br />
regarding engaging artists in sustainable development. I did<br />
my third TEDx talk on why the UN needs an Arts Envoy for the<br />
international year.<br />
I also created a new Change.org petition with an Open Letter to<br />
the UN Secretary-General on the need for artist representation at<br />
the UN.<br />
After speaking at the second <strong>World</strong> Conference on Creative<br />
Economy hosted by the Government of UAE, it became apparent<br />
to me that arts and storytelling must be at the heart of the SDGs.<br />
In order to do this, we need to train artists how to effectively<br />
work in the global diplomacy space, and we need to train UN/<br />
NGO entities how to effectively work with professional curators<br />
to engage artists in a responsible manner.<br />
WHY DID YOU START THE THE ARTS X SDGS<br />
FESTIVAL?<br />
The Festival was conceived of in late 2019 to be held in and<br />
around the United Nations as a place where artists and UN/NGO<br />
actors could come together in support of the SDGs. The first festival<br />
was scheduled to occur April 15-21, 2020 to coincide with<br />
<strong>World</strong> Creativity and Innovation Week.<br />
When COVID-19 was on the rise, we made the decision to pivot<br />
to an online gathering and with the support of Earthx Film, we<br />
hosted a very dynamic one-week, online festival filled with art<br />
showcases, daily webinars and weekend workshops for creatives.<br />
As a creative practitioner in the UN/NGO space (I work as contracted<br />
film-maker and arts curator), I felt it was necessary to<br />
host an artist-led gathering to help tailor the festival to an artist<br />
audience. While we invited policy and programme experts to<br />
present and attend, our intent was to really tailor to artists and<br />
storytellers interested in working in the sustainability space.<br />
The reason why it is important to support artist-led gatherings it<br />
that we speak a “different language” and have a different work<br />
culture so we tailor the festival to meet artists where they often<br />
congregate. Often that is not conferences but rather spaces<br />
where creativity, free thinking, and critical thinking are emphasized.<br />
As COVID-19 continued to financially impact artists and creatives,<br />
we continued hosting the online gathering every 4-5<br />
months and have just completed our fifth edition. The focus<br />
shifted to provide members of the creative economy who lost<br />
gigs and were struggling financially, with skills-based workshops<br />
and discussions to focus on uplifting livelihoods.<br />
154 155
Once the pandemic subsides, we hope to host the festival live in<br />
and around the United Nations and then have regional festivals in<br />
different UN cities.<br />
The important purposes of raising awareness of the SDGs, create<br />
opportunities for artists or of giving artists a voice are not the<br />
only good reasons to organise dialogues in parallel to high-level<br />
meetings. It is also important to co-define the creative economy<br />
agenda and talk about what creative economy development is,<br />
and why it is important for different sector professionals.<br />
Artists and designers are crucial participants in the creative<br />
economy development. Beyond their intrinsic value, these<br />
sub-sectors are of important economic and instrumental value<br />
because of their skills that are needed in the innovation economy.<br />
This can lead to a very much-needed business model innovation,<br />
both in the arts sector and in the wider economy.<br />
Johanna Kouzmine-Karavaïeff, Ambassador for Culture, External<br />
Relations & Development, <strong>Diplomatic</strong> <strong>World</strong> Institute<br />
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M E M B E R O F T H E E N G E L S G R O U P<br />
156
This article aims to dwell on the immunity that is granted to<br />
international organizations (IOs) on the international level.<br />
Therefore, the first paragraph defines what is understood by an<br />
“IO” for the scope of this article. Given certain circumstances<br />
that will be further elaborated below, an IO and its officials profit<br />
from immunity. Accordingly, the second paragraph defines and<br />
situates the concept of institutional immunity, a term often used<br />
to describe the immunity of an IO. The remainder of the article<br />
is organized along the lines of the distinction between immunity<br />
from jurisdiction and immunity from execution. Within the chapter<br />
covering immunity from jurisdiction, a particular emphasis lays<br />
on the scope of the immunity that is granted to IOs, as this is still<br />
a topic with diverging state practice on the international level.<br />
WHAT IS AN IO?<br />
There is no universally accepted legal definition of an IO, but for<br />
the scope of this article, it can be stated that an IO is characterized<br />
by the following features. Firstly, an IO is an association<br />
of subjects of international law (e.g. states and/or other IOs).<br />
Secondly, an IO is founded by a treaty or another instrument<br />
governed by international law. Thirdly, the members of an IO<br />
pursue a common goal. And last but not least, an IO consists of<br />
one or more organs which are capable of generating an “autonomous<br />
will” distinct from the members of the IO 2 . Now that it is<br />
clear what is understood by “IO” for the scope of this article, the<br />
concept of “immunity” needs further elaboration.<br />
A VARIETY OF IMMUNITIES<br />
In international law, there are various forms of immunity that<br />
each have particular implications depending on the subject that<br />
is privileged to the protection 3 . Four prime forms can be distinguished:<br />
the immunity of states, the immunity of diplomats and<br />
other representatives, consular immunity and the immunity of<br />
IOs. These immunities are granted due to their special status as<br />
subjects of international law 4 .<br />
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS<br />
The present article sheds light on institutional immunity. This immunity<br />
is not limited to the IO itself. Given certain requirements,<br />
Often immune<br />
from jurisdiction and execution,<br />
Rarely from criticism in that regard<br />
LEGAL SERVICES FOR DIPLOMACY<br />
its officials may profit from it as well. However, the immunity for<br />
IO officials falls outside the scope of this paper.<br />
Billiet & Co lawyers advices and represents States, International Organizations and their<br />
diplomatic missions in Brussels — as well as members of their staff, international civil servants,<br />
government officials, leading multinational corporations and non-governmental organizations.<br />
The common thread through this article is the (lack of) similarities<br />
between the immunity of IOs and the immunity of states. After all,<br />
sovereign states are seen as the prime subjects of international<br />
law, possessing the totality of international rights and duties 5 .<br />
We understand that you require unique and sensitive services, and we are uniquely placed<br />
to provide them, in a range of languages such as English, Dutch, French, Russian, German,<br />
Spanish, Greek, Ukrainian, and Romanian.<br />
Topics that will be discussed below are among other things: the<br />
rationale and scope of the immunity and the fact that immunity is<br />
sometimes at odds with article 6 of the European Convention on<br />
Human Rights (ECHR).<br />
at protecting the IO from interference of the state where its headquarters<br />
are situated or where the IO is operating. 10<br />
The firm has wide experience in legal issues surrounding Seat Agreements, Rights and<br />
