Diplomatic World_Magazine_73

73
INTERLINKING POLITICS, DIPLOMACY, BUSINESS & FINANCE
ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY, CULTURAL DIPLOMACY & HEALTH
HIS
MAJESTY
KING
PHILIPPE I
KING
OF THE BELGIANS
HIS
MAJESTY
KING
CHARLES III
KING
OF THE UNITED
KINGDOM
H.E.
SAYYID BADR
AL-BUSAIDI
FOREIGN MINISTER
OF THE SULTANATE
OF OMAN
JAPAN AND
EGYPT
BONDS OF TRUST
AND RESPECT
H.E.
SALIM BIN
MOHAMMED AL
MAHROUQI
MINISTER OF HERITAGE
AND TOURISM
OF THE SULTANATE
OF OMAN
H.E.
ABDEL FATTAH
EL-SISI
PRESIDENT
OF
THE ARAB REPUBLIC
OF EGYPT
H.E.
DR. ABDULLA
NASSER AL
HARRASI
MINISTER
OF INFORMATION
OF THE SULTANATE
OF OMAN
H.E.
ROBERTA
METSOLA
PRESIDENT
OF
THE EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENT
H.E.
PASCAL H.
GRÉGOIRE
AMBASSADOR
OF THE KINGDOM
OF BELGIUM
TO THE SULTANATE
OF OMAN
H.E.
ENRIQUE
A. MANALO
SECRETARY
FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
OF THE PHILIPPINES
Spring 2024 www.diplomatic-world.com Quarterly edition
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Dear Excellencies,
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2024 is a year of uncertainty and change. Never before
have so many countries headed to the polls in one
single year, including the European Union and the
United States. In addition, with economic uncertainty
looming as a result of fundamental shifts, and the
negative spillover effects and disruptions derived from
the ongoing wars, it may seem we live in an age of
perma-crisis, as some scholars have referred to it.
But not all should be doom and gloom. Numerous
countries are working tirelessly for peace. Recently
I had the great pleasure to visit the Sultanate of
Oman, and I was inspired at the model of peaceful
coexistence and harmony. The country is a discreet
architect of peace in the Middle East and is renowned
for its mediation diplomacy. Balancing interests,
tolerance toward differences, and a determined search
for mutual benefits are some of the building blocks for
Oman’s pragmatic foreign policy.
Let us also take inspiration from Central Asian
countries, all of which are actively participating in
processes aimed at strengthening peace, stability,
sustainable development and mutual understanding
between the peoples of the region. Central Asia is
therefore increasingly seen as a zone of peace, trust
and cooperation.
In this edition we bring you inspiring stories from the
fields of arts, culture and sports, three fields that I
believe have the power to bring people together. We
bring you, for example, a story about the release of
the biographical drama “Bob Marley: One Love”,
which was premiered in Brussels in February. As we
reflect on the current state of the world, Bob Marley’s
inspirational messages of love, unity, and social justice,
which transcend cultural, linguistic and geographical
boundaries, are as relevant today as they were during
his lifetime.
I wish you an inspiring reading,
Barbara Dietrich, CEO
Diplomatic World
Avenue Louise 146 | Brussels | +(32) 2 643 33 01 | info@billiet-co.be
KEY CONTACTS
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Vladimir Lincautan
3

8 16 22 84
90
96
CHARLEMAGNE, ROYAL DIPLOMACY
AND THE BELGIAN MONARCHY
KING CHARLES III AND TRANSYLVANIA
JAPAN AND EGYPT
BONDS OF TRUST AND RESPECT
H.E. ENRIQUE A. MANALO
SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
OF THE PHILIPPINES
H.E. BENJAMIN DIOKNO
SECRETARY OF FINANCE
OF THE PHILIPPINES (2022-2024)
26 30
32 100
114
H.E. DR. HASAN MAHMUD, MP
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
OF BANGLADESH
CAIRO HOSTS LANDMARK FORUM ON THE
CULTURE OF JUST PEACE UNITING GLOBAL
VOICES FOR CHANGE
EGYPT AND THE EU
ELEVATE THEIR RELATIONSHIP
FORUM EUROPA: INAUGURAL CONVERSATION
WITH ROBERTA METSOLA, PRESIDENT OF THE
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
H.E MUZAFFAR HUSEINZODA AMBASSADOR
OF TAJIKISTAN TO BELGIUM AND HEAD OF
MISSION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION
H.E. SYLVESTER MUNDANDA AMBASSADOR OF
ZAMBIA TO THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM
AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
40 44 50 126
130
136
106
GLOBAL GATEWAY INVESTORS FORUM
FOR EU-CENTRAL ASIA TRANSPORT
CONNECTIVITY
H.E. SAYYID BADR AL-BUSAIDI
FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE SULTANATE
OF OMAN
54
H.E. SALIM BIN MOHAMMED AL MAHROUQI
MINISTER OF HERITAGE AND TOURISM OF THE
SULTANATE OF OMAN
58
H.E. DR. ABDULLA NASSER AL HARRASI
MINISTER OF INFORMATION OF THE
SULTANATE OF OMAN
THE EU AND CENTRAL ASIA AT THE
THRESHOLD OF A NEW ERA OF PARTNERSHIP
TURKMENISTAN’S PRIORITIES FOR 2024
JOINT BRIEFING BETWEEN THE EMBASSY OF
TURKMENISTAN AND DIPLOMATIC WORLD
66 148
CHINESE NEW YEAR RECEPTION OF THE
ASSOCIATION OF CHINESE ENTERPRISES IN
BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG (AECBL)
H.E. IBTISAM BINT AHMED BIN SAEED
AL-FAROUJIA UNDERSECRETARY OF
COMMERCE OF THE SULTANATE OF OMAN
OMAN ACROSS AGES MUSEUM: FROM PAST
GLORIES TO NEW RENAISSANCE
H.E. PASCAL H. GRÉGOIRE AMBASSADOR
OF THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM TO THE
SULTANATE OF OMAN
140
72 76
80
150
THE BELGIAN-CHINESE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (BCECC)
NEW YEAR RECEPTION
144
SYMPOSIUM WITH FORUM DISCUSSION
FROM THE NEW B.U.C. PRACTICAL CHAIR
‘SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY’
DAZZLING PERFORMANCE BY THE HONG KONG
PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
152
156
BELGIUM’S AMBASSADOR TO SAUDI ARABIA,
H.E. PASCAL GRÉGOIRE, SPEAKS AT THE III
SAUDI MEDIA FORUM
SOFT DIPLOMACY
MODELLING GLOBAL INTERACTIONS
DR. THEODOROS KOUTROUBAS
THE CASE FOR MODERN MONARCHIES
BOB MARLEY
ONE LOVE
ACTION TO END FINANCIAL DISCRIMINATION
AGAINST CANCER SURVIVORS ACROSS THE EU
PHILIPPE DEHENNIN PRESIDENT, BELGIAN
HISTORIC VEHICLE ASSOCIATION (BEHVA)
4 5

162 Corps 166 Consulaire de la Province de Namur 170 230
234
242
The Economic Diplomacy Day
ASSOCIATION CARITATIVE DES DIPLOMATES
ET CONSULS ORDRE DE SAINT-GABRIEL –
BENELUX
DAVID BABAEV CEO AND FOUNDER,
HENALEX CONFERENCE SERVICES
NOTHING SPEAKS FOR THE MIDDLE CORRIDOR
EXCEPT RESILIENCE?
KOEN VANMECHELEN
SWEET DREAMS
182 188 246
252
LORE BERT
CADORO CENTER FOR ART AND SCIENCE
DR. PHIL. DOROTHEA VAN DER KOELEN
176 244
PEOPLE-POWERED HEALTHCARE
THE 2024 ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY DAY
JUNE 2nd, 2024
LAUNCH OF THE BRUSSELS DIPLOMATIC
ACADEMY’S HOUSE OF DIPLOMACY
MKM MUSEUM KÜPPERSMÜHLE
FÜR MODERNE KUNST IN DUISBURG
MOMENTS OF INSPIRATION
CHRISTIAN VOIGT: THE SEARCH FOR BEAUTY
194 196
204 256
260
BUKHARI CREATIVE GROUP
258
AEROSPACE, DEFENCE AND SECURITY
LEARNING TO NAVIGATE THE FUTURE:
THE LIVING TOMORROW ACADEMY
IS LAUNCHED
MICHAEL MATTIS
CEO, SILICON VALLEY EUROPE
HORRA: SILENT MESSAGE FROM CAIRO’S
CITADEL
INGRID ZU SOLMS FOUNDATION (IZS): WOMEN
NEED TO LEARN TO NETWORK MUCH MORE!
CALM MY MIND: HEALTHY WORK STARTS HERE
206
210
214
RUDY AERNOUDT: THE WORLD ECONOMIC
OUTLOOK - THE END OF STAGFLATION?
MCI CARBON AND ITS CEO MARCUS DAWE
HONOURED WITH THE 2023 WHOLISTIC
WORLD INNOVATION TROPHY
JEAN-MICHEL SAIVE, PRESIDENT, BELGIAN
OLYMPIC AND INTERFEDERAL COMMITTEE
(BOIC)
218
220
226
KAI ID SIMPLIFYING DIGITAL
IDENTITY VERIFICATION
ABOUT TEFAF THE EUROPEAN FINE ART
FOUNDATION
TEFAF MUSEUM RESTORATION FUND
6 7

CHARLEMAGNE,
ROYAL DIPLOMACY AND THE BELGIAN
MONARCHY
From the age of Charlemagne to our present epoch,
the art of statecraft has navigated a tumultuous course,
shaped by the ambitions and exigencies of nations
Univ. Prof. Dr. Dr. hc Jan DE MAERE
Photo: Jan De Maere
a diplomatic rupture. Nicephorus’ envoys, dispatched to
dawn of structured diplomacy emerged. Permanent embassies
Charlemagne in Salzburg in 803, refused to acknowledge him
rose like bastions of statecraft, while treaties, penned with metic-
Diplomacy evolved over centuries to meet today the challeng-
religious and political ties between Italy and the Christian Frankish
as emperor. This discord escalated theological disputes con-
ulous detail, became the bedrock of international order.
es of an interconnected and multilateral world. International
empire. He extolled the emergence and influence of the newly
cerning the ‘filioque’, which Charlemagne imposed later (Aachen,
institutions seek to chart a course towards peace, prosperity and
established Frankish empire, which endured for a millennium.
809).
The Peace of Westphalia (1648), in its aftermath, heralded an
cooperation amidst the storm of ongoing conflicts. In the 20th
This empire stood as a formidable rival to the Eastern Empire,
age of sovereignty and equilibrium among nations. Such treaties
century, globalization gradually occurred through advances in
governed from Byzantium by Empress Irene, and to the Abbasid
In response, Charlemagne persuaded the Venetian Republic and
established principles of state sovereignty and non-interference
new technologies, faster transport, air travel and the internet. It
Empire, under the rule of Caliph Harun-al-Rashid in Baghdad.
Dalmatia to renounce Byzantine suzerainty and become vassals
in internal affairs, shaping the conduct of a new, more technical
facilitated greater interconnectivity and accelerated the pace of
of King Pepin of Italy. However, Byzantium retaliated in 806,
and complex form of diplomacy.
diplomatic interactions.
Charlemagne maintained amicable relations with the latter,
reclaiming these territories. Charlemagne regained Venice in 810,
having established an embassy in Baghdad in 799, primarily
leading to recognition by Nicephorus’ successor, Michael I, albeit
In the 18th century, diplomacy was largely conducted by mon-
Today, the stage of diplomacy stretches across the globe,
to address grievances regarding the mistreatment of Christians
not as ‘Roman Emperor’. In 812, Charlemagne accepted this
archs themselves with a focus on maintaining the balance of
grappling with the complexities of a digital age and interna-
in Palestine.
acknowledgment, culminating in a lasting peace treaty signed in
power among European states. Diplomatic missions were con-
tional trade. From the corridors of power to the digital agora,
Aachen.
ducted through aristocratic personal envoys and Ambassadors
nations engage in a new form of mediatic diplomacy, navigating
Given Harun-al-Rashid’s conflicts with both the Byzantine Empire
travelling and having confidential meetings with other heads
the shoals of globalization and security challenges anew, but
and Charlemagne’s adversary, the Emir of Cordoba, the two allies
Unlike other European conquerors – such as Napoleon or Hitler –
of states or their administration. They communicated with the
monarchies retain a certain prestige and glamour that presidents
exchanged diplomatic gestures in 800 and 807. Harun-al-Rashid
Charlemagne died at peace with his empire and his God, having
monarch through reports and letters, preserved mostly in secret
generally lack.
presented the emperor with the keys to Mount Zion, Calvary, and
united, by force and diplomacy, these regions that are today
archives.
the Holy Sepulcher, leading to the return of Christian monks to
the core of the European Union. He created a state apparatus,
In the annals of history, the evolution of diplomacy stands as a
the Holy Land.
formed ‘Missi Dominici’ to govern the area and organized
The early 19th century bore witness to the zenith of statecraft’s
testament to the ever-changing currents of international affairs.
feudalism.
complexity. Great powers jostled for supremacy, weaving webs
From the age of Charlemagne to our present epoch, the art of
statecraft has navigated a tumultuous course, shaped by the
ambitions and exigencies of nations.
CHARLEMAGNE CROWNED AS HOLY ROMAN
EMPEROR BY POPE LEO III
In the medieval and Renaissance epochs, diplomacy danced to
the tune of personal relations and royal entreaties. Monarchs,
with their courtly emissaries, wove the fabric of alliances and
of alliances and diplomacy as they navigated the turbulent currents
of history. The Congress of Vienna (September 1814- June
1815), a symphony of diplomacy in which the Belgian prince
Charles-Joseph de Ligne (1735-1814) was one of the remarkable
When Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as the first Holy
The reign of Empress Irene came to an end in October 802
treaties, binding realms through bonds of profit, blood and in-
figures, sought to forge a new European and constitutional order
Roman Emperor in the year 800, he underscored the enduring
when the Grand Treasurer Nicephorus seized power, prompting
trigue. As the world turned towards the early modern era, a new
in the wake of Napoleonic tumult.
8 9

Photo: © Frederic Andrieu / Agencepeps
After 23 years of continuous war, the goal was not simply to
to a globalized and complex network of relations involving a
restore old boundaries but to resize the main powers so that they
diverse array of actors, issues, and diplomatic tools. The ideolog-
Photo: © Frederic Andrieu / Agencepeps
could balance each other, shepherding at the same time smaller
ical strife of the Cold War initiated a rivalry between the United
countries such as Belgium.
States and the Soviet Union which dominated international relations,
leading to the development of new diplomatic strategies
Therefore, royal diplomacy maintains its fundamental objective
This supersedes largely the pure ceremonial activities since the
It created the Kingdom of the Netherlands (1815-1830) as a
such as ‘détente’ and brinkmanship.
of fostering amicable relations with other nations. However, in
King often implicates his ministers and heads of administrations
buffer zone between great powers. This format of a balance of
a constitutional monarchy, a king’s actions are contingent upon
in his diplomatic activities.
powers, set at the Congress of Vienna, served as inspiration for
From the 1960s on, anti-colonial movements worldwide re-
political decisions made by the government.
the 1856 peace conference (The Congress of Paris) that settled
shaped the geopolitical landscape in Africa, Asia, and the Middle
The government takes the political responsibility when neces-
the Crimean War.
East.
King Philippe of the Belgians, akin to many constitutional mon-
sary. A State visit to Belgium by a foreign head of state takes
archs, assumes a primarily ceremonial role in diplomacy. While
normally 3 days. The first day is reserved mainly to diplomatic
The rise of nationalism led to the emergence of new nation-states
It saw the emergence of new independent states and shifting
he has to refrain from direct involvement in political negotiations
encounters and protocol. Members of governments are often
and increased competition for colonial territories, reshaping
power dynamics. Belgian Congo gained its independence and
or policy formulation, he frequently represents Belgium abroad
also involved.
diplomatic priorities. The telegraph enabled faster and more effi-
became the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on June 30,
at international events, official state visits, and ceremonies of
cient diplomatic exchanges. Diplomatic practices became more
1960. Notwithstanding the Belgian diplomatic efforts, the transi-
significant diplomatic importance.
The second and the third days are mainly reserved for field visits
formalized, with the establishment of permanent embassies and
tion to independence was not smooth.
or activities aimed at deepening the bilateral relationships with
legations in capital cities around the world.
His presence serves as a symbol of continuity, stability, and
the visiting country. Often there are parallel programs for the
It led to political instability and conflicts, marking the beginning
goodwill between Belgium and other nations. His participation
partners of the visiting head of state or for other important peo-
Into the 20th century, the winds of change swept across the
of a tumultuous period in the country’s history, characterized
in events organized by international bodies such as the United
ple in the delegation.
globe, bringing with them the tempests of two world wars.
by political instability, ethnic tensions, and foreign intervention,
Nations and the European Union underscores Belgium’s commit-
Particularly World War I profoundly impacted international
which continue to impact the region to this day.
ment to multilateralism and global cooperation on humanitarian
The King’s outgoing diplomatic travels are planned at least one
diplomacy, leading to the creation of the League of Nations
issues.
or two years ahead by the King’s office in cooperation with the
(1919) and later the United Nations (1945) to promote collective
Through the annals of time, the essence of diplomacy remains
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Trade Agency, regions,
security and international cooperation.
unaltered: to forge bonds of understanding, to chart a course
Moreover, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, complementing
communities, universities, the Federation of Belgian enterprises
through the currents of history, and to safeguard the interests of
each other’s functions remarkably well, engage with foreign dig-
(VBO), syndicates and other civil organizations.
International diplomacy evolved from a primarily European-cen-
nations in an ever-changing world.
nitaries and heads of state during their visits to Belgium, contrib-
tric system focused on maintaining stability among monarchies
uting to enhanced diplomatic relations and bilateral cooperation.
The formal State Banquet Dinner is always part of such a State
10 11

Photo: © Belgian Royal Palace
visit. Speeches are carefully prepared and aim to highlight the
visited together the Antwerp KMSK Museum, which had recently
links between the two countries and pave the way for new collaborations.
On other occasions, the King invites passing heads of state
reopened, renovated after the plans of a Dutch architect.
or important persons. This was the case last year when the
The Belgian monarchs care especially about the education and King invited Ukrainian president Volodomyr Zelensky to the
work for less educated youngsters. They have a special focus on Palace.
professional education. Therefore, the service is done by pupils
of Belgian Horeca schools and their teachers.
The Queen had already met Ms. Olena Zelenska at other occasions
to see how she and her organisations could help the
A difficult exercise but a great and prestigious training exercise. Ukrainian population, suffering under the brutal Russian aggression.
Belgian wines such as those from the Castle Genoels-Elderen
and Clos d’Opleeuw, or sparkling wine from Chant d’Eole, as well
as other Belgian products are served.
The King meets also important business leaders and scientists.
In January 2024, the King met Bill Gates in Davos. A few
In the Laeken Palace, smaller group diners take place in the
years ago, He met the theoretical physicist and cosmologist
Rotonde; when the number of participants is so great the dinner Dr Stephen Hawking as well as the Belgian Nobel Prize laureate
takes place in the Royal Gallery. Coffee is taken in the Winter
2013, François Englert.
Garden. A good example of such a grand state visit was the
visit of the Dutch King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima.
Queen Mathilde’s international endeavours reflect Belgium’s
Knowing each other well, the monarchs of the two countries
dedication to global solidarity, human rights, and dignity.
Photos: Michel Gronemberger / Royal Palace
12 13

Some insist on the need to recognize the harms of colonization
poverty, hunger, and climate change for long-term prosperity and
and its persistent impacts on Congolese society, while others
well-being. Her commitment to these goals aligns with Belgium’s
highlight the positive aspects, such as infrastructure devel-
economic interests on the global stage.
opment. Belgium has decided to return a number of artworks
whose origins are still unclear. The King offered already one
Before ascending to the Belgian throne, Prince Philippe con-
artifact as a symbolic gesture. His visit, acknowledging Belgian’s
ducted numerous trade missions over more than a decade, in
colonial past, has opened the way for the reconsideration of the
collaboration with Belgian entrepreneurs, governmental and
Photo: © Belgian Royal Palace
historical narrative about it.
regional institutions, demonstrating the monarchy’s support for
the country’s economic interests abroad.
Furthermore, Queen Mathilde champions women’s rights and
Her active involvement raises awareness, mobilizes resources,
zation for mutilated and raped women, founded by the Nobel
gender equality, actively promoting women’s leadership and
Following his accession, Princess Astrid continued this tradition,
and fosters partnerships to address pressing global challenges.
Peace prize winner Dr Denis Mukwege in East Congo. This visit
entrepreneurship while condemning gender-based violence and
leading trade missions to countries outside Europe to bolster
She prioritizes humanitarian causes, focusing on education,
sparked intense debates about the nature of Belgian colonization
discrimination.
economic ties, promote Belgian products and services, and
healthcare, children’s rights, and women’s empowerment, ad-
and its impact on Congo.
facilitate business partnerships.
vocating for universal access to quality education and maternal
She also plays a vital role in humanitarian relief efforts in re-
and child health. Recently the Queen visited the world’s biggest
It is probably the King’s most important and significant state
sponse to natural disasters, conflicts, and humanitarian crises
Her engagements in trade conferences, seminars, and network-
refugee camp in Bangladesh as SDG advocate to draw attention
visit so far. King Philippe expressed “his deepest regrets” and
worldwide, visiting affected regions and supporting aid organiza-
ing events abroad contribute to showcasing Belgian industries
and foster support for the persecuted Rohingyas.
acknowledged the suffering inflicted during the colonial period.
tions.
and fostering international collaborations, thereby enhancing
Debates in the Belgian Parliament and within the Colonial
Belgium’s global image and economic prospects.
In June 2022, the Queen accompanied the King on his official trip
Commission have focused on the direction of the study on
Additionally, Queen Mathilde advocates for Sustainable Develop-
to the Democratic Republic of Congo. She visited the organi-
colonization.
ment Goals (SDGs), emphasizing their importance in combating
14 15

KING CHARLES III AND TRANSYLVANIA:
THROUGH HIS UNWAVERING DEDICATION
TO TRANSYLVANIA’S LEGACY,
HE ENSURED THAT ITS STORIED PAST WOULD
ENDURE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME
Univ. Prof. Dr. Dr. hc Jan DE MAERE
FROM THE MISTY DEPTHS OF ANTIQUITY,
TRANSYLVANIA, NESTLED WITHIN THE EMBRACE
OF THE CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS, EMERGES AS
A LAND OF MANIFOLD INFLUENCES, ITS VERY
SOIL BEARING WITNESS TO THE EBB AND FLOW
OF EMPIRES. BUT IT WAS THE SHIFTING TIDES
OF MEDIEVAL EUROPE THAT WOULD LEAVE
AN INDELIBLE MARK UPON TRANSYLVANIA’S
LANDSCAPE. IT WAS AGAINST THIS BACKDROP
OF CULTURAL FERMENT THAT THE SEEDS OF
PRESERVATION WERE SOWN, FINDING IN 1996 A
FERVENT ADVOCATE IN HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS,
THE THEN PRINCE CHARLES OF WALES.
Saschiz, Romania 8 May 2008: Charles, Prince of Wales visits an exhibition of traditional home-made culinary products
Photo: Shutterstock
Members of the British royal family often engage in a wide range
Teck through this lineage. So indirectly, there is a connection to
of activities both domestically and internationally, including
Transylvania in his ancestry and through Mary of Teck there is a
charitable work, diplomatic engagements, cultural exchanges,
link to Romania’s most feared historical figure Vlad the Impaler,
and environmental initiatives. King Charles III demonstrated long-
the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
time before his accession to the throne his interest in history,
tradition, the preservation of nature, innovation, and sustainable
At the age of eighteen in 1938, Patrick Leigh Fermor 1 , a close
development.
friend of Lord Mountbatten and Deborah Devonshire, walked
across Europe by foot. On the outbreak of war he returned to
In the intricate tapestry of European history, few threads are as
England from Romania. In the 1960s, he recreated this epic
richly embroidered as that of Transylvania, a land steeped in
legend and legacy. Its story, woven with the threads of conquest
and culture, is one that has captivated the imagination of many,
including His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom and
the Commonwealth Realms. His ancestors include members of
various European royal families such as the House of Windsor,
the House of Stuart, the House of Hanover, and others. Countess
Claudine Rhédey von Kis-Rhéde is an ancestor of King Charles
III. She was born in Transylvania (then part of Hungary) in 1812
and married Prince Ferencz József Károly of Hungary.
Their daughter, Countess Károlyné (Caroline) Rhédey von
Kis-Rhéde, later married Archduke Joseph of Austria, and their
descendants include Mary of Teck, who married King George V
Saschiz, Romania 8 May 2008: Charles, Prince of Wales visits an exhibition of traditional culinary products home made
Photo: Shutterstock
of the United Kingdom. King Charles III descends from Mary of
Photo: Jan De Maere
16 17

The Village of Zalan Patak, Transylvania (Ro)
Photo: Jan De Maere
walk that inspired his best loved books: “A Time of Gifts”, and
“Between the Woods and the Water”. He wrote: “I was haunted
by those mysterious regions between Vienna Woods and the
Black Sea, and here I was, as deep in that maze of forests and
canyons as it was possible to get. The timbered slopes outside
the windows, and thoughts of the snow and the winter solstice,
brought these stories to mind, especially the ones about wolves,
the villains and the presiding daemons of the East European winter.
All the castles were haunted. Vampires were on the move”.
As Patrick Leigh Fermor, King Charles III is a great romantic, but
not only. He read William Blacker’s best selling book “Along The
Enchanted Way”. Blacker tells the story when he fell in love in
2006 with a gypsy women in a remote village near Sighisoara/
Schässburg, and a son – Valentin – was born. Blacker’s warning
about the threat to Romania’s architecture and heritage, especially
its famous medieval fortified churches (186 still extant) and
its nature (46 percent of Europe’s pristine old nature), caught the
then Prince of Wales’ attention back in 1996.
the still pristine village of Deutsch Weisskirch (Viscri), where
Caroline Fernoled and her mother kept up the Saxon tradition
It was the beginning of a series of architectural acquisitions,
such as the Apafi Mansion in Malancrav and lately, through his
Transylvanian friend Count Tibor Kalnocky, a remote small house
with an earthen floor in Zalan Patak.
Charles III has a deep affinity with Romania where his great-great
aunt Mary was an extremely popular and admired Queen from
1918 to 1938. He visits the country a few times every year. In
May 2022, he was the guest of honour for the inauguration of
the restored small-track train from Cașolț to Agnita, only a few
kilometers away from my mansion there, Flanderhof Manor in
Daia.
The Eminescu Trust rents out the Prince’s houses via its agency
‘Experience Transylvania’. Each of his properties has its own
house keeper. These converted farms offer lovely traditional
guest rooms.
Interior of the house acquired for the king in Zalan Patak
Photo: Jan De Maere
and central Europe for centuries to come. The most immediate Transylvania unites with Romania through the Union of Alba Iulia
consequence was the defeat of the Kingdom of Hungary by
following the 1916 Treaty of Alliance with the Entente, trapping
the Ottoman Empire. Hungary was divided into three parts: the hundreds of thousands of German speaking Saxons and a few
Ottoman-occupied central and southern territories (from 1526 to million Hungarians and Szekeli behind a new border. Its historical
1699), the western part ruled by the Habsburgs, and the eastern heartland corresponds to the region of today’s Romania known
territories that remained under Hungarian control.
as Transilvania and parts of today’s Ukraine and Hungary.
The death of King Louis II of Hungary during the Battle of
The term Siebenbürgen refers specifically to that part of the
Mohács without leaving a direct heir led to a succession crisis territory of Transylvania that was granted by the King of Hungary
and weakened the Hungarian monarchy. This allowed foreign
as Transylvanian Königsgrund to Flandrenses and Saxones
powers like the Habsburgs to exert greater influence over
colonists in the mid-12th century (c.1145) 2 . Die Flanderer am Alt,
Hungarian affairs. The victory at Mohács enabled the Ottoman a play written in Sibiu by Michael Albert in 1883, puts forward the
Empire to further expand its territory into central Europe. The
view that the Transylvanian Saxons are of Flemish origin and that
ongoing conflict between the Ottoman Empire and Habsburgs the inhabitants of Sighişoara/Schäßburg in the 12th century thus
over control of the region contributed to centuries of instability in believed that they originated from Antwerp. In a work published
central Europe.
in 1942, Frans M. Olbrechts also refers to this Flemish origin.
Inspired by the evocative prose of Patrick Leigh Fermor and
Transylvania, enclosed within the arc of the Carpathian Mountains,
From 1541 on, Transylvania was an autonomous principality un-
However, for the Hungarians, Transylvania is Hungarian, while
William Blacker, the prince embarked on a crusade to safeguard
was part of the Dacian kingdom before the beginning of the
der the suzerainty of the Ottoman empire, to which it paid tribute.
for the Romanians, it was first Daco-Roman and then Romanian,
Transylvania’s architectural heritage and pristine landscapes
Christian era. Transylvania comes under Roman rule as part
After the Treaty of Karlowitz was signed (1699), ending Ottoman
for the Saxons the Siebenbürgen region was theirs for more than
and its unparalleled nature. The same year, through the newly
of the province of Dacia (c. 100 AD) and then belonged to the
control over Transylvania, it was transferred to the Habsburg
800 years. In 1940, The Second Vienna Award grants Northern
founded Mihai Eminescu Trust, the prince bought a 16th century
Roman empire for 165 years, before being occupied by Attila.
Monarchy. It became the Duchy (1711), and later Grand-Duchy
Transylvania to Hungary, while the southern part remains part
Saxon house in Sibiu/Hermannstadt on the small Goldsmith’s
(1765) of Transylvania, under the suzerainty of the Habsburgs
of Romania. This decision is later reversed after World War II.
Square and had it restored following the recommendations of the
In 895-896 AD, the Magyars (Hungarians) conquer Transylvania,
in Vienna. It was absorbed by Hungary at the time of the Austro-
Charter of Venice.
incorporating it into the Kingdom of Hungary and it became a
Hungarian Compromise in 1867 (also known as the Ausgleich),
In 1989, The fall of the communist regime in Romania and the
vassal principality subject to the King of Hungary. The Battle of
granting Transylvania greater autonomy within the Austro-
elimination of Ceaușescu leads to significant political and social
A few years later I bought the house to establish my Sibiu office.
Mohács, fought on August 29, 1526, was a pivotal event that re-
Hungarian Empire. It remained part of the Austro-Hungarian
changes in Transylvania and the rest of the country. After years
In the mean time the Prince took interest in the preservation of
shaped the political, cultural, and territorial landscape of Hungary
Empire until 1918 and its collapse at the end of World War I.
of persecution under the communist regime, the vast majority of
18 19

The Banffy Castle at Bontida, a The Prince’s Trust restoration project
Photo: Shutterstock
The town Schässburg/Sigishoara
Photo: Jan De Maere
the Saxons left in a hurry as soon as the borders opened, leaving
swats of empty houses behind in an unspoiled bucolic world. In
2007, Romania joins the European Union, impacting Transylvania’s
economy, politics, and society through increased integration with
Europe.
from the rigours of monarchy, a place where the whispers of
history mingle with the rustle of leaves. Through his unwavering
dedication to Transylvania’s legacy, he ensured that its storied
past would endure for generations to come.
Through the auspices of the Mihai Eminescu Trust and the
Prince’s Trust, founded with a keen eye towards conservation,
craftsmanship, sustainable innovation and education, King
Charles III endeavoured to breathe new life into Transylvania’s
storied past. From the cobbled streets of Sibiu to the rustic
charm of Viscri (Deutsch Weisskirch), his efforts bore fruit in
the restoration of centuries-old manors and farms. For him,
Transylvania is more than a mere land of ancestral ties; it was a
testament to the enduring power of tradition and the imperative
of stewardship. His frequent visits to the region, marked by a
palpable reverence for its natural beauty, underscore his
commitment to its preservation. In the verdant valleys and
mist-shrouded forests of Transylvania, he found a sanctuary
Transylvanian saxon village, Hosman
Photo: Istock
Inner court Flanderhof Manor, Thalheim/Daia, www.flanderhof-manor-transylvania.eu
Photo: Jan De Maere
20 21

JAPAN AND EGYPT
BONDS OF TRUST AND RESPECT
2024 MARKS THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF
DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION BETWEEN
JAPAN AND EGYPT. JAPAN HAS CONTINUED
ITS COOPERATION FOR DEVELOPMENT IN
EGYPT ON AN ONGOING BASIS AS A “TRUSTED
PARTNER” FOR EGYPT. SINCE THE MID-1970S,
JAPAN BEGAN TO PROACTIVELY PROVIDE
FINANCIAL COOPERATION TO SUPPORT
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN EGYPT
The Japanese Imperial Family is the oldest Imperial and Royal
Family in the world surviving to this day. His Majesty Emperor
Naruhito, the 126th Emperor of Japan, together with Her Majesty
Empress Masako, is a symbol of the unity of Japan and the
Japanese people. When President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi visited
Japan in 2016, he met with His Majesty, who was the Crown
Prince at the time.
BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN BOTH
COUNTRIES
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) office in Egypt was
established. Japan is the third largest development cooperation
partner in the world in terms of the actual value of official development
assistance. The cumulative value of official development
assistance provided to Egypt is approximately USD 1.5 billion in
grants, USD 7.2 billion in loans, and USD 900 million in technical
cooperation.
With the end of the Cold War, Japan was the first country in the
world to launch a forum for development in Africa, the Tokyo
International Conference on African Development (TICAD),
in 1993. The basic concept of TICAD is for the international
community to support “ownership” of African countries through
“partnership.”
Since then, for 30 years, Japan has always stood by Africa as
a development partner. During the Seventh Tokyo International
Conference on African Development (TICAD7) summit, President
Sisi assumed the presidency of the summit jointly with (at the
time) Japanese Prime Minister the late Shinzo Abe. The 9th summit
of the conference is scheduled to be held in Japan in 2025.
Japan and Egypt have enjoyed long-standing friendly relations
extending back to more than 100 years, since 1922, when Japan
recognized Egypt’s independence, the first Asian country to do
so. During the past year, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited
Egypt, and agreed with President Sisi to upgrade bilateral
relations to a “strategic partnership”, followed by the Japanese
Foreign Minister’s visit to Egypt.
Meanwhile, the third Japanese-Arab political dialogue was held,
and the Cairo Peace Summit was also attended by Foreign
Minister Kamikawa. Throughout this year, the two countries will
continue to strive together as “strategic partners” and cooperate
to achieve stability and prosperity in the region.
After World War II, Japan, which took it upon itself to become
a peaceful country, contributed greatly to the development of
countries around the world through development cooperation.
The beginning of development cooperation between Japan and
Egypt dates to 1954, when an Egyptian national participated in
the first technical cooperation established by Japan for the development
of human resources (training in the agricultural field).
Official development assistance grants began in 1973, and
loans in Japanese Yen began in 1974. In 1977, the Japan
A feature of the Japanese development partnership is that it
aims to achieve a society that respects human life, livelihood and
dignity, based on the idea of “human security”. To this end, the
focus is on human resource formation and skills development for
each individual, as well as developing the high-quality infrastructure
necessary to achieve economic growth, striving to make
progress in these two directions together as two wheels of
a cart.
JAPAN’S DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION IN EGYPT
HAS ACHIEVED TANGIBLE RESULTS
It is worth noting in particular that in the field of education and
human resources development, the Egypt-Japan University of
Science and Technology (E-JUST), which was opened 14 years
ago to introduce engineering education in the Japanese style,
ranked first among Egyptian universities according to the Times
Higher Education ranking of international universities for the year
2024.
Also, 13,000 Egyptian students are currently studying in 51
Egyptian-Japanese Schools (EJS), which introduce the special
Japanese educational model, Tokkatsu.
His Majesty Emperor Naruhito, the 126th Emperor of Japan together with His Majesty Empress Masako
Photo: Embassy of Japan in Egypt
The Egyptian government also plans to introduce “Tokkatsu” in the construction of the fourth line of the Greater Cairo Metro.
all 17,000 government primary schools.
Also worth remarking is Japan’s cooperation with Egypt in the
context of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the opening of
The Cairo University Pediatrics Specialized Hospital also contributes
to the health care of Egyptians, as it has a good reputa-
which the whole world is eagerly looking forward to.
tion among Egyptians and is known to them as the Japanese
In addition to providing financial support for the construction of
Hospital.
the GEM Museum, Japan has also provided human resource
training to preserve and restore Egyptian antiquities.
In the field of infrastructure, Japan has been cooperating for
many years with the Suez Canal, which is a major and strategic Egyptian and Japanese experts are currently working hard,
artery for international navigation. Japan played a major role in hand-in-hand, to preserve and restore artifacts. The GEM
reopening the canal to navigation after 1975 (following an eightyear
closure which followed the Six-Day War in 1967), and in
eration, a list in which we also have to mention the Cairo Opera
Museum project is a new symbol of Japanese-Egyptian coop-
implementing the expansion work (1980) by cracking the solid House.
foundation rocks, commonly called “devil’s rocks”, in addition to
building the first suspension bridge over the canal, known as the Through these experiences, Egypt and Japan are currently
“Peace Bridge,” linking Africa to Asia.
working together to develop human resources in Africa and the
Middle East.
Recently, Japan has been promoting the construction of environmentally
friendly and high-quality infrastructure, such as the Through the E-JUST University, Japan and Egypt cooperate in
expansion of Borg El Arab International Airport in Alexandria and accepting graduate students from Africa as scholarship students.
22 23

It is a matter of pride that African human cadres who studied
and water sectors. Japanese automotive companies have had a
importance of Egypt’s geopolitical position and the role it plays
International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and
Japanese-style engineering education in Egypt will occupy
strong presence and large market share in Egypt.
for peace and stability in the region.
Peacebuilding (CCCPA).
leadership positions in their homelands in the future. Japan and
Egypt also cooperate in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, health,
Moreover, the Egyptian youth has a great interest in Japanese
In order to promote peace and prosperity in the international
Japan also cooperates with Egypt in providing humanitarian aid
etc., receiving specialists from Africa and working to develop
culture: This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establish-
community, Japan supports freedom and the rule of law, and
to Gaza, having so far provided aid worth USD 75 million, as well
these human resources.
ment of the Department of Japanese Language and Literature at
respects diversity, inclusion and openness, within the framework
as providing supplies in cooperation with Egypt.
the Faculty of Arts, Cairo University.
of the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), and cooper-
There are examples of African countries where rice crop produc-
ates with various countries to this end.
Japan and Egypt are linked by bonds of mutual trust and re-
tivity increased five-fold as a result of training in Egypt, which
Many Egyptian students are currently studying the Japanese
spect, which have resulted in many years of cooperation. Japan
also contributes to enhancing food security, one of the pressing
language at nine universities, most notably Cairo University. The
Japan will cooperate with Egypt to achieve stability and pros-
will continue to strive alongside Egypt as the best partner for
issues in the region.
Japanese are also learning Arabic language in courses held by
perity in the Middle East and Africa region by leveraging and
development in Egypt over the next 100 years.
the Egyptian Embassy in Japan.
activating E-JUST University and cooperating through the Cairo
EXTENSIVE COOPERATION WITH A STRONG
PRESENCE IN THE FIELDS OF BUSINESS AND
CULTURE
JAPAN AND EGYPT ARE GOOD PARTNERS,
BOUND BY TRUST AND RESPECT
Cooperation between Japan and Egypt is not limited to govern-
Japan will continue its efforts with Egypt in the future to promote
ment-to-government ties. Japanese companies also contribute
development in Egypt and peace and stability in the region. The
to Egypt’s development through their technological and financial
scale of the changes taking place in the region, such as the sit-
capabilities, and have a strong presence in the renewable energy
uation in Gaza, Sudan, etc., once again reminds the world of the
Photo: Istock
Photo: ©Kenneth-Garrett
24 25

CAIRO HOSTS LANDMARK
FORUM ON THE CULTURE OF JUST PEACE
UNITING GLOBAL VOICES FOR CHANGE
Continuing the cultural journey initiated by the late Abdul Aziz
Dr. Nevine El Kelany, the Egyptian Minister of Culture, stressed
Saud Al-Babtain is an urgent demand, and holding this forum at
that the Foundation is one of the most important cultural institu-
this time is very important, stated the former Secretary General
tions in the Arab world and that the founder was keen to hold the
of the League of Arab States H.E. Amr Moussa. In a world often
third Forum in Cairo, making it the first event to be held after his
divided by borders, ideologies, and conflicts, a beacon of hope
departure. This reflects the great significance of Egypt to the late
emerged in Cairo from February 20-22, as the Third World Forum
Abdulaziz Albabtain. Culture plays the pivotal role in promoting
for the Culture of Just Peace convened under the auspices of
a culture of peace and shaping the system of values, ethics and
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
behaviour, said Minister El Kelany.
The forum, expertly organized by the Abdul Aziz Saud Al-Babtain
The first edition, held under the theme “Peace Education for
Cultural Foundation in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry
the Protection of Cultural Heritage” was held in June 2019 at
of Culture, brought together a mosaic of distinguished leaders,
the headquarters of the International Court of Justice – the
intellectuals, and cultural figures. Their collective aim? To weave
Peace Palace – in The Hague (The Netherlands) and the second
a narrative of peace that transcends mere absence of war, em-
iteration of the forum was held with the title “Leadership for Just
bracing political, social, and economic dimensions in the quest
Peace” in March 2022 in Valletta, the capital of the Republic of
for a just global society.
Malta.
Albabtain was determined to hold the Third World Forum for the
Culture of Just Peace in Cairo and his determination increased as
the cries of destructive wars intensified, hoping the voice calling
for peace would find the way to the minds of the decision-mak-
THE SEEDS OF CHANGE: DIALOGUES
AND DEBATES
ers in this world, stated the Secretary General of the Foundation
The forum’s agenda was rich and varied, covering ground from
Abdulrahman Khaled Albabtain.
government administration competencies to the critical roles of
women, youth, and minorities in fostering peace. One could not
ON THE PATH OF THE FOUNDER
help but be moved by the passionate discussions that unfolded,
each session building upon the previous, towards a comprehensive
understanding of just peace.
Saud Abdulaziz Albabtain, Vice-President of the Board of
Trustees for the Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Cultural Foundation
Notably, the session on “Peace and Political Development”
remembered his father – and founder of the Foundation – who
highlighted the indispensable role of popular participation in
passed away in December 2023: “He was aware that construc-
achieving societal harmony. The discourse around institution
tion and destruction are successive in this world. Whenever will
building and the involvement of non-governmental organizations
be construction, it will be followed by destruction. Since we are
in development further underscored the collective effort required
explored the dialectic of heritage and modernization, and how
pects, serve as a roadmap for the future. These insights, drawn
aware of the latent destructive force within people’s souls, we
to sustain peace.
these forces can coexist and enrich the peacebuilding process.
from the collective wisdom of the forum’s participants, offer prac-
must overlook it as if it does not exist and continue our construc-
This nuanced approach suggests that peace thrives not in homo-
tical steps for realizing the vision of a world where just peace is
tion.”
The poet and businessman established the foundation in 1989
and had chosen Cairo as the capital of Arab culture in that very
year. The foundation never aimed at media sensationalism, nor
INCLUSIVE GROWTH: A PATH TO JUST PEACE
Perhaps one of the forum’s most compelling narratives was the
emphasis on inclusivity. The discussions surrounding the inte-
geneity, but in the rich diversity of human experience.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND REFLECTIONS
the norm rather than the exception.
Over the past five years the Foundation’s journey has witnessed
events of significant impact on Arab Culture and organized
cultural sessions hosted in various Arab and foreign countries,
did it seek to enhance the fame of the founder, a character not
gration of women, youth, and minorities into the societal fabric
As the forum came to a close on February 22, it was not just the
including Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Lebanon, the United Arab
in need for that as a well-known figure with weight and value,
pointed to a deeper understanding that peace is not merely the
end of a gathering, but the beginning of a broader movement
Emirates, Kuwait, Spain, France, Bosnia and others.
whether in the fields of economy, social aspects or creative
absence of conflict but the presence of justice and equality.
towards a culture of just peace. The recommendations laid out,
fields.
The sessions dedicated to social and cultural development
focusing on peace and economic development among other as-
Although these sessions, along with the resulting research and
26 27

publications, represent a significant cultural achievement in the
established in 2005, has relentlessly pursued scientific achieve-
realm of contemporary culture, time has revealed that the ambi-
ments in other languages, translating them into Arabic.
tions of its founder have surpassed all expectations. He did not
worldwide. Several seminars were held, prominent intellectuals
Albabtain Chair for Arab Studies at the University of Cordoba.
content himself with sessions, seminars, and awards. Instead,
Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain distinguished himself with the spirit
from around the world were invite to discuss common issues
Various agreements with universities followed in Granada, Seville
he planned larger cultural projects to serve Arab culture from his
of tolerance and openness to other cultures, believing in human
among contemporary cultures. These seminars and gatherings
and Malaga and in recent times the number of these chairs has
broad perspective.
unity despite various directions and cultural differences. He
aimed to promote and spread the spirit of tolerance and love
reached around twenty, including at the Universities of Nice,
considered the Andalusian model of building the Arab-Islamic
among people, rejecting all forms of violence and hatred.
Oxford, Palermo, Beijing, Leiden, Armenia, Malta, Albania, and
He established the Albabtain Central Library for Arabic Poetry,
civilization in the Middle ages as an example of the possibility of
other chairs in various countries.
which is now the first library in the world to encompass most of
coexistence between different cultures.
In order to correct the misconception about the Arab civilization,
the texts of Arabic poetry from various areas. Consequently it
he initiated a cultural project in collaboration with the University
Photos: Forum on The Culture of Just Peace
has become a pilgrimage site for Arab and foreign researchers
Consequently he established the “Center for Dialogue among
of Cordoba, where many tour guides receive their education.
from all over the world. And the Albabtain Translation Center,
Civilizations” in response to the spread of violence and terrorism
The project resulted in the establishment of the Abdulaziz Saud
28 29

EGYPT AND THE EU
ELEVATE THEIR RELATIONSHIP
TO THE LEVEL OF A STRATEGIC
AND COMPREHENSIVE PARTNERSHIP
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President of the European
The Egyptian-European Summit represents crucial phase in rela-
Commission Ursula von der Leyen signed the joint political dec-
tions between Egypt and the European Union. Signing the “Joint
laration document on 17 March in Cairo, with a view to elevating
Political Declaration” will initiate a new collaborative path toward
the relations between Egypt and the European Union to the level
upgrading relations between Egypt and the European Union to
of strategic and comprehensive partnership. This declaration re-
the level of “Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership”, with a
flects the depth of the long-standing Egyptian-European relations
view to forging closer cooperation to achieve mutual benefit. To
throughout history. It also indicates the impetus these relations
underpin this partnership, the EU is proposing a EUR 7.4 billion
have recently gained at various levels: political, economic, and
financial and investment support package for Egypt during the
cultural, based on mutual respect and common interests.
period from 2024 to 2027, divided as follows: EUR 5 billion in
concessional loans as macro-financial assistance, EUR 1.8 billion
The signature ceremony was witnessed by the Prime Minister
of additional investments, under the Southern Neighbourhood
of Belgium, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, the Prime
Economic and Investment Plan, and EUR 600 million in grants
Minister of Greece, the Federal Chancellor of Austria, and the
(including EUR 200 million for migration management).
Prime Minister of Italy, who all participated in the Egyptian-
European Summit, reflecting the depth of Egyptian relations with
The partnership covers six common priorities, which are political
the European Union and its Member States. Egypt has always at-
relations; economic stability; investments and trade; migration
The discussions placed special emphasis on energy as a key
transition and resource efficiency. In addition, there will be a
tached special importance to the distinguished relations it shares
and mobility; security; and people and skills. In addition, this
area for cooperation, with a particular focus on natural gas, elec-
special focus on the cooperation in the energy sector such as
with the European Union and its countries, stemming from our
strategic partnership intensifies our political dialogue with an EU-
tricity interconnection, and green hydrogen production as a clean
the EU investment in interconnections between the two shores
firm belief in the centrality of the partnership with the European
Egypt Summit to be convened alternatively between Cairo and
source of energy. Also the Summit deliberated on the vital need
of the Mediterranean (GREGY project). Eventually, we are looking
Union to achieve the common political, economic, and security
Brussels once every two years on top of the annual Association
to further cooperation on common challenges, primarily illegal
forward to continuing our constructive dialogue and ongoing
interests of both sides, and therefore supports the achievement
Council.
migration, which will encompass tackling the root-causes of the
coordination between Egypt and the EU.
of security, peace, and stability in the region.
problem through development-focused solutions and improving
regular migration routes. The discussions also tackled the
Photos: Embassy of Egypt in Belgium
critical importance of strengthening Egypt’s efforts, which have
effectively curbed the influx of illegal migration from Egyptian
coasts since 2016, through the implementation of the holistic
approach in combating illegal migration, not only via the security
dimensions, but also via the developmental and social ones. In
addition, Egypt hosts 9 million foreigners, who are enjoying the
same social and health services as Egyptian citizens.
Furthermore, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President of
the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen have agreed to
convene a joint investment conference between Egypt and the
European Union in the second half of 2024, highlighting Egypt’s
vast and diverse investment opportunities and potential to drive
European company engagement in the Egyptian market.
The projects that will be implemented in cooperation between
Egypt and the EU are in various domain such as energy transition
and energy security; digital transition; food security; and green
30 31

FORUM EUROPA
INAUGURAL CONVERSATION
WITH ROBERTA METSOLA,
PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
On 22 February, the President of the European Parliament,
Roberta Metsola, inaugurated Forum Europa, the new dialogue
platform of New Economy Forum (NEF) in Brussels. She was
introduced by the President of the European Investment Bank
(EIB), Nadia Calviño. The event marked the enlargement of NEF,
going beyond national (Spanish) borders with this international
edition. And there could not be a better moment to actually take
this step, because Europe truly finds itself at a crossroads, said
Ms Calviño in her opening remarks.
In her speech, President Metsola spoke of her mission to bring
Europe closer to its citizens and to build a stronger Europe, one
that makes everyone’s life easier, fairer and safer.
“The European Union is by no means not perfect”, Metsola said.
“There is much left to do and much left to deliver. Our processes
sometimes frustrate even me. But my answer is not to destroy,
but to build. To build better, to build more sustainably. To listen
more – more to our young people, more to our farmers, more
Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB)
Photo: Forum Europa
to all those for whom the promise of Europe still seems too far
away. To deliver effective laws that help people, that tackle corruption
and abuse, and that end the intergenerational struggles
of poverty, of inequality and disenfranchisement.
I am convinced we can recapture the enthusiasm for Europe. We
can show that politics is a force for good, a vehicle for positive
change in our communities and our societies. That is how we can
convince people to vote in the next European elections in June.
By showing tangibly, concretely, to each and every individual,
that Europe can deliver.”
a deal that is firm with those not eligible for asylum and one that
is harsh with traffickers who exploit the most vulnerable”.
Referring to the enlargement process, President Metsola highlighted
the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine and
the Republic of Moldova; granting of candidate status to Georgia;
and steeping up engagement with the Western Balkans: “To this
day, and we are convinced in the European Parliament, that this
is the European Union’s greatest geo-political asset. We experienced
its windfall before, and we must be ready for a Union of
30, of 33 or 35”, she stressed.
And Europe has delivered. First, at the height of the COVID-19 On the digital transition, “our new laws are critical and will ensure
pandemic, “we managed to ensure the joint provision of vaccines the modernisation of our legislation, of the way we keep up with
and ventilators. We made huge steps forward in our joint capacity
for healthcare. We supported jobs and businesses, and came but also to protect, to safeguard our children online, while at
technology, in order to help innovation, growth, competitiveness,
together like never before to agree on EUR 723 billion Recovery the same time boosting our economic growth, to strengthen our
and Resilience Facility, which has helped national economies
autonomy and freedom.
recover.”
We used to talk about the term ‘strategic autonomy’ a lot before
On migration, a European issue requiring a European response, 2022. How different that term today means, and how necessary
“we have defied the odds by reaching a monumental European and multi-faceted it is today”, President Metsola elaborated.
deal. A deal that is fair with those who are in need of protection,
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament
Photo: Forum Europa
32 33

Photo: Diplomatic World
Photo: Diplomatic World
The EU has been the most influential global actor in advancing
the international agenda on decarbonisation and the fight against
climate change.
And the EU is working to give young people across Europe
the opportunity to fulfil the ambitions, with Erasmus +, Youth
Guarantee, Horizon Europe, and many other programmes.
But, she noted, “people must have confidence in the process.
They must be able to afford it. Otherwise we will not succeed
and this would risk driving more and more people to the comfort
of the political fringes.
That is why we must be better able to cushion the economic
and social impact of our decisions. On agriculture specifically,
we need to find a balance between ensuring our farmers are
able to feed our continent and secure their livelihoods, and their
children’s livelihoods, while saving our planet.
I am convinced we can manage that. We cannot have gone from
asking them four years ago when the pandemic hit, to help us,
to take their products and put them in our societies because we
depended on them, only for us to tell them 4 years later that we
can, in any way, do the green transition without them”.
A speech with a heavy dose of realism and self-reflection on
the past EU political cycle, proud of the successes but honest
in the areas where not enough has been done, where people’s
expectations have not been matched, or where things have gone
too far, too fast:
“We must discuss real concerns. How to keep people’s trust
in our project. How to maintain European competitiveness in a
polarised global context. How to build a just, green and resilient
future, how to boost innovation in European manufacturing in the
context of tense global economic relations; how to safeguard our
energy security.
We need to stay on a stable path for sustainable, long-term
growth. But bringing sustainability into our economic model,
must be part of a broader strategy that incorporates every sector,
it must provide real incentives and safety nets, and above all it
must work for people.”
President Metsola issued a plea for everyone to vote in the
European elections of 9 June 2024, and to raise awareness
about the importance of choosing the Members of the European
Parliament that will steer European policy over the next five
years:
“The next year five years will not be easy. What sort of
European Parliament we see for the next five years matters.
And I am convinced that people will hand back the next
European Parliament as an Institution that is stronger, that
is more agile and that is better able to deliver. We can only
do that if we don’t take Europe for granted.”
ABOUT FORUM EUROPA
Forum Europa is part of the New Economy Forum (NEF), a
leading organisation promoting economic, social, and political
debate under the principles of independence and pluralism. With
a strong pro-European vocation, NEF is a meeting point and
networking platform: a space for all opinions, bringing together
the most relevant speakers to discuss key ideas and proposals
on essential issues for the future of the European Union (EU).
Founded in 2000 by Jose Luis Rodriguez, PhD in Journalism, it
regularly organises events in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Seville,
Malaga, and Valencia. In February 2024, NEF sets up Forum
Europa in Brussels, leveraging its successful experience in Spain,
including its long-term collaboration with EU institutions and
Member States since it began its activities in 2000.
The regularity of its activities, its independence, the diverse and
high profiles of both its speakers and its audience, as well as the
extensive media coverage, have helped NEF build its international
reputation. In this way, NEF contributes to the debate and
analysis of the different issues that affect and concern citizens,
with special attention to the economic ones.
Sponsorship: NEF finances its activities through the sponsorship
of companies and other private entities, guaranteeing its independence
and plurality.
34 35

Membership: The organisation enjoys the support of a membership,
called Circle of Trust, made up of 150 presidents and CEOs
of as many companies and institutions.
Media coverage: The fact that NEF is not linked to specific media
favours greater involvement and coverage by the press, radio
and television. Its website and newsletters further contribute
to the impact of its activities. NEF conducts its open events in
hybrid format – in-person and online – with its own resources.
Awards: Since 2003, the New Economy Forum Awards have honoured
institutions and personalities for their unique contribution
to sustainable economic development and social cohesion.
The awards have been presented to the Secretary-General of
the United Nations (UN), the Presidents of the European Council,
the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the
European Central Bank (ECB); the Presidents of Italy, Portugal,
Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia; the Chancellor
of Germany; the Secretary-General of the Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); the Director-
General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO); the
Managing Director the International Monetary Fund (IMF); the
EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy;
and the “fathers” of the Spanish Constitution.
Photo: Daïna Le Lardic
Photo: Diplomatic World
Photo: Diplomatic World
Photo: Diplomatic World
Photo: Istock
36 37

DIR_0170-2303_diplomatic_world_hd.pdf 2 7/03/16 17:43
OMAN
INTERLINKING POLITICS, DIPLOMACY, BUSINESS & FINANCE
ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY, CULTURAL DIPLOMACY & HEALTH
38

H.E. SAYYID BADR AL-BUSAIDI
FOREIGN MINISTER
OF THE SULTANATE OF OMAN
Pragmatism, openness and good neighbourliness
are at the heart of Oman’s foreign policy
YOUR READERS MAY BE AWARE OF OUR
SLOGAN – OMAN IS A FRIEND TO ALL
is inclusive, keeping in mind the interest of all and the broader
strategic picture.
What does it mean in practice? It means that we always try and
conduct our international relations with a very specific aim: listening
to and understanding the interests of others; while at the
same time trying to express our points of view, speak our mind,
speak about the truth as we see it.
It is give and take: we have to be as good in listening as we are
in expressing ourselves; a two-track process.
We very much value the principles of mutual trust, transparency,
and maintaining credibility at all times. We do not like to have
hidden agendas or play tricks.
We are very honest with what we believe in. With our friends we
speak frankly, even if we disagree with each other. We cannot be
hypocritical.
We conduct our foreign policy on the basis of a constructive
neutrality and on the basis of non-interference in the business
of others. Similarly, we do not accept others interfering in our
internal affairs.
When a party in a dialogue is neglected or mistreated, we always
endeavour to right this injustice through a process of dialogue
and non-violence. We do not look for a security structure that
favours any particular party but rather a security structure which
We do not exclude others: everyone should be “inside the tent”,
to talk, discuss, agree and compromise.
Pragmatism, openness and being a good neighbour are also
very important principles for us. This is all at the heart of Oman’s
foreign policy.
Being a good neighbour requires us to do what we can not only
to maintain our own friendship with others, but to help our partners
and friends to establish good relations with those who may
traditionally be considered their adversaries.
Trying to bridge the understanding, not to increase the gap. We
do this by facilitating dialogue and supporting constructive peace
initiatives.
For example, you must have seen how we have encouraged the
rapprochement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the
Islamic Republic of Iran. You must have noticed our efforts to release
detainees in Yemen or Iran, as well as our diplomatic efforts
to reverse Syria’s pariah status in the Arab world.
As I see it, the only way we can effect positive change is through
positive and constructive engagement, through a long-term
strategic prism.
H.E. Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi
Concerning Gaza, our concern at the moment is to see the widening
global division on this.
meaningful route to peace.
too wide, or too difficult to overcome. This way we can map a
Regarding Israel’s offensive in Gaza, what we are now seeing is I think history teaches us a lot of lessons, which we must be
an emerging global consensus in favour of justice for the Palestinian
people. We are seeing countries increasingly labelling the we disagree with, or even with armed movements of national
mindful of. Specifically, that it is possible to negotiate with those
behaviour of Israel and its enablers as not only hypocritical and liberation, such as Hamas. In history, we have seen how that
disproportionate, but also as genocidal conduct.
happened with the African National Congress (ANC) in South
Africa; or the Irish Republic Army (IRA) in Ireland and even in the
I believe strategies which involve escalating conflicts, or silencing 1990s after the invasion of Kuwait, we have seen negotiations
those who disagree with us, are simply not conducive to peace. with the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO). Why not with
Hamas today?
The only way we can counter extremism is by stopping the endless
cycle of violence. Instead, we must try to understand each The Sultanate of Oman calls for a renewed peace process,
other’s perspectives, and share our own thoughts on the basis through which Israel’s illegal and violent occupation of Gaza, the
of inclusivity and equality – even if the divisions sometimes seem West Bank and East Jerusalem ends.
40 41

Photo: Diplomatic World
The Government has many plans and programmes to incentivize
remaining 60 percent comes from heavy industries, which cannot
innovation through the development and nurturing of SMEs and
be powered by most renewals, but can be powered by green
Photo: Shutterstock
start-ups. We wish to develop an ecosystem of clusters of SMEs
hydrogen.
and start-ups supported by framing programmes and technological
exchange with foreign partners. As I see it, talking with
We are preparing to open the largest green hydrogen plant in
This is the end game really: ending illegal occupation and
I believe strongly that international collaboration in all these
you about it, I see the future Oman and its people rests on the
the world. With this plant, we are aiming to produce at least one
creating a two-state solution. Unless we listen to the legitimate
sectors has a vital role to play, particularly through Foreign Direct
ambition of our youth, so we must continue to empower them.
million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030. By 2050, this would
concerns and demands of the Palestinian people and their lawful
Investment (FDI) and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
reach 8.5 million tonnes. That is the target. In tandem, there is
cause, we cannot hope to deliver a sustainable, long-term, just
If I turn to climate change, Oman’s stability is intrinsically linked
a focus on carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). The
peace and security for all those who reside in the whole region.
Over the last couple of years, Oman has enacted new legislation
to environmental sustainability. With that in mind, decarboniza-
Sultanate of Oman is home to the world’s largest commercial
to incentivize foreign investments. We have now a very good
tion is not only necessary to reduce Oman’s reliance on oil and
reed bed treatment plant (the Nimr Water Treatment Plant), which
Turning to Oman’s economic vision: like our foreign policy, our
Foreign Capital Investment Law, as well as zero income tax, a rel-
gas, it is also necessary for the fate of our planet and of every
naturally removes oil from polluted water. And we are also home
economic policy is also pragmatic, open and outward looking.
atively low corporate tax and wide-ranging free trade agreements
society in this planet, including ours.
to an award-winning company – 44.01 – which removes CO2
Our primary objective is the transition from a state whose pros-
and double taxation treaties with many countries. Not to forget
from the atmosphere by mineralising captured CO2 in peridotite,
perity is closely tied to hydrocarbons to one with a highly diverse
that we enjoy and benefit from a fairly modern and excellent
We have abundant land, abundant sunshine and quite a lot of
a rock found in abundance in Oman, thereby removing it from the
economic portfolio. Oman’s Vision 2040 is our long-term strategy
infrastructure in terms of airports, seaports, and road network.
wind. Therefore we are extremely well equipped to produce
atmosphere forever safely, quickly and cost-effectively.
for financial and economic sustainability, and through this Vision,
green hydrogen. This involves solar and wind energy to power
our aim is to boost the various untapped sectors of the coun-
Our geographical location is also a very important incentive for
electrolysis, to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Through such initiatives we are expected to reach net zero CO2
try such as mining, green energy, logistics, manufacturing, and
our partners, at the crossroads between East and West. Above
emissions by 2050. It has given me great pride to see Omanis,
tourism.
all, we have a highly educated, young and energetic population.
According to our experts, only 40 percent of CO2 emissions can
men and women, at the forefront of this process and this vision.
be eliminated through renewal energies like solar and wind. The
42 43