Obligations of the guest mission and its hosting State, Investor-State disputes, Inter-State<br />
IMMUNITY disputes and FROM all kinds JURISDICTION of legal questions VS IMMUNITY involving International Organizations. We represent Institutional immunity thus serves another rationale than state<br />
FROM clients ENFORCEMENT<br />
before national and international courts and arbitral tribunals.<br />
immunity, as state immunity is rather based on the principle of<br />
sovereign equality. 11 This principle of sovereign equality is also<br />
Prior to a more thorough comparison between state immunity<br />
and OUR immunity LEGAL of IOs, SERVICES it is important FOR to make DIPLOMACY a distinction<br />
between immunity from jurisdiction and immunity from enforcement.<br />
Legal compliance with Belgian, European, International laws and regulations<br />
<strong>Diplomatic</strong> immunity / Consular support<br />
Public International Law / EU Law<br />
Immunity Trade and from WTO jurisdiction law, treaty refers interpretation to the situation and trade where negotiations a court<br />
is barred International from establishing Arbitration and its adjudicatory Dispute Resolution jurisdiction when<br />
a subject Enforcing enjoying International immunity Arbitral is sued Awards before in Belgian it. Immunity Courtsfrom<br />
execution, Enforcement on the proceedings other hand, against prevents State entities measures of constraint<br />
Sanctions law and Export controls<br />
with regards to subjects enjoying immunity (e.g. arrest or seizure<br />
Global fraud and Asset Recovery<br />
of assets of the IO). 6 Hence, when an IO enjoys immunity from<br />
Foreign Direct Investment in Belgium, EU, Russia and CIS countries<br />
International Employment and Labour law<br />
Immigration and International Mobility<br />
Avenue Louise 146 | Brussels | +(32) 2 643 33 01 | info@billiet-co.be<br />
jurisdiction, it will enjoy immunity from execution as well. When<br />
an IO does not enjoy immunity from jurisdiction, it may still profit<br />
from immunity from execution 7 .<br />
IMMUNITY FROM JURISDICTION<br />
RATIONALE<br />
In 1944, McKinnon Wood stated that IOs need immunity because<br />
of: “the danger of prejudice or bad faith in national courts, the<br />
need of protection against baseless actions brought from improper<br />
motives, and the undesirability of national courts determining<br />
the legal effects of acts of the organization, possibly in<br />
diverging directions”. 8<br />
Institutional immunity is generally founded on the principle of<br />
functional necessity. It is deemed necessary for the IO in order to<br />
be able to perform its functions in an effective and independent<br />
manner. 9 After all, as opposed to a sovereign state, an IO cannot<br />
rely on its own territory or population in order to ensure its proper<br />
functioning. The immunity for IOs thus aims, among other things,<br />
reflected in the adage “par in parem non habet imperium”, which<br />
means that a state is not subject to the jurisdiction of another<br />
state. 12 While sovereign states are thus formally equal in international<br />
law, IOs are formally different. The principle of functional<br />
necessity then guarantees that they will be immune as well, when<br />
operating their various functions. 13<br />
IMMUNITY FROM JURISDICTION<br />
LEGAL BASIS OF THE IMMUNITY<br />
Institutional immunity usually originates in the constituent instrument<br />
of IOs (e.g. article 105 UN Charter). As the constituent instrument<br />
of IOs generally remains on the surface with regards to<br />
the immunity of the IO and its officials, these general provisions<br />
KEY CONTACTS are often complemented by a specialized treaty on the immunity<br />
of the IO and its officials. Members that prefer staying out of<br />
Johan Billiet<br />
these multilateral treaties, may discuss a bilateral treaty with the<br />
johan.billiet@billiet-co.be<br />
IO as well, i.e. a headquarters or host agreement. 14<br />
Dr. Konstantinos Adamantopoulos<br />
konstantinos.adamantopoulos@billiet-co.be<br />
Philippe Billiet<br />
Some states transpose these international agreements to national<br />
law. Others prefer to adopt autonomous legislation without re-<br />
philippe.billiet@billiet-co.be<br />
Vladimir Lincautan<br />
ferring to the existing international agreements. 15 An example of<br />
vladimir.lincautan@billiet-co.be the latter is the International Organizations Immunities Act (IOIA)<br />
in the US. The IOIA regulates, inter alia, the immunity of the UN.<br />
As the US refused to become a party to the multilateral treaty of<br />
the UN related to immunity for IOs at the time, the importance of<br />
this national legislation is not to be underestimated. 16<br />
Whether immunity for IOs can be deducted from customary<br />
international law or general principles of law, is still disputed.<br />
This question arises e.g. in the absence of an applicable treaty<br />
provision. 17<br />
IMMUNITY FROM JURISDICTION<br />
SCOPE OF THE IMMUNITY<br />
The main issue concerning the immunity from jurisdiction for IOs<br />
relates to the scope of this immunity. Central to the debate is the<br />
question on whether IOs should be granted restricted or absolute<br />
immunity. As the US’ viewpoint shows below, a comparison<br />
between state and institutional immunity is insurmountable on<br />
this point.<br />
The US issued the IOIA in 1945. This Act grants IOs “the same<br />
immunity from suit and every form of judicial process as is enjoyed<br />
by foreign governments”. 18 As sovereign immunity was still<br />
absolute at the time, this act meant that IOs enjoyed the same<br />
absolute immunity in the US. 19<br />
However, the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 (FSIA)<br />
limited the immunity of foreign governments to “acta iure imperii”<br />
which refer to sovereign acts of the government. These acts<br />
need to be distinguished from “acta iure gestionis” which refer<br />
to acts of the government that are of a commercial or private<br />
nature. 20 By only referring to foreign governments, and thus not<br />
explicitely mentioning IOs, the FSIA resulted in 2 conflicting lines<br />
of precedent. 21 On the one hand, some argued that the FSIA<br />
introduced restricted immunity, not only with regards to states,<br />
but to IOs as well. On the other hand, some stated that IOs continued<br />
to enjoy absolute immunity, regardless of the FSIA. While<br />
foreign governments thus only would enjoy a restricted immunity<br />
from the FSIA onwards, IOs would still fall within the scope of the<br />
unchanged IOIA, which granted them absolute immunity.<br />
This conflict was eventually settled by the US Supreme Court<br />
in 2019, where the Court decided that the FSIA also applies to<br />
IOs and IOs are thus subject to the same restricted immunity as<br />
foreign governments. 22<br />
The tendency to put IOs on equal footing with states when it<br />
comes to immunity, is not universally accepted. 23 In fact, the US<br />
seems to stand alone in this regard. While immunity of IOs is<br />
always described as functional, it is often stated that it de facto<br />
boils down to absolute immunity, as opposed to state immunity. 24<br />
Of course, exceptions to this rather absolute immunity of IOs do<br />
exist, but they have to be expressly provided for in the international<br />
agreements granting the immunity. 25<br />
158 159<br />
AD-BillietCo.indd 2 28/07/2020 15:16
IMMUNITY FROM JURISDICTION<br />
IF THE COURT CANNOT CONTROL THE IO;<br />
WHO CAN?<br />
Immunity for IOs is increasingly being questioned, because of the<br />
tensions it creates with regards to the right of access to a court. 26<br />
As opposed to states, who enjoy immunity but can be sued before<br />