H.E. SALIM BIN MOHAMMED AL MAHROUQI
MINISTER OF HERITAGE
AND TOURISM OF THE SULTANATE OF OMAN
Regarded as a hub of understated luxury and enjoying
a well-established reputation for exceptional service,
hospitality and discretion, Oman has a track record
of success in high-end tourism
WHAT ARE THE KEY PILLARS OF OMAN’S VISION
2040 AND HOW DOES THE OMAN NATIONAL
TOURISM STRATEGY ALIGN WITH THEM?
Oman’s ambitious future economy is guided by Oman Vision
2040. Its three main pillars are people and society, economic
development and governance and institutional performance.
This is an innovative strategy that prioritizes a diversified, dynamic
and human resource development, with an efficient and competitive
private sector growth powered by non-hydrocarbons.
The National Tourism Strategy 2040 is a clearly defined blueprint
for the sustainable development of tourism in Oman. In terms of
people and society we are contributing through the generation
of not just employment opportunities but of rewarding long-term
careers for our ambitious young people.
Speaking specifically, we are looking to create substantial job
opportunities by 2040, with a strong emphasis on empowering
women and local communities, we aim to increase the participation
of Omanis in private sector tourism companies from 17.3
percent in 2025 to 22.1 percent in 2030, 28.2 percent in 2035
and 36.1 percent in 2040.
To help make sure these goals are achieved, capacity building
for our youth is a priority for us and success in this regard can
already be seen in the successful outputs of Oman Tourism
College, the National Training Institute and other locally-based
tourism and hospitality institutions. A series of education and
training initiatives have been developed to attract talent to the
sector and very recently a three-year pilot e-learning program for
high school students has been launched.
In terms of economic development, with the goal of increasing
the growth rate of government revenues from tourism by 5
percent each year, we aim to raise our contribution to GDP from
2.75 percent in 2025 to 3.5 percent in 2030, 4.2 percent in 2035
and 5.3 percent in 2040.
As for governance and institutional performance, digitization is
a good illustration of our efforts. It has been introduced across
all Ministry of Heritage & Tourism operations and activities –
increasing efficiency, improving access to our tourism offer and
helping enhance the visitor experience. To give you just a few
examples, there is visitoman.om, our travel booking gateway for
travellers and tourism trade partners.
Then there is experienceoman.om, a one-stop portal in six languages
for all Oman tourism-related information while omantoursimhub.com
offers e-learning for employees of local tourism
destination management companies and the hospitality industry.
Visa applications are now processed via evisa.rop.gov.om.
WHAT ARE THE TARGETS IN THE MID- TO LONG-
TERM FOR THE TOURISM SECTOR?
Let me begin answering this question by sharing with you that
in 2023 Oman welcomed a record 4 million tourists, up from 2.9
million in 2022, a rise of 37.9 percent. Most of our target markets
have recovered post-COVID, with some even outpacing those
of 2019, thanks to Oman’s diverse natural terrain and growing
number of attractions.
Looking ahead, we aim to increase annual arrivals to 11.7 million
and add 80,000 hospitality keys by 2040. We are also seeking
to raise the satisfaction of local and foreign tourists with tourism
services and essential facilities from 60 percent in 2025 to 80
percent and take Oman’s ranking in the World Economic Forum’s
Travel & Tourism Index from 55 in 2025 to 50 in 2030, 45 in 2035
and 40 in 2040.
H.E. Salim Bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi
The main segments we are targeting are adventure, eco and luxury
tourism with sports, MICE and cruises also important to us.
Integrated tourism complexes (ITCs) play a part in our ambitions
too and we are keen to grow and add to those that are already
established and under development. In fact, 19 new licenses
were issued for ITCs with a value of USD 11.3 billion in the first
half of 2023 alone.
HOW IS OMAN POSITIONING ITSELF AS A
HIGH-END TOURISM DESTINATION? WHAT
ARE SOME OF ITS UNIQUE SELLING POINTS?
Regarded as a hub of understated luxury and enjoying a
well-established reputation for exceptional service, hospitality
and discretion, Oman has a track record of success in high-end
tourism. We have a wealth of award-winning 5-star accommoda-
44 45

tion options from luxury beach resorts to mountain retreats and
desert camps. In 2023 The Chedi Oman was honoured as the
World’s Leading Luxury Beach Resort & Spa 2023 at the World
Travel Awards while at the same event the Al Bustan Palace, a
Ritz Carlton Hotel, was named the World’s Leading Palace Hotel.
And there is more to come. To give you just a few examples, the
St Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort and Nikki Beach Resort & Spa
are both set to welcome their first guests in 2024 and the Bandar
ECONOMIC GROWTH BUT ALSO TO THE
CREATION OF QUALITY AND INCLUSIVE
LOCAL EMPLOYMENT, AND ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY?
Working in tandem with local Governors’ offices, the Ministry is
empowering local communities, ensuring Oman’s tourism offer
remains authentic, sustainable and inclusive. Something we are
tremendously proud of. Outstanding examples of this are the
infrastructure. Needless to say, the Ministry is fully committed
to playing its part in Oman’s efforts to achieve its 2050 net zero
ambitions.
HOW IS THE MINISTRY LEVERAGING THE
OMANI PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE FURTHER
DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY?
supports Oman’s tourism sector and adds further momentum to
its contribution to the progress of tourism through its National
Development Fund.
As for public-private partnerships, Oman has a 25+ year track
record of success in PPPs, producing tourism assets such as
the USD 3.5 billion Al Mouj Muscat, Jebal Sifah, Muscat Bay
and Hawana Salalah.
Al Khairan Resort is scheduled to open in 2026.
UNWTO-lauded mountain village of Misfat Al Abriyeen and the
First of all, we need to consider private sector investment here
Central to the success of this is OMRAN, the Oman Tourism
vibrant town of Nizwa.
and certainly Oman has a very favourable climate in this regard
Development Company, which engages in joint ventures with
But this is an evolving sector, extending beyond luxurious stays
with a raft of business-driven legislation.
local and international developers to create and manage some
to incorporate unique and often indulgent private VIP experienc-
Offering visitors the chance to genuinely experience our culture
of the most iconic tourism assets in the country.
es. Playing an important part in Oman’s offer to these high-end
and heritage through ecosystems of accommodation, art and
There is, for example, quick and hassle-free business set-up,
travellers is our authenticity, diversity and the building of immer-
folklore, these popular attractions have been developed by the
just 5 percent VAT and only 15 percent corporate tax and no
The Ministry also works with a variety of local companies with
sive personalized trips and tours for special connections with
communities themselves; the Ministry’s role has simply been
restrictions on repatriation of capital, profits, currency exchange
exceptional products and services to enrich our tourism and
our beautiful natural environment and rich heritage and culture
facilitation and promotion.
or dividend transfers. Foreign investors on our ITCs can avail of
cultural landscape. Currently 6,529 SMEs are involved in tourism,
along with one-of-a-kind private gastronomic experiences in
residency visas for themselves and first-degree relatives. Helping
these companies are involved in range from camping to hotels
exceptional locations. Also highly recommended are the superb
As for environmental sustainability, all of our plans for tourism
private investors on their set-up journey is the Invest Oman
along with a wide variety of service and supply projects.
musical performances of the Royal Opera House Muscat.
development are mindful of our duty to preserve Oman’s natural
Lounge.
beauty, unspoiled environment and treasure chest of biodiversity.
Our goal is to increase local company participation in public and
HOW CAN THE TOURISM SECTOR CONTRIBUTE
TO OMAN’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, IN
ORDER FOR THE SECTOR TO NOT ONLY TO
To this end, a robust legal and regulatory framework has been
put in place to protect our precious natural assets. Furthermore,
prime concerns within all projects and developments are sustainable
practices and the development of eco-friendly tourism
Additionally, we have a robust investment enabling infrastructure
– The USD 5.2 billion Oman Future Fund and the Development
Bank, driving investment and providing financial support for projects
of all sizes including SMEs. Oman Investment Authority also
private sector contracts in heritage and tourism from 30 percent
in 2025 to 50 percent in 2030, 70 percent in 2035 and 80 percent
in 2040.
46 47

WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATE OF COOPERATION
WITH RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES
SUCH AS UNWTO AND UNESCO?
To share knowledge and experience, foster global cooperation,
promote Oman’s tourism offer and contribute to the development
of a more sustainable and inclusive global tourism industry, the
Ministry of Heritage & Tourism is an active participant in a variety
of international organisations.
As well as UNWTO and UNESCO, we also regularly sit on committees
and take part in meetings for the GCC Ministerial Council
for Tourism, the Arab Tourism Organisation, the Indian Ocean
Rim Association, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the
Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(ICESCO).
Photos: Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of Oman
Photo: Istock
Photo: Istock
48 49

H.E. DR. ABDULLA NASSER AL HARRASI
MINISTER OF INFORMATION
OF THE SULTANATE OF OMAN
Oman’s progressive spirit is reflected in our approach to media,
ensuring that our cultural values are portrayed in a way that
harmonizes with our developmental aspirations
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE MINISTRY OF IN-
FORMATION IN DISSEMINATING IN A TARGETED
MANNER THE OBJECTIVES AND GOALS OF THE
“OMAN VISION 2040” TO ALL SECTORS OF THE
POPULATION?
with the government, to debate, and to freely express their opinions,
often in the presence of high-profile government officials.
As part of its mission, the Ministry enables Omani citizens to
actively contribute to Oman Vision 2040, and this is an inclusive
approach adopted to help build consensus and foster a sense of
ownership toward the country’s future.
The Ministry of Information serves as a vital conduit between the
government and our citizens, ensuring that every Omani is not
just aware of but is an active participant in realizing the “Oman
Vision 2040”. We leverage a multitude of media channels to cultivate
public engagement and alignment with the Vision’s objectives.
For instance, our televised segments like “Moving Forward
with Confidence” and “From the Vision” are designed to resonate
WHAT ROLE DOES THE MEDIA PLAY IN OMAN IN
FOSTERING A COMMON SENSE OF CULTURAL
IDENTITY AND PATRIOTISM AMONG THE OMANI
POPULATION?
with and inspire the populace.
Central to Oman Vision 2040 is the celebration of our rich
cultural heritage and the fostering of a strong national identity.
We are committed to elevating Oman’s stature on global indices
The Omani media plays a pivotal role in this by showcasing our
not only by publicizing our achievements but also by pioneer-
vibrant traditions, arts, and history across various platforms. Our
H.E. Dr. Abdulla Nasser Al Harrasi
ing informative programs on pressing issues like environmental
documentaries, such as “The House of Wonders”, “The Omani
sustainability in “Green Lush” and “Harvest”, as well as exploring
cutting-edge technologies and innovations in “Artificial Intelligence”,
“Innovative Minds” and “Your Applications”.
Furthermore, we amplify the voices of our citizens through interactive
shows on private radio channels like “All Questions” and
Existence in Eastern Africa” and “Oman Narrates”, delve into the
heart of our national story, and portray the significant milestones
in our history instilling a deep sense of pride and belonging.
It is imperative, however, to balance reverence for our traditions
with embracing modernity. Oman’s progressive spirit is reflected
Having said that, it is worth mentioning that the Omani media
is conscious of the importance of striking a balance between
preserving cultural traditions and embracing modernity. Oman
is a country that cherishes its traditions while equally embracing
progress and development. Therefore, the Omani media ensures
HOW HAS THE MINISTRY INCORPORATED THE
ENTRY OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND MODERN
MEANS OF COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING SOCIAL
MEDIA CHANNELS, INTO ITS WORK?
“The Forum”, fostering a dynamic dialogue with the government,
in our approach to media, ensuring that our cultural values are
that it promotes cultural values without hampering progress and
The Ministry of Information introduced the AYN platform two
which is crucial for national solidarity and progress. These pro-
portrayed in a way that harmonizes with our developmental aspi-
innovation, to prevent a potential clash between traditionalism
years ago, emphasizing the value of digital transformation in the
grams offer an important platform for citizens to have a dialogue
rations, avoiding any discord between tradition and modernity.
and modernity.
media sector to improve the availability of trustworthy, accurate,
50 51

and transparent information while also supporting the digital
transformation of government institutions’ operations. AYN
delivers a distinctive, user-friendly, and enjoyable experience via
its website and mobile applications. AYN’s library is home to an
enormous archive of audio-visual material created over many
years by Oman Radio and Oman Television. The AYN platform,
marking a significant leap in our digital transformation journey.
It is accessible via the web and smart devices and offers a user-friendly
interface to a treasure trove of content, encapsulating
decades of Omani broadcasting history.
Our commitment extends to enhancing digital accessibility and
efficiency, fostering an environment where information is not
just available but also reliable. We are regulating digital channels,
ensuring they are a source of trustworthy information, and
embracing Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to bring
innovative programming to our audiences, such as using AI and
virtual reality in our productions.
the Muscat International Book Fair and Parliament Elections, we
invite international journalists and media figures to be part of the
coverage. We facilitate face-to-face interactions that transcend
borders leading to greater cooperation and understanding.
These opportunities allow foreign media professionals to gain
hands-on experience within the Omani media landscape, consequently
fostering cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.
By immersing themselves in the local media environment, professionals
can acquire new skills, observe different reporting styles,
and develop international connections.
Furthermore, our collaborative projects with regional and international
media organizations reflect our commitment to cross-cultural
understanding and shared growth in the media landscape.
Joint productions, cross-cultural documentaries, television
shows, cultural exchange programs, training courses, and international
conferences.
Moreover, our media platforms exhibit an excellent presence
across social media and internet platforms like YouTube, highlighting
our commitment to modern and accessible communication.
The Arabic Oman newspaper, in particular, demonstrates
strong readership through both its browser and PDF versions,
attesting to the quality and reach of our content. Our TV segments
on YouTube have garnered hundreds of millions of views,
a testament to our compelling programming. Across all our social
media platforms, we enjoy high follower numbers, indicating a
robust engagement with our audience.
We have collaborative projects with the GCC countries and
exchange other projects with the Arab countries thanks to the
unions and organizations which we have membership with such
as the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), O.I.C Broadcasting
Unison (OSBU), Gulf Countries Council, and the Arab League.
This collaboration provides a unique opportunity for us to explore
and appreciate each other’s perspectives, values, and traditions.
WHAT MECHANISMS DOES THE MINISTRY HAVE
IN PLACE TO FOMENT THE EXCHANGE AND CO-
OPERATION BETWEEN MEDIA PROFESSIONALS
FROM OMAN AND OTHER FRIENDLY COUNTRIES?
Omani media actively contributes to creating networking platforms
that bring media professionals together. Conferences,
seminars, and workshops organized by Omani media agencies
serve as a space for media professionals from Oman and abroad
to share ideas and form collaborations. As part of its structure,
the Ministry has the Directorate General for International Media
which spearheads our efforts to forge meaningful collaborations
with global media entities.
Through conferences, seminars, and workshops, we provide
a platform for media professionals from Oman and beyond to
exchange ideas and foster partnerships and collaboration to
exchange media products, news, information, and experiences.
Our engagement extends to inviting international journalists to
significant national events, enabling a rich exchange of perspectives
and practices. During mega events in the Sultanate such as
Photo: Istock
Photo: Diplomatic World
52 53

H.E. IBTISAM BINT AHMED
BIN SAEED AL-FAROUJIA
UNDERSECRETARY OF COMMERCE,
INDUSTRY AND INVESTMENT
PROMOTION OF THE SULTANATE OF OMAN
Oman’s FDI stock remains stable despite global
economic headwinds. This reflects resilience
and confidence in Oman’s long-term potential
CAN YOU GIVE US A SENSE OF THE CURRENT
STOCK OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
(FDI) IN OMAN AND IN WHICH SECTORS IS IT
CONCENTRATED?
At the end of the third quarter (Q3) 2023, Oman’s FDI stock
remained stable at 22,961.4 billion OMR (Omani Rials), despite
global economic headwinds. This reflects resilience and confidence
in Oman’s long-term potential.
Hydrocarbons (oil and gas) dominate the landscape, attracting
17,672.3 billion OMR in FDI. Notably, investments in downstream
activities like petrochemicals are increasing.
Diversification efforts are gaining traction, with 361.9 million
OMR flowing into logistics and infrastructure, including the
mega-project Duqm Port and Special Economic Zone. Tourism
and hospitality has attracting 111.4 million OMR in FDI, driven by
luxury and eco-tourism projects. The manufacturing sector also
shows good promise, with 1,035.4 Billion OMR in FDI focused on
chemicals, food processing, and renewable energy ventures.
OMAN IS KNOWN FOR ITS BUSINESS FRIENDLY
CLIMATE, INCLUDING THRIVING ECONOMY,
CONNECTIVITY, INFRASTRUCTURE, ACCESS
TO MARKETS AND HUMAN RESOURCES. WHAT
ARE THE MEASURES AND POLICIES BEING
IMPLEMENTED TO CREATE AN EVEN MORE
FAVOURABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR FOREIGN
INVESTORS? IS THERE A ONE-STOP SHOP
FOREIGN COMPANIES CAN USE?
The Foreign Capital Investment Law enacted in 2020 allows 100
percent foreign ownership across most sectors and eliminates
minimum capital requirements for foreign companies, making
entry significantly easier.
Streamlined regulations through initiatives like Invest in Oman’s
“Fast Track” system reduce business registration and licensing
timelines to under 10 days. Moreover, generous tax incentives
exist in free trade zones like Sohar and Salalah, offering competitive
corporate tax rates, customs exemptions, and land lease
advantages.
Infrastructure development plays a crucial role. Oman boasts the
busiest container port in the Middle East (Salalah) and invests
heavily in airports, railways, and renewable energy.
WHAT ARE THE PILLARS OF OMAN’S
COMPETITIVENESS?
• Strategic location: Oman acts as a gateway to 3.5 billion consumers
in Asia, Africa, and Europe, making it a prime logistics
hub and trade partner.
H.E. Ibtisam Bint Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Faroujia
• Political stability: Oman enjoys a strong, well-respected government
committed to economic diversification and foreign
investment.
• Skilled workforce: The government prioritizes education and
skills development, fostering a growing pool of talent in sectors
like logistics, hospitality, and engineering.
• Natural resources: Beyond oil and gas, Oman boasts rich mineral
deposits and untapped renewable energy potential, like
solar and wind power.
• Economic diversification: The government actively implements
initiatives to foster non-oil sectors, focusing on tourism,
manufacturing, and logistics, aiming for a 50 percent non-oil
GDP contribution by 2040.
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HOW IS THE MINISTRY SUPPORTING SMES AND
START-UPS TO INCREASE THE SHARE OF THE
PRIVATE SECTOR IN JOB CREATION, ECONOMIC
GROWTH AND INNOVATION?
The Ministry’s Riyada program provides financial assistance
like grants and loans, with over 10,000 SMEs benefiting in 2022
alone. Business incubators and accelerators like Oman Technology
Fund and Innovation Park Muscat offer workspace, mentorship,
and networking opportunities for start-ups. The Sharakah
program focuses on training and skill development, equipping
entrepreneurs with essential business knowledge and skills.
Simplified regulations through one-stop shops and legal support
initiatives ease business establishment and operations for SMEs.
The Ministry is also working closely with the Oman Investment
Authority (OIA) for the effective implementation and fund
disbursement of the Future Fund Oman, which was launched
in January 2024 to attract foreign investment and boost investments
in local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The
fund has a capital of 2 billion OMR to be used over a five-year
period at OMR 400 million per year. It will allocate 90 percent of
its capital to new or existing projects hat prove to be commercially
and economically viable. Of the remaining 10 percent, 7
percent will be allocated to SMEs and 3 percent to startups. The
Fund will target eight sectors: tourism; industry and production;
green energy; information and communications technology; ports
and logistics services; mining; fisheries; and agriculture.
A FEW YEARS BACK, THE MINISTRY LAUNCHED
THE INVESTMENT RESIDENCY PROGRAMME (IRP)
FOR EXPATRIATES. WHAT ARE ITS MAIN CHARAC-
TERISTICS?
The aim of this program is to attract high-impact foreign investment
that helps create jobs and wealth and enhances the
country’s standard of living. It achieves this by offering residency
permits to investors meeting specific criteria, who then contribute
to Oman’s economic growth through their investments and
business activities. This addition highlights the program’s winwin
nature for both investors and Oman. It clarifies that the IRP is
not just about attracting wealthy individuals, but about strategic
investments that benefit the entire country.
The Oman Investor Residency Programme (IRP) consists of two
tiers:
The first tier offers a 10-year renewable residency permit for
investments of 500,000 OMR (approx. 1.3 million USD) in:
• Listed companies
• Public joint-stock companies
• Omani government bonds
• Establishing a company employing at least 50 Omani nationals
• Owning real estate worth at least 500,000 OMR
The second tier offers a 5-year renewable residency permit for
investments of 250,000 OMR (approx. 647,000 USD) in:
• Limited liability companies or public joint-stock companies
• Owning real estate worth at least 250,000 OMR
• Retirees with a monthly income of 4,000 OMR (approx. 10,362
USD)
Some of the key incentives of the IRP include:
• Right to work in Oman without requiring a local sponsor, offering
flexibility for entrepreneurs and business owners.
• Conduct business activities: Establish and operate businesses
in Oman freely.
• Family residence permits: Spouses, children, and dependent
parents can also obtain residency permits.
• Open Omani bank accounts: Simplify financial transactions
and investments within Oman.
• Own property outside integrated tourism complexes: Unique
opportunity for non- citizens to own property throughout the
country.
• Visitor visas for relatives: Facilitate family visits and extended
stays.
• Employ domestic workers, simplifying daily life and household
management
WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL FOR AUGMENTING THE
VOLUME OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT EXCHANG-
ES BETWEEN OMAN AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
AND ITS MEMBER STATES?
The European Union is Oman’s second-largest trading partner,
with bilateral trade exceeding 5 billion USD in 2022.
Renewable energy presents a significant opportunity. Oman’s
ambitious renewable energy targets attract EU investments in solar
and wind power projects. Logistics and infrastructure development
offer further potential. Collaboration on port expansions,
smart logistics solutions, and regional connectivity projects can
be mutually beneficial.
Tourism represents another promising avenue. Oman’s unique
cultural heritage and pristine natural landscapes can attract
high-spending European tourists, while EU expertise can support
sustainable tourism development. Lastly, technology and innovation
hold immense potential. Joint ventures and knowledge exchange
in areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Fintech, and green
technologies can drive mutual innovation and economic growth.
Photo: Istock
56 57

OMAN ACROSS AGES MUSEUM:
FROM PAST GLORIES
TO NEW RENAISSANCE
The Oman Across Ages Museum is a celebration of the country’s
rich history, culture, and economic growth over time while offering
a compelling insight into Oman’s tomorrow. The project is
the vision of His Majesty the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said,
who laid the foundation stone on July 14, 2015. His Majesty
Sultan Haitham bin Tarik presided over the official opening of the
Museum in the Wilayat of Manah (Governorate of Ad Dakhiliyah)
on March 13, 2023.
The project occupies an estimated area of 300,000 square metres
and its buildings cover more than 66,000 square metres. Its
design is inspired by the extraordinary landscape and geometric
profiles of the nearby Al Hajar Mountains and its canyons. The
building’s clear silhouette emerges from the earthen landscape
as a series of angular, geometric forms that sit in dialogue with
the encompassing backdrop of peaks and ridges of the Al Hajar
mountain range.
Once inside, the Museum’s halls take the visitor on a vast,
sweeping journey across centuries and millennia, starting from
the late prehistoric era until modern-day Oman, passing through
different ages, dynasties and civilisations through a series
of interactive, high-tech experiences which deploy the latest
immersive technologies. Special importance is given on the
nation’s modern Renaissance since the 1970s, a period during
which Oman has experienced a remarkable period of economic,
technological, political and social modernisation.
The permanent exhibition wings are divided into two: The History
Gallery and The Renaissance Gallery.
division of government between Muscat and Zanzibar and the
period that led to the Renaissance.
The History Hall consists of a series of pavilions each dedicated
to a particular subject: The Land of Oman; Early Settlers; The
Civilisation of Magan; The Kingdom of Magan; maritime heritage;
the Aflaj irrigation system; embracing Islam; the Al Ya’aruba
Dynasty and the Al Busaidi Dynasty.
The pavilions house a number of antiques and presentations on
various topics and archaeological sites such as the settlements
of Ras Al Hamra and Ras Al Jinz and aspects of daily life at that
time, including seasonal migrations, maritime communication,
the copper trade and the development of the Aflaj irrigation
systems – five of which were added in 2006 to the UNESCO list
of World Heritage Sites. The various halls also contain a highly
realistic virtual environment that documents the Omani people’s
contribution to Islam, as well as aspects of intellectual, political,
social and economic life related to those interactions.
Through the use of high-definition audiovisual presentations and
virtual maps, the History Hall also explores the eras of the Al
Ya’aruba Dynasty and then the rule of the Imams and Sultans of
the Al Busaidi Dynasty. This chronicles the period of the State’s
establishment, the period of the Omani Empire, the period of
Notable exhibits in the History Gallery include the jaw of the
Omanitherium, a type of huge primitive elephant that lived on
the land of Oman about 35 million years ago and trilobites found
in the Wilayat of Mahut in the Al Wusta Governorate which date
back to 250-500 million years ago. The Museum also contains
the Magan Ship, a re-imagining of the vessels of the Magan
civilisation made of reed bundles tied with ropes of palm fibres
and woven mats sealed with black tar.
The Renaissance Gallery marks the culmination of Oman’s long
national story. It was designed in the form of an open space
with gigantic columns in the centre forming an interactive space
for the presentation of the high-resolution audio-visual display
system that deals with the years of the blessed Renaissance.
This offers a panoramic view of the hall and consummates the
visitor’s experience as it explores various aspects of the social,
economic, industrial, technological and political transformation
experienced by Oman under His Majesty the late Sultan Qaboos
bin Said, while at the same time preserving its authentic identity
and ancient cultural traditions. The Gallery contains interactive
digital tools that display the speeches of His Majesty the late
Sultan Qaboos bin Said and His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.
58 59

SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability has emerged as a significant topic in today’s
society and serves as a crucial consideration for distinguishing
successful projects. For the Oman Across Ages Museum,
sustainability was considered in two stages: construction and in
operation. During construction, the choice of structural framing
options played a pivotal role in determining the materials, time,
and processes required for constructing the superstructure.
In terms of sustainability in use, the aim was to reduce the
building’s operational energy requirements, which we achieved
through the exploitation of thermal mass to minimize cooling
needs. The use of lighter framing solutions not only reduces the
overall quantity of materials embodied in the building frame but
also in the foundations and other supporting elements.
The museum’s design incorporates sustainable cooling through
an underground mechanical system that draws air through a
labyrinth during both day and night time, ensuring efficient temperature
control. Additionally, the stone-clad large span roofing
serves as a key architectural element, necessitating meticulous
attention to detail during construction to address thermal
movement, insulation, weatherproofing, in addition to aesthetic
attributes.
The museum was built for maximum natural light, but not so
much that it becomes too bright. The museum has a low profile
on its eastern side, which shields the inside from direct sunlight
during sunrise. On the museum’s western side, the windows are
build into sloped walls, which block direct sunlight and lower the
energy needed for illumination.
CONCLUSION
The Oman Across Ages Museum is envisioned to be a worldclass
cultural and educational landmark. Since its opening last
year, its pavilions, galleries and extensive exhibits have provided
Omanis and a growing influx of foreign tourists with a first-rate
resource detailing Oman’s rich heritage and fascinating economic
development. The Museum seeks to highlight the unique
character of the Sultanate of Oman, and introduce its prominent
features, ancient history and its Renaissance which is continuously
making progress under the wise leadership of His Majesty
Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.
The Museum, in short, is a journey through Oman’s past, a
celebration of its present, and an insight into its future.
Photos: Oman Across Ages Museum
60 61

62 63

64 65

H.E. PASCAL H. GRÉGOIRE
AMBASSADOR
OF THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM
TO THE SULTANATE OF OMAN
Belgian companies are involved
in various sectors in Oman,
contributing to the diversification
of the Omani economy
Photo: Foreign Ministry of Sultanate of Oman
Photo: Foreign Ministry of Sultanate of Oman
SINCE BECOMING AMBASSADOR OF BELGIUM TO
OMAN, WHAT PROGRESS DO YOU SEE BETWEEN
BOTH COUNTRIES IN COMMERCIAL, ECONOMIC,
INVESTMENT AND CULTURAL, SCIENCE & TECH-
NOLOGY, FIELDS? WHERE DO YOU SEE THE MOST
UNTAPPED POTENTIAL?
For Belgian stakeholders and fostering the relationships between
our two nations, Oman Vision 2040 is “THE” reference, our
“Morning Star” to a large extent. Oman Vision 2040 is indeed a
long-term development plan aimed at transforming Oman into a
diversified, sustainable, and prosperous nation by 2040. Its key
goals include economic diversification, job creation, social development,
environmental sustainability, and enhanced governance.
Concrete priorities include promoting non-oil sectors, fostering
innovation, improving education and healthcare, preserving the
environment, and enhancing the overall quality of life for Oman’s
citizens.
On top of this, Belgium enjoys a high level of goodwill within
the Omani government, thanks to particularly warm relations
between King Philippe and H.M. the late Sultan Qaboos, and
later with His successor H.M. Sultan Haitham bin Tariq bin Taimur
Al-Said.
Following the demise of H.M. the late Sultan Qaboos, King
Philippe visited Muscat the day after the official three-day
mourning period, providing an exceptional opportunity for a
more personal meeting with H.M. Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.
During this visit, our King was warmly received and escorted
throughout the day by the Secretary-General of the Foreign
Ministry, Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi, with whom we had political
consultations a month prior and who has since become the
Minister of Foreign Affairs (in August 2020).
The visit of our King & Queen in early February 2022, aimed at
strengthening these ties and inaugurating the Port of Duqm
along with the launch of works by the Ackerman & Van Haaren
consortium, received the dignified reception of a state visit and
left a lasting impression on all.
The King and Queen were personally welcomed by the Sultan
and his spouse and hosted in his palace. The visit was divided
into two parts: an official meeting followed by an official luncheon
and a visit to the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, concluding with a
dinner between the sovereigns. The next day, both Belgian and
Omani delegations flew to Duqm for the more economic and
energy-focused part of the mission.
66 67

The appointment of a new Honorary Consul, Reggy Vermeulen,
Belgians” booth with the Belgian Hydrogen Council to show-
since January 2020, has also been instrumental in strengthening
case Belgian potential in the sector and connect Belgian and
the relationship between our two countries, especially on the
local partners.
economic front. The Belgian community in Oman consists of
around 70 individuals, primarily residing in Muscat and some in
Belgium is responsible for several significant investments in
Duqm.
Oman, which have provided our country with positive visibility:
One will also remember Omani facilitation in the release of
• In October 2023, Belgian Fluxys and OQ Gas Network (OQGN)
Belgian hostage, Mr. Olivier Vandecasteele. After 455 days
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly
of captivity in Iran, Belgian humanitarian worker Olivier
explore a strategic cooperation in the development of hydro-
Vandecasteele was released and handed over to a delegation
gen and CO2 infrastructure projects in Oman. While in the
of diplomats and military personnel on May 26, 2023, in Muscat.
meantime Fluxys acquired a 4.9 percent stake in OQGN as
an anchor investor as part of the stock market introduction of
The Sultanate of Oman acted as a diplomatic intermediary
OQGN. Fluxys and OQGN are both frontrunners in decarboni-
between our country and Iran during the negotiations for his
sation projects and they share the same key strategic focus on
release.
accelerating the energy transition.
A few of the most recent and significant bilateral visits include:
• At the end of June 2011, Oman and the Antwerp Port
Consortium signed an agreement for the management and
• February 2-4, 2022: Official Visit of His Majesty King Philippe
operation of the Duqm port, through a 50 percent participation
and Her Majesty Queen Mathilde to Muscat and Duqm. The
in Port Duqm Company. Duqm is a strategic investment for
delegation was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Oman, located on the route from Asia to Africa and Europe,
Sophie Wilmès, and the Minister of Energy, Tinne Van der
but outside the Strait of Hormuz. An important industrial area is
Straeten. This marked the first meeting of Sultan Haitham and
being developed around the port for the development of down-
his spouse with a European foreign delegation at this level. The
stream petrochemical industries, close to Omani gas fields.
visit included the inauguration of the Duqm port and the launch
of the green hydrogen project with Ackerman & Van Haeren. It
In the long term, Duqm is expected to be connected to other
GCC countries and Iran via gas pipelines. Duqm also offers
Photo: Foreign Ministry of Sultanate of Oman
was followed by a working meeting between Minister Van der
military advantages as a regional hub for naval ships operat-
Straeten and Minister of Energy Al Aufi.
ing in the Indian Ocean, such as those involved in anti-piracy
cultural hub for music. The Royal Opera of Wallonia was invited
Oman’s Vision 2040 aims to diversify the economy and strength-
operations.
twice (May 2017 and December 2019) for high-quality perfor-
en the private sector. The development of technologies and
• May 6-9, 2023: Belgian-Omani Hydrogen Days in Brussels and
mances, including Bizet’s “The Pearl Fishers.”
innovation is one of the pillars of this vision.
Antwerp. An important Omani delegation was present, led by
• DEME Intl. recently entered into a partnership with the Omani
the Minister of Energy, Salim Al Aufi.
• June 9, 2023: Meeting in Muscat between the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib, and the Omani Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi. The purpose of the
meeting was to express Belgium’s gratitude for the role
played by the Sultanate of Oman in the release of Olivier
Vandecasteele and three other European hostages. On the
Ministry of Energy in the port of Duqm for a green hydrogen
project.
• In 2014, Carmeuse built a limestone processing plant in
Salalah for EUR 180 million, primarily for export to India. Since
then, the company has developed two more kilns.
• Participation of Suez-Tractebel in the United Power Company
IN MARCH, THERE WILL BE A LARGE ECONOMIC
& TRADE DELEGATION FROM BELGIUM TO SAUDI
ARABIA AND OMAN. IN WHICH SECTORS ARE
BELGIAN COMPANIES MOSTLY PRESENT IN
OMAN? HOW DO THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE
DIVERSIFICATION OF THE OMAN ECONOMY?
Several topics crystallize this strategy such as the creation of
technological centres and parks to attract technological companies
and to encourage research and development, the digitalization
of public services, the integration of ICT in education,
energy, tourism (reservation platform, virtual reality, etc.) and the
improvement of existing infrastructure.
On a more general level, I can share that Belgian companies are
same day, she met with the Omani Minister of Transport,
and Sohar Power Company consortium, a project initiated in
Belgium’s Trade Promotion Agency (Wallonia Trade & Investment
involved in various sectors in Oman, contributing to the diver-
Communication, and Information Technology, Said Bin
2004 with a value of EUR 402 million. In 2013, Suez Energy
Agency – AWEX), in collaboration with the Arab-Belgian-
sification of the Omani economy. Some of the sectors where
Hamoud Bin Said Al-Maawali.
International (formerly Tractebel) signed a similar contract
Luxemburg Chamber of Commerce (ABLCC) and the Chamber
Belgian companies are most present in Oman include:
worth EUR 600 million.
of Commerce of Luxemburg (CCLU), and with the crucial support
• October 9-10, 2023: Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms Hadja
of the Embassy of Belgium in Riyadh and the Honorary Consul
1. Petrochemicals and Energy: Belgian companies often partic-
Lahbib actively participated to the 27th GCC-EU Joint Council
• Other Belgian companies have occasional projects, such as
of Belgium in Muscat, is indeed planning a Trade and Economic
ipate in the development of Oman’s petrochemical and energy
and Ministerial Meeting in Muscat.
ABC for the delivery of generators, Tractebel in renewable
Mission to Oman (Muscat) from 6-8 March 2024.
sectors, contributing to the country’s energy production and
energies, and more.
export capabilities.
• December 12-14, 2023: Significant Belgian participation in
The target sector of this Mission is “The World of Tech”. As such
the “Green Hydrogen Summit Oman” held in Muscat. The
In the realm of culture, H.M. Sultan Qaboos, known for his
participating companies from Belgium and Luxemburg are active
2. Infrastructure and Construction: Belgian firms are involved in
Embassy of Belgium sponsored and co-organized a “Meet the
appreciation of the arts, made the Royal Opera House Muscat a
in the following sub-sectors: Fintech, Green-tech, Health-tech,
infrastructure projects, such as roads, ports, and water treatment
Smart Cities, Creative Industries & Big Data.
facilities, supporting Oman’s development and connectivity.
68 69

3. Logistics and Transportation: Belgian logistics companies
Oman also has well-established port facilities along its extensive
The conclusion of such MoU affirms the willingness of our two
3. Industrial Development: Around the Duqm port, there is a
play a role in facilitating trade and transportation within Oman,
coastline. These ports can play a crucial role in facilitating the
countries to collaborate in this field to achieve our climate objec-
focus on industrial development, particularly in downstream pet-
enhancing the efficiency of supply chains.
import of equipment and technologies for renewable energy pro-
tives. We aim to facilitate the opening of the first routes for im-
rochemical industries. This creates opportunities for investment,
jects, as well as the export of energy products such as renewable
porting renewable molecules to Europe. Special attention is given
job creation, and economic growth in the region.
4. Water Management: Belgian expertise in water management
hydrogen or ammonia and other derivatives. The port of Duqm
to creating local value and jobs. The MoU forms the foundation
and wastewater treatment is valuable in addressing Oman’s
exemplifies the creation of an industrial hub serving the growing
of our collaboration, particularly to facilitate the development of
4. Energy Collaboration: The partnership also extends to energy
water resource challenges.
renewable energy industry in the country.
industrial projects between Oman and Belgium.
collaboration, with projects like the green hydrogen initiative
involving Belgian companies, further strengthening ties in the
5. Agriculture and Agribusiness: Belgian companies can contrib-
The foreign investment environment is stimulated by the strong
The exchange of experiences and leveraging the successes of
energy sector.
ute to the agricultural sector, helping Oman achieve food security
stability of the Sultanate, its currency, financial institutions, and
early collaborations between Belgium and Oman are crucial to
and reduce its reliance on imports.
numerous international partnerships. This is evident through vari-
encourage Belgian businesses to invest in the Sultanate. Projects
As for the results delivered so far, we can generally note the
ous developers involved in renewable hydrogen projects, such as
like the renewable ammonia initiative by DEME Group in part-
following outcomes:
6. Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals: Collaboration in the health-
the HYPORT Duqm project developed in partnership by DEME
nership with OQ, and Fluxys’ involvement in OQGN, exemplify
care and pharmaceutical sectors can enhance Oman’s health-
Group and OQ.
the impact of such bilateral agreements. This is, of course, also
• Increased trade: The partnership has likely contributed to an
care infrastructure and access to quality medical services.
influenced by the Sultanate’s strong stability, currency, financial
increase in trade volume between Belgium and Oman, as
The commitment of the Omani government, particularly in renew-
institutions, numerous international partnerships, and highly
mentioned in your previous question, with a notable boost in
Belgian companies’ presence in these sectors not only fosters
able hydrogen, is undoubtedly an additional important factor on
skilled workforce.
trade, especially in chemicals, animal products, minerals, and
economic diversification in Oman but also promotes knowledge
which international investors can rely.
common metals.
transfer, technology exchange, and job creation, further strength-
The MoU facilitates these partnerships between our two
ening the bilateral economic ties between Belgium and Oman.
Finally, the Sultanate has a robust educational and training
countries, firstly by affirming a shared vision and objectives.
• Economic growth: The industrial development around Duqm
environment in the energy sector, producing the necessary
It strengthens collaboration between our administrations,
and the related investments have likely led to economic growth
RENEWABLE ENERGY, AND GREEN HYDROGEN
IN PARTICULAR, ARE CONSIDERED BY BOTH
SIDES AS ESSENTIAL TO ACHIEVE THE NET ZERO
TARGETS BY 2050. WHAT IS THE SCOPE FOR
COOPERATION IN THIS DOMAIN?
talents for the growth of the renewable energy and hydrogen
industry.
Belgium is highly industrialized and lacks sufficient local renewable
resources to cover its entire energy demand. While prioritizing
electrification and energy efficiency, certain applications require
alternative solutions. Examples include the production of steel,
enabling the identification of potential administrative and tariff
barriers that can be addressed. These agreements can also
support collaborations between universities, research institutes,
and industrial players. All these initiatives aim to bring Belgian
and Omani stakeholders closer, facilitating the identification of
synergies and the creation of partnerships.
and job opportunities in the region.
• Strengthened bilateral relations: The partnership not only
boosts economic ties but also strengthens diplomatic and
political relations between Belgium and Oman.
• Transfer of knowledge & best practices.
Belgium’s perception of the Sultanate of Oman is highly positive.
Oman has demonstrated global leadership by initiating a robust
platform for the development of renewable hydrogen projects, notably
through Hydrom under the Ministry of Energy and Minerals.
These initiatives support Oman’s ambition to achieve climate
neutrality by 2050 while modernizing its economy and stimulating
local employment.
glass, fertilizers, as well as maritime and river transport, which
cannot be electrified and will need to resort to hydrogen or other
renewable molecules to meet our climate goals.
Belgium relies on an import strategy for the supply of these molecules,
aiming, among other things, for their importation by ship,
for instance, from the Sultanate of Oman. This necessitates the
establishment of a complete value chain for the production, stor-
ONE OF THE MOST VISIBLE PROJECTS OF
BELGIAN-OMANI COOPERATION IS THE
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE
PORTS OF ANTWERP AND DUQM. WHAT ARE THE
FOCAL COMPONENTS OF THIS PARTNERSHIP
AND WHAT RESULTS HAS IT DELIVERED SO FAR?
Oman serves as an inspiration not only in the region but globally,
age, and transport of renewable molecules, and more broadly,
The strategic partnership between the Ports of Antwerp and
evident in its commitment to energy transition and its desire to
the creation of an international market for these molecules.
Duqm is a significant collaboration aimed at enhancing trade and
play a significant role in the global fight against climate change,
economic ties between Belgium and Oman. The focal compo-
aligning with the Paris Agreement on climate.
These objectives are ambitious but achievable through unified
nents of this partnership include, inter alia:
efforts. It is in this context that the Kingdom of Belgium has
The Sultanate of Oman possesses numerous strengths that posi-
recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
1. Management and Operation: The partnership involves the
tion it as a key player in the field of renewable energies, particu-
with the Sultanate of Oman to strengthen and deepen our
management and operation of the Duqm port by the Consortium
larly in hydrogen and other renewable molecules. Oman boasts
collaboration in renewable energies.
Antwerp Port, which holds a 50 percent participation in Port
exceptional solar and wind potential, nearly constant throughout
Duqm Company. This cooperation allows for efficient port man-
the year, facilitating the cost-effective production of hydrogen.
Oman is a pioneer in large-scale production of renewable mole-
agement and utilization of Duqm’s strategic location.
cules and shares a common vision with Belgium, particularly the
The country already has a well-established energy infrastructure.
desire to develop an international market for these molecules.
2. Trade Facilitation: The partnership aims to facilitate trade flows
Oman’s significant activities in the hydrocarbon sector have laid
The development of this sector is also strategic for Oman in con-
between Europe, Asia, and Africa by leveraging Duqm’s strategic
the foundation for a robust industrial economy, supporting the
tinuing its industrial development and preparing for the post-fos-
position as a transshipment hub. This includes improving logis-
development of energy infrastructure and offering considerable
sil energy era. It is a mutually beneficial partnership supporting
tics and transportation infrastructure to support the movement of
potential for a professional transition towards renewable ener-
the economic and climate ambitions of both countries.
goods.
gies.
Photo: Diplomatic World
70 71

BELGIUM’S AMBASSADOR TO SAUDI ARABIA,
H.E. PASCAL GRÉGOIRE,
SPEAKS AT THE III SAUDI MEDIA FORUM
To truly enhance effective communication,
diplomats must be willing to embrace new paradigms
and adopt innovative approaches that transcend
borders and boundaries
The third Saudi Media Forum took place on 20-21 February in
Riyadh with panels, workshops and masterclasses under the
theme “Media in a World Taking Shape.” The two-day forum,
organized by the Saudi Broadcasting Authority in collaboration
with the Saudi Journalists Association, has become the Middle
East’s cornerstone event for media gatherings and discussion,
bringing together some 2,000 industry specialists and experts
from the region and beyond.
The forum aims to create a vibrant and dynamic community
for investment opportunities and the exchange of local and
international experiences in the media field. Additionally, it seeks
to enhance the Kingdom’s media standing through an influential
media platform that attracts global attention, shedding light on
prominent local and international media experiences.
On February 21, Belgium’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, H.E. Pascal H. Grégoire, took part in the diplomatic panel
on ‘Diplomacy for a thriving world: Rethinking diplomatic communication’,
alongside the Ambassadors of Djibouti (Dean of the
Diplomatic Corps in KSA), United Kingdom, Egypt and Thailand.
Ambassador Grégoire’s speech is reproduced below. These are
his personal views and not necessarily the ones of the Belgian
authorities:
vative and unconventional strategies to foster a world where all
nations can thrive.
“As we convene at the Third Saudi Media Forum to delve into
the theme of “Diplomacy for a Thriving World”, we are presented
with a unique opportunity to challenge conventional wisdom and
explore new avenues for international cooperation and understanding.
At the heart of our discussion lies the recognition that traditional
approaches to diplomacy are no longer sufficient in addressing
the complex challenges of our time. In an era marked by rapid
change and uncertainly, we must be willing to embrace inno-
Central to our dialogue is indeed the contemporary Saudi model
of diplomacy, which stands as an example of forward-thinking
diplomacy on both regional and global scales. By leveraging
its unique geopolitical position, cultural influence, and visionary
leadership, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a key player in shaping
the future of the Middle East and beyond.
However, our exploration of the Saudi model must extend beyond
mere admiration to sounds analysis and reflection. What
lessons can we learn from Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic approach?
72 73

How can we adapt and apply these insights to our own diplo-
communication, we are confronted with a profound truth: in to-
matic endeavours? These are few questions that should guide
day’s interconnected world, the ability to communicate effectively
our thoughts as we all seek to chart a course towards a more
is not just a skill; it is a strategic imperative.
prosperous and harmonious world.
Diplomacy, at its core, is the art of building bridges – bridges
As we delve deeper into the discussion on diplomacy for a
between nations, cultures, and ideologies. Yet, in an age char-
thriving world, it is imperative that we confront the stark realities
acterized by information overload and digital disruption, the
of our time with unwavering courage and conviction. The chal-
traditional methods of diplomatic communication are no longer
lenges we face – from geopolitical tensions to global pandemics
sufficient. To truly enhance effective communication, diplomats
– demand nothing less than a bold and audacious approach to
must be willing to embrace new paradigms and adopt innovative
diplomacy.
approaches that transcend borders and boundaries.
One area where traditional diplomatic practices have often fallen
Central to our discussion today is the recognition that effec-
short is in addressing the root causes of conflict and instability.
tive communication is not just about conveying messages; it is
Too often, our efforts have been reactive rather than proactive,
about building relationships based on trust, empathy, and mutual
focusing on containment rather than resolution. If we are to truly
understanding. In an era of geopolitical tensions and ideologi-
foster a world where all nations can thrive, we must adopt a more
cal divides, diplomats must serve as catalysts for dialogue and
holistic approach to diplomacy, one that addresses the underly-
reconciliation, not just conduits for information.
ing drivers of insecurity and unrest.
One area where diplomats can play a transformative role is in
This requires a fundamental shift in mindset – from viewing diplo-
leveraging the power of digital technology to facilitate cross-cul-
macy as a zero-sum game to embracing it as a win-win proposi-
tural dialogue and collaboration. From social media platforms
tion. Instead of seeking to impose our will upon others, we must
to virtual reality simulations, technology offers unprecedented
strive to find common ground and shared interests that can serve
opportunities for diplomats to engage with citizens, civil society
as the foundation for constructive engagement. It is through dia-
organizations, and even their counterparts in other nations in
must become master storytellers, weaving narratives that inspire,
I am reminded of the words of the great diplomat, Dag
logue, cooperation, and mutual respect that we can build a more
real-time.
educate, and unite.
Hammarskjöld, who once said, “Diplomacy means the art
peaceful and prosperous world for future generations.
of nearly deceiving all your friends, but not quite deceiving all
Moreover, effective communication requires diplomats to not
Moreover, effective communication requires diplomats to be
your enemies.” While Hammarskjöld’s words may ring true in
Furthermore, as we contemplate the future of diplomacy, we
only be proficient in the languages of diplomacy but also to be
proactive, not reactive. Too often, diplomacy is seen as a reactive
some contexts, I believe that genuine diplomacy transcends the
must not overlook the transformative power of technology in
culturally fluent and emotionally intelligent. In a world where per-
process, responding to crises and conflicts as they arise. Yet,
realm of deception and manipulation.
shaping international relations. In an increasingly interconnect-
ceptions matter as much as policies, diplomats must be adept
true effectiveness lies in anticipating and pre-empting challenges
ed world, digital diplomacy offers unprecedented opportunities
at navigating the complexities of cross-cultural communication,
before they escalate, using communication as a tool for conflict
True diplomacy, as we have discussed today, is rooted in trans-
for engagement and collaboration across borders. From social
recognizing that words have the power to both unite and divide.
prevention rather than just conflict resolution.
parency, integrity, and a genuine commitment to dialogue and
media platforms to virtual summits, technology has the potential
cooperation. It is about finding common ground amidst diversity,
to amplify the voices of the marginalized and empower citizens
Perhaps the most important aspect of enhancing effective com-
Furthermore, diplomats must be willing to engage with uncon-
building bridges where others see only walls, and forging con-
to participate in the diplomatic process as never before.
munication is the willingness to listen – truly listen – to the voices
ventional actors and platforms in order to reach new audiences
nections that transcend the boundaries of nation, culture, and
of those we seek to engage with. Diplomacy is not a monologue
and amplify their message. Whether it is through art, music,
ideology.
However, we must also be mindful of the risks and pitfalls that
but a dialogue, and it is only by listening with an open heart and
sports, or social media, diplomats must be creative in finding
accompany the digital age. The proliferation of misinforma-
mind that we can bridge the gap between different perspectives
ways to connect with people where they are, rather than expect-
As we deliberate on the role of diplomacy in shaping a thriving
tion, cyber warfare, and surveillance technologies poses new
and find common ground.
ing them to come to us.
world, let us not shy away from uncomfortable truths. Let us ac-
challenges to the practice of diplomacy, requiring us to remain
knowledge the inherent complexities of our global landscape and
vigilant in safeguarding the integrity of our institutions and dem-
Let us remember that the imperative role of diplomats in enhanc-
Finally, enhancing effective communication requires diplomats
embrace the diversity of perspectives it offers. For it is through
ocratic values.
ing effective communication is not just a professional obligation;
to lead by example, demonstrating integrity, authenticity, and
honest dialogue, even in the face of dissent, that we can pave
it is a moral imperative. In a world where conflicts are often
humility in all their interactions. In a world where trust is in short
the way for lasting solutions.
Let us remember that the true measure of diplomacy lies not in
fuelled by misunderstandings and mistrust, diplomats have a
supply, diplomats must earn the trust of the communities they
grand gestures or lofty rhetoric, but in the tangible impact it has
responsibility to be not just mediators but mediators of meaning,
serve through their actions, not just their words.
In closing, let us remember that the true measure of diplomacy
on the lives of people around the world. As we chart a course
helping to foster a shared sense of humanity that transcends
lies not in grand gestures or lofty rhetoric, but in the tangible im-
towards a more prosperous future, let us do so with humility,
borders and unites us all.
Let us embrace the imperative role of diplomats in enhancing
pact it has on the lives of people around the world. As we chart
empathy, and a steadfast commitment to the principles of peace,
effective communication as an opportunity to not just communi-
a course towards a more prosperous future, let us do so with
justice, and equality.
As we reflect on the imperative role of diplomats in enhancing ef-
cate better, but to build a better world. By harnessing the power
humility, empathy, and a steadfast commitment to the principles
fective communication, let us not forget the power of storytelling
of technology, empathy, storytelling, and proactive engagement,
of peace, justice, and equality.”
Turning now to the topic of rethinking diplomatic communication
to shape perceptions and influence behaviour. In an age where
diplomats can truly make a difference in the lives of people
and of the imperative role of diplomats in enhancing effective
narratives can spread like wildfire across the globe, diplomats
around the world.
Photos: Belgium Embassy in Saudi Arabia
74 75

SOFT DIPLOMACY
MODELLING GLOBAL INTERACTIONS
Ines Pires | Thomas Sladko
Soft diplomacy has been practised for centuries by ancient
on ethics and morality, soft diplomacy can be perceived as the
societies worldwide, but mainly in Asia and the Middle East. Soft
superior instance and soft power has been understood to flow
diplomacy skills count among the key characteristics of any dip-
from three main sources: culture, political values, and govern-
lomat whose duty is to represent their country and the country’s
ment policies.
interest in the best possible way. Handling and managing international
business negotiations with clients, potential partners, or
Following these considerations, one has to be careful not to drift
stakeholders is crucial for any top global operating manager and
into a discussion that distinguishes between “soft power” in
growing professional.
diplomacy and “hard diplomacy” and cause a lot of confusion.
One can observe that terms such as public diplomacy and
These two examples illustrate the importance of soft diplomacy
cultural diplomacy are very often used to explain the term soft
in two different ecosystems and across industries. On a broad-
power. The use of soft power indeed plays an important role in
er global level, soft diplomacy is practised by nations and their
modern diplomacy but the term soft diplomacy is character-
leaders. Nations practise soft diplomacy not only to maintain
ised by a combination of tools, techniques and skills on various
reliable and trustful global partners but also to build and enlarge
levels that create together the “soft” diplomatic approach. Soft
their reputation as a country. Soft Diplomacy is used by corpo-
diplomacy skills and tools include – both for individualistic and
rate leaders as well and in the actions of both commercial and
collectivist societies – public diplomacy, negotiation techniques,
corporate diplomacy. Those are strategic skills that serve the
cultural understanding and proficiency in cross-cultural commu-
processes of business development and corporate strategy. That
nication, and the intelligent use of competence in public relations
is very important to avoid confusion with foreign policy or inter-
and media relations.
national relations policies that are considered part of the external
relations of political state governance.
Ines Pires
The term “soft diplomacy” can easily be confused with “soft
power”, a term defined by Joseph S. Nye in the 1990s. The
contradiction in the combined terms “soft” and “power” already
leads to a discussion whether a term that combines these words
At the state level, this results in the effect that the frame, funda-
visiting and understanding different cultures and lifestyles has
can be valid or correct in any way. Another important point to be
mentals and the orientation (based on culture and values) of this
been always a good way to gain cross cultural awareness and
considered is that this confusion is based on translations of soft
“mosaic” are firstly established by the political leadership and
openness and furthermore soft skills.
diplomacy into the English language, but further analyses show
afterwards implemented and lived by every organisation, public
that soft power is sometimes an application of soft diplomacy in
institution, representative and individual member of the specific
A limited understanding of social science in communication be-
various areas of diplomacy, relationships and all types of interac-
society and country. At an individual level, soft diplomacy skills
tween individuals, institutions and governments of disparate cul-
tions. Anthropology and political science have been researching
have a strong impact and reside in the ability to influence and to
tural background, could compromise the efforts of workers and
and studying soft diplomacy, along with other expressions, for
obtain specific outcomes by employing tactful techniques to gain
negatively impact relationships between governments on a larger
years as soft diplomatic approaches are inherent to humans,
strategic advantage or to find common solutions to a challenge.
scale. Though most obvious in service such as deployment,
culture and society.
The use of soft diplomacy instruments shifts attitude from coer-
cross-cultural communication is beneficial in the achievement
cion to a non-confrontational action.
of shared goals among agencies of the federal government. In
Therefore, soft diplomacy can be seen as the origin of any form
this regard, one has to consider key features such as hierarchy,
of “soft power” strategy but should never be perceived solely
Soft skills and characteristics that are based on soft approaches
proximity, time and verbal expression, and their effects on verbal
as “soft power”. This term can be perceived as one path of the
are considered essential in human-to-human relations: integ-
and non-verbal exchanges in different professional and social
application of soft diplomacy but does not reach the core quin-
rity, reliability, communication and speaking skills, social and
atmospheres.
tessence of soft diplomacy and remains stuck in differentiations
negotiation skills, courtesy, openness, reciprocity, responsibility,
between “soft” and “hard power” which a country may apply
hospitality, generosity, professionalism, cross-cultural awareness,
Unfortunately, in modern times this balanced approach which
to implement its interests via diplomacy. As with the discussion
Thomas Sladko
flexibility, teamwork and ethics. Travelling to foreign countries,
defined Diplomacy throughout centuries became unstable
76 77

and media and public relations took over a lot of Diplomacy.
Diplomatic dialogues like meetings and negotiations are downgraded
to 30-minute encounters that are solely staged for
the media and follow sometimes a choreography that misses
content.
The former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria, H.E. Dr. Karin
Kneissl, mentioned this highly concerning development in
Diplomacy at a very early stage and called this phenomenon
“a decline of diplomacy, as speaking notes replace genuine
Conversation and Diplomatic Dialogue”. Günther Anders, one
of the most known media-philosophers of the 20th Century
described in his book “The Outdatedness of Human Beings”
already the consequences that the overflow of media images
would have on content, human-to-human interaction, selfawareness,
intellect and consciousness.
While one pillar of Diplomacy has always been a certain discreetness,
trustworthiness and non-disclosure agreement between
political leaders, one can observe the effects on diplomatic negotiations
when this unwritten law is ignored or even broken 1 .
Soft Diplomacy enhances global interactions and refers as well to
the exchanges, connections, and interdependencies that occur
among nations, cultures, economies, and societies around the
world. These interactions can take various forms, including trade,
diplomacy, migration, cultural exchanges, technological collaboration,
and environmental cooperation. They are facilitated by
advancements in transportation, communication, and technology,
which have made the world more interconnected than ever
before.
Global interactions have profound effects on individuals, communities,
and nations, shaping their economies, cultures, politics,
and environments. Some key aspects of global interactions
include:
MIGRATION
People move across borders for various reasons, including economic
opportunities, family reunification, education, and asylum.
Migration leads to cultural exchange, demographic changes, and
challenges related to integration and social cohesion.
CULTURAL EXCHANGE
Cultural interactions occur through the exchange of ideas, customs,
languages, arts, and traditions between different societies.
Cultural globalisation has led to the spread of popular culture,
such as music, films, and fashion, as well as the fusion of diverse
cultural elements.
TECHNOLOGICAL COLLABORATION
Advances in technology, particularly in communication and transportation,
have facilitated greater collaboration and innovation
across borders. International research partnerships, knowledge
sharing, and technology transfer contribute to global progress in
various fields, including science, medicine, and engineering.
ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION
Environmental issues, such as climate change, pollution, and
biodiversity loss, require coordinated efforts at the global level.
International agreements, treaties, and initiatives aim to address
these challenges through collective action and shared responsibility.
GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
pledges to re-consider these developments in Diplomacy
and bring the human-to-human relation again in the focus of
Diplomacy. How can this be done? When Diplomacy remembers
the basic rules of respect, courtesy, reciprocity, basics of protocol,
and cross-cultural intelligence, it can regain its incredible
power in solving and avoiding conflicts and finding a common
ground.
In summary, it is obvious that one has to understand soft
diplomacy as a mosaic that contains many elements, perspectives,
details, as well as consecutive and parallel actions. These
elements and characteristics together form a unique body and
system in which each element plays an important part of the
overall system.
1
”China’s Xi confronts Trudeau for sharing details of G20 conversation with the
media”, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnjC5K73FWc, 2024.3.11.
TRADE
The exchange of goods and services across borders is a fundamental
aspect of global interactions. International trade allows
countries to specialise in the production of goods and services in
which they have a comparative advantage and to access products
and resources that they lack domestically.
DIPLOMACY
Diplomatic interactions between nations play a crucial role in
managing conflicts, negotiating agreements, and promoting
cooperation on issues such as security, trade, and environmental
protection.
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, there is a
growing need for effective global governance mechanisms to
address transnational issues and regulate global interactions.
International organisations, such as the United Nations, World
Trade Organisation, and International Monetary Fund, play
important roles in facilitating cooperation and resolving disputes
among nations.
Overall, global interactions are essential for addressing common
challenges, promoting mutual understanding, and advancing
human progress in an interconnected world. However, they also
present complex issues and dilemmas, including inequality,
cultural homogenisation, and power imbalances, which require
careful consideration and concerted efforts to address.
Soft Diplomacy, on the contrary to the mentioned examples,
Photo: Istock
78 79

DR. THEODOROS KOUTROUBAS
THE CASE FOR MODERN MONARCHIES
At the moment these lines are written, an immense crowd,
“a sea of people” to quote the BBC, is gathered in the streets
of Copenhagen to witness in joy the proclamation of a new
Danish King, 55-year old Frederik X, who will reign under the
motto “united and committed for the Kingdom of Denmark”,
continuing an institution that has accompanied and shaped the
country for more than a thousand years.
Their cheers and hurrahs are echoing those of the hundreds of
thousands of Brits, who took the streets of London to witness
the coronation of their own King and Queen less than a year ago,
after having waited for long hours under rain to bid a last farewell
to their beloved Elisabeth II in 2022.
Elsewhere in Europe, from our own small and beautiful Belgium
to Spain, and from Norway to fairy-tale sized Monaco, royal
events, visits, receptions, or televised messages, are constantly
bringing together citizens of all ages and religious, political, or
ideological affiliations, who seem to momentarily forget what
divides them, and the hardships and disappointments of everyday
life, in order to celebrate the bright parts of history, culture,
and traditions they have in common.
The indisputable feel-good factor, the magic touch, that Kings
and Queens bring to their countries’ public lives, and the idea
that “all nations seem to crave an anthropomorphic embodiment”
1 , advanced by those who try to find a “raison d’être” of
modern monarchies, is by no means enough to explain why
the thrones are not just enduring, but often thriving, in amongst
the most technologically, economically, and socially advanced
nations of Europe, as well as in several other countries of the
Western World.
Far from being relics of less-egalitarian times that owe their
survival to history’s caprice, today’s crowns constitute valuable
examples on how to best separate what the famous English
philosopher Walter Bagehot called the “efficient” and the
“dignified” part of a democratic constitution.
The “efficient” part is obviously regarding day-to-day government
and planning ahead for the country’s needs. It is the task
of elected parliaments, who reflect the people’s views on how
the State should be practically administered during given periods
of time. Every four or five years, those who were entrusted by
the citizens with the business of law-making and governing are
obliged to request from them a renewal of their mandate.
Political parties bringing together men and women who share
common ideological conceptions as per the way the nation
should be run, are competing for the public’s preference.
Associations promoting all kinds of causes, and representatives
of industry, entrepreneurship, professional sectors, religious or
philosophical communities, etc. are interacting with the parties
and the parliamentarians, with the legitimate aim to inform them
of their needs and opinions in order to gain their support for
them. An independent system of justice is established to guarantee
that the law is respected and that deviations from it are dully
punished.
The “dignified” part of the Constitution, on the other hand, is
relating to the dignity of the State as the common historical and
contemporary home of a nation forged through shared experiences,
languages, beliefs, and, most important of all, values.
As a common home, the State needs to have the undivided loyalty
and support of all its citizens, no matter what are their opinions
regarding the way its current affairs should be governed. And
at the same time, this common home, the State, needs not only
to give the impression that it is, but indeed to act as a force of
motivation, inspiration, and encouragement, for all those who live
within its borders.
It is in this context that the office of the Head of the State constitutes
an institution of the highest importance.
In today’s democratically organised States there are mainly three
different paradigms of achieving a balance between these two
parts of the country’s most significant document.
One of them is that of Presidential or semi-Presidential Republics,
like the USA and France for the first case, or Portugal and Poland
for the second case: A politician is directly elected by the citizens
to the highest position of the State with a mandate giving him/her
different degrees of administrative authority, and is thus called
to effectively and actively participate in the government of the
country, in collaboration with an also elected Parliament.
It is however noticeable that, in the case of the democratically
elected Presidents of the French or the Polish example, the
important duties linked to the “dignified” part of the Constitution
are shadowed by the fact that, as political leaders, these Heads
of State are unavoidably representatives of one of the parties
Dr. Theodoros Koutroubas, Professor, Université Catholique de Louvain
that struggle for citizens’ votes, and as administrators, they are forming them into prestigious non-partisan institutions, where a
obliged to take decisions that will unavoidably be met with sometimes
strong disapproval from (at least) a part of the population. is given the very heavy responsibility to exercise the Constitution’s
person, whose family is closely connected to the nation’s history,
“dignified” duties, and to prepare a successor to this noble task.
Realising how vital it is for a State to maintain its highest institution
free from the divisions and animosities that come from party In most Parliamentary Republics, the Presidents are men and
politics, several countries, like Greece or Germany, have opted women who were active in politics, have occupied ministerial
for Republican systems with non-executive Presidents, elected positions, or have served as judges in the highest courts of their
by the Parliament with an enlarged majority in order to exercise country.
the constitutionally provided ceremonial duties, while decisionmaking
is entrusted to the representatives of the people and to Even though the Constitutions aim at encouraging broader
a government that enjoys their trust.
majorities within national assemblies for their election, party
differences and political interests very often prevail, and thus the
In the same spirit finally, another number of countries have decided
to maintain and reform their traditional monarchies, transmentarians
of the party in government, with
future Heads of State are chosen only by the votes of the parlia-
obvious
80 81

consequences for the credibility of the neutrality of the institution
they represent.
Educated from a young age to understand the functioning of the
State with a perspective informed by history and the precious
example of past generations of predecessors, modern Kings and
Queens are free from the unavoidable burdens of party politics
and the constraints of securing the renewal of their term, and can
thus become the true professionals of what is in reality a very
demanding job.
In a regime where administrative politics and law-making are
strictly the government’s and Parliament’s affair, the politically
neutral Head of State is called upon to represent the image and
the prestige of the country abroad, to support its entrepreneurs,
its universities, its investors when they try to expand out of
the national borders, to strengthen with his/her patronage the
development of arts and crafts, to boost pride in local initiatives
that bring communities together, to raise awareness of issues affecting
many but remaining unseen by the media and the public
personas, to build a common sense of belonging by highlighting
shared values. To quote our own King Philippe of the Belgians,
such a Head of State is indeed called “to bring out and enhance
the best in everyone” 2 .
The role necessitates endless reading of information sheets;
impeccable manners; strong empathy; constant effort to assume
a life under permanent public scrutiny; huge capacity of listening
combined with restraint and discretion; wisdom in advise; true
dedication to the service of others; and lack of any sense of
entitlement or arrogance. It is in reality so demanding that one
may say it requires the vocation and the training of a Confucian
tradition civil servant, the humility of a real monk and the talent of
a very good actor 3 .
Unlike former politicians or judges, who serve as Presidents and
do give their best to fulfil their tasks, Kings and Queens have
the advantage to be “natural” in the exercise of both their strict
constitutional duties, and their real role as the ultimate moral
support to whatever is bright in the nation, thanks to a training
that begins from their most tender years.
The “royal mystique”, the aura that is linked to their ancient title,
raises the public’s attention towards their acts, and multiplies
their efficiency in passing their intended message. Their perpetual
distance from day-to-day politics gives credibility to their work
as unifiers, and renders them able to inspire a healthy patriotism
and a sane appreciation for traditions that can act as a seal from
nationalistic and fanatical influences. The involvement of their
family in the fulfilment of their tasks contributes in giving to
stately functions a sense of community, and a human warmth
that very good statesmen and women often naturally lack.
Like their counterparts of parliamentary Republics, our modern
monarchs are also enjoying democratic legitimacy. They may be
not elected by their country’s Parliament, but they do operate
with its full consent and their office does depend from the
citizens’ acceptance.
Kings and Queens throughout Europe and in the western world,
often enjoy in fact public rates of approval that would make any
politician dream, and possess no power of coercion that could
keep them in place should the majority of the people wished
them to go.
The example of Australia is eloquent in that sense. When the
government of the country decided to ask in 1999 the electorate’s
opinion on changing the monarchy for a President elected
by Parliament, 54,87 percent of the voters preferred to keep their
Queen (the late Elisabeth II), even though the latter was leaving in
another country thousands of kilometres away.
A total antithesis to the absolute divine-right monarchies of the
past, today’s royals have brilliantly reinvented the institution they
incarnate, adapting it to democracy and modernity, without forsaking
what was positive and noble in the traditions of the past.
They constitute in fact an excellent example of the great things
that can be achieved through peaceful and progressive evolution
of ancestral structures, without the violence, hatred, and division,
that are often the consequences of the actions of those who
seek radical and unplanned change.
As our country prepares itself for a period of multiple elections
(national, regional, European, and municipal), and for the lengthy
negotiations of government building that usually follows the
citizens’ vote, it is not untimely to reflect on the sense of stability
and continuity that the crown guarantees as a symbolic guardian
of our precious democratic institutions, thanks to the strong
commitment of the King, the Queen, and the Crown Princess, to
serve the “unity that makes our force”, and all and each one of
the Belgians.
Dr. Theodoros Koutroubas
Professor, Université Catholique de Louvain
Visiting Professor, Université de Montreal (Canada)
Director General, European Council of the Liberal Professions
(CEPLIS)
1
The Guardian, 31/05/2012
2
“Chaque roi ou reine est amené à mettre en valeur et à stimuler
le meilleur en chacun”, Speech of King Philippe at the occasion
of the 18th birthday of the Crown Princess Elisabeth of Belgium.
3
Theodoros Koutroubas “A quoi bon des monarchies en
Europe?” in Revue Générale, 10/2013
Queens Guard patrol outside Buckingham Palace
Photo: IStock
82 83