their national courts, not all IOs dispose of a judicial organ.<br />
In that regard, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR)<br />
decided that the granting of immunity from jurisdiction is only<br />
allowed if reasonable alternative means to protect the interests of<br />
individuals are provided. 27<br />
IMMUNITY FROM EXECUTION<br />
Immunity from execution seems to be broader than immunity<br />
from jurisdiction, when it comes to IOs. There is still a lot of<br />
controversy on where the line is to be drawn between assets that<br />
are necessary for the institutional purposes of an IO and assets<br />
which are not. The current tendency seems to be that the entire<br />
property of an IO is needed to let it effectively fulfill its functions.<br />
28 The distinction between acta iure gestionis and acta iure<br />
imperii that is also made with regards to immunity from execution<br />
when it comes to states, is thus not transposable to institutional<br />
immunity from execution. 29<br />
CONCLUSION<br />
IOs enjoy immunity from jurisdiction and execution on the<br />
international level. This immunity originates from the constituent<br />
instrument of the IO or from multilateral or bilateral agreements<br />
with the host country. Institutional immunity is aimed at protecting<br />
the effective and independent functioning of the IO. However,<br />
the exact scope of the institutional immunity is still unclear. While<br />
the US seems to regard IOs as being on a par with states when it<br />
comes to immunity from jurisdiction, the rest of the world seems<br />
to be against such analogy. As to immunity from execution, there<br />
is little discussion, due to the rather absolute character of the<br />
institutional immunity in that regard.<br />
SOURCES<br />
Legislation:<br />
European Convention on Human Rights.<br />
International Organizations Immunities Act, § 2(b), ch. 652, 59<br />
Stat. 669 (1945).<br />
Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, 90 Stat. 2891 (1976).<br />
Case law:<br />
ECtHR 18 February 1999, Waite and Kennedy v Germany<br />
nr. 26083/94.<br />
International Court of Justice 11 April 1949, Reparation for<br />
Injuries Suffered in the Service of the UN (Advisory Opinion),<br />
nr. 4, 180.<br />
US Supreme Court 27 February 2019, Jam v International<br />
Finance Corporation, 586, Opinion of the Court 9.<br />
US District Court for the District of Colombia 9 November 2020,<br />
Rodriguez v. Pan American Health Organization (Opinion of the<br />
Court), nr. 20-928.<br />
Hof van Cassatie België 21 december 2009,<br />
Siedler v. West-Europese Unie, ILDC 1625, nr. S.04.0129.F.<br />
Hof van Cassatie België 21 december 2009, Secretariaat ACP<br />
Groep v. Lutchmaya, nr. C.03.0328.F, ILDC 1573.<br />
Hof van Cassatie België 12 maart 2001, Liga van Arabische<br />
Staten v. TM, nr. S.99.0103F, ILDC 42, 610.<br />
Hoge Raad Nederland 20 December 1985, Spaans v.<br />
Iran-United States Claims Tribunal, NJ 1986, nr. 12627, 438.<br />
Legal doctrine:<br />
BLOKKER, N. en SCHRIJVER, N. (eds.), Immunity of International<br />
Organizations, Leiden, Brill, 2015, 363p.<br />
BONAFÉ, B. I., “Italian Courts and the Immunity of International<br />
Organizations”, IOLR 2013, Vol. 10, nr. 2, 512.<br />
BORDIN, F. N., “To what immunities are international organizations<br />
entitled under general international law? Thoughts on<br />
Jam v IFC and the ‘default rules’ of IO immunity”,<br />
Questions of International Law 2020, 5-28.<br />
COLLINS, R. en WHITE, N. (eds.), International Organizations<br />
and the Idea of Autonomy: Institutional Independence in the<br />
International Legal Order, Abingdon, Routledge, 2011, 464p.<br />
RIOS, G. en FLAHERTY, E., “International organization reform or<br />
impunity? Immunity is the problem”, ILSA Journal of International<br />
& Comparative Law, 2010, 433-455.<br />
VIRZO, R. en INGRAVALLO, I. (eds.), Evolutions in the Law of<br />
International Organizations, Leiden, Brill, 2015, 547p.<br />
WOOD, H. M., “Legal Relations between Individuals and a <strong>World</strong><br />
Organization of States” in Transactions of the Grotius Society,<br />
Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1944, vol. 30, 143–144.<br />
WOUTERS, J., RYNGAERT, C., RUYS, T. en DE BAERE, G.,<br />
International law: a European perspective, Oxford,<br />
Hart Publishing, 2019, 1038p.<br />
Online sources:<br />
ARATO, J., “Equivalence and Translation: Further thoughts on IO<br />
(consulted on 26 July 2021).<br />
1<br />
Both law students at the Catholic University of Leuven,<br />
expressing particular thanks to Billiet & Co, a Brussels -based<br />
law firm specialized in legal services for diplomatic missions.<br />
2<br />
J. WOUTERS, C. RYNGAERT, T. RUYS en G. DE BAERE,<br />
International law: a European perspective, Oxford,<br />
Hart Publishing, 2019, 256-257.<br />
3<br />
J. WOUTERS, C. RYNGAERT, T. RUYS en G. DE BAERE,<br />
International law: a European perspective, Oxford,<br />
Hart Publishing, 2019, 500.<br />
4<br />
J. WOUTERS, C. RYNGAERT, T. RUYS en G. DE BAERE,<br />
International law: a European perspective, Oxford,<br />
Hart Publishing, 2019, 500.<br />
5<br />
International Court of Justice 11 April 1949, Reparation for<br />
Injuries Suffered in the Service of the UN (Advisory Opinion),<br />
nr. 4, 180.<br />
6<br />
J. WOUTERS, C. RYNGAERT, T. RUYS en G. DE BAERE,<br />
International law: a European perspective, Oxford,<br />
Hart Publishing, 2019, 500.<br />
7<br />
M. F. ORZAN, “International Organizations and Immunity from<br />
Legal Process: An Uncertain Revolution” in Evolutions in the<br />
Law of International Organizations, Leiden, Brill, 2015, 377.<br />
8<br />
H. M. WOOD, “Legal Relations between Individuals and a<br />
<strong>World</strong> Organization of States” in Transactions of the Grotius<br />
Society, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1944, vol.<br />
30, 143–144.<br />
9<br />
N. BLOKKER en N. SCHRIJVER (eds.), Immunity of<br />
International Organizations, Leiden, Brill, 2015, 2;<br />
E. DE BRABANDERE, “Immunity as a guarantee for<br />
institutional autonomy” in<br />
International Organizations and the Idea of Autonomy:<br />
Institutional Independence in the International Legal Order,<br />
Abingdon, Routledge, 2011, 278.<br />
10<br />
§10 Hof van Cassatie België 21 december 2009, Siedler v.<br />
West-Europese Unie, ILDC 1625, nr. S.04.0129.F.<br />
11<br />
E. DE BRABANDERE, “Immunity as a guarantee for<br />
institutional autonomy” in International Organizations<br />
and the Idea of Autonomy: Institutional Independence in the<br />
International Legal Order, Abingdon, Routledge, 2011, 279.<br />
12<br />
N. BLOKKER en N. SCHRIJVER (eds.), Immunity of<br />
International Organizations, Leiden, Brill, 2015, 2.<br />
13<br />
J. ARATO, “Equivalence and Translation: Further thoughts on<br />
IO immunities in Jam v. IFC”, https://www.ejiltalk.org/<br />
immunities in Jam v. IFC”, https://www.ejiltalk.org/equivalenceand-translation-further-thoughts-on-io-immunities-in-jam-v-ifc/<br />
equivalence-and-translation-further-thoughts-on-ioimmunities-in-jam-v-ifc/.<br />
14<br />
G. RIOS en E. FLAHERTY, “International organization reform or<br />
impunity? Immunity is the problem”, ILSA Journal of<br />
International & Comparative Law, 2010, 436; M. F. ORZAN,<br />
“International Organizations and Immunity from Legal Process:<br />
An Uncertain Revolution” in Evolutions in the Law<br />
of International Organizations, Leiden, Brill, 2015, 366.<br />
15<br />
M. F. ORZAN, “International Organizations and Immunity from<br />
Legal Process: An Uncertain Revolution” in Evolutions in the<br />
Law of International Organizations, Leiden, Brill, 2015, 377.<br />
16<br />
US District Court for the District of Colombia 9 November<br />