H.E. ENRIQUE A. MANALO
SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
OF THE PHILIPPINES
As a friend to all and enemy to no one,
the Philippines will continue to be a reliable partner
in contributing to the maintenance of international
peace and security and in addressing existing
and emerging global challenges
WHAT ARE YOUR KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE
THIRD INDO-PACIFIC MINISTERIAL FORUM, HELD
IN BRUSSELS ON 2 FEBRUARY?
The peace and resilience agenda of the Indo-Pacific share fundamental
themes:
• Firstly, they are about people and communities: their security,
their survival, their dignity, their future.
The 3rd EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum successfully brought
• Secondly, they are about inclusion and giving equal regard to
together around 70 countries from the Indo-Pacific region from
the rights and interests of all states, not just few.
the East coast of Africa to the Pacific island states. In this sense,
• Thirdly, they both thrive in cooperation. Rivalries and geo-
H.E. Enrique A. Manalo
Photo: Department of Foreign Affairs
it served as a pivotal platform for addressing issues of global
political dynamics weaken the solidarity we need to achieve
significance and impact.
mutually-beneficial goals of high importance to our future.
• Lastly, neither can progress without a stable and predictable
At the Forum, representatives from fellow Indo-Pacific countries
order based on the rule of law.
and I engaged in meaningful dialogues with the EU and its Mem-
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and to promote
In my view, maintaining strong bilateral relations is crucial for the
ber States. We focused on how, as like-minded partners, we can
It is imperative that amidst transformative geopolitical shifts, we
security and stability in a free and open Indo-Pacific. We restated
success of multilateralism. These relationships serve as building
collaborate to foster shared economic prosperity and sustainable
do not compromise on maintaining peace, the rule of law, and
our pledge to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth
blocks upon which multilateral initiatives are constructed.
development in the region, while navigating geopolitical tensions.
the pursuit of equitable and inclusive societies. It is vital that we,
and human development. Additionally, we underscored our con-
I was invited to be an opening speaker at the roundtable on
Geopolitical and Security Challenges in the Indo-Pacific, one of
the three parallel roundtables of the Forum. During my address,
I stressed the paramount importance of acknowledging that
beyond security concerns, we must place significant emphasis
on fostering resilience within the Indo-Pacific region. This
encompasses a broad spectrum of integrated issues, including
as a community of nations, we must reinforce the fabric of multilateralism
that allows us to work together for a common purpose,
despite differences.
I am pleased that these ideas and principles were echoed by
almost all the other speakers in the roundtable.
At the end of the Forum, we all affirmed our commitment to up-
tinued commitment to addressing climate change and preserving
biodiversity, while simultaneously striving to enhance ocean
governance measures.
I also had the opportunity to engage bilaterally with my EU
counterparts on the sidelines of the Forum, including the Foreign
Ministers of Belgium, Sweden, Cyprus, Slovenia, Greece,
Hungary, Czech Republic, Denmark, Romania, Croatia, Poland,
WHAT SYNERGIES DO YOU SEE BETWEEN THE
ASEAN OUTLOOK ON THE INDO-PACIFIC AND THE
EU’S INDO-PACIFIC STRATEGY TO FURTHER CO-
OPERATION BETWEEN THE EU AND PHILIPPINES
TOWARDS A FREE, INCLUSIVE, AND RULES-
BASED REGIONAL ORDER IN THE INDO-PACIFIC?
economic security and progress, climate and disaster resilience,
holding the rules-based international order, the principles of the
and Finland. We were able to take stock of our current engage-
The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AoIP) brings to the
as well as the preservation of our ecosystems.
UN Charter, and international law, including the United Nations
ments and identify potential areas for future cooperation.
fore the outward-looking and inclusive engagement that ASEAN
84 85

fosters with like-minded partners. The Outlook pursues maritime
on Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation; Good Govern-
cooperation in the continuum of security, connectivity, the UN
ance, Rule of Law and Human Rights; and Development Coop-
sustainable development goals, and economic cooperation. It
eration, has facilitated regular bilateral consultations, significantly
seeks to harmonize strategies with partners such as the EU.
contributing to the enhancement of cooperation across various
sectors.
The alignment of the EU and ASEAN interests must result in
tangible initiatives and be integrated into regional cooperation
We established the fourth sub-committee on maritime issues in
across security, connectivity, and development realms.
2023, which has opened up new avenues for the Philippines and
EU to advance maritime cooperation, connectivity, and ocean
Philippine foreign policy resonates with the focus of the EU
governance, while simultaneously reinforcing the principles of
Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific on secure sea lines
sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction of states, along
of communication, capacity-building, enhanced naval presence,
with their maritime entitlements in accordance with international
and joint exercises to protect safety and freedom of navigation.
law, particularly the UNCLOS and its dispute settlement mechanisms.
The future of the Indo-Pacific rests on strong partnerships and
strong institutions that reinforce incentives for engagement,
Our strengthened collaboration on maritime issues also offers
dialogue, and cooperation.
opportunities for training and exercises through projects such
as Critical Maritime Routes Indo-Pacific (CRIMARIO), aimed at
THIS YEAR MARKS THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY
OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE
PHILIPPINES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. WHAT
HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE MILESTONES AND
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THIS PARTNERSHIP? WHAT
UNTAPPED POTENTIAL DO YOU SEE TO FURTHER
STRENGTHEN COOPERATION BETWEEN BOTH
SIDES?
bolstering the Philippines’ crisis management capacities, and the
Enhancing Security Cooperation in and with Asia (ESIWA).
The Philippines and the EU agree on the primacy of human rights
as the foundation of our relationship. Over the years, we have
effectively engaged in dialogue mechanisms that enable us to
exchange information regarding our respective efforts to uphold,
promote, and defend human rights.
When it comes to good governance, the Philippines and the
was solidified on 25 October 2023, under the Green Economy
Photo: © European Union, 2024, CC BY 4.0
investment opportunities while fostering the exchange of knowl-
Our warm and friendly relations with the European Union these
EU are working together to support institutional components
initiative. This collaboration involves supporting the national,
edge, information, and technology.
past sixty (60) years have been marked by productive coopera-
of the peace process set out by the Framework Agreement on
local, and private sectors in transitioning towards a circular
tion in a number of mutually beneficial areas, especially in mari-
the Bangsamoro (FAB) and its Annexes, the Comprehensive
economy and effective waste management practices.
As a clear indication of the upward trajectory of engagements
time cooperation, trade and investment, good governance, green
Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the Bangsamoro
and cooperation with the EU, the Philippines will be opening
economy, and digital connectivity, as well as in the promotion of
Organic Law (BOL). The Programme offers institution-building
Furthermore, we launched the Copernicus Capacity Support
diplomatic missions in three additional EU Member States:
the rules-based international order.
and capacity-building of core Bangsamoro democratic govern-
Action Programme for the Philippines (CopPhil), which includes
Finland, Ireland, and Romania. This expansion of our diplomatic
ance institutions to efficiently undertake the transition including
the establishment of a data centre (mirror site) in the country,
presence underscores the growing importance of our relationship
In December 2022, President Marcos attended the ASEAN-EU
post-transition.
making it the first EU Copernicus earth observation program
with the EU and our dedication to further strengthening bilateral
Commemorative Summit in Brussels. European Commission
in the ASEAN region. It will provide the Philippines access to
relations for the mutual benefit of our peoples.
President Ursula von der Leyen reciprocated by coming to Ma-
In terms of trade, the EU remains a top economic partner of the
the Copernicus satellite data that could be used in disaster
nila in July 2023, marking the first visit by a European Commission
President to the Philippines in six decades of Philippines-EU
bilateral relations. President von der Leyen announced a number
of new partnerships and projects intended to, in her own words,
“accelerate a new era of cooperation” between the Philippines
and the EU.
We also had exchanges of several high-level visits these past
two years between senior government officials as well as our
Philippines. The utilization of the EU Generalized Scheme of Preferences
Plus (GSP+) proves beneficial for both the Philippines
and the EU, driving inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Looking ahead, we anticipate the resumption and timely
conclusion of the FTA negotiations between the Philippines and
the EU. The FTA’s coverage extends beyond the scope of the
GSP+ and hold immense potential in terms of market access for
goods, services, and investments.
preparedness, mitigation efforts, and sustainable development
initiatives in the Philippines.
We look forward to working with the EU to build upon the
successes of the Copernicus Program and to further our efforts
in digital connectivity, with key elements on capacity building,
regulatory or policy support, cybersecurity, and enhanced cable
connectivity.
ON THE BASIS OF A STRONG TRADITION IN
PEACEKEEPING AND COUNTER-TERRORISM, THE
PHILIPPINES HAS SUBMITTED ITS CANDIDACY
FOR A NON-PERMANENT SEAT ON THE UN SECU-
RITY COUNCIL FOR THE PERIOD 2027-2028. WHAT
ARE THE MAIN PILLARS AND COMMITMENTS OF
THE PHILIPPINES’ BID FOR A UNSC SEAT?
Parliamentarians.
We are presently engaged in initiatives related to the green
During President von der Leyen’s visit to the Philippines, she
As a candidate for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations
economy and digital connectivity within the framework Global
unveiled the proposed extension of the EU’s fiber submarine
Security Council (UNSC) for term 2027-2028, the Philippines
Both the Philippines and the EU have greatly benefited from the
Gateway, the EU’s global investment program.
cable network to include the Philippines. This cable, planned to
aims to actively contribute to the maintenance of international
Philippines-European Union Partnership and Cooperation Agree-
span from Europe via the Arctic to Japan, holds the potential to
peace and security through diplomacy, partnerships, and com-
ment (PCA). The establishment of the Joint Committee under
Our commitment to addressing climate change and fostering
extend further into Southeast Asia. By bolstering digital connec-
mitment as a Partner, Pathfinder, and Peacemaker.
the PCA, which includes the creation of the Sub-Committees
sustainable investments in energy and wastewater management
tivity with the Philippines, this initiative will enhance trade and
86 87

As a friend to all and enemy to no one, the Philippines will continue
to be a reliable partner in contributing to the maintenance of
international peace and security and in addressing existing and
emerging global challenges. The Philippines will promote the
peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international
law and outlined by the principles of the United Nations Charter,
and enhance cooperation, dialogue, and constructive engagement
with all UN Member States.
The Philippines takes pride in its history of forging pathways
to peace, as demonstrated by our efforts to establish peace
in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao
(BARMM). The landmark peace agreement was achieved not by
war, but through a sincere, inclusive, and participatory dialogue
involving all that had a stake in the outcome – the opposing
factions, women, youth, faith leaders, government, and civil
society. The Philippines believes in the importance of inclusive
dialogue, consensus-building, and participatory approaches to
achieve sustainable peace and development. As a member of
the Security Council, the Philippines will continue to forge and
tap partnerships and best practices to find enduring solutions for
overcoming challenges such as terrorism, transnational crime,
and climate change.
Our proud tradition of 60 years of peacekeeping missions has
seen over 14,000 Filipino troops deployed to 21 United Nations
peacekeeping and special political missions. As a peacemaker,
the Philippines pledges to increase our contribution to United
Nations Peacekeeping Operations around the world with
more Filipino peacekeepers on the ground. The Philippines will
prioritize the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, the Youth,
Peace, and Security agenda, as well as the protection of children
in armed conflict. The Philippines will be a bridge-builder and
will actively engage in the work of all Security Council subsidiary
bodies for the pursuit of peace and towards a better, safer, more
prosperous world for all.
WE ARE AT THE HALFWAY POINT FOR THE IMPLE-
MENTATION OF THE 2030 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOP-
MENT AGENDA. HOW IS THE PHILIPPINES WORK-
ING ON STRENGTHENING SDG IMPLEMENTATION
THROUGH NATIONAL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS;
AND KEEPING TRACK OF ITS PROGRESS?
The Philippines is continuing its commitment to effectively implement
the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs. The 2030 Agenda remains
the country’s overarching roadmap for achieving sustainable
development and overcoming the multiple global challenges.
The Philippines believes that the 2030 Agenda is universal in nature
and that its Goals and targets are comprehensive, far-reaching,
people-centered, indivisible, and interlinked, balancing the
three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social,
and environmental, in an integrated manner.
The Philippines is committed to enhancing global, regional,
national, and local partnerships for sustainable development,
engaging and continuously collaborating with all relevant stakeholders,
including civil society, the private sector, academia, and
youth, recognizing the important contribution they can make
toward achieving the 2030 Agenda, towards an efficient tracking
of national and local SDG implementation.
The Philippines recognizes that, at the midpoint of the 2030
Agenda, the progress on most of the SDGs is either moving
much too slowly or has regressed below the 2015 baseline due
to numerous crises including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate
change, and poverty. Like many other countries, the Philippines
is deeply concerned by the marked increase in the estimated
SDG financing gap and recognizes the urgency of providing
predictable, sustainable, and sufficient development finance to
developing countries from all sources.
For its part, the Philippine Government signed the United Nations
Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF)
2024-2028 on 24 October 2023 to chart the areas of cooperation
between the Philippines and the UN and provide strategic direction
for UN activities in the country for the next five years.
The framework ensures that the best practices that have enabled
the UN to meaningfully impact the lives of the Filipino people are
emphasized to guide the partnership towards the fulfilment of the
SDGs. The UNSDCF contains three strategic priority areas in line
with the 2030 Agenda namely, (i) human capital development,
inclusion and resilience building, (ii) sustainable economic development,
decent work and innovation, and (iii) climate action,
environmental sustainability and disaster-resilience.
With all UN entities in the country mandated to adhere to the
UNSDCF, the Framework supports the Philippines’ aspiration to
become an upper middle-income economy and to accelerate
progress towards the achievement of the SDGs.
Finally, it may be noted that the Philippines is in solidarity with
other countries in taking immediate measures to scale up efforts
to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda,
which include development cooperation, SDG investments,
reforming the international financial architecture, supporting
sustained, inclusive and sustainable growth, enhancing macroeconomic
policy cooperation, exploring measures of progress
on sustainable development that complement or go beyond
gross domestic product, and implementing actions to accelerate
sustainable development, in particular in support of developing
countries.
Photo: Istock
88 89

H.E. BENJAMIN DIOKNO
SECRETARY OF FINANCE
OF THE PHILIPPINES (2022-2024)
Our estimates show that we will be able
to reach the World Bank’s threshold
for upper middle income economy by 2025
Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno represented the
Philippines at the very first Global Gateway Forum hosted by
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen from
October 25 to 26, 2023 in Brussels, Belgium. At the Forum,
the EU and the Philippines signed a EUR 60 million Financing
Agreement for the Green Economy Programme. This programme,
a key part of the EU’s contribution to the Team Europe Initiative
on Green Economy, aims to assist the Philippines in renewing its
economy. This includes embracing the circular economy, reducing
waste and plastic usage, ensuring water supply and wastewater
treatment, promoting energy efficiency, and deploying
renewable energy to address the impacts of the climate crisis.
On the sidelines of the Forum, Secretary Diokno kindly sat down
with Diplomatic World for an interview which is reproduced
below. In January 2024, Benjamin E. Diokno was appointed as a
full-time Member of the Monetary Board for a six-year term, after
having served as Secretary of the Department of Finance from
July 2022 to January 2024.
ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC THE PHILIPPINES CAN
ACHIEVE UPPER-MIDDLE-INCOME ECONOMY
STATUS BY 2025, DESPITE THE WORLD BANK’S
RECENT INCREASE IN THE THRESHOLD?
Extrapolating the GNI growth in the past three years and taking
into consideration the latest growth and exchange rate assumptions
by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (an
inter-agency group consisting of the Department of Budget; the
Department of Finance and the National Economic and Development
Authority), as well as the official population growth projection,
our estimates show that we will be able to reach the World
Bank’s threshold for upper middle income economy by 2025.
The government designed the Philippine Development Plan
(PDP) 2023-2028 to get the Philippines back on track toward
achieving an upper-middle income status by 2025. Under the
PDP, the government aims to achieve this goal by:
• Maintaining high levels of economic growth in the medium
term, rising from 6.0 to 7.0 percent in 2023 to 6.5 to 8 percent
from 2024 to 2028;
• Transforming the productions sectors toward generating more
and higher-quality jobs with target unemployment rate of
4.0-5.0 percent by 2028;
• Enabling the competitiveness of enterprises in both domestic
and international markets;
• Reducing poverty incidence to 9 percent by 2028;
• Keeping food and overall prices low and stable at 2.0-4.0
percent; and
• Ensuring fiscal discipline to help maintain macroeconomic
stability.
Perhaps the three most important ingredients in sustaining the
growth momentum towards middle income status include: the
commitment of the National Government to spend at least 5
percent of GDP on infrastructure; the continuation of structural
reforms particularly to liberalize the economy and open up to
foreign direct investments; and maintain macroeconomic stability
by managing inflation and pursuing fiscal consolidation.
OTHER PRIORITIES OF THE MARCOS ADMINIS-
TRATION ARE TO REDUCE THE DEBT-TO-GDP
RATE (A DEBT-TO-GDP RATIO OF 40 PERCENT
IS OFTEN NOTED AS A PRUDENTIAL LIMIT FOR
DEVELOPING AND EMERGING ECONOMIES)
AND BRINGING DOWN POVERTY TO SINGLE
DIGIT FIGURES. WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S
ROADMAP TO REACH THESE GOALS?
Concerning poverty, our objective was to hit a 14.5 percent poverty
incidence by 2022 (down from the low 20s in 2016); but of
course the pandemic got in the way. Now we are starting from 18
percent, but given the growth rate we anticipate, and the focus
on agriculture development and the small and medium scale
H.E. Benjamin Diokno, Secretary of Finance of The Philippines (2022-2024)
industries, where most of the poor are located, we expect the
poverty level to be reduced to 9 percent by 2028.
The Philippine Government has a Medium-Term Fiscal Framework
(MTFF) supported by our Congress through a House of
Representatives resolution, wherein the fiscal deficit is scheduled
to be progressively declining from 6.1 percent of GDP in 2023 to
5.1 percent in 2024, and eventually to 3.0 percent, the same as
the pre-pandemic level, by 2028. The imperative is to consolidate
debt to below 60 percent by 2025 and eventually to around 51
percent by 2028.
The framework covers efforts to increase revenue collections
from 15.2 percent of GDP in 2023 to 17.4 percent of GDP by
2028, through:
1. Enhanced collection efficiency by promoting electronic tax
payment platforms and enhancing ease of paying taxes,
among others; and
90 91

2. Pursuit of additional revenue measures to expand the revenue
investing in digital economy and financial technology to facilitate
of the Treasury’s Online Ordering Platform and the Overseas
nies to submit the Audited Financial Statement (AFS), General
base, including taxation of the digital economy and restructur-
a more inclusive and efficient financial system to boost inclusive
Filipino Bank’s app.
Information Sheet (GIS), Sworn Statement for Foundations
ing of the tax regime on extractive resources.
and resilient economic growth. To accelerate digital transforma-
(SSF), General Form for Financial Statements (GFFS), Special
On the expenditure side, the government will prioritize spending
on high-multiplier effect programs such promotion of human
capital development through universal healthcare and quality
education, as well as the continuation of our infrastructure
modernization, wherein the budget outlay for public fixed capital
formation is around 5 to 6 percent of GDP over the next 6 years.
tion, the Government is creating a policy environment that is conducive
for technological innovations for the development of new
industries, enhancement of public service delivery, and creation
of employment and investment opportunities.
By the end of 2023, the Government, through the Bangko Sentral
ng Pilipinas, is targeting to have converted at least half of all retail
transactions volume into digital form and onboard 70 percent
A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE POPULATION
OF THE PHILIPPINES IS STILL UNBANKED,
ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AND REMOTE AREAS.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON BRIDGING
THE FINANCIAL INCLUSION GAP AND RAISING
FINANCIAL LITERACY LEVELS IN THE COUNTRY?
Form for Financial Statement (SFFS) and other reportorial
requirements.
• The Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) is developing
web-based systems to modernize its oversight of local
treasury and assessment operations of the local government
units (LGUs) in the country. BLGF’s priority digitization initiative
is the expansion of the existing LGU Integrated Financial Tools
The MTFF targets debt reduction both through fiscal discipline
of Filipino adults to the formal financial system, in line with the
For the Philippines, the Department of Finance, together with
(LIFT) System, composed of a web-based portal and LGU-de-
and focus on quality spending to stimulate the economy towards
National Strategy for Financial Inclusion launched in 2022.
its attached agencies and government financial institutions
ployed software, for the submission of the required financial re-
an annual growth rate of 6.5 to 8.0 percent.
(GFIs), vigorously pursued their respective digital transforma-
ports to the DOF of all provinces, cities, and municipalities, for
To this end, the Department of Finance and its attached agen-
tion programs long before the pandemic helped boost revenue
more granular and sector-specific reporting of LGU revenues,
Further, to hasten poverty reduction while observing the limits
cies through its main revenue generating agencies such as the
collections, improved the delivery of services to the public, and
receipts, and expenditures, and facilitate information flow with
of fiscal responsibility, we will take full advantage of our recently
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC)
set the stage for modern governance in the country. These have
other agencies overseeing the LGUs.
passed legislation that opens the economy to foreign capital –
are implementing programs aimed at enabling digital finance to
also effectively boosted the Philippines’ footing as championed
such as the amendments to the Public Service Act and Retail
flourish in accordance with international standards.
through its national financial inclusion agenda:
• The Land Bank of the Philippines has significantly reduced the
Trade Liberalization Act – by working on improvements to the
account opening time through its Digital OnBoarding System
ease of doing business and to leverage on the recently creat-
i. The Digital Transformation (DX) Program of the BIR aims to
• The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has an ongoing digital
(DOBS). The DOBS enables bank customers to conveniently
ed Maharlika Investment Fund to attract foreign businesses to
transform the agency into a data-driven organization. Revenue
transformation program, which has expanded the range of
and safely apply for savings accounts online by automating
participate in the local infrastructure push as well as in strategic
workers will be digitally empowered to deliver quality public
electronic payment channels that allow taxpayers to file and
and integrating the various sub-processes of account opening.
industry sectors, including agriculture.
service and enhance the overall taxpayer experience.
pay their taxes online, enabling it to continue collecting taxes
It also developed and continues to enhance its digital payment
even amid the mobility restrictions resulting from the pandem-
platforms which allow customers to pay dues, fees, and other
Also, 39 of our 197 identified strategically important flagship pro-
ii. The BOC worked with the United Nations Economic and Social
ic. BIR’s digitization initiatives include the Internal Revenue
obligations to the government and private institutions.
jects will be funded through the Private-Public Partnership (PPP)
Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to establish a
Integrated System (IRIS), which serves as the BIR’s central
modality, which is seen to be reinvigorated with the passage
national action plan for cross-border paperless trade.
tool and repository to process taxpayer information; and the
• The National Tax Research Center (NTRC) is further developing
of the PPP Act. To facilitate a more effective and streamlined
Enhanced Internal Revenue Stamps Integrated System (IRSIS),
the functionalities of its existing Fiscal Incentives Registration
PPP approval process, the PPP Act will increase the approval
The Government is also expediting the rollout of the Philippine
which is an application that manages the ordering, production,
and Monitoring System (FIRMS) for investors to allow the
threshold for projects that need the National Economic and
Identification System (PhilSys) to enable seamless financial
distribution, affixing and tracking of revenue stamps to monitor
electronic submission in the future of reports that would enable
Development Authority’s approval to 15 billion Philippine Pesos,
transactions and more efficient distribution of social services.
the proper payment of excise taxes on tobacco products.
the government to review and analyse the economic impact of
and remove the previously limiting provision of the “first-in-time”
investment incentives.
approach of unsolicited proposals.
Moreover, the landmark Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives
• The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has launched its Customer Care
There is a lot of potential for growth in the local economy, given
our sound fundamentals and favourable demographics; we just
need the injection of foreign capital and technical know-how
for the economy to take off, and in the process create the jobs
needed to reduce poverty and improve social welfare.
MCKINSEY RECENTLY REFERRED TO THE
PHILIPPINES AS BEING “ON THE VERGE OF A
DIGITAL BANKING REVOLUTION”. WHAT IS YOUR
GOVERNMENT DOING TO ESTABLISH A FERTILE
POLICY SPACE TO ALLOW A SUSTAINABLE
DIGITAL FINANCE ECOSYSTEM TO TAKE ROOT
AND THRIVE? IS THE PHILIPPINES EMBRACING
FINTECH?
for Enterprises (CREATE) Law strengthens the culture of
research, development, and innovation in the country. The
amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act (RTLA),
Public Service Act (PSA), and Foreign Investments Act (FIA)
widen the space for investments in enterprises employing
cutting-edge technologies.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, on the other hand, has
launched the Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap with a
goal to convert at least half of total retail payments volume into
digital form by 2023.
Our Securities and Exchange Commission has also started
implementing a unified system to facilitate company registration
processes from end to end called the Electronic Simplified Processing
of Application for Registration of Companies (eSPARC).
Portal System (CCPS), which enables stakeholders to electronically
lodge and track the status of their inquiries, requests,
and concerns; and Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo
System (e-TRACC) that allows for the real-time monitoring of
inland movements of containerized cargo using a GPS-enabled
tracking device to secure the transport of shipments to
their intended destinations are already in place.
• The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has also sped
up its digital reforms that include the Electronic Simplified
Processing of Application for Registration of Company (eS-
PARC), which has so far processed over 26,000 applications of
business registrations online in just one day in as fast as less
than 2 minutes. Further, SEC also implemented its Electronic
System for Payments to SEC (eSPAYSEC) to facilitate the payment
of registration charges, penalties, and other transaction
fees with the SEC online using debit and credit cards, digital
SMES ARE SEEN AS THE ENGINES OF GROWTH,
INNOVATION AND JOB CREATION IN AN ECON-
OMY. HOW IS THE PHILIPPINES WORKING TO
EMPOWER THEM AND GIVE THEM THE TOOLS TO
SUCCEED AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE COUNTRY’S
DEVELOPMENT SUCCESS STORY?
The dynamic and productive characteristics of SMEs are seen as
critical in driving economic growth. However, a primary hindrance
affecting their performance and competitiveness is their lack of
access to adequate financing from sources. The headline socio-economic
targets of the PDP also incorporate in its programs
the development of the SMEs sector. In targeting to transform
the production sectors through innovation, a dynamic industry
ecosystem is cultivated which will enable better access of firms,
particularly MSMEs, to science, technology, and innovation,
In line with the Marcos Administration’s eight-point socioeco-
To further increase its reach, the purchase of government
wallets, and other cashless payment options; and the Electron-
ensuring that they remain competitive against bigger players in
nomic agenda, the Philippine Government remains committed to
securities has been made more convenient through the Bureau
ic Filing and Submission System (eFAST) that allows compa-
the market.
92 93

The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) likewise promotes financial
inclusion for SMEs and micro enterprises, particularly in the
agriculture and agrarian sectors. The LBP offers a wide array of
business loans for general or small and medium enterprises such
as the:
• Term Loan Facility for business’ capital expenditures;
• Sustainable Enterprises for Economic Development (SEED).
The SEED program is the DBP’s umbrella program for MSMEs
which aims to enhance the MSME access to credit facilities
and fast-track the credit process, bring MSMEs in the mainstream
of banking by implementing alternative ways to securing
loans, and maximize the DBP’s lending reach to help create
employment and income opportunities
• Working Capital and Liquidity Support Facilities for daily business
operations; and
• Interim REhabilitation Support to Cushion Unfavorably-affected
Enterprises by Covid 19 (I-RESCUE) for rehabilitation
support in terms of more flexible credit and loans to SMEs,
Micro finance Institutions (MFIs), and cooperatives affected by
the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), in line with its
primary objective to provide banking services to cater to the
medium and long-term needs of agricultural and industrial enterprises
with emphasis on small and medium-scale industries, also
provide credit to MSMEs through the following facilities:
• Sustainable Agribusiness Financing Program (SAFP). The
SAFP is the DBP’s umbrella program for the agricultural sector
which enables access to financial assistance for agribusiness
projects in view of promoting agribusiness for countryside
development and to enhance the competitiveness and productivity
of farmers and fisherfolk. Under SAFP are the Swine
Repopulation, Rehabilitation and Recovery Credit Programs;
Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development
and Growth Credit Facility; Broiler Contract Growing Program;
Coconut Farmers and Industry Development (CFID) Credit
Program; and Aquaculture Value Chain Financing Programs
Port of Manila at manila bay, Philippines
Photo: Istock
94 95