2020, Rodriguez v. Pan American Health Organization (Opinion<br />
of the Court), nr. 20-928.<br />
17<br />
Pro: Hoge Raad Nederland 20 December 1985, Spaans v.<br />
Iran-United States Claims Tribunal, NJ 1986, nr. 12627, 438;<br />
M. WOOD, “Do international organizations enjoy immunity<br />
under customary international law?” in Immunity of International<br />
Organizations, Leiden, Brill, 2015, 31-32. Contra: Hof van<br />
Cassatie België 21 december 2009, Secretariaat ACP Groep<br />
v. Lutchmaya, nr. C.03.0328.F, ILDC 1573; Hof van Cassatie<br />
België 12 maart 2001, Liga van Arabische Staten v. TM, nr.<br />
S.99.0103F, ILDC 42, 610; B.I. BONAFÉ, “Italian Courts and<br />
the Immunity of International Organizations”, IOLR 2013, Vol.<br />
10, nr. 2, 512; M. F. ORZAN, “International Organizations and<br />
Immunity from Legal Process: An Uncertain Revolution” in<br />
Evolutions in the Law of International Organizations, Leiden,<br />
Brill, 2015, 365-372.<br />
18<br />
International Organizations Immunities Act, § 2(b),<br />
ch. 652, 59 Stat. 669 (1945).<br />
19<br />
G. RIOS en E. FLAHERTY, “International organization reform or<br />
impunity? Immunity is the problem”, ILSA Journal of<br />
International & Comparative Law, 2010, 438.<br />
20<br />
J. WOUTERS, C. RYNGAERT, T. RUYS en G. DE BAERE,<br />
International law: a European perspective, Oxford,<br />
Hart Publishing, 2019, 502.<br />
21<br />
BORDIN, F. N., “To what immunities are international<br />
organizations entitled under general international law?<br />
Thoughts on Jam v IFC and the ‘default rules’ of IO immunity”,<br />
Questions of International Law 2020, 5.<br />
22<br />
US Supreme Court 27 February 2019, Jam v International<br />
Finance Corporation, 586, Opinion of the Court 9.<br />
23<br />
E. DE BRABANDERE, “Belgian Courts and the Immunity of<br />
International Organizations” in Immunity of International<br />
Organizations, Leiden, Brill, 2015, 217.<br />
24<br />
E. DE BRABANDERE, “Belgian Courts and the Immunity of<br />
International Organizations” in Immunity of International<br />
Organizations, Leiden, Brill, 2015, 216.<br />
25<br />
E. DE BRABANDERE, “Belgian Courts and the Immunity of<br />
International Organizations” in Immunity of International<br />
Organizations, Leiden, Brill, 2015, 216.<br />
26<br />
Article 6 ECHR.<br />
27<br />
§68 ECtHR 18 February 1999, Waite and Kennedy v<br />
Germany, nr. 26083/94; M. F. ORZAN, “International<br />
Organizations and Immunity from Legal Process:<br />
An Uncertain Revolution” in Evolutions in the Law of<br />
International Organizations, Leiden, Brill, 2015, 374.<br />
28<br />
M. F. ORZAN, “International Organizations and Immunity from<br />
Legal Process: An Uncertain Revolution” in Evolutions in the<br />
Law of International Organizations, Leiden, Brill, 2015, 378.<br />
29<br />
E. DE BRABANDERE, “Belgian Courts and the Immunity of<br />
International Organizations” in Immunity of International<br />
Organizations, Leiden, Brill, 2015, 379.<br />
By Raffaela Amelia Stoilas & Camille Verstraete<br />
Both law students at the Catholic University of Leuven, hereby<br />
expressing particular thanks to Billiet & Co, a Brussels -based<br />
law firm specialized in legal services for diplomatic missions,<br />
where they conducted a summer internship in this niche field.<br />
160 161
DIFFERENT WAYS<br />
FOR DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY TO END<br />
Throughout the years there have been a number of incidents<br />
regarding diplomats who violate the laws in receiving states.<br />
(For example: a Chinese consul who was caught drunk driving 2 ,<br />
an Estonian consul who collected intelligence incompatible with<br />
his diplomatic status 3 , the murder of Yvonne Fletcher when she<br />
The question arises as to what courses of action are available<br />
if a foreign diplomat commits a mistake or an infringement, or<br />
even a crime, in the host state. Of course, where possible, it is<br />
recommended to try to find an amicable solution. If not, there are<br />
various possibilities. 9<br />
Overall, a waiver of immunity has been unusual, certainly when it<br />
comes to criminal cases. 17 Although, Zambia quickly waived the<br />
immunity of an official at its London embassy who was suspected<br />
of drug offences in 1985. 18<br />
When the sending state consents with the waiver of immunity, it<br />
means that the receiving state may exercise its jurisdiction. 19 This<br />
way the foreign diplomat can be tried in court for the offences<br />
he/she committed. Asking to grant a waiver of immunity can be<br />
a better option than declaring a diplomat persona non grata 20 , as<br />
this can make the relationship between two states go sour. 21 A<br />
difference must be made between a waiver of immunity from ju-<br />
Sanctions law and Export controls<br />
Global fraud and Asset Recovery<br />
Foreign Direct Investment in Belgium, EU, Russia and CIS countries<br />
International Employment and Labour law<br />
Immigration and International Mobility<br />
Avenue Louise 146 | Brussels | +(32) 2 643 33 01 | info@billiet-co.be<br />
KEY CO<br />
Johan Billi<br />
johan.billie<br />
Dr. Konsta<br />
konstantin<br />
Philippe Bi<br />
philippe.bi<br />
Vladimir L<br />
vladimir.lin<br />
was fatally wounded by a shot fired from the Libyan embassy by<br />
risdiction and a waiver of immunity from execution. 22 This means<br />
an unknown gunman 4 ).<br />
In principle, the inviolability prevails the national law of the host<br />
that if a sending state waives the immunity from jurisdiction, the<br />
state. But article 41 of the Vienna Convention is strengthened<br />
judgement of the court following this waiver cannot be enforced<br />
Not all victims and/or relatives of the victims were sure to get<br />
by additional rules, designed to prevent abuse of immunities,<br />
without a separate waiver for the immunity from execution. 23<br />
Most of the time diplomatic agents follow this with due diligence,<br />
AD-BillietCo.indd 2<br />
compensation or get justice because of the diplomatic immunity<br />
privileges and/or inviolability. Those rules provide administrative<br />
but there have been circumstances where diplomats have<br />
and inviolability of the diplomats. Diplomats are internationally<br />
protected individuals according to Article 1 of the Convention on<br />
the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally<br />
and deterrent restrictions. The administrative restrictions can be<br />
found in articles 4 to 11 of the Vienna Convention on <strong>Diplomatic</strong><br />
relations. Those rules can be used by the host state to counter<br />
PERSONA NON GRATA<br />
crossed the line. 26<br />
When a diplomat has committed an offence abroad, the courts<br />
Protected Persons, including <strong>Diplomatic</strong> Agents.<br />
the abuse of inviolability and immunity by the diplomatic agents<br />
In the case of “waiver of immunity”, the host state is dependent<br />
are competent to hold a national accountable when this is an<br />
on their territory.<br />
on the sending state. Persona non grata refers to a foreign per-<br />
offence in the sending and the receiving state. 27 The purpose is<br />
This article aims to offer an introduction to the limits of diplomat-<br />
son who’s remaining or entering in a country is prohibited by that<br />
to make sure diplomatic agents who are recalled to the sending<br />
ic immunity.<br />
We will further discuss three main ways that diplomatic agents<br />
country. The person can then no longer function as a diplomat<br />
state can’t prevent being prosecuted as they have no immunity<br />
can ‘lose’ their immunity.<br />
on the territory of the receiving state, and must return to the<br />