H.E. DR. HASAN MAHMUD, MP
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
OF BANGLADESH
The EU has contributed a lot to the development
process in Bangladesh
since our independence in 1971
Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr. Hasan Mahmud, MP, participated
at the third EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum held in
Brussels on 2 February. The Forum was chaired by Josep Borrell
Fontelles, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy. It brought together around 70 participants from the EU
institutions and EU Member States, Indo-Pacific countries, and a
number of regional organisations from across the Indo-Pacific region
from the East coast of Africa to the Pacific island states. On
the sidelines of the Forum, the Minister kindly sat with Diplomatic
World for an interview.
region. We have many things to offer to each other. As we are
going through a difficult time in the world, we need to discuss
Meeting with Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management
Photo: Embassy of Bangladesh
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FROM THE
THIRD INDO-PACIFIC MINISTERIAL FORUM?
WHAT SYNERGIES DO YOU SEE BETWEEN THE
INDO-PACIFIC OUTLOOK OF BANGLADESH AND
THE EU’S INDO-PACIFIC STRATEGY TO FURTHER
COOPERATION BETWEEN THE EU AND
BANGLADESH?
I also had the opportunity of participating in the 2nd Indo-Pacific
Ministerial Forum last year in Stockholm (when I was Information
and Broadcasting Minister, stepping in for our then-Foreign
Minister who had another engagement at the same time). And
this year I am participating as Foreign Minister.
This Forum is very important to strengthen the ties among the
countries from our region and from Europe. We do have a lot of
cooperation with the countries in Europe and the Indo-Pacific
how we can help each other; re-establish peace and contribute
to ending the conflicts around the world. These are all important
topics of discussion.
During last October’s Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, our
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina spoke at the opening plenary session,
urging global leaders to stop the war. Without blaming anyone,
Prime Minister Hasina referred to the displaced people and
suffering of the common people as a result of the Russia-Ukraine
war. Furthermore, women and children are being killed in Gaza.
The entire world is suffering as a result of these conflicts, whether
in the form of hikes in the price of commodities or increasing
shipping costs.
BANGLADESH IS AN ACTIVE SHAPER OF REGION-
AL COOPERATION. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE
CONTRIBUTIONS OF BANGLADESH TO THE
AGENDA AND WORK OF REGIONAL ORGANIZA-
TIONS IT IS PART OF, SUCH AS BIMSTEC AND
SAARC?
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and
Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Secretariat is located in
Dhaka; and Md. Golam Sarwar, a Bangladeshi diplomat, was
appointed in 2023 as the 15th Secretary General of the South
Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). So your
readers will understand how we appreciate both of these fora
and how we wish to strengthen them.
Regional cooperation is very important. A few decades ago,
there were passport controls between Belgium and France;
today you can jump in a night train in one country and wake up
in another without realising it. This borderlessness has benefitted
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Photo: Embassy of Bangladesh
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
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But our rate of action does not match the rate of degradation of
the environment and climate change. We need to speed up all
the processes and actions. Commitments and decisions are easy
to reach, but delivery is lagging. And that is frustrating.
at all the possibilities and platforms. I should emphasize that our
partnership with one country, organization or platform does not
come at the expense of any other partnership.
BOTH INDIA AND CHINA ARE IMPORTANT ECO-
NOMIC, TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
OF BANGLADESH. HOW DOES BANGLADESH
BALANCE RELATIONS WITH THESE TWO GIANTS?
DOES BANGLADESH INTEND TO JOIN THE
REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC PART-
NERSHIP (RCEP), ONE OF THE LARGEST TRADING
BLOCS IN THE WORLD?
WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF
RELATIONS BETWEEN BANGLADESH AND THE
EUROPEAN UNION?
We have very good relations with the European Union. We will
soon start negotiations for a new Partnership and Cooperation
Agreement (PCA). The EU is the biggest trading partner of
Bangladesh, and the biggest importer of our ready-made garments.
Our foreign policy dictum is “friendship to all, malice towards
none”. India is our trusted friend, India stood by us during our
Independence War, giving refuge to 10 million people, and they
are one of our biggest trading and development partners. China,
while not an immediate neighbour, is also an important development
partner. We value our relations with all countries and in
particular regional countries like India and China.
Concerning RCEP, no decision has yet been taken on this. For
the promotion of the national interests of Bangladesh, we look
In turn, Bangladesh imports from the EU machinery, automobiles,
chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers... We import about USD
3 billion worth of goods and we export to the EU about USD 25
billion, with the total volume of trade standing at approximately
USD 28 billion.
The EU has contributed a lot to our development process over
the last 52 years, since we gained independence in 1971. Therefore,
strengthening the relations is vital for both sides.
Meeting with Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships
Photo: Embassy of Bangladesh
all countries in the EU. In our region, integration is less than
in many other regions of the world. But there is a big market,
among the BIMSTEC and SAARC states. To bring tangible benefits
to all member states of those grouping, more cooperation is
required, which we value and actively promote.
FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF BANGLADESH, ARE
YOU SATISFIED WITH THE OUTCOMES OF COP28,
AND IN PARTICULAR THE BREAKTHROUGH
ADOPTION OF THE LOSS AND DAMAGE FUND,
WHICH COUNTRIES LIKE BANGLADESH HAD
LONG BEEN CALLING FOR?
We have seen some good progress concerning the creation of
the loss and damage fund, which had been under discussions for
the last 20 years, if not more. Finally, during COP28 in Dubai, it
has been accepted and adopted. This is good progress.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks at the Global Gateway Forum
Photo: Embassy of Bangladesh
98 99

H.E MUZAFFAR HUSEINZODA
AMBASSADOR OF TAJIKISTAN
TO BELGIUM AND HEAD OF MISSION
TO THE EUROPEAN UNION
Tajikistan is a dynamic,
democratic and stable country with strong public
and state institutions and civil society
CAN YOU GIVE THE READERS AN IDEA OF THE
MEDIA LANDSCAPE OF TAJIKISTAN AND ITS
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EVOLUTION
IN RECENT YEARS – NAMELY, THE NUMBER OF
MEDIA OUTLETS (BOTH PRINTED AND DIGITAL)
OPERATING IN THE COUNTRY, ON THE ONE HAND;
AS WELL AS THE LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY
ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY OPERATE, ON THE
OTHER HAND?
Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation,
President of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon
pays special attention to the development of mass media within
the country. According to the Constitution, Tajikistan is a sovereign,
democratic, legal, secular, unitary state. And freedom of
speech is guaranteed by the Constitution to every citizen of our
nation. Based on these principles, over the years of independence
we have significantly improved the legislative framework
for the activities of media, adopted 3 concepts, 5 state programs
Majlisi Namoyandagon Majlisi Oli (Assembly of Representatives
of the Parliament of the Republic of Tajikistan) a new bill “On
Periodicals and Other Mass Media” was prepared and issued
on 14 May 2016 taking into account the opinion of journalistic
community.
Photo: Royal Palace
Digital media is rapidly evolving in Tajikistan. In this regard,
measures are being taken to create favourable conditions for its
activities. Prior to independence, there was only one television
and one radio in Tajikistan. And currently, there are 52 TV channels
in the country, including 15 state-owned and 18 non-state
and a number of laws for the media regulation.
channels, 15 cable TV and 4 IPTV, 32 radio stations, including
Let me start by saying that Tajikistan is a dynamic, democratic
Furthermore, the “State Program of Development of Digital
10 state-owned and 22 non-state ones. Most of the media are
and stable country with strong public and state institutions and
Over the past 3 years, 175 newspaper titles have been registered
Television Broadcasting in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2020-
non-governmental. This serves as a vivid evidence of the state’s
civil society. It has implemented important reforms that have
(114 state-owned and 61 independent ones), 148 magazine
2024” and the “State Program of Development of Television and
democratic course and existence of a free environment for ex-
established a system of public administration. Step by step
titles (124 state-owned and 24 independent ones), 107 printing
Radio in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2021-2025” have been
pression of opinions.
Tajikistan is taking further reforms to enhance democratization
houses, including 17 state-owned and 90 private ones, 11 pub-
adopted in this field. These programs are aimed at developing
and ensure respect for human rights. It has secured fundamental
rights and freedoms in the country’s Constitution. The citizens of
Tajikistan enjoy equal rights and opportunities protected by the
legislative framework.
Owing to the independence of the Republic of Tajikistan, the
lishing houses, including 5 state-owned and 6 independent ones,
5 news agencies, including 1 state-owned and 4 independent
ones.
It is crucial to note that on 14 March 1992, the Law of the Republic
of Tajikistan “On Periodicals and Other Mass Media” was
television broadcasting and, on this basis, ensuring constitutional
rights and freedoms of citizens, equal and unhindered access to
information, effective use of national cultural heritage, historical
traditions, compliance with social norms, protection of moral
values, promoting patriotism and ensuring information security.
WHAT ROLE DOES THE MEDIA PLAY WITHIN THE
COUNTRY IN CREATING A COMMON SENSE OF
CULTURAL IDENTITY AND PATRIOTISM AMONG
THE TAJIK POPULATION?
state’s press system has noticeably changed in form, content,
adopted, which was amended and supplemented in 1996, 1999,
For the purposes of establishing a constructive dialogue between
Patriotic education of citizens and development of a sense of
purpose and number of newspapers and magazines. All the
2002 and 2016. With the evolution and improvement of media,
governmental agencies and the media, in 2009 the Leader of the
cultural identity are the core tasks facing the media.
necessary conditions have been created for the development of
specifically the private press, there was a need to prepare and
Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Mr. Emomali
media. Along with the state-owned media, an independent press
adopt a new law on media. Conscious of the importance of
Rahmon signed a Decree “On official responses to critical and
In the Republic of Tajikistan, media plays a key role in strength-
is steadily developing in the country as well.
this matter, on the legislative initiatives of the members of
analytical materials in the media”.
ening the cultural values and forming the patriotic identity of
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society. As stated by the Leader of the Nation, President of the
Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon about the high
status of the press: “Any democratic society needs media and
their effective activities. Newspapers, magazines, television and
radio as one of the main tools of influencing the public opinion
can actively contribute to solving the existing problems”.
Media have a great influence on formation and maintenance of
cultural identity, enhancement of cultural values, preservation of
cultural diversity, traditions and customs.
Playing a key role in preservation of culture, the media serve
as an essential platform for development and popularization of
literature, traditional music, art and state language.
Patriotism is experiencing an unprecedented rise in Tajikistan;
national traditions and customs are being actively revived. And
media being an integral part of the society are fulfilling the primary
task in promoting cultural values and patriotic ideas throughout
this process.
The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan with the aim to promote
a patriotic education of citizens, especially teenagers and
youth, gradually takes measures and establishes political, legal,
socio-economic and cultural foundations for this approach.
In this context, the National Concept of up-bringing in the
Republic of Tajikistan was adopted in 2006, and a number of
other documents such as “The National Program of the Social
Development of Youth in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2022-
2026” and “The State Program for Patriotic Education and
Strengthening the National Youth Identity of Tajikistan for 2023-
2027” were enacted as well.
It is evident that the democratic and legal principles of the state
envisage the development of human rights and freedoms, taking
into account the increasing level of responsibility in all spheres of
society.
These programs are aimed at strengthening the role of society
in the training and education of youth, advocacy of the national
ideas and love for the Motherland, national dignity and creating
favourable conditions for strengthening the basis for the legal,
political and cultural education of youth.
HOW HAS THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE CHANGED
WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW TECHNOLO-
GIES AND MODERN MEANS OF COMMUNICATION,
INCLUDING SOCIAL NETWORKING SERVICES,
BLOGGING, AND ETC.?
In the era of an active development of the latest means and
channels of internet communications, and evolution of their quality
and accessibility, it is becoming increasingly urgent to ensure
use of various media technologies. The relevance of this matter
is caused by the need to improve public administration based
on new features of services, social networks and internet platforms.
Interconnection between state and society through these
resources becomes distinct. One of the essential conditions is
the availability of the internet for users. New media technologies
are actively used in promoting democratic transformations in the
society, digitalizing the economy and preventing the corruption.
Along with the development of radio and television channels, related
information resources, in particular social networks are also
widely used. All the radio and television channels actively use the
multimedia principle. In addition to the official websites, television
and radio channels use social networks such as Facebook,
YouTube, Telegram and Instagram to distribute their materials.
For instance, over the last year the “Tajikistan Television” official
YouTube channel exceeded 25 million views.
FREEDOM OF MEDIA IS AN IMPORTANT GOAL,
BUT SO IS TAJIKISTAN’S LEGITIMATE DESIRE FOR
STABILITY AND SECURITY, AS WELL AS THE PRO-
TECTION OF TRADITIONAL VALUES (E.G. FAMILY
VALUES). HOW TO COMBINE THESE GOALS SO
THAT THEY DO NOT CONTRADICT EACH OTHER?
Definitely in the context of meteoric development of the mass
media, especially social networks and high technologies, maintaining
comprehensive security, peace and tranquillity in the
society becomes paramount given the contemporary threats.
Media are responsible for the objectivity and reliability of the
information they disseminate. National mass media regardless
of their status, affiliation and relationship with the authorities are
called upon to protect the Constitution, national interests, stability
and public order, and act in the interests of people.
Constant measures of the Government to implement the state
youth policy play a major and effective role in the process of development
of an independent, democratic and unitary state and
in the full personality formation of youth in the society.
For this purpose, media in Tajikistan play an important role in
strengthening peace, security and harmony in the society, as well
as make a significant contribution to the promotion of national
values.
In general, media plays a central role in disseminating cultural
The adopted legislative norms directly indicate the inadmissibility
values, promoting cultural exchange, preserving cultural heritage of abuse of freedom of speech in the society. With the aim to
and strengthening the patriotic identity of a society.
preserve cultural and moral values, including family traditions,
Photo: Embassy of Tajikistan
102 103

Photo: Shutterstock
the topics of national identity, culture, art and development of
folk crafts are regularly promoted through the media. The country
has a law “On Parents’ Responsibility for Children’s Upbringing
and Education”.
It is quite obvious that the rich culture and age-old traditions of
our people contribute to the preservation and strengthening of
family traditions and cultural values in the society.
education students and the journalistic community in advanced
training and sharing experience.
At the same time, I would like to point out three areas of our
interaction with the European Union, which are the media landscape,
media professionalism and media literacy. In implementing
projects in these areas, the European Union collaborates
closely with independent media in Tajikistan.
AS PART OF THE MULTI-FACETED COOPERATION
WITHIN THE PARTNERSHIP AND COOPERATION
AGREEMENT, HOW ARE THE EUROPEAN UNION
AND TAJIKISTAN COLLABORATING TO STRENGTH-
EN THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE AND IMPROVE THE
QUALITY OF JOURNALISM IN TAJIKISTAN?
The European Union is an important partner of Tajikistan in implementing
programs in the field of the rule of law and strengthening
the media landscape. The dialogue platforms in this area,
regularly held since 2008 between Tajikistan and the European
Union are at the forefront of developing legal acts on media,
increasing media literacy, as well as the enhancing the effectiveness
of media landscape and journalism. In December 2023,
the Republic of Tajikistan and the European Union held the 14th
round of the annual Human Rights Dialogue in Dushanbe. In the
lead-up to this event, the 10th edition of the Tajikistan-EU Civil
Society Seminar with wide participation of media representatives
took place in our capital.
We also actively work with the Council of Europe, the Venice
Commission and other European organizations to support higher
As part of development of the media landscape, the European
Union promotes the expansion of dialogue between representatives
of the media community, government agencies and the
Parliament. The scheduled events include information sessions
for the members of the lower house of the Parliament and representatives
of the relevant agencies, as well as the public hearings
with active participation of their representatives for incorporating
the proposals from the journalistic community into the new law
on media.
In order to promote media professionalism, exchange platforms
are being created between interested representatives of the
media, and trainings on modern trends in journalism and new
opportunities for interaction with the audience and journalists for
press secretaries of the state bodies of Tajikistan are organized.
Finally, media literacy support is aimed at developing the skills
of journalists and bloggers to analyse media content, create
their own audiovisual content, increase the ability to identify fake
news and disinformation, apply critical review and fact-checking
methods, promote understanding of professional and ethical
behaviour in cyberspace, data protection and online security.
Photo: Shutterstock
104 105

THE ECONOMY
Zambia is a land-linked country strategically located in Southern
Africa with a GDP that stood at USD 29.425 billion nominal and
USD 76.325 billion PPP in 2023 and 2022 respectively, recorded
a modest growth rate of 4.3 percent in 2021 and 3.1 percent in
2022, showcasing resilience and potential. With a GDP per capita
of USD 1,348 nominal and USD 3,808 PPP in 2022, Zambia’s
economy is diversified, with agriculture contributing 8.6 percent,
industry 31.3 percent, and services 60 percent to its GDP composition.
Zambia remains an attractive destination for foreign investment,
buoyed by its vast natural resources, strategic location, and ongoing
economic reforms aimed at fostering growth and stability.
Holding six percent of the world’s known copper reserves, the
country’s mining sector serves as a cornerstone of its economy,
with copper and cobalt exports accounting for well over 70 percent
of export earnings.
H.E. SYLVESTER MUNDANDA
AMBASSADOR OF ZAMBIA
TO THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM
AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
By 2030, Zambians, aspire to live in a strong and dynamic
middle-income industrial nation that provides opportunities
for improving the wellbeing of all
Beyond copper and cobalt, Zambia’s mineral wealth extends to
an impressive array of resources, including gold, zinc, lead, iron
ore, and a plethora of gemstones. Notably, Zambia commands
a significant share of the global emerald market, producing over
Photo: Embassy Zambia
20 percent of the world’s supply, with ample room for expansion.
This diverse portfolio of mineral resources, coupled with
untapped potential in uranium, coal, and hydrocarbons, presents
compelling investment opportunities in extraction and processing
especially with the coming of the green transition.
However, Zambia’s economic allure transcends its mining sector,
encompassing vibrant industries such as energy, agriculture, and
tourism. With abundant arable land and favourable climatic conditions,
agriculture serves as a key pillar of the economy, offering
opportunities for investment in crop production, agro-processing,
and value-added exports.
ZAMBIA’S ASPIRATIONS TO BECOME A
PROSPEROUS MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRY
BY 2030
Zambia’s aspirations to become a prosperous middle-income
country by 2030 are espoused in the Vision 2030, Zambia’s
first-ever written long-term plan. By 2030, Zambians, aspire to
live in a strong and dynamic middle-income industrial nation that
provides opportunities for improving the wellbeing of all, embodying
values of socio-economic justice.
Zambia’s aspirations are underpinned by the principles of
inclusive and sustainable development; democracy; respect for
human rights; good traditional and family values; positive work
culture; peaceful coexistence and private-public partnerships.
Zambians aspires to continue living in a safe and secure social
environment.
The country also aspires to have a competitive, self-sustaining,
dynamic economy that is resilient to external shocks, and
integrated in the sub-region, in Africa and the rest of the world.
Photo: Royal Palace
These will be achieved through diversified productive sectors;
and investments in human and social development, and through
innovations and sustainable use of the country’s abundant natural
resources.
ZAMBIA’S DEBT RESTRUCTURING EFFORTS
To restore sustainability of public debt, Zambia is in the process
of undertaking debt restructuring under the G20 common
framework. This exercise is anchored by an IMF-funded program,
whose aim is to support Zambia’s efforts to restore sustainability
through fiscal adjustment and debt restructuring, create fiscal
space for social spending, strengthen governance and public
financial management in line with the Eighth National Development
Plan.
The government has made significant progress in debt restructuring
efforts, having reached agreement on a debt treatment
with our official creditors in June 2023, followed by an agreement
on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in October 2023.
The Treasury is reorganizing Zambia’s debt to help alleviate
the current debt burden by bringing debt payments within
Government’s payment capacity. This will free up resources
for investment in critical areas such as health and education
as well as free up additional resources for allocation to key
productive sectors.
To strengthen controls in public debt management, the Government
enacted the Public Debt Management Act No. 15 in 2022
to repeal and replace The Loans And Guarantees (Authorization)
Act of 1969 and The General Loan And Stock Act of 1931.
The new law addresses inadequacies in the legal framework
governing contraction and management of public debt, the
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Photo: Embassy of Zambia
Photo: Embassy of Zambia
raising of grants and the issuance of sovereign guarantees.
In order to reduce poverty, inequality and vulnerability, the focus
Through the 8NDP, Government aims to restore macroeconomic
To achieve these macroeconomic objectives, Government is
Parliamentary oversight as well as transparency in the manage-
of the Human and Social Development strategic development
stability by raising real GDP growth as well as attaining fiscal and
implementing the reforms around the following areas; strength-
ment of public debt have also been strengthened.
area will be to increase access to, and improving the quality of
debt sustainability to improve the livelihoods of the Zambian
ening public finance management, establishing a fiscal risk
education, health and water and sanitation, as well as enhancing
people, especially the vulnerable. Thus, the macroeconomic
management framework, strengthening the legal framework for
PRIORITIES OF THE 8TH NATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2026
social protection.
Emphasis is placed on sustainable utilization of natural resources
which are the basis for wealth creation, as well as building
objectives for the 8NDP are to:
• Achieve an annual real GDP growth rate of at least 4.5 percent
by 2026;
public-private partnership, undertaking energy sector reforms,
strengthening performance of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs)
and strengthening fiscal decentralization.
The Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) has four strategic
development areas, namely: Economic Transformation and
Job Creation; Human and Social Development; Environmental
Sustainability; and Good Governance Environment.
resilience to the adverse effects of climate change. To this effect,
interventions aimed at promoting green growth, safeguarding the
environment and natural resources, enhancing climate change
mitigation and adaptation, as well as strengthening disaster risk
• Reduce the fiscal deficit to 3.6 percent of GDP by 2026;
• Maintain an annual domestic revenue to GDP ratio of at least
21 percent;
• Contain domestic borrowing to less than 4.8 percent of GDP
LEVERAGING AFCFTA FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH
AND COMPETITIVENESS
reduction, have been prioritized.
by 2026;
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a
The key drivers for this strategic development area are: agri-
• Dismantle domestic arrears and curtail accumulation of new
significant opportunity for Zambia to boost its economy, increase
culture, mining, tourism, and manufacturing sectors, supported
The focus under the Good Governance Environment strategic
arrears;
competitiveness, and attract greater foreign investment. Through
by strategic interventions in the energy, transport, and water
development area is creating a conducive environment charac-
• Reduce and maintain inflation within the target range of 6-8
enhanced intra-Africa trade and economic integration, AfCFTA
development sectors. Further, investments will be facilitated in
terized by participation, rule of law, transparency, accountability,
percent;
offers the potential for expanded market access, increased trade,
information and communication technology (ICT) and science
consensus-building, responsiveness, equity and inclusiveness,
• Maintain international reserves of at least 3 months of import
and improved product competitiveness. Zambia’s participation in
and technology to support digital transformation and innovation
effectiveness and efficiency. Thus, Government will prioritize
cover; and
the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative underscores its commitment
as key enablers under this strategic development area.
improving the policy and governance environment as well as
• Reduce the external debt to 60 percent of GDP and ensure
to harnessing the benefits of market access within the region
promote adherence to the rule of law and constitutionalism.
sustainability
and beyond. By identifying key products and industries for trade,
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Photo: Embassy Zambia
The Mighty Victoria Falls - Helicopter view
Photo: Embassy Zambia
such as ceramic tiles, batteries, and agricultural products, Zambia
aims to capitalize on its strategic location and easy access to
regional markets. However, to fully realize the economic benefits
from AfCFTA, it is imperative for export destination countries to
remove non-tariff barriers and ensure guaranteed market access.
Zambia remains committed to working with African countries and
the international community to implement AfCFTA effectively,
positioning the continent for sustainable economic growth and
competitiveness.
TRANSFORMING ZAMBIA’S MINING BOOM
INTO TANGIBLE BENEFITS
Zambia’s mining boom, particularly in copper and cobalt, presents
a significant opportunity to drive economic growth and
industrialization. Recognizing the importance of value-added exports,
Zambia has prioritized value addition activities to maximize
benefits for its people and economy.
Through partnerships with investors, Zambia aims to move away
from the export of raw materials towards value-added production,
creating employment opportunities and promoting industrialization.
Leveraging its rich mineral deposits, including copper,
cobalt, nickel, and manganese, Zambia seeks to diversify its
economy and reduce vulnerability to international supply chain
disruptions. Strategic partnerships with neighbouring countries,
such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and initiatives
like the Lobito Corridor, demonstrate Zambia’s commitment to
regional cooperation and economic development. By attracting
foreign direct investment and promoting the export of value-added
products, Zambia aims to achieve sustainable economic
growth, increase export earnings, and stabilize its foreign
exchange rate.
ENERGY
Of the installed 2,898 Megawatts electricity generation capacity
in Zambia, hydro power is the main source of energy with 2,398
megawatts – which represents 83 percent of the total generation
– followed by diesel and coal. Zambia has abundant opportunities
for investment in solar and wind energy.
The country has about 6,000 megawatts unexploited hydro
power generation with a ready market in the region. For more
information, kindly consult the website of the Zambian Development
Agency: www.zda.org.zm
UNLOCKING ZAMBIA’S AGRICULTURAL
POTENTIAL: POLICIES TO ATTRACT FOREIGN
INVESTMENT
The Zambian agriculture landscape is diverse, comprising smallscale,
medium, and large-scale farmers, each playing a crucial
role in the country’s food security and economic development.
However, with only 15 percent of the medium-to high-potential
agricultural land currently under cultivation, there lies immense
untapped potential waiting to be unlocked.
The development of farm blocks across all ten provinces underscores
the government’s commitment to fostering large and
medium commercial farming, fish farming, and livestock production.
Private equity and other investors are already active in this
space, signalling confidence in Zambia’s agricultural potential.
Investors in agriculture may tap from Zambia’s National Agriculture
Investment Plan which aims at the development of a sustainable
dynamic diversified and comprehensive agriculture sector
In addition to mechanization, investment opportunities abound
in agro-processing and commodity trading. With abundant water
resources yet to be fully exploited, investments in irrigation systems
hold immense promise for enhancing agricultural productivity
and resilience to climate variability.
MANUFACTURING
The country’s GDP has been consistently growing with the
investments in the sector. The manufacturing sector, offers great
potential for investment in engineering textiles, wood and wood
processing, building materials, processed foods, chemicals,
pharmaceuticals, and recyling, among others. For more information:
www.zda.org.zm
EXPLORING ZAMBIA: A JEWEL OF AFRICA’S
TOURISM SECTOR
Zambia’s tourism sector is a vibrant tapestry of natural wonders,
cultural diversity, and unparalleled wildlife experiences. With over
1,800 animal species, including the iconic Big Five, 20 national
parks, and 36 game management areas, Zambia beckons adventurers
and nature enthusiasts from around the globe.
Nestled in the heart of Southern Africa, Zambia boasts the
majestic Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the
world, as its crowning jewel. Beyond the falls, the country is
home to over 30 colourful traditional ceremonies, showcasing the
rich cultural heritage of its 73 tribes living in harmony.
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Strategically positioned as a land-linked hub, Zambia offers easy
access to neighboring countries, making it an ideal gateway for
exploring the region’s diverse landscapes and attractions. From
the world’s largest mammal migration of Kasanka bats to Africa’s
second-largest wildebeest migration in Liuwa, Zambia promises
unforgettable wildlife spectacles.
Moreover, the country’s Northern circuit boasts over 15 breathtaking
waterfalls, complemented by the tranquil beauty of Lake
Kariba, the world’s largest man-made lake. With over 470 bird
species, Zambia is a paradise for birdwatchers, offering unparalleled
opportunities for birding enthusiasts.
To further harness its tourism potential, Zambia has implemented
strategic policies aimed at attracting foreign tourists and
investment in the sector. These policies focus on infrastructure
development, conservation initiatives, and marketing campaigns
to showcase Zambia as a premier tourism destination.
For more information on Zambian tourism, please visit:
www.zambia.travel
Photo: Roger - stock.adobe.com
Photo: Istock
Photo: Shutterstock
Kalumbila Copper Mine
Photo: Embassy Zambia
Kansanshi Open Pit Mine
Photo: Embassy Zambia
Konkola Copper Mine
Photo: Embassy Zambia
Photo: Embassy Zambia
112 113

GLOBAL GATEWAY INVESTORS FORUM
FOR EU-CENTRAL ASIA TRANSPORT
CONNECTIVITY
The Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia
Transport Connectivity took place in Brussels on 29-30 January
2024. The Forum was guided by the Global Gateway strategy
– the EU’s contribution to reducing the worldwide investment
gap by mobilising up to EUR 300 billion in public and private investments
from 2021 and 2027 to boost smart, clean and secure
connections in digital, energy and transport sectors.
The Forum sessions discussed ways to operationalise the
findings of the EU-funded study on Sustainable Transport
Connections between Europe and Central Asia conducted by
the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD),
commissioned to identify alternative reliable and efficient trade
routes between Europe and Asia. The study identifies 33 hard
infrastructure needs and 7 soft connectivity key actions, the
delivery of which would greatly enhance the operational efficiency
and economic attractiveness of the Trans-Caspian Transport
Corridor and transform it into a multimodal, modern, competitive,
sustainable, predictable, smart and fast route linking Europe and
Central Asia in 15 days or less.
The Investors Forum gathered around 600 government and
private sector representatives from Central Asia, EU Member
States, several International Financial Institutions, other countries
along the Corridor (Caucasus and Türkiye). Participants agreed
that the Corridor will greatly contribute to sustainable regional
integration and will also open new economic development
opportunities for the region, thus translating EU-Central Asia
cooperation goals into tangible results for people and businesses.
It was also agreed that public and private partnerships will be
Photo: © Investors Forum Central Asia Transport Connectivity via Flickr
instrumental to build both soft and hard infrastructure along the
Corridor and to make this effort sustainable and long-lasting.
Development Bank of Kazakhstan. These loans will be made
possible by guarantees provided by the European Commission.
Executive Vice-President of the European Commission
Dombrovskis announced an overall commitment of ongoing
and planned investments of EUR 10 billion in sustainable
transport connectivity in Central Asia in the short term, coming
from institutions participating in the Forum. The presence of
several International Financial Institutions at the Forum served
as evidence of their particular interest to engage and allocate
resources for transport network development in Central Asia.
This resulted in a series of Memoranda of Understanding and
agreements that were signed with Central Asian governments
towards the development of the Corridor.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(EBRD), for its part, signed a Memorandum of Understanding
with Kazakhstan, covering an investment pipeline worth EUR 1.5
billion with projects already under preparation for the overall development
of transport connectivity in the Central Asian region.
The upcoming EU-Central Asia Summit, scheduled to take place
in April 2024, will give additional impetus to strengthen joint cooperation
on the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor development.
The next Investors Forum is envisaged to take place in 2025.
Photo: © Investors Forum Central Asia Transport Connectivity via Flickr
The European Commission furthermore announced an EU-funded
Regional Transport Programme that will be adopted in 2025
and the establishment of a Coordination Platform to monitor
progress, enhance cooperation, and ensure that development of
the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor stays on track.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) signed Memoranda of
Understanding totalling EUR 1.47 billion with the Governments
of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan as well as the
THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC: SPECIAL ATTENTION
IS BEING GIVEN TO ENHANCING THE RAILWAY
POTENTIAL OF THE COUNTRY
The Kyrgyz Republic lies along the route of the unique trade
artery – the Great Silk Road. Leveraging its advantageous
geographical position on trade routes, the Kyrgyz Republic
serves as a bridge between the East and the West, as well as the
North and the South, and is prepared to fulfil the role of a transit
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Photo: © Investors Forum Central Asia Transport Connectivity via Flickr
Photo: © Investors Forum Central Asia Transport Connectivity via Flickr
point on the multimodal routes of the Silk Road Economic Belt,
as noted by H.E. Tilek Tekebaev, Minister of Transport and
Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic.
In light of this, the Kyrgyz Republic has set the goal of developing
a competitive and integrated transportation system, considering
the favourable geographical location of the country and the
priority directions of transportation policy aimed at sustainable
transport development, with efforts directed towards unlocking
this potential.
corridors, facilitating international freight transportation with
neighbouring and distant countries. Thus, out of the six priority
and competitive transport corridors of the Central Asian Regional
Economic Cooperation (CAREC), four pass through the territory
of the Kyrgyz Republic. It is important to note that the first two
CAREC corridors ensure transit traffic of goods through the
territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, serving as important international
transportation corridors and holding significant importance
in transporting goods from the People’s Republic of China to
European countries.
Although the country is landlocked, to enhance its transit
Alongside this, the Kyrgyz Republic is making efforts to improve
potential, the Kyrgyz Republic pays significant attention to the transportation routes and explore new trade routes to reduce
construction and modernization of international transportation dependence on specific transportation corridors, as well as
corridors integrated into the network of European, Asian, and
to optimize the time and costs for freight carriers. Expanding
Central Asian corridors. Considering that 95 percent of all freight trade and transit opportunities reduces risks associated with a
transportation within the country is conducted by road transport,
international transportation corridors provide access for
multi-modal direction of the international land-sea route – the
single main route and enhances flexibility in trade. Thus, a new
Kyrgyzstan to regional markets for goods and services, playing Southern branch of the Trans-Caspian Corridor via Kyrgyzstan,
a substantial role in facilitating connections between major
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Europe through the Caspian Sea
economic centres within the country and accessing neighbouring is being developed.
markets.
Moreover, special attention is being given to enhancing the railway
potential of the Kyrgyz Republic. Work has been intensified
Transport routes passing through the territory of the republic
are integrated into the network of international transportation
on the phased development of the railway network in the territory
Photo: © Investors Forum Central Asia Transport Connectivity via Flickr
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Photo: © Investors Forum Central Asia Transport Connectivity via Flickr
Photo: © Investors Forum Central Asia Transport Connectivity via Flickr
of the Kyrgyz Republic, including the construction of railways
railway, reduce fuel dependency, and environmental pollution.
Taking the floor at the opening of the Forum, H.E. Azim Ibrohim,
countries on this route. It is essential to develop infrastructure
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (which will commence shortly) and
Investment in the electrification of the Lugovaya – Balykchy
Minister of Transport of the Republic of Tajikistan, welcomed
and transport networks to provide efficient and reliable routes for
North-South.
section will be recouped through annual savings in operating
the efforts of the European Union and other partners to create
trade and the movement of people.
expenses obtained by using electricity as an energy source in-
reliable prerequisites for the sustainable functioning of transport
The project for the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-
stead of expensive diesel fuel, implementing higher train speeds
and transit corridors and logistics complexes between Central
Tajikistan is currently working to raise funding to improve
Uzbekistan railway is one of the important projects in the field
with electric traction, increasing locomotive power, and reducing
Asia and Europe.
infrastructure at border crossings. In this regard, we commend
of construction and infrastructure. The new railway corridor will
costs for the repair and depreciation of rolling stock, as well as
the EU’s efforts to expand interregional cooperation, including
become a southern branch of the Eurasian continental bridge
reducing environmental damage.
Tajikistan’s favourable geographical location serves as a bridge
through the Global Gateway initiative, focusing on digital trans-
and will provide access to markets in Southeast Asia, Western
between Southeast Asia, the Caucasus and Europe. The high-
formation, transport connectivity and green growth projects.
Asia, and the countries of the Middle East. This route will facili-
Additionally, construction work is underway on the railway
ways and infrastructure under construction create the necessary
tate the delivery of goods from China to Kyrgyzstan and further
Balykchy – Kochkor – Kara-Keche, which in the future may
conditions for transforming the country into a business transit
In the near future, Tajikistan plans to attract about USD 6.3 billion
to European countries.
connect to the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, forming
hub. In this regard, Tajikistan attaches great importance to the
for the development of transport infrastructure and transit corri-
a railway link between the North and South of the Republic.
development of sustainable transport corridors, regional and
dors. This will certainly contribute to a significant change in the
An important component of strengthening the transit potential
international transport communications and the expansion of
pattern and structure of international cargo flows and efficiency,
of the Kyrgyz Republic through the construction of a railway
corridor is direct access to important seaports in the Asia-Pacific
region. In order to create an efficient and environmentally friendly
transportation system, work is underway to electrify the railway
section Turksib – Balykchy, which will boost the capacity of the
TAJIKISTAN EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF
CONNECTING THE TRANS-EUROPEAN TRANS-
PORT NETWORK (TEN-T) WITH THE TRANSPORT
NETWORKS OF CENTRAL ASIA
transport and logistics infrastructure.
Closer cooperation in the transport and logistics sector helps
expand the possibilities of multimodal transit cargo transportation
along the Trans-Caspian route, using the potential of all
as well as regional integration and economic growth.
To this end, efforts are being stepped up to effectively use the
“Tajikistan – Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan – Turkey – Europe”
corridor, which provides the shortest route to European markets.
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Photo: © Investors Forum Central Asia Transport Connectivity via Flickr
Photo: © Investors Forum Central Asia Transport Connectivity via Flickr
Furthermore, Tajikistan is planning the construction of several
transport systems, adaptation to climate change and mitigation
Deputy Director General of the Agency for Transport and Com-
• The launch of the International Seaport in Turkmenbashi has
logistics complexes of regional and international importance.
of its consequences. Tajikistan has significant potential for the
munications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan
become a turning point, increasing its capacity to 25 million
For this purpose, the country has prepared investment projects
development of green energy. The country is actively developing
Batyr Annayev, speaking at the opening session of the Inves-
tons per year and improving access to global sea routes.
worth more than USD 100 million. Moreover, there are more than
hydropower, building new hydro-technical capacities and mod-
tors Forum, noted that with its unique geographical location,
• The development of airports and the launch of new projects,
ten significant projects in the railway industry worth over USD 5
ernizing existing ones.
Turkmenistan can become an important transport hub between
such as the seventh airport in the city of Jebel, will increase
billion.
Europe and Asia, having access to the Caspian Sea, which is an
the capacity of national airports by 3,800 passengers per hour.
Tajikistan intends to produce 100 percent of its energy by 2032
important transport corridor for cargo transit. Turkmenistan there-
• The Ashgabat-Tejen highway with a length of 254 km has been
Tajikistan is making every effort to promote trade and con-
through the use of green energy sources and reduce greenhouse
fore attaches great importance to the development of transport
put into operation. This is the first section of the large-scale
nectivity among countries in the region as a basis for achiev-
gas emissions to a minimum by 2037. President of the Republic
networks in the country.
construction of the 600-kilometre Ashgabat-Turkmenabat high-
ing economic growth, developing intermodal and multimodal
of Tajikistan, H.E. Emomali Rahmon, in his annual address to the
way. The second section of the Tejen-Mara is already preparing
cross-border and transit transport services, and expanding
Parliament of the country in December last year, emphasized that
In recent years, Turkmenistan has vigorously invested in the com-
to be launched.
supply chains through multimodal corridors. On the sidelines of
by 2037 Tajikistan will become a “green country.” A systematic
prehensive development of its transport system, including rail,
the Fifth Anniversary Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State
approach to sustainable transport infrastructure is critical to
road, air and sea routes, which today allows the country to effec-
Turkmenistan has a number of mechanisms for state support of
of Central Asia in Dushanbe, the First Meeting of the Ministers of
achieving this goal.
tively integrate into global transport networks. From 2015 to 2021,
investments in the transport sector. In particular, foreign investors
Transport of the Central Asian Countries took place, during which
more than 48 billion Manats (or about USD 14 billion) were spent
have equal rights with local investors, they can own and manage
an Agreement on Strengthening Land Transport Connections in
Central Asia was signed. In this context, Tajikistan emphasizes
the importance of quickly connecting the Trans-European Transport
Network (TEN-T) with the transport networks of Central Asia.
One of the core areas is the use of environmentally sustainable
TURKMENISTAN ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE
TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSPORT
NETWORKS
in the transport and communications industry of Turkmenistan:
• Thanks to modernization, more than 5,000 kilometres of steel
roads provide reliable communication between the regions of
the country, opening up new transit opportunities.
enterprises, participate in privatization, gain access to public
procurement and enjoy other benefits. According to the results
of the Assessment of Development Financing, state budget revenues
account for the largest share in the total volume of financial
flows, which amount to 36.2 percent, private investments
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Photo: © Investors Forum Central Asia Transport Connectivity via Flickr
Photo: © Investors Forum Central Asia Transport Connectivity via Flickr
account for 34 percent, and loans from the banking sector ac-
amounted to 300 million tons. Road transportation is growing
as the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and
remaining 22 airports of Kazakhstan to European investors for
count for 16.5 percent.
at an exponential rate. For example, at the end of last year,
Development and the Asian Development Bank.
management.
transit traffic only with the People’s Republic of China increased
In the current conditions of supply chain unpredictability, trans-
2 times, from 1.1 to 2 million tons, and the total transit volume
For the implementation of projects, it is proposed to attract funds
Fourth. The Caspian seaports of Aktau and Kuryk, with a
port routes passing through the countries of Central Asia will
increased by 43 percent, from 3.5 to 5 million tons.
within the Global Gateway initiative and invite European contract-
combined capacity of 21 million tons, are key points on the
open up not only great opportunities for establishing sustainable
ing organizations to become participants of a large project for the
Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. Kazakhstan intends
and safe transportation, but also promising investment oppor-
Aviation also plays an important role. Over the past two years,
construction of roads in Kazakhstan.
to strengthen the maritime fleet and establish a container hub in
tunities for European companies. In this regard, Turkmenistan is
the use of Kazakhstan’s airspace has doubled and Kazakhstan is
the port of Aktau, which will begin construction this year. For new
interested in sharing experience in the management of transport
the only country the post-Soviet space to have implemented the
Second. The railway sector needs EUR 15 billion for the con-
investors, Kazakhstan offers 171 hectares to develop terminal
infrastructures, the introduction of digital technologies for traffic
use of the 5th degree of freedom and completed the negotiation
struction of new main lines of 1,300 km and modernization of
capacity. By 2029, a large project on the production of «green»
management, and also welcome major European logistics opera-
process with the European Commission to sign a Horizontal
the existing infrastructure, station tracks and development of
hydrogen with a capacity of 40 G/watt will be implemented. The
tors interested in using existing logistics capacities and in creat-
Agreement. This agreement will allow European airlines to fly
autoblocking. We plan to give private investors access to build
port of Kuryk will transport 12 million tons of green ammonia,
ing new cross-border trade and logistics hubs in Turkmenistan.
from any point in Europe to any point in Kazakhstan.
a railway and own railway infrastructure in Kazakhstan. It is im-
thus creating a green corridor in the direction of Europe.
portant to expand the railway crossing points between Asia and
KAZAKHSTAN: EUR 40 BILLION NEEDED IN NEXT
5 YEARS TO IMPLEMENT MAJOR INFRASTRUC-
TURE PROJECTS IN THE FIELD OF TRANSPORT
In the next 5 years, at least EUR 40 billion will be needed to
implement major infrastructure projects in the field of transport in
Kazakhstan.
First. In the road sector, in the next 5 years the main transit
the European Union. With the People’s Republic of China, in the
next 5 years, the capacity will increase from 28 million tons to 76
million tons, including the opening of a new crossing point and
terminal facilities with the participation of foreign companies.
Minister Karabayev concluded his intervention by inviting attendees
to participate in the New Silkway Transport Forum, which
will be held from June 19 to 21 in Astana, and proposing to
organize a large investment forum in Kazakhstan on the partnership
between the EU and Kazakhstan in the transport industry in
H.E. Marat Karabayev, Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, laid
corridors with a length of 4.7 thousand km will be reconstructed
Third. In the field of civil aviation, the two largest airports were
September this year.
out his country’s plans to play a key role for transit between
and another 4.7 thousand km will be repaired. All these roads
transferred into private ownership – Almaty Airport to the
Europe and Central Asia. Referring to specific indicators in
form the backbone of the Trans-Caspian International Transport
Turkish-French company TAV, managing Aéroports de Paris;
Kazakhstan’s transportation sector, Minister Karabayev men-
Route. For this purpose, Kazakhstan plans to attract EUR 20
and Astana airport to the company Terminals, which manag-
tioned that in 2023, cargo turnover of the railway last year
billion of loans from international financial organizations such
es Abu Dhabi Airports. Kazakhstan is ready to hand over the
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Photo: © Investors Forum Central Asia Transport Connectivity via Flickr
Photo: © Investors Forum Central Asia Transport Connectivity via Flickr
Photo: © Investors Forum Central Asia Transport Connectivity via Flickr
Photo: © Investors Forum Central Asia Transport Connectivity via Flickr
124 125

THE EU AND CENTRAL ASIA
AT THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW ERA
OF PARTNERSHIP
AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE HIGH-LEVEL INVES-
TORS FORUM FOR EU-CENTRAL ASIA TRANS-
PORT CONNECTIVITY, HELD IN BRUSSELS ON
29 AND 30 JANUARY 2024, THE EUROPEAN
NEIGHBOURHOOD COUNCIL (ENC), IN COOPERA-
TION WITH THE EUROPE-UZBEKISTAN ASSOCIA-
TION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION (EUROUZ),
CO-ORGANIZED AN EVENT TITLED “CENTRAL
ASIA ECONOMIC ROUNDTABLE: LOOKING INTO
THE FUTURE OF COOPERATION WITH THE
EUROPEAN UNION” ON 2 FEBRUARY 2024, HOST-
ED BY THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMME (UNDP) OFFICE IN BRUSSELS
The first panel, titled “Central Asia: A Rising Investment
Destination – Insights from the Inaugural EU-Central Asa
Investors Forum”, brought together the Ambassadors of
Uzbekistan (H.E. Gairat Fozilov), Tajikistan (H.E. Muzaffar
Huseinzoda), Kazakhstan (H.E. Margulan Baimukhan) and -
Turkmenistan H.E. Sapar Palvanov); and was moderated by
Oybek Shaykhov, Secretary General of EUROUZ.
All Ambassadors pointed that in recent years, sustainable transport
connectivity between Central Asia and Europe has become
a cornerstone of inter-regional cooperation, as demonstrated
by the Inaugural Investors Forum in Brussels, which served as
a promising platform for the main stakeholders – particular-
ly governments, international financial institutions, transport
and logistic entities, public and private sectors –, all of which
demonstrated a keen interested in actively participating in the
implementation of projects aimed at expanding and developing
transport networks both within and between regions. The EU,
with its advanced technologies and commitment to sustainable
development, is an ideal partner of Central Asia on this path.
Ambassador of Kazakhstan, H.E. Margulan Baimukhan, highlighted
that as the biggest economy of Central Asia and the
region’s transit hub, his country is eager to welcome European
know-how, standards, and enhance interoperability of our transport
network with our partners in Central Asia, Caucasus and
Europe. This promotes competitiveness of the Trans-Caspian
International Transport Route and increases the efficiency of the
transit, opening up opportunities for the economic development
of all Central Asian countries by improving links within the region
and with Europe.
Kazakhstan welcomes the EU’s pragmatic approach to the
cooperation and that it delivered its promise to operationalize the
study. The EUR 10 billion investment commitment announced
by Executive Vice President of the European Commission Valdis
Dombrovskis not only means real money to improve infrastructure,
it also signals the EU’s major transport companies that the
partners along the corridor are trusted friends of the EU. This
package includes important commitments between EU and
Kazakhstan. For instance, the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan
and Development Bank of Kazakhstan signed MoUs on financing
promising transport and logistics projects for EUR 820 million.
Ambassador Baimukhan also referred to the two Memoranda
of Understanding signed between the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Kazakhstan, with
an investment pipeline worth EUR 1.5 billion with projects already
under preparation for the overall development of transport
connectivity in the Central Asian region.
In the same line, Ambassador of Tajikistan, H.E. Muzaffar
Huseinzoda referred to the synergetic approaches and common
ambitions of all Central Asian Republics which possess important
assets such as political stability and leadership, economic
sustainability, and an enabling business ecosystem.
Ambassador Huseinzoda expressed satisfaction with the existing
interaction mechanisms, partnership agreements, security
and political dialogues play an essential role in navigating this
evolving landscape. The Global Gateway Initiative, aligned with
126 127

Ambassador of Turkmenistan Sapar Palvanov, echoing his
hydrogen and renewable energy such as solar, wind energy. For
the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Agenda, underscores the
Climate change and rapid global warming negatively affect
colleagues, pointed to the transport sector assuming a height-
example, Turkmenistan’s desert is rich in a wide range of miner-
EU’s commitment to promote sustainable economic partnerships
water resources. To adapt to these realities, Tajikistan intends to
ened significance as a key area of cooperation between the two
als which can be utilised to manufacture solar panels.
and invest in infrastructure.
increase generation through the introduction of other sources of
regions.
renewable energy, in particular solar and wind energy.
The transition to greener economies in Central Asia, aligned with
Ambassador Huseinzoda addressed the ongoing efforts by
By enhancing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route’s
the Global Methane Pledge, is both a challenge and an opportu-
Tajikistan to modernise existing transportation networks and
To achieve this, the government plans to put into operation at
infrastructure and streamlining customs procedures, transit times
nity. Turkmenistan, despite the fact that it is a major player in nat-
building new communications infrastructure, both physical and
least 700 MW of capacity using solar and wind energy by 2030.
and costs can be significantly reduced. The EU’s expertise and
ural gas production, is striving to reduce methane emissions and
digital, with the support of partners including the European Un-
With the implementation of the mentioned measures in 2032,
investment in this sector can accelerate these improvements,
is actively exploring ways to use its natural gas resources more
ion. Tajikistan, along with the development of “hard” and “soft”
electricity production in the country will be entirely from renewa-
creating a more connected Eurasia.
sustainably. This is evidenced by the announcement of Turkmeni-
infrastructure, also actively introducing environmentally friendly
ble sources. Tajikistan will spare no efforts in becoming a “green
stan at the COP28 on joining the Global Methane Initiative.
technologies. The cooperation with the Green Cities programme
country” by 2037.
Turkmenistan is highly interested in gaining expertise in the
of the EBRD was particularly highlighted.
management of transport infrastructures, and specially the intro-
The discussions during the roundtable were useful in discuss-
The government in Tajikistan, in close cooperation with the
duction of digital technologies for traffic management. Therefore,
ing concrete ways in which the EU can support Central Asia’s
Tajikistan supports the international community’s efforts to
United Nations and other partners, will host in Dushanbe on June
major European logistics operators interested in using existing
economic growth and integration into global supply chains,
achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions through the adop-
10-13, 2024, the third high-level international conference on
logistics capacities and in creating new cross-border trade and
exploring how to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of
tion of a Green Economy Development Strategy until 2037 and
international decade for action “Water for Sustainable Develop-
logistics hubs in Turkmenistan would be most welcome.
the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, leveraging EU
intentions to double green energy production potential by 2050.
ment”, 2018-2028. The conference is designed to inspire new
private sector investments, and helping Central Asian economies
In this regard, it is hoped that collaboration with the EU as a
partnerships and accelerate actions to achieve water-related
One more priority area with positive dynamics and potential
embrace greener frameworks.
main partner in the construction and rehabilitation of energy and
goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
active engagement with the EU partners is the transition to
hydropower facilities will be further enhanced.
green energy. The region possesses huge potential in producing
All photos: Diplomatic World
128 129

TURKMENISTAN’S PRIORITIES FOR 2024
JOINT BRIEFING BETWEEN
THE EMBASSY OF TURKMENISTAN
AND DIPLOMATIC WORLD
On Monday, 12 February, Diplomatic World joined forces with the
Embassy of Turkmenistan to organise a briefing for the media,
expert community, diplomatic corps and industry specialists,
touching on Turkmenistan’s foreign policy priorities for 2024 and
main directions of cooperation with the EU. Among other topics,
the Ambassador of Turkmenistan, H.E. Sapar Palvanov highlighted
the structural reforms and diversification of the national
economy; transition to green energy; initiatives in the field of
sustainable transportation & efforts to preserve and strengthen
stability in Central Asia.
By the initiative of Turkmenistan, December 12th is celebrated
annually as the International Day of Neutrality, for which a UN
resolution was adopted. Every year on this date, Turkmenistan
hosts a high-level international conference named “Dialogue
is the Guarantee of Peace.” For Turkmenistan, the priority is to
systematically strengthen neutrality as a key factor in interstate
At the outset, Ambassador Palvanov elaborated on the core
elements that constitute the foreign and domestic policies of
Turkmenistan and determine the country’s path of development.
Turkmenistan’s foreign policy strategy is founded on the principles
of neutrality and peacefulness, aimed at the comprehensive
development of equal, mutually beneficial, multifaceted cooperation
with all states of the world and international organizations.
This is the mainstay of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy. Neutrality,
therefore, is considered as a factor of broad, constructive
international cooperation, positively influencing the settlement
and resolution of existing problems and contradictions through
peaceful, political, and diplomatic means, at the negotiation
table.
partnership, primarily enhancing and directing our activity in
specific channels within the United Nations, for which there are
currently all conditions – both political and legal.
PEACE AND SECURITY
In this context, Turkmenistan proposes to start discussing the
possibilities of elaborating a Global Security Strategy based
on the principles of the UN Charter and universally recognized
norms of international law, taking into account current realities
and trends of world development. Such a strategy should have
the following priorities:
Neutrality is not a political course for being a mere observer in
any crisis situations, but on the contrary, it means taking an active
part in finding peaceful solutions and providing humanitarian
assistance in the process of recovery, without interfering in the
internal affairs of those involved.
• Preventive diplomacy as a tool for preventing and neutralizing
conflicts;
• Using the potential of neutrality for peaceful, political, and
diplomatic settlement of disputes and contradictions;
• Rebuilding a culture of trust-based dialogue aligned with the
UN General Assembly’s decisions to declare 2021 as the
130 131

International Year of Peace and Trust and 2023 as the “Year of
Turkmenistan in its accession to the World Trade Organization
Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace”. Time has confirmed the
(WTO) and becoming a member of the multilateral trading sys-
relevance of these resolutions in the current context.
tem.
When discussing regional security, we need to mention the
Turkmenistan aims to improve its integration into the global
Afghan issue. In the context of ensuring universal and com-
trading system, enhance trade efficiency, and attract foreign
prehensive security, Turkmenistan will undertake efforts on the
investment.
regional track to preserve and strengthen stability in Central Asia.
These joint efforts with the EU will be aimed at improving the
In this regard, Turkmenistan will continue to assist in achieving
business climate in Turkmenistan, ensuring equal conditions for
peace and harmony in Afghanistan, taking into account the ex-
domestic and international business, and promoting the growth
isting realities and to provide economic, humanitarian, and other
and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises.
forms of assistance to the neighbouring country and the fraternal
Afghan people.
For Turkmenistan, there are no hostile or undesirable countries
GREEN ENERGY
or regions; the country engages in constructive partnership with
Another priority area where we see positive dynamics and po-
all states of the planet and the region in the political-diplomatic,
tential active engagement with foreign partners is the transition
trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian, and scientific-educational
to green energy. Currently, there is a keen sense of the need to
spheres. Turkmenistan prioritizes cooperation in such directions
diversify Turkmenistan’s energy policy, as the energy industry of
as energy and energy security, sustainable transport, ecology and
Turkmenistan serves as the foundation of our national economy.
environmental protection, water resources, and food security.
Having abundant energy resources does not exempt from the
need to transition to green energy, and on the contrary, it increas-
ECONOMY
es the country’s responsibility in this regard.
As an energy powerhouse, Turkmenistan does not step away
One of the priority vectors of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy
from the issue of mitigating the negative impact on climate
course is international economic partnership. Turkmenistan’s cur-
caused by the production, transportation, and utilization of en-
Turkmenistan will continue its current cooperation with interna-
Among the latest is the Resolution “World Day of Sustainable
rent priority is to further carry out effective activities for structural
ergy resources. We are committed to promoting “green” trans-
tional organizations and partner countries within existing projects
Transport” adopted in May last year.
reforms and the diversification of its national economy, increas-
formation as we recognize that the future of humanity depends
and programs aimed at practical implementation of commit-
ing its competitiveness and innovative development, as well as
on clean and sustainable energy. I would name the production of
ments arising from the Global Methane Pledge.
Turkmenistan expresses its gratitude to all member states for
increasing the share of the private sector.
hydrogen and solar energy as priorities.
their unanimous support of the document. In the current land-
Considering all this, Turkmenistan has prioritized the task of
scape, the transport sector is swiftly ascending to the forefront,
Currently, in Turkmenistan, special attention is paid to the
This area, which has not yet been fully disclosed, offers great
gradually transitioning towards the implementation and use of
becoming increasingly important as a key area of cooperation
development of the private sector. Today, representatives from
opportunities for foreign investors.
modern environmentally clean and resource-saving technologies,
in the foreign policy of Turkmenistan. Here one should note
the non-state sector produce import-substituting and export-
especially in the fields of energy, industry, and transport. This
the growing role of the European Union in improving transport
oriented goods, and the sustained growth of the national economy
depends on the further activation of this sphere. In this context,
the priority is to further expand the activities of the private
METHANE REDUCTION
grants a wide gateway to the world, especially Europe, which has
the relevant technologies and extensive experience in this field.
connectivity within the region and also between regions. This is
evidenced by the Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport
Connectivity, held in Brussels on 29-30 January 2024. The Forum
sector across all industries.
The government is tasked with more closely interacting with
As a responsible state, Turkmenistan recognizes the need to continue
targeted efforts at both the international and national levels
to ensure further progress in fight against climate change and its
TRANSPORT
highlighted the keen interest of European financial institutions
and companies in actively participating in the implementation of
projects aimed at expanding and developing transport networks
foreign partners, namely financial institutions and foreign com-
impacts. One of its important aspects is our country’s contribu-
Another priority direction in the foreign policy of Turkmenistan is
between the regions.
panies, in order to attract investments, advanced technologies,
tion to international efforts to reduce methane emissions.
sustainable transport. Turkmenistan was the initiator of creating
and innovative solutions to our country. In this regard, European
players are taking the lead.
The transition to greener economies in Turkmenistan, is aligned
with the Global Methane Pledge. Turkmenistan, despite the fact
effective international platforms for dialogue in this critical issue.
We successfully held in Ashgabat the First UN Global Conference
on Sustainable Transport, as well as the International Meeting of
THEMATIC YEARS
Furthermore, Turkmenistan aspires to become a member of
that it is a major player in natural gas production, is striving to
Transport Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries, organ-
Ambassador Palvanov highlighted a remarkable tradition of
the WTO. In this path, Turkmenistan feels the support from the
reduce methane emissions and is actively exploring ways to use
ized in cooperation with the UN.
naming each year, which, through its slogan, outlines the key
European community, namely, at the end of last year, during the
its natural gas resources more sustainably. This is evidenced by
guidelines of national development at a new stage. This tradition
“Global Gateway” Forum in Brussels, the International Trade
the announcement of Turkmenistan at the COP28 about joining
The deliberate efforts of Turkmenistan have been recognized by
helps boost the patriotic spirit and desire of every citizen to be
Centre (ITC) and the European Union (EU) signed an agreement
the Global Methane Initiative.
the adoption by the UN General Assembly of six resolutions in
involved and make a personal contribution to the significant work
to launch a project aimed at supporting the government of
the field of transport, initiated by Turkmenistan in recent years.
carried out in the country.
132 133

y, Magtymguly called upon his listeners to embody heroism,
honour, and vigilance, drawing inspiration from the lives and
experiences of the people around him. His poems cover a broad
range of subjects, including patriotism, heroism, social justice,
love, and friendship, and they are distinguished by their humanistic
ideals and their call to moral and social awakening.
Hungary, England, and Azerbaijan. One of his unique abilities
was the prediction of future events, which is evident in his poetry.
For instance, in one of his poems, he writes: Time arrives, as
siblings each other outscore, (This line conveys the heartache of
brotherly nations being drawn into conflict)
The manuscripts of Magtymguly Pyragy have great significance
for studying history, language and literature of the Turkmen of
the 19th century. Magtymguly could render through his poems
the problems of Turkmen people lived in the 18th-19th centuries
whose ancestors had created great empires.
IRONS IN THE SKY SPREAD WINGS AND SOAR
(While this line prophetically predicts the invention of airplanes,
hinting at mankind’s limitless capacity for innovation).
Turkmen scientists have found and started studying the manuscripts
of Magtymguly in countries such as Russia, Germany,
Photos: Diplomatic World
Following established tradition, the year 2023 has been named
“Happy Youth with Arkadag Serdar” and its official emblem was
adopted. This symbol carries a semantic meaning which reflects
the desire of the Turkmen people, together with the youth, to
follow the course of the government, to work hard for the further
prosperity of the beloved Motherland.
The designation of 2023 as “Happy Youth with Arkadag Serdar”
gave impetus to a more active engagement and involvement of
the youth in the implementation of national programs and foreign
policy initiatives.
The year 2023 culminated with the publication by the President
of Turkmenistan of a book titled “Youth – the pillar of the
Motherland”. This book highlights the achievements of the
young generation of the country at various Olympiads, creative
contests, art festivals and sports competitions, as well as their
successful work in public and private sectors, contributing to the
progressive development of all sectors of the national economy.
Notably, young athletes from Turkmenistan secured a total of
812 medals in international competitions throughout 2023.
Subsequently, the government has approved “Fount of Wisdom
of Magtymguly Pyragy” as Turkmenistan’s official motto for 2024.
The selection was stipulated by the aspiration to link the motto
of 2024 with the name of Magtymguly Pyragy on the occasion of
the 300th anniversary of the celebrated thinker and classic poet
of the East.
Magtymguly Pyragy is celebrated as a seminal figure in Turkmen
literature and Eastern literature at large, revered not only for his
poetic genius but also for his profound philosophical insights and
his role as a cultural and moral educator. His work, deeply rooted
in the traditions, manners, and moral values of the Turkmen
people, serves as a cornerstone for both his contemporaries and
the generations that followed. Magtymguly’s poetry and thoughts
reflect a deep engagement with themes of human dignity, education,
and the cultivation of high moral standards, which he
believed were essential for the development of a virtuous and
harmonious society.
Magtymguly’s influence extends beyond the literary realm; he is
considered a sage and a thinker, whose works are infused with
the wisdom and values central to Turkmen national identity and
spirituality. His creative work, which began at a young age,
includes poems that were widely circulated and cherished
among the Turkmen people, often recited at public gatherings,
weddings, and other community events. Through his poet-
134 135

CHINESE NEW YEAR
RECEPTION OF THE ASSOCIATION
OF CHINESE ENTERPRISES
IN BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG (AECBL)
The Association of Chinese Enterprises in Belgium and
Luxembourg (AECBL) hosted a vibrant Chinese New Year
reception on February 19 at the Tangla Hotel in Brussels. Over
200 guests joined, immersing themselves in Chinese culture
and exploring opportunities for future collaboration.
In his keynote remarks, He Biqing, Chairman of AECBL, remarked
that in 2023, the world experienced turmoil, prolonged
economic stagnation, and frequent geopolitical conflicts.
Nevertheless, as a bridge for China-Belgium economic and
trade cooperation, AECBL has continued to strive to:
1. Strengthen interaction and communication with the trade and
investment authorities of different regions in Belgium, as well as
local chambers such as Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce
(BCECC) and Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC);
2. Explore effective ways to promote bilateral business cooperation;
to follow the legislation of the European Union and Belgium,
helping Chinese companies to better understand the latest legal
and regulatory requirements;
3. Organize meetings with EU officials and Members of the
European Parliament for direct discussions concerning EU
Battery Directive, Digital Market Act, and so on.
Speaking on the findings of the 2023 research report, Chairman
He Biqing highlighted that Chinese enterprises operating in
Belgium have maintained a stable and positive performance, with
sixty percent of surveyed enterprises achieving profits. However,
compared to 2022, the growth in turnover, profit margin and
investment scale have all slowed down. Facing multiple risks and
challenges such as the pandemic impact, the Russia-Ukraine
conflict and inflation, Chinese-invested enterprises have shown
a more cautious attitude. More than half of the enterprises
predict that the profit margin in 2023 remains stable, 60 percent
of enterprises are confident in maintaining their existing market
share and investment scale, and mention that they will increase
business activity in the coming future.
As to the development for the next five years, although 75
percent of enterprises under survey are optimistic (including
“optimistic” and “cautiously optimistic”) about future business
growth, the proportion of those holding a “cautiously optimistic”
attitude has significantly increased compared to the previous
year, most notably the emergence of enterprises holding a pessimistic
outlook (4 percent) for the first time. Most strikingly, the
evaluation of the local business environment by Chinese companies
has reached a historical low. High tax burdens, increasing
labour costs, unfair treatment on the Chinese companies,
regulatory compliance risks, and tense China-EU relations remain
common risks and challenges for enterprises. Over 20 percent of
surveyed companies stated that they have suffered unfair treatment
locally and encountered unfair negative comments from
local media and communities. In 2023, the rating on the business
environment by the surveyed enterprises was only 6.32 points,
reaching its lowest level in history.
136 137