in their home country; although sending states are not obliged to<br />
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IMMUNITY AND<br />
INVIOLABILITY<br />
WAIVER OF IMMUNITY<br />
sending state. A country can declare a member of a diplomatic<br />
staff persona non grata at any time and without having to explain<br />
its decision. 24<br />
prosecute their diplomatic agents. 28<br />
1<br />
Both law students at the Catholic University of Leuven,<br />
expressing particular thanks to Billiet & Co, a Brussels -based<br />
There is a distinct difference between immunity and inviolability.<br />
First of all, waiver of immunity is one of the common features of<br />
This instrument can be used in case of abuse of the special<br />
law firm specialized in legal services for diplomatic missions.<br />
This difference is important when it comes to prosecuting diplo-<br />
international immunity. The modalities in which a waiver of immu-<br />
protection position. A diplomat who abuses his immunity- either<br />
2<br />
K. SARAH, “ Chinese diplomat in Gwangju denied immunity in<br />
matic agents and holding them accountable for their acts. Immu-<br />
nity can be asked and granted depends on the kind of immunity<br />
for personal gain or to jeopardise the welfare and security of the<br />
DUI case”, joins, Chinese diplomat in Gwangju denied immuni-<br />
nity and inviolability don’t go together automatically. For exam-<br />
and the person who’s asking the waiver of immunity. 10 Article<br />
host state- can be declared persona non grata and, if necessary,<br />
ty in DUI case (joins.com)<br />
ple, in spite of article 29 of the Vienna Convention of <strong>Diplomatic</strong><br />
32 of the Vienna Conventions gives the circumstances in which<br />
can even be arrested or deported. The sending state is obliged<br />
3<br />
X., “Estonian consul Mart Latte declared persona non grata by<br />
Relations (“VCDR”), inviolability can be subject to exceptions, but<br />
immunity can be waived.<br />
to recall the diplomat, but the host state still doesn’t have the<br />
Russia”, The Baltic Times, Estonian consul Mart Latte declared<br />
immunity of criminal jurisdiction remains in place even in those<br />
authority to prosecute him.<br />
persona non grata by Russia (baltictimes.com)<br />
exceptional cases. 5 Inviolability is the duty of a state to hold itself<br />
In article 32(4) VCDR we can see that immunity from criminal<br />
4<br />
S. TENDLER, “Fletcher, Yvonne Joyce”, Oxford DNB, Fletcher,<br />
from taking coercive measures towards certain persons. 6 When<br />
jurisdiction is broader, which means diplomatic agents have<br />
When a diplomat is declared persona non grata by the receiv-<br />
Yvonne Joyce (1958–1984), police officer | Oxford Dictionary of<br />
a person only enjoys inviolability, but no immunity, a prosecu-<br />
more protection regarding criminal cases. If a sending state<br />
ing state, this will often result in a countermeasure being taken<br />
National Biography (e-bronnen.be)<br />
tion and even a conviction seems possible to the extent that it<br />
wants to ask for a waiver of immunity for a specific person, then<br />
by the sending state based on the principle of reciprocity. For<br />
5<br />
Int. Ger. 24 mei 1980, Teheran Case, § 86; E. DENZA,<br />
can be taken without coercive measures. 7 When a person only<br />
she needs to do this expressly. 11 But a diplomatic agent cannot<br />
example, Sweden banned a Russian diplomat a few years ago<br />
“<strong>Diplomatic</strong> Law: A Commentary on the Vienna Convention on<br />
enjoys immunity without inviolability, the court will declare the<br />
invoke his immunity from jurisdiction with respect to a counter-<br />
for violating the Vienna Convention on <strong>Diplomatic</strong> Relations. In<br />
<strong>Diplomatic</strong> Relations”, British yearbook of international law,<br />
case inadmissible and no trial can take place. But this doesn’t<br />
claim directly related to the main claim , when he/she starts legal<br />
response to Sweden’s persona non grata declaration, Russia<br />
1999, 218-220; J. SALMON, Manuel de Droit Diplomatique,<br />
mean that no procedural acts and acts of investigation in criminal<br />
proceedings .12<br />
did the same to a Swedish diplomat in Moscow as a counter-<br />
Brussels, Bruylant, 1994, 292-296.<br />
procedures can take place. Immunity often is temporary so those<br />
measure. 25<br />
6<br />
E. DENZA, “<strong>Diplomatic</strong> Law: A Commentary on the Vienna<br />
acts can be valuable in the future.<br />
The waiver is done by the head of the mission, who is deemed<br />
Convention on <strong>Diplomatic</strong> Relations”, British yearbook of<br />
The diplomatic agent who has the nationality of the receiving<br />
state or has his permanent residence there, enjoys inviolability<br />
only on criminal and executive level for official operations during<br />
to have the authority 13 , or by the minister of foreign affairs of the<br />
sending state. 14 Also important to note is that waiver of immunity<br />
does not belong to the individual concerned, but to the sending<br />
state who can use it for her benefit. 15 Immunity in itself is the<br />
PROSECUTING UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF<br />
THE SENDING STATE<br />
international law, 1999, 112.<br />
7<br />
Article 31 a-c VCDR.<br />
8<br />
P. LAMBERT, “<strong>Diplomatic</strong> and parliamentary immunity” in X.,<br />
Postal Memorialis - Lexicon criminal law, criminal procedure<br />
the execution of his function, unless there are additional privileg-<br />
right of the sending state, so only the sovereign can waive the<br />
For one person to have immunity, means to have the duty to<br />
and special laws, Brussels, Ced. Samsom, 1987, D85(03) 87.<br />
es and inviolabilities granted by the host state. 8<br />
immunity of its diplomatic representatives. 16<br />
respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state.<br />
162 163
9<br />
J. WOUTERS en F. NAERT,International immunities in Belgian<br />
legal practice, Brugge, Die Keure, 2002, 41.<br />
10<br />
J. WOUTERS en F. NAERT,International immunities in Belgian<br />
legal practice, Brugge, Die Keure, 2002, 7.<br />
11<br />
Article 32(2) VCDR; Public Prosecutor/Orhan Olmez, 87 ILR, p.<br />
212; E. DENZA, <strong>Diplomatic</strong> Law: A Commentary on the Vienna<br />
Convention on <strong>Diplomatic</strong> Relations, p. 335.<br />
12<br />
Article 32(3) VCDR.<br />
13<br />
E. DENZA, “<strong>Diplomatic</strong> Law: A Commentary on the Vienna<br />
Convention on <strong>Diplomatic</strong> Relations”, British yearbook of<br />
international law, 1999, 275; J. SALMON, Manuel de Droit<br />
Diplomatique, Brussels, Bruylant, 1994, 333-334.<br />
14<br />
J. SALMON, Manuel de Droit Diplomatique, Brussels, Bruylant,<br />
1994, 333-334; E. DENZA, “<strong>Diplomatic</strong> Law: A Commentary<br />
on the Vienna Convention on <strong>Diplomatic</strong> Relations”, British<br />
yearbook of international law, 1999, 275;<br />
15<br />
M.N. SHAW, International Law, Cambridge, Cambridge<br />
University Press, 2017, 582-583; E. DENZA, “<strong>Diplomatic</strong> Law:<br />
A Commentary on the Vienna Convention on <strong>Diplomatic</strong> Relations”,<br />
British yearbook of international law, 1999, 284;<br />
16<br />
M.N. SHAW, International Law, Cambridge,<br />
Cambridge University Press, 2017, 583;<br />
17<br />
M.N. SHAW, International Law, Cambridge,<br />
26<br />
K. SARAH, “ Chinese diplomat in Gwangju denied immunity<br />
in DUI case”, joins, Chinese diplomat in Gwangju denied<br />
immunity in DUI case (joins.com) ; X., “Estonian consul Mart<br />
Latte declared persona non grata by Russia”, The Baltic Times,<br />
Estonian consul Mart Latte declared persona non grata by<br />
Russia (baltictimes.com)<br />
27<br />
M. MOUTZOURIS, Sending and receiving: Immunity sought<br />
by diplomats committing criminal offences, Rhodes, Rhodes<br />
University, 2019, 113.<br />
28<br />
G.V. MCCLANAHAN, <strong>Diplomatic</strong> Immunity: Principles, Practices,<br />
Problems, New York, St. Martin’s Press, 1989, 136; V.L.<br />
MAGINNIS, “Limiting diplomatic immunity: lessons learned<br />
from the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities<br />
of the United Nations”, Brooklyn Journal of International Law,<br />
Brooklyn, Brooklyn law school, 2002, 1004.<br />
Zoë De Mey & Gisèle Verelst<br />
(Both law students at the Catholic University of Leuven, hereby<br />
expressing particular thanks to Billiet & Co, a Brussels -based<br />
law firm specialized in legal services for diplomatic missions,<br />
where they conducted a summer internship in this niche field.)<br />
Cambridge University Press, 2017, 583; E. DENZA, “<strong>Diplomatic</strong><br />
Law: A Commentary on the Vienna Convention on <strong>Diplomatic</strong><br />
Relations”, British yearbook of international law, 1999, 284.<br />
18<br />
G.V. MCCLANAHAN, <strong>Diplomatic</strong> Immunity: Principles,<br />
Practices, Problems, New York, St. Martin’s Press,<br />
1989, 157-7.<br />
19<br />
M. GOGNA, S. HLOBIL, M. PODSIEDLIK, <strong>Diplomatic</strong> and<br />
State Immunity in Respect of Claims of Embassy Employees<br />
and Domestic Workers: Mapping the Problems and Devising<br />
Solutions, Amsterdam International Law Clinic, Amsterdam,<br />
Amsterdam international law Clinic, 31.<br />
20<br />
Article 9(1) VCDR.<br />
21<br />
M. GOGNA, S. HLOBIL, M. PODSIEDLIK, <strong>Diplomatic</strong> and<br />
State Immunity in Respect of Claims of Embassy Employees<br />
and Domestic Workers: Mapping the Problems and Devising<br />
Solutions, Amsterdam International Law Clinic, Amsterdam,<br />
Amsterdam international law Clinic, 16.<br />
22<br />
Article 32(4) VCDR; M.N. SHAW, International Law, 8th edition,<br />
Cambridge, p. 582-583.<br />
23<br />
M. GOGNA, S. HLOBIL, M. PODSIEDLIK, <strong>Diplomatic</strong> and<br />
State Immunity in Respect of Claims of Embassy Employees<br />
and Domestic Workers: Mapping the Problems and Devising<br />
Solutions, Amsterdam International Law Clinic, Amsterdam,<br />
Amsterdam international law Clinic, 17.<br />
24<br />
Art. 9 VCDR; X., “What does it mean to be declared persona<br />
non grata?”, Made for minds, What does it mean to be<br />
declared persona non grata? | News | DW | 06.03.2019<br />
25<br />
X., “Stockholm Expelled Russian diplomat breached 1961<br />
Vienna Convention”, Russia beyond, Stockholm: Expelled<br />
Russian diplomat breached 1961 Vienna Convention - Russia<br />
Beyond (rbth.com).<br />
Palace of Justice - Brussels, Belgium Photo: Shutterstock<br />
Palace of Justice - Brussels, Belgium Photo: Istock<br />
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www.ozenreserve-bolifushi.com<br />
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI<br />
AN INDIAN OCEAN HAVEN WHERE EVERY<br />
EXPERIENCE IS EXCEPTIONAL<br />
Every dream you’ve had of a tropical paradise comes alive at<br />
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI. Expansive white beaches and<br />
turquoise waters fringe the lush island resort.<br />
Where sophisticated luxury blends with rustic, barefoot charms<br />
for a uniquely Maldivian experience. Bespoke adventures allow<br />
for blissful relaxation. Every experience is meticulously crafted to<br />
indulge you with a romantic escape or a joyful family getaway.<br />
DINING<br />
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI offers memorable fine-dining experiences<br />
in singularly unique settings. Relish delicious beach grills.<br />
Revel in romantic dining in an elegant overwater restaurant.<br />
Gaze on Maldives hues as you enjoy delicious seafood. Travel<br />
the world through exquisitely crafted culinary journeys!<br />
VILLAS & RESERVES<br />
Experience paradise at your doorstep! Gorgeously decorated<br />
suites and villas create luxurious island stays. Lose yourself in<br />
vast interiors. Soak in the sun on cosy wooden sunbeds.<br />
A blissful island heaven – just for you!<br />
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www.ozenlive-maadhoo.com<br />
OZEN LIFE MAADHOO<br />
LOCATION & GEOGRAPHY<br />
Maadhoo Island is situated in South Malé Atoll - just a short<br />
45-minute luxury speedboat ride away from Malé International<br />
Airport. The perfectly North-South Island of Maadhoo with guest<br />
villas facing due east and west offer stunning Sunrises and even<br />
more amazing Sunset views. The large pristine lagoon overlooking<br />
the horizon, with exotic marine life all around offers the<br />
discerning traveler a true Maldives island experience!<br />
spaces are created with utmost Luxury & Comfort in mind, whilst<br />
incorporating a seamless fusion of modern design, nature and<br />
vibrancy! LIFESTYLE LUXURY at its best!<br />
VILLAS & SUITES<br />
Spread over an expansive turquoise lagoon, OZEN Life Maadhoo<br />
features 41 Beach-front villas, idyllically positioned on a soft<br />
& pristine sandy beach, overlooking the horizon. Additionally,<br />
49 over-water villas, built on creatively designed stilts, offers a<br />
romantic & mesmeric experience, truly unmatched… All living<br />
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SLEEP COMFORT | INTERIOR<br />
BED & BATH LINEN<br />
OUR STORY STARTS WITH YOUR DREAM<br />
At Marie-Julliette our customers satisfaction is of paramount<br />
importance, we are always looking for the best interior pieces<br />
from the wide range of high-quality brands we operate with.<br />
By continuously working with these brands, exchanging knowledge<br />
of materials and customer experiences, we can guide you<br />
in the best way possible. Finding a quality, durable table, trendy<br />
chair, accessories or a cosy atmospheric lamp that suits you<br />
and your home is certainly not unfamiliar to us.<br />
We like to share our renewed vision in shaping timeless and<br />
trendy interior. We do not only deliver interior pieces but also<br />
create your dream, your home. Because what is more enjoyable<br />
than coming home to an ideal interior after a hard-working day?<br />
TURN YOUR BEDROOM INTO A LUXURIOUS<br />
HOTEL SUITE<br />
A good night's sleep starts with a good quality bed. Our partner<br />
Nilson – an exclusive brand from the Netherlands, specialised<br />
in beds – has been working for several years on designing and<br />
producing the finest beds possible, with an eye for valuable<br />
ingredients of nature combined with the character of materials,<br />
and precision of craftmanship. In fact, each Nilson is crafted<br />
and assembled by hand in the Netherlands!<br />
The combination of our expertise in sleep- and interior advice<br />
with the high-quality materials we work with, enables us to create<br />
the bedroom you deserve. We go to work with your desires<br />
and preferences to choose the most fitting bed and its accessories.<br />
In addition, to a comfortable bed to spend the night in, we<br />
offer an assortment of duvets and covers, pillows, fitted sheets,<br />
and so much more, for a night of pleasant and healthy sleep.<br />
At Marie-Julliette we feel that you deserve the best care to start<br />
the day of right and well-rested.<br />
ABOUT US<br />
Our strength lies in our personal approach. As a family business<br />
(mother and son) we know each other like no other, this<br />
helps us guide our customers with an identical vision. The<br />
combination of Karolien's years of expertise in sleeping comfort<br />
and Mathias's passion and talent for dressing an elegant and<br />
sophisticated interior form the base of the unique concept of<br />
Marie-Julliette. Be sure to visit our shop. We would be delighted<br />
to treat you with a drink while we shape your dream together!<br />
If you would like to decorate your bathroom and be able to<br />
select high quality and elegant bath linen made from natural<br />
products, you have come to right address. In our carefully<br />
selected range, you will without a doubt find what you are<br />
looking for based on you personal style preference. On top of<br />
that, customization and personalization (with name, logo,...) are<br />
among the options.<br />
GET INSPIRED<br />
Marie-Julliette:<br />
Vilvoordsesteenweg 7D Bus 1<br />
1850 Grimbergen, Belgium<br />
Instagram: @mariejulliette_<br />
Mobile phone: +32 478 71 08 50<br />
Email : info@marie-julliette.be<br />
OUR BRANDS<br />
Sleeping comfort: Nilson<br />
Bed linen: Mirabel Slabbinck, Yves Delorme, Christian Fischbacher,<br />
MissoniHome, Snurk, Marc O’ Polo, Essenza, Sognoblu, Casilin,<br />
Libeco, Cassenz (duvets and pillows), Formesse<br />
Interior: Saba Italia, Miniforms, Spectrum, Oluce (lighting), Woud,<br />
Gelderland, BeClassics, Magis, Menu, Studio Zar (glasware)<br />
Decorative cushions and plaids: MissoniHome, Iosis, Lanerossi,<br />
Christian Fischbacher, Marc O’ Polo, Essenza<br />
Scented candles: Trudon, Lumira<br />
Beauty: L’Objet (soap, bath salts, hand and body lotion, room<br />
spray, etc.), Il Profvmo<br />
Bath linen: Abyss Habidecor, Yves Delorme, MissoniHome,<br />
Mirabel Slabbinck<br />
Bathrobes: Lacoste, Hugo Boss, MissoniHome,<br />
Ralph Lauren, Royal Touch, Mirabel Slabbinck<br />
Table linen: Libeco, Mirabel Slabbinck, Yves Delorme, Marc O’Polo<br />
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MARIE’S CORNER<br />
DESIGNING EMOTIONS<br />
We are craftsmen and proud of it<br />
In barely 25 years’ time, Marie’s Corner imposed itself as a referential brand in the sofa universe.<br />
Both Belgian and international, the company has always outclassed itself by its power of adopting<br />
the different European influences to create its own style and its unique touch.<br />
Cosy and contemporary. Chic and elegant. Marie’s Corner offers unique, endlessly customizable armchairs<br />
based on production according to traditional methods. And with only one obsession in mind:<br />
comfort, comfort and comfort! 200 exclusive models, more than 1.000 finishings and<br />
an infinity of possible combinations, turn each piece into a unique creation.<br />
Simultaneously ageless and ahead of its time, Marie’s Corner has always developed iconic models,<br />
designed to adapt to the anyone’s desire. Included in the BEL (Brussels Exclusive Labels) since 2015,<br />
the company has joined the 80 most iconic representatives of the capital city of Europe.<br />
The main markets are Belgium, Germany, France, Russia, Netherlands, England, Switzerland and Norway.<br />
Marie’s Corner model ‘Wilmington’ and the new “AXO” tables<br />
© Laetizia Bazzoni<br />
THE MANAGING DUO<br />
INNOVATIVE, UNIQUE AND ENDLESSLY<br />
CUSTOMIZABLE<br />
Find your happiness among an abundant choice of models in a<br />
France, Germany, Luxembourg and The Netherlands. In order<br />
to activate the free warranty, the customer is asked to register<br />
online by specifying the order number of the piece of furniture.<br />
Serge Silber manages the Belgian entity (commercial, marketing<br />
unique style, cozy an elegant: a family armchair XXL, office chair,<br />
Upon demand of the customer, Marie’s Corner sends a team of<br />
and human resources departments), while Philippe Vanhemelen<br />
stool, armchair, couch, sofa... Marie’s Corner always has<br />
specialists to the customer’s home where they will give the piece<br />
manages the financial department and the production factory<br />
a solution to offer.<br />
a deep clean.<br />
in Spain. Together they manage as such the entire entity.<br />
This explosive and complementary binomial is head of a team<br />
Amongst the new models in 2020 we find the ‘Baldwin’ armchair,<br />
www.mc.care<br />
of 20 persons in Waver (Belgium), of 35 craftsmen in the<br />
the ‘Axo’ tables, the ‘Napa’ chair, the ‘Hartford’ sofa and the<br />
production workshop in Zaragoza and of a network of<br />
‘Tennessee’ longchair.<br />
15 European distribution agents.<br />
Even though the development of new models, purer and more<br />
MC CARE, PROTECT WHAT YOU LOVE<br />
contemporary, contributes to rejuvenate the brand range, the<br />
For Marie’s Corner, the customer’s satisfaction is the absolute<br />
managing duo does not wish to stay on site and are bringing a<br />
priority. MC Care is a free 5-year anti stain warranty with<br />
new dynamism to the company: increased visibility through large<br />
unlimited on-site intervention. It offers the absolute certainty<br />
real estate projects (decoration of hotels, golfs and prestigious<br />
of fully enjoying a Marie’s Corner piece of furniture.<br />
restaurants), creation of corners in new stores (presence in<br />
mega-stores) and reinforcement of the sales network.<br />
Each piece made by the Master Upholsterers is treated with a<br />
highly water-repellent product against stains that protects fabrics<br />
The ultimate dream of the duo would be to open a hotel signed<br />
by preventing liquids from penetrating inside the fibre. A quick<br />
Marie’s Corner in one of the European capital cities in the near<br />
wipe on the spilled liquid and all is forgotten.<br />
future.<br />
On top of the treatment, Marie’s Corner gives the possibility to<br />
www.mariescorner.com<br />
the customer to call upon the unlimited on-site intervention ser-<br />
Serge Silber and Philippe Vanhemelen, the managing duo of Marie’s Corner<br />
vice. This service is valid for any residential purchase in Belgium,<br />
MC Care is a free 5-years anti-stain warranty<br />
© Laetizia Bazzoni<br />
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BMW Loft 7 in Brussels, decorated by Marie’s Corner<br />
Thanks to the collaboration with the Belgian Ministry of Foreign<br />
Affairs, and their valuable trust, Marie’s Corner had the honour<br />
and pleasure to contribute to the furnishing of many of their<br />
Embassies in the last 10 years.<br />
Marie’s Corner fine comfort seating’s have been selected by<br />
some Ambassador’s themselves to accommodate their private<br />
residence as well as the embassy itself. It is a great honour for<br />
the brand to have been selected as Belgian Representative<br />
for their comfort seating’s.<br />
Some of the worldwide references of Marie’s Corner are<br />
residences of the Belgian Ambassador to the Permanent<br />
Representative to the United Nations or The Hague, residences<br />
of the Belgian Ambassadors at Tokyo, Havana, Kinshasa,<br />
Mexico, Nur Sultan, Teheran, Oslo as well as the residence<br />
of the Belgian General Consul in Cologne.<br />
Marie’s Corner is also the proud partner of numerous prestigious<br />
hospitality establishments, co-working spaces and business<br />
clubs.<br />
presentations and culinary evenings. So, the perfect spot to<br />
let your mind prosper. And all this in a historical, monumental<br />
building with classic halls and a modern atmosphere.<br />
Surrounded by rich art and culture. Marie’s Corner produced<br />
Denver-F chairs Custom benches.<br />
The challenge faced for the restaurant Bon Bon in Brussels<br />
(in collaboration with the architect Michèle Verhelst<br />
(MV ARCHITECT), was to offer style and comfort for an<br />
exceptional moment, commensurate with the gastronomic<br />
quality of this starred restaurant of Chef Christophe Hardiquest.<br />
The choices for this project fell on the Dartmouth armchairs for<br />
the reception area and the Manchester chairs and armchairs for<br />
the restaurant proper, and Marie’s Corner developed the same<br />
Manchester model in high stool for the bar-kitchen area.<br />
The BMW ‘Loft 7’, was for a few months one of the most<br />
exclusive attractions of Brussels. A place where the pleasure of<br />
the eyes, an exquisite restoration and many sensory experiences<br />
have amazed many of us. ‘Loft 7’ was a very unique concept!<br />
Dedicated to prestige, elegance and refinement…<br />
Koninklijke Industrieele Groote Club is a lively business & social<br />
club right in the heart of Amsterdam where as a member you’ll<br />
keep company with an eclectic mix from the (inter)national<br />
business community. Where you and your guests are able to<br />
attend more than 160 lectures per year, often given by the best<br />
in the industry. Your go-to place for luncheons, dinners and<br />
meetings. Including other activities such as jazz nights, book<br />
A sublime and ephemeral place for the presentation of the<br />
BMW series 7 where guests have experienced the rare, savour<br />
the exceptional, in an incomparable setting in the heart of<br />
Brussels, on the 77th floor of the BMW Brand Store Brussels.<br />
For this reference, Marie’s Corner produced Anniston armchairs,<br />
Charlotte highchairs, Dakota sectionals, Pebble tables, Sonoma<br />
chairs and Springfield dining tables.<br />
176 177
THE FUTURE IS IN THE STARS<br />
IN THE BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GTC V8,<br />
TRACKING DOWN URSA MAJOR –<br />
THE GREAT BEAR<br />
A SHORT DAY’S LONG JOURNEY<br />
THROUGH THE NIGHT<br />
There it is. The very first star of nightfall. A planet actually. Venus.<br />
Lit up by the sun which is now leisurely slipping below the horizon,<br />
unhurriedly. Its last remaining rays breaking up a few solitary<br />
clouds. One by one they disappear until the darkening sky is<br />
wiped clear. And the last lights of the scattered houses and cottages<br />
begin to go out, too. We switch on the headlamps of the<br />
Continental GTC and glide through the Alpine pasture landscape<br />
at a measured pace.<br />
It’s grown dark by now. Dark, but not sombre, because the many<br />
twinkling stars appearing, coming out here, there and everywhere<br />
to let the stream of the Milky Way emerge, are joined by the<br />
shining moon. She washes over the white Conti with gentle white<br />
light as it begins its journey across the nocturnal firmament. And<br />
here, in the Star Park on the Winkelmoosalm mountain pasture<br />
near Reit im Winkel in Bavaria, some 1,200 meters above sea<br />
level, this firmament appears to stretch particularly far. Lined by<br />
clear-cut silhouettes of the forests and mountains, where the air<br />
is purer than pure.<br />
One typically drives a convertible in the light of day, under the<br />
bright sun in a warm season – at least in central Europe. England<br />
doesn’t conform to this. The British island, from which our travelling<br />
companion on this star journey hails, knows no fixed season<br />
178 179
for driving a convertible. That season is always. And at night as<br />
well. Thanks to sophisticated heating and ventilation, it’s a highly<br />
pleasurable experience to be enveloped in heat and perfectly<br />
shielded from cool or icy winds.<br />
Seen like that, one drives through a starlit night under the<br />
sunshine of many thousand suns. As Manuel Philipp, our guide<br />
through the world of celestial bodies, points out so concisely:<br />
the sun is a star. And every star is a sun. Six thousand of them<br />
are present for us to observe at night – 400 billion of them in our<br />
galaxy alone.<br />
disc). That, while we follow along in amazement as models of<br />
the sun and galaxy are used to explain these things, and as we<br />
follow the laser pointer and appear to be standing in a specific<br />
place, we are in fact moving. Or rather, being moved. Constantly.<br />
Through the Earth’s rotation, at a speed of 1,200 km/h, and at<br />
over 100,000 km/h, too, as the Earth circles the sun.<br />
Which means nothing ever stands still. Ever. Everything is in<br />
motion. Always. We, too, then set off again, on the move, setting<br />
out at around midnight to track down the Great Bear in its full<br />
expanse.<br />
There, our solar system, within which the earth rotates on its own<br />
axis while orbiting its central star, is hardly bigger than a piece of<br />
confetti, and our planet, a microscopically small speck of dust in<br />
comparison. According to current astronomy wisdom, there are<br />
two trillion galaxies in existence. Astronomical figures which are<br />
hard to grasp.<br />
That’s also why our guided tour of the stars focuses on that<br />
which lies near, or at least nearer. We find out that the moon,<br />
which is closest to the Earth, is at a distance of 400,000 km from<br />
us. That our solar system with all its planets – Mercury, Venus,<br />
Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune – is in fact a disc<br />
(shedding new light on the outdated concept of the Earth as a<br />
Because at this moment, a portion of it is still hiding behind a<br />
hill. It’s one of the few astral constellations that is always visible.<br />
One point of orientation in the night sky is the North Star, also<br />
called Polaris, which is at the end of Ursa Minor – the Little Bear.<br />
It always points north.<br />
We follow the Great Bear for part of the way. We’ll never catch up<br />
with it – it will always lie ahead of us. Even though it moves by a<br />
mere four minutes each day, from our earthly viewpoint.<br />
Time, however, is relative: a fact that becomes somewhat clearer<br />
when considering that the light of the Great Bear took 80 years<br />
to reach us tonight. This stops us in our tracks and we dim the<br />
headlights of the Continental to parking lights, so as not to disturb<br />
this light from the stars.<br />
Our growing humility in the face of this seemingly endless shining<br />
world above our heads becomes deeper still with Manuel<br />
Philipp’s final statement, “This Bentley is made of stardust”.<br />
Add incredulity to amazement and humility. It seems an all too<br />
far-fetched comparison. And yet, the astronomer and physicist<br />
argues that everything on planet Earth – all material – comes<br />
mainly from the “belly” of a giant star.<br />
everything that we’ve brought forth comes from one and the<br />
same place. This lends far deeper meaning to the surname of<br />
David Bowie’s alter ego, Ziggy Stardust.<br />
So our origins are written in the stars. Just like our present. And<br />
even more so, the future. At Bentley, our future will take shape<br />
under an electric star. When we return to the Star Park next year<br />
for a night-time visit, our companion will be able to glide through<br />
the alpine pastures in electric mode. And soon thereafter, as an<br />
all-electric vehicle.<br />
According to current knowledge, this giant star exploded in the<br />
context of a supernova at some point in the distant past. The<br />
stardust it generated was carried into a nearby cloud of gas. It<br />
was from this stardust-enriched cosmic cloud that, several hundred<br />
million years later, our solar system developed with the sun<br />
as its central star and orbited by eight planets.<br />
Photos: Bentley<br />
Thus, everything in and around us is pure stardust, matter that<br />
was created from the nuclear fusion that occurred inside that<br />
giant star. And without whose existence we would not exist –<br />
because the ball of rock we now call Earth wouldn’t have<br />
emerged from thunder and lightning. On the Earth nearly<br />
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WWW.BARE-JEWELRY.COM<br />
@BARE_FINEJEWELRY