In 2023, China achieved a smooth turn-around in epidemic
As the world’s second-largest economy, the Chinese econo-
prevention and control, navigated the economy to rebound
my enjoys strong resilience, great potential and full vitality. The
and improve, made solid progress in high-quality development,
fundamentals sustaining its long-term growth remain unchanged.
accelerated the formation of new-quality productive forces, and
Facing challenges such as losing steam of world economic
made steady steps on the path to Chinese modernization. The
recovery and intertwining cyclical and structural contradictions
China International Import and Export Fair; the Trade in Services
domestically, China has stayed committed to opening-up. In
Fair; the Consumer Fair and the Supply Chain Expo were held
2023, China witnessed an economic growth of 5.2 percent, and
consecutively. Recently, China has launched a series of major
contributed over 30 percent to world economic growth for more
initiatives to promote the expansion of high-level opening up and
than 10 consecutive years.
high-quality development, and has continued to simplify the procedures
for visas to China and unilaterally exempted a number
Wu Gang reiterated that China is entering a stage of high-quality
of countries from visa requirements, which will surely bring even
development. Scientific and technological innovation is playing
greater benefits to investors and partners from all over the world,
a bigger role as the driver for development. Emerging industries,
including Belgian and European entrepreneurs.
such as new energy vehicles, lithium batteries and solar cells,
have added new momentum to China’s economic growth. China
Looking ahead to 2024, despite the increasingly turbulent inter-
has been pushing forward transition toward green and low-car-
national landscape, Mr Peng Gang mentioned that China and the
bon development, creating great development opportunities in
EU have a responsibility to work together to provide more stabil-
areas like green infrastructure, green energy, green transportation
ity for the world, more impetus for development, and continue to
and green way of living. China remains an important engine for
drive forward the friendly and cooperative relationship between
global growth and will continue to provide strong impetus for the
China and Europe. Hope was expressed that Belgium, as the
sustained development of the world economy.
rotating president of the Council of the European Union, will play
an active role in promoting China-EU cooperation, and provide
The year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of
a fair, impartial and non-discriminatory business environment for
People’s Republic of China. To address the series of major issues
Chinese enterprises in the EU.
and challenges faced by the world, China advocates an equal
and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and
Wu Gang, chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the People’s
inclusive economic globalization. China will unswervingly ad-
Republic of China to the Kingdom of Belgium, observed that
vance opening-up and continue to create favourable conditions
China-Belgium relations showed sound development momentum
for the rest of the world to share in its opportunities. Premier Li
over the past year. Exchanges between businesses of the two
Qiang emphasized at this year’s Davos Forum that China will
countries resumed rapidly, and new outcomes were made in eco-
open its door still wider to the world. China embraces investment
Despite facing various difficulties and challenges, while devel-
mutually beneficial and win-win Chinese-Belgian economic and
nomic and trade cooperation, with statistics showing that from
from businesses of all countries with open arms, and will work
oping themselves, Chinese enterprises continue actively serving
trade cooperation.
January to November 2023, China-Belgium trade totalled USD
tirelessly to foster a market-oriented, law-based and world-class
the local society and fulfil their social responsibilities. Members
39.1 billion. To be more specific, exports from Belgium to China
business environment.
of the AECBL have cumulatively created 1,522 jobs for the local
Mr Peng Gang, Minister of the Mission of the People’s Republic
were USD 8.28 billion, a year-on-year increase of 12.7 percent.
community.
of China to the European Union, reminded that 2023 marked
It is generally accepted in the global business community that
the 20th anniversary of China-EU Comprehensive and Strategic
Cooperation areas continued to expand. Recently, the Chinese
“the next China is still China.” Choosing the Chinese market is
Chairman He Biqing expressed satisfaction about the outcomes
Partnership. After decades of close cooperation, the econo-
government successively announced the lifting of ban on Belgian
choosing the future, which is definitely not a risk, but of immense
of the visit by Prime Minister Alexander de Croo to China in
mies of China and the EU have formed a symbiotic relationship.
beef and pork exports to China. In early February, the first batch
opportunity. The year 2024 is the Year of Loong, not-so-correctly
January 2024. Prime Minister De Croo’s meeting with Chinese
China-EU cooperation has achieved a series of positive results,
of Belgian pork after the lifting of the ban was shipped to China.
translated as dragon. In Chinese culture, Loong symbolizes good
leaders has released signals of frank dialogue, active communi-
and cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, culture,
Witloof chicory and other Belgian agricultural products will soon
fortune, strength and perseverance. The Chinese often refer
cation, and strengthened cooperation. During the dialogue with
science and technology continues to deepen, bringing tangible
appear on the dining tables of the Chinese households. As China
to entrepreneurship as “ 龙 马 精 神 ”(spirit of a winged horse with
Chinese-Belgian businessmen, Prime Minister De Croo stated
benefits to both sides. In 2023, frequent visits were exchanged
and Belgium have further expanded common understandings
loong’s scales), which means to strive for progress and improve-
that Belgium regards China as a close cooperation partner and
by high-level delegations from China and the EU, culminating in
on cooperation in areas like agricultural products, logistics and
ment.
hopes that the business communities of both countries will
December when President Xi Jinping met with European Council
bio-medicine, our future cooperation is promising.
strengthen communication and continuously enhance bilateral
President Charles Michel and European Commission President
China cannot develop without the world, and neither can the
economic and trade relations, jointly creating a better future of
Von der Leyen in Beijing, and Premier Li Qiang co-chaired the
At the beginning of 2024, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De
world without China. Humankind is a community with a shared
mutual benefit and win-win cooperation between Belgium and
24th China-EU Leader’s Summit with the two EU presidents.
Croo paid a successful visit to China – where he met with Presi-
future. China can only do well when the world is doing well.
China.
Since the beginning of this year, President Xi Jinping has held
dent Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang – making him the first Belgian
When China does well, the world becomes even better.
face-to-face or virtual meetings with several European country
Prime Minister to visit China in seven years, and the first European
Chairman He Biqing concluded expressing hope that the relevant
leaders, and Premier Li Qiang visited Switzerland and Ireland last
leader received by the Chinese side in 2024. Both sides sent out
Photos: Diplomatic World
Belgian authorities will create a fair, just, and non-discriminatory
month. This good momentum will undoubtedly provide guidance
the signal for candid dialogues, active exchanges and strength-
business environment for Chinese-invested enterprises, promote
and driving force to China-EU relations.
ened cooperation, bringing bilateral cooperation to a good start.
138 139

THE BELGIAN-CHINESE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (BCECC)
JOYOUSLY WELCOMES
THE CHINESE YEAR
OF THE WOOD DRAGON
On 8 February, the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce
(BCECC) joyously welcomed the start of the Chinese Year of the
Wood Dragon – which in the Chinese zodiac symbolises luck,
strength and health – in the esteemed company of Chinese
Ambassador to Belgium, H.E. Cao Zhongming, and Governor of
the Province of Antwerp, Cathy Berx, accompanied by a special
video message from Belgian Prime Minister H.E. Alexander De
Croo.
Over 280 esteemed guests enjoyed a delightful evening of conviviality
and networking set against the beautiful backdrop of the
Africa Palace in Tervuren, mingling with other high-level officials,
business representatives, academics and members of the press.
Chairman Bernard Dewit underscored the significance of fostering
connections between Belgium and China, as well as Europe
and China. The symbolic importance of Prime Minister De Croo
and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lahbib’s visit signifies a positive
trajectory for bilateral diplomatic relations. Dewit mentioned that
the Chamber, in its role to favour business and trade relations
and helping companies understand each other better, was
honoured to be able to contribute to their visit by preparing a
business delegation and hosting a fruitful business event with the
China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in
Beijing between Belgian and Chinese CEOs.
In his video message, Prime Minister De Croo expressed
gratitude to BCECC for their support during the recent visit. He
emphasized 2024 as an opportune year to cultivate partnerships,
reaffirming the robust ties between Belgium and China. Stressing
the importance of mutual understanding and interpersonal connections
amidst turbulent times, De Croo advocated for resolving
issues through candid dialogue.
Ambassador Cao Zhongming cited resilience in Belgian-Chinese
trade and investment relations, mentioning enhanced cooperation
in logistics, healthcare, and the chemical industry. However,
he cautioned against the pitfalls of “de-risking,” emphasizing the
detrimental impact of protectionist measures on mutual interests.
Governor of Antwerp Province Cathy Berx cautioned against
one-sided and negative portrayals of China, emphasizing the
need for nuanced discussions to address issues like trade
imbalances without undermining fruitful collaborations, such as
the longstanding ties between Antwerp Province and Shaanxi
Province. She expressed gratitude to Ambassador Cao
Zhongming for their effective cooperation during his tenure
in Belgium.
Special thanks were expressed to the sponsors for their contributions
in ensuring the success of the event.: Aprojects, Bank
of China, CCPIT, China Telecom, Cosco Shipping Lines, EU
Reporter, Kweichow Moutai and Hainan Airlines.
Photos: The Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce
and Diplomatic World
140 141

142 143

SYMPOSIUM WITH FORUM DISCUSSION
FROM THE NEW B.U.C. PRACTICAL CHAIR
‘SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY’
WITH THE THEME:
ART, CULTURE AND A SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY
MARK EYSKENS
MINISTER OF STATE OF BELGIUM
& FORMER PRIME MINISTER
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND HUMANITY
Humanity is not finished.
Cooperation, solidarity, the pursuit of justice,
peace and humanity are not virtues produced
by super-intelligent computers
The breakthrough of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is happening at
lightning speed. Thanks to colossal and almost instantaneous
data processing, AI provides knowledge that immensely surpasses
the knowledge-processing ability and speed of humans.
The knowledge of all humanity since the emergence of homo
sapiens increasingly resides in a small device – call it smartphone
or iPhone – carried by more and more earthlings and
accessible at any time. The main task of education, knowledge
transfer, is obsolete. Schools and universities should increasingly
focus on understanding the knowledge available, asking
questions, searching for meaning and the ethical assessment
of what we can do with what we know. AI and ChatGPT are just
the stammering beginnings of the oncoming revolution that is
overpowering the threatened homo sapiens and threatening to
instrumentalise it into a homo digitalis. The development of the
quantum computer, which makes the capacity of computers
almost limitless, will transform AI into “superintelligence”.
The economic and social consequences of this are hardly
foreseeable today but will initially change the functioning of the
labour market in a very significant way. Working hours will be
drastically reduced. Robotised factors of production will become
taxable and citizens will be entitled to a guaranteed minimum
income. In politics and business, decision-making will be profoundly
changed and democracy will have to be profoundly modified.
Above all, “superintelligence” must be prevented from falling
into the hands of malicious individuals, groups of people or
national states. Weapon systems, specifically nuclear, will need
additional security guarantees through international cooperation.
The proliferation of increasingly sophisticated AI also has a direct
cost, namely very significant energy consumption. This may also
have negative effects on environmental conservation efforts.
However, the cost of AI also opens up the possibility for humans
to remain masters of AI use and its development. It would suffice
to turn off the power and pull the plug to prevent derailments.
The development of AI and later superintelligence confronts
humanity with the existential question of “what humans essentially
are”. The pedagogical guidance of AI’s applications obliges
humans to state clearly that even the most sophisticated AI
machine can never become truly human, which does not prevent
AI from being extremely useful to humanity thanks to immeasurable
information and data processing and its rational editing. The
avalanche of upheavals and changes that are pouring over the
current and future generations compel humans to turn all those
changes into real human progress.
This touches an essential ethical dimension that belongs essentially
to being human. Humanity must prevent revolutionary
inventions and discoveries from being used as levers of Darwinian
evolution leading to “the struggle for life and the survival of
the fittest”, which is the struggle for life and death, individual and
collective selfishness, urge to conquest, extreme nationalism and
racism at a time when weapons of mass destruction are spreading
unchecked.
Humanity is not finished. The good human struggles every day
against the instincts of their animal past. Cooperation; solidarity;
the pursuit of justice; peace and humanity are not virtues
produced by super-intelligent computers. Nor the attachment to
selfless love, emotion, imagination and the creation of beauty.
Nor the production of art, with its moving capacity, a reflection of
humans’ creativity and artistry.
No super-intelligent computer will ever succeed in composing
something as transcendent as, for instance, Franz Schubert’s
string quintet D. 956, nor get tears in the eyes listening to it. A
reassuring conclusion.
144 145

146 147

DAZZLING PERFORMANCE
BY THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC
ORCHESTRA
A SPLENDID CONCERT BY THE HONG KONG
PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA OPENED THE
ANNUAL KLARAFESTIVAL – THE BIGGEST
CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL IN BELGIUM –
AT THE ICONIC HENRY LE BOEUF HALL IN
BRUSSELS ON 8 MARCH
For its concert in Brussels, the Hong Kong Philharmonic
Orchestra (HK Phil) wowed the audience with an exquisite
programme featuring one of the masterpieces by Sergei
Rachmaninov: the Variations on a Theme of Paganini, performed
by the French piano prodigy Alexandre Kantorow. In 24 variations,
Rachmaninov relates the famous theme from the last of
Niccolò Paganini’s 24 Caprices for solo violin and pays homage
to the genius of the Italian violinist. The second half of the concert
featured Johannes Brahms’ monumental First Symphony,
a work that was decades in the making and marked the composer’s
entry into the world by symphonic writing. The concert
opened with a new work of Daniel Lo – one of the most active
composers in Hong Kong – commissioned by the orchestra for
the occasion of their 50th anniversary in this season, a scherzo
fantastique brimming with eager and energetic rhythm.
The concert in Brussels formed part of the HK Phil’s 50th anniversary
tour to Singapore and eight cultural capitals across six
European countries in February and March 2024, led by its Music
Director Jaap van Zweden.
Photo: Desmond Chan/HK Phil
Photo: Desmond Chan/HK Phil
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO,
Brussels) was one of the sponsors of the tour to present Hong
Kong music talents to the European audience as part of the
efforts of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region in developing Hong Kong as an international arts and
cultural hub. “The international tour of HK Phil is emblematic of
Hong Kong’s openness to cultures and talents of diverse backgrounds.
Hong Kong is not only a breeding ground for nurturing
local artists, but also an attractive city for international talents to
pursue their dreams,” the Special Representative for Hong Kong
Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley
Yung, said during a networking session after the concert with the
invited guests and musicians of the HK Phil.
The HK Phil is recognised as one of Asia’s foremost classical
orchestras. Presenting more than 150 concerts every season,
often in collaboration with internationally renowned conductors
and soloists, the HK Phil attracts over 200,000 music lovers
annually. In 2019, The HK Phil won the prestigious UK classical
music magazine Gramophone’s 2019 Orchestra of the Year
Award for the orchestra’s live recordings of the complete Ring
Cycle by Richard Wagner on the Naxos label. The Award
“celebrates ensembles that have made significant recorded
contributions in the past year and reflects the excellence of
music-making across the globe”. Gramophone referred to the
HK Phil as “sharper and savvier than its Asian competitors”. It
should be noted that the HK Phil was the first orchestra in Asia to
receive this accolade.
Jaap van Zweden, one of today’s most sought-after conductors,
has been the orchestra’s Music Director since the 2012/13
Season, a position he will hold until the end of the 2023/24
Season, after which he will hold the title of Conductor Laureate.
Under his leadership, the HK Phil has attained new heights of
artistic excellence, receiving international critical acclaim. Recent
recording projects with Jaap van Zweden include notable works
from the repertoire including the Fifth and Ninth Symphonies by
Dmitri Shostakovich and Gustav Mahler’s Tenth Symphony.
The orchestra supports composers from Hong Kong and China
by regularly commissioning compositions and by distributing
their work internationally. The orchestra is also committed to
various educational and social projects, giving thousands of
children and families access to music every year.
148 149

BOB MARLEY
ONE LOVE
The “Bob Marley: One Love” movie premiered in Brussels on
Tuesday, 13 February at the White Cinema Docks in Brussels,
an occasion which was attended by Ambassador of Jamaica
Symone Betton-Nayo along with other high-level officials,
personalities from media & culture, and reggae fans. The movie
celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations
through his message of love and unity. It is a celebration of the
heartbeat of Jamaica’s culture – reggae music.
Prior to the screening, Ambassador Betton-Nayo addressed the
audience, noting that “it is indeed a momentous occasion for
Jamaica and for Bob Marley’s fans across the world. Bob
Marley’s was a global figure in popular culture, who played an
instrumental role in the internationalization of Jamaican music
and culture. His ability to connect with people through his music,
transcending cultural, linguistic and geographical boundaries,
has made him a symbol of unity. He was not only a prolific writer
of music, and a talented performer, but an inspiring messenger.”
“His music was not only a vector for the global transmission of
the reggae, ska and rocksteady genres of Jamaican music, and
of Jamaican culture but, importantly, his music was a vector for
the diffusion of his inspirational messages of hope and peace.
Many of his anthemic compositions, such as “One Love”, “Get
Up Stand Up”, “Redemption Song,” remain relevant today as
we reflect on current global realities.”
“As we celebrate the premiere of this film, during the month of
February, which has been declared Reggae Month, it is most apt
to reiterate the views of the Most Honourable Andrew Holness,
Prime Minister of Jamaica, when he called on us to reflect on the
enduring impact of Bob Marley’s work, recognizing the importance
of his contribution to global conversations on peace, love,
and social change. The Prime Minister also expressed hope that
this cinematic tribute would bring Bob Marley to a new generation,
ensuring that his messages of hope, peace and justice
continue to inspire and resonate with us all for years to come”,
Ambassador Betton-Nayo concluded.
Discover Bob’s powerful story of overcoming adversity and the
journey behind his revolutionary music: www.onelovemovie.com
Photos: AyinPhoto.com: Apostle
150 151

HIGH-LEVEL CONFERENCE
HIGHLIGHTS PROGRESS AND
URGES FURTHER ACTION
TO END FINANCIAL DISCRIMINATION
AGAINST CANCER SURVIVORS
ACROSS THE EU
Discrimination against cancer survivors continues to hinder their
reintegration into society once cured, primarily due to the financial
barriers they are confronted with as a result of their medical
history. The High-Level Conference on Ending Discrimination
Against Cancer Survivors convened in Brussels on February 15
to address this pressing issue, marks a pivotal moment in the
quest for equitable care and support for survivors.
At the heart of the discussion lies the imperative need for the
“right to be forgotten”, a crucial policy principle which ensures
that survivors’ financial situation is considered based on their
current health status rather than past medical history. This is a
significant step forward in recognising that survivors deserve a
fresh start after battling the life-altering disease that is cancer.
The right to be forgotten is of particular importance for individuals
who suffered from cancer as children or young adults as they
constitute the target population likely to seek financial services.
As of 2024, eight EU Member States have enacted binding legal
measures to combat financial discrimination against cancer
survivors. France initiated this movement by passing the Right to
be Forgotten law in January 2016, followed by Belgium in April
2019. Since then, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain,
Cyprus, and Italy, have joined this endeavour.
Yet, despite these strides, the road to end financial discrimination
for all EU citizens is still paved with challenges. The High-Level
Conference on Ending Discrimination Against Cancer Survivors
convened European and national stakeholders in a resolute
demonstration of collective commitment to combating financial
discrimination. Organised under the auspices of the Belgian
Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the conference
aimed to address the financial hurdles cancer survivors face
post-recovery.
ONE UNIFIED MESSAGE: PROTECTING ALL
CANCER SURVIVORS
Harmonised EU legal framework: Stakeholders emphasised the
need for a harmonised legal framework at the European level to
protect survivors’ financial rights throughout the EU. As such,
stakeholders called upon European policymakers to prioritise
the creation of such an EU-wide legal framework in the next
legislative cycle, drawing from the successful experiences of
Member States with existing legislation. Several Member States
have identified a period of five years after the end of oncological
treatment and in the absence of relapse as the suitable period
after the right to be forgotten should apply.
Supporting Implementation Network: Acknowledging the time
required to establish an EU-wide legislation, stakeholders proposed
the creation of a supporting network of Member States to
ease the implementation. This network, led by a group of Members
of the European Parliament dedicated to the cause, would
enable the sharing of best practices and support the adoption
of national legislation in Member States where none currently
exists.
The resounding voices of determination echoing from the
High-Level Conference on Ending Discrimination Against Cancer
Survivors underscore a collective pledge to protect cancer
survivors against financial discrimination, strengthen European
solidarity and prepare for a future free from discrimination against
cancer survivors.
152 153

KEY QUOTES FROM THE CONFERENCE
DR FRANÇOISE MEUNIER, FOUNDER OF THE
EUROPEAN INITIATIVE ON ENDING DISCRIMINA-
TION AGAINST CANCER SURVIVORS:
FRANK VANDENBROUCKE, BELGIAN MINISTER
OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS:
“The good news is that cancer survival rates have increased
dramatically and are expected to continue to increase. That
“I highlight the importance of the Europe’s Beating Cancer plan
and the importance of continuing its implementation under the
term of the next Commission. The Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan
is not only about cancer. Cancer is an area where many innovative
policies are being initiated and tested before being rolled
out in other disease areas. Cancer policies can pave the way for
a difference to people across Europe. Since the adoption of our
Plan in 2021, we have witnessed a lot of movement towards the
adoption of legislative and policy measures on the right to be
forgotten at EU and national level. I am delighted to see that the
inclusion of this topic in the Cancer Plan has been a catalyst for
change.”
“We have to face that one European in three will contract cancer
is something to celebrate, of course. But we are here today
other non-communicable diseases. This is true for treatment, but
in their lifetime. Five European citizens receive a cancer diag-
because, even after surviving, people still face challenges, often
also for prevention and certainly for the right to be forgotten”.
“In 2022, we launched an EU-wide process to address the right
nosis every minute. Thanks to the progress of medicine, cancer
due to suboptimal cooperation between health and social care
to be forgotten, with the publication of a study analysing policies
is no longer a guaranteed death sentence. Yet, cancer still has
a tremendous impact on the body and the mind of patients and
affects the resilience of families”.
systems and employers. Financial discrimination when seeking
mortgages, loans and insurance is one concrete example.”
“To address this issue the Belgian parliament introduced the
STELLA KYRIAKIDES, EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER
FOR HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY:
and legislation on cancer survivors’ access to finance at EU and
Member State level. The study showed that the right to be forgotten
is on policymakers’ radar, but also, that much more could
be done.”
“Considering the terrible impact the disease takes on patients,
“right to be forgotten” in 2019. This protection mechanism makes
“20 million Europeans have recovered from cancer. Many have
they should not have to keep suffering after they’ve finally
it possible for persons who have recovered from cancer or from
already experienced considerable medical, psychological, and
“Last year, patient, consumer, healthcare professional and
overcome this ordeal. They should be able to forget and resume
certain chronic disease to facilitate access to certain insurances
financial challenges in their journey. The present reality is that un-
financial service representatives begun discussing an EU code of
the activities that they were forced to put aside throughout their
for a mortgage or professional credit. In doing so, Belgium was
fortunately many people diagnosed with cancer find themselves
conduct on fair access to financial services for cancer survivors.
treatments and until they recovered. They should be able to
the second country in the European Union – following France
facing the stress of financial discrimination for many years after
This Code will represent another important step towards ensur-
realise their aspirations, whether personal or professional. They
– to provide this kind of protection to cancer survivors. Once
their treatment has ended”.
ing fair access to financial services to survivors across the EU.
should not be constantly reminded and discriminated against
cured, patients should not have to suffer twice. This is not about
Remember, more than half of the EU Member States still have no
when seeking employment, adopting, or seeking insurance or a loan”.
compassion, it is about scientific evidence: if doctors speak of
“Three years ago, we launched one of the most ambitious and
dedicated legislation or policy in this area. The Code of Conduct
complete recovery, why should a financial institution discriminate
comprehensive Cancer Plan currently existing – Europe’s Beating
would be a first step at EU level to change this.”
“All EU cancer survivors deserve to be protected from financial
against them?”
Cancer Plan. Since then, it has cemented its place as pillar of
discrimination, no matter their nationalities or their country of
a people-centred strong European Health Union. Backed with
Photos: Dr Françoise Meunier
residence”.
unprecedented EU investment, its concrete initiatives are making
154 155

PHILIPPE DEHENNIN
PRESIDENT,
BELGIAN HISTORIC
VEHICLE ASSOCIATION (BEHVA)
By preserving the legacy of historic vehicles,
we acknowledge their profound impact
on the development of modern society
CONSERVATION IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY
IMPORTANT IN PRESERVING HERITAGE FOR
GENERATIONS TO COME. BELGIUM IS HOME TO
MANY HISTORIC VEHICLE CLUBS. CAN YOU TELL
US MORE ABOUT HOW YOU MEET YOUR ROLE
AS AN ASSOCIATION?
The motor vehicle has revolutionised our world, bringing enormous
progress to individual freedom of people and transportation
of goods. Uniting more than 500 historic vehicle clubs
across Belgium, BEHVA’s role is about inspiring generations to
cherish and preserve automotive legacy. Digging deep into the
history, the technology, and the enduring significance of heritage
cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, tractors, military vehicles. Explaining
their origins, the technical state of the art at their period,
and their impact on society. Enabling their preservation and their
use on today’s and tomorrow’s roads. Celebrating them while
promoting the importance of using them responsibly.
IS BEHVA CONNECTED TO ANY INTERNATIONAL
ORGANISATION THAT UNITES NATIONAL
INTERESTS?
We have recently joined an archive working committee at the
King Baudouin Foundation to protect and promote vehicle
Photo: Autoworld
archives under threat of being lost or destroyed, in particular
those related to extinct Belgian car and motorcycle makers.
BEHVA is a member of the Fédération Internationale des
Véhicules Anciens, FIVA, active in over 80 countries. Since
Mostly, we work to ensure legislators will support legislation
1966 FIVA connects national associations, and helps develop
which is favourable for historic vehicle upkeep and use. To this,
and guide the historic vehicle movement across the globe.
we monitor and assess regulatory developments at local, regional,
federal, and EU level, and maintain an ongoing dialogue with
Since 2017, FIVA has been a partner of UNESCO with consulta-
policy makers.
tive status, representing world motoring heritage and related
culture. Within FIVA, BEHVA has delegates in two core teams: the
Culture & Youth Commission, and the Legislative Commission.
BEHVA participates as well in the International Historical
HOW DO YOU ACTUALLY DEFINE A “HISTORIC”
VEHICLE?
Commission of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile,
A historic vehicle is defined by FIVA, and accordingly by BEHVA,
FIA.
as a mechanically driven road vehicle that is at least 30 years old,
preserved as it was presented by its creator, maintained in a his-
WHAT ARE BEHVA’S MAIN ACTIVITIES?
torically correct condition, not used as a means of daily transport
and therefore a part of our world’s technical and cultural heritage.
With a view to furthering the preservation and promotion of
Most historic vehicles carry extensive documentation about
historic vehicles, we support our Member Clubs with a toolbox
their history – ownership, maintenance and repair, restoration,
as well as advice regarding specific challenges facing their
prestigious recognitions – where the rarest and best preserved
operation as a club and the historic vehicle movement in general.
appear mainly in museums and collections. At the heart of the
We provide club insurance coverage and sell vehicle insurance.
historic vehicle definition lies the Turin Charter of 2012, a metic-
We answer every question placed on historic vehicles with regard
ulously crafted document that compares with UNESCO’s Venice
to acquisition and use: provenance, import formalities, owner-
Charter, the Barcelona Charter dedicated to Historic Ships or
ship transfer, registration, taxation, inspection and low-emission
the Riga Charter focused on Historic Rail Vehicles.
zones. We are present at all major meets and events.
Photo: Autoworld
156 157

Photo: Autoworld
Germany. You could have bought an iconic 1972 Honda CB 750
shops and garages based on the principles of reusing, reworking,
«Seven Fifty» motorcycle for little more than EUR 10,000 at the
and repairing parts, using less energy and reducing waste.
February motorcycle show in Wieze, Belgium. A top condition
1965 Ford Mustang Coupé can be had for less than EUR 50,000,
where many collector cars are available in the EUR 25,000 –
75,000 price range.
Bear in mind that the market goes up and down, and that you
cannot bank on a specific model dramatically increasing in value.
WITH THE GREEN AGENDA A KEY PRIORITY
OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, SHOULD
ENTHUSIASTS CONVERT THEIR HISTORIC
VEHICLES TO ELECTRIC?
Talk to a professional or a club member, use a good appraisal
Historic vehicles can be converted to electric with modern
source, buy what you can afford to purchase and maintain, and
EV technology. The concept of transforming fossil-fuel vehicles
– most important – buy what you like. Take good care of it, drive
into electric vehicles has existed for years and is commonplace
it sparingly to protect its value, and that will keep you happy for
in countries like France and Germany, where legislation was
years.
introduced a long time ago.
Photo: Autoworld
WHY ARE HISTORIC VEHICLES IMPORTANT?
they broaden your outlook, bring people together, provide education,
support skills and craftsmanship, and above everything,
HOW DO YOU PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY IN THE
OWNERSHIP AND USE OF HISTORIC VEHICLES?
The preservation of classic aesthetics, coupled with modern
electric capabilities may well provide an attractive blend of timeless
design and eco-friendly innovation, but this costs at least
EUR 25,000 for the cheapest vehicle. Also, true lovers of historic
Their role transcends their material content. They connect us
open the door to massive amounts of pleasure.
We enable an ongoing sustainable process of transforming what
motoring may not be enthusiastic about converting because they
to the very essence of our shared human history. By preserving
would otherwise be treated as obsolete artefacts into heritage
feel everything about their vehicle should remain original,
their legacy, we acknowledge their profound impact on the
development of modern society. We pay homage to the talent
of the best designers and engineers.
CAN YOU GIVE US A SENSE OF THE COST OF
A HISTORIC VEHICLE?
goods. Where historic vehicles can only be zero carbon when
conserved statically, we support every considerate road use that
contributes to preservation. Notwithstanding low annual distances
driven – 1,200 kilometres per year per vehicle on average, we
in accordance with the definition of FIVA.
Then, conversions may fail to achieve their main goal of cutting
CO2, as emissions of battery production create a «carbon debt»
We ensure that they continue to inspire generations, bridging
You can grab a slice of history and experience the thrill of owning
want to be prioritised with supply of tomorrow’s carbon-neutral
that might not be paid off within decades of low mileage through
the past with the future in an unbroken momentum. Driving
and driving a classic vehicle for as little as EUR 10,000. But
synthetic fuels.
limited use. Finally, historic vehicles have by definition a longer
them – which contributes to their preservation – feeds back into
you can also spend as much as several million on the high-net-
useful lifespan than modern vehicles, likely outlasting the life
significant economic activity for professionals, event organizers,
worth side of the market. An enthusiast recently purchased a
Until then and to minimise carbon footprint, owners can, if they
of the battery, so a replacement battery may be required, yet
auction houses, hotels and food service, not to forget media. But
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe for EUR 142
want, buy carbon neutrality through existing offers of carbon
another large carbon footprint.
then there is far more to historic vehicles than driving:
million at an auction at the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart,
credits. Sustainability goals are effectively endorsed in work-
158 159

Photo: Autoworld
HOW DOES HISTORIC MOTORING FIT LOW
EMISSION ZONES?
A consensus among major cities in Europe has formed over the
past ten years that polluting vehicles should be reduced in city
centres. With very low historic vehicle movements and mileage,
eighty percent of which is outside cities, most low emission
zones in Europe treat historic vehicles very appropriately and
exempt them from use restrictions. BEHVA urges two exceptions,
Antwerp and Ghent, to reconcile their policy for decarbonisation
with the need for residents to leave and re-enter their home town
with their historic vehicle.
Photo: Diplomatic World
IS THERE A CONCERN THAT REGULATORY AND
TECHNOLOGICAL CHANCE MAY IN THE FUTURE
PREVENT THE USE OF HISTORIC VEHICLES?
Owners of historic vehicles cannot preserve our motoring heritage,
passing that on to the next generation, without recognition
by regulators and legislators for the effort they put in preserving
this heritage. FIVA – and FIA – at the international level, BEHVA
for Belgium, devote continued attention to ensuring regulatory
and practical solutions can be found to guarantee historic vehicles
remain on our roads in the care of respectful owners
and knowledgeable professionals.
WHY ARE BELGIANS SO FOND OF HISTORIC
VEHICLES?
Belgium has an unusually proud motor heritage. Before World
War I, our country was the world’s greatest car and motorcycle
producer, counting 200 different manufacturers. The most iconic
vehicles from these brands are on display at the Autoworld
Museum in Brussels.
Many Belgians or their ancestors are somehow connected to
the inventors, the engineers, the craftsmen, the designers, the
production plants, the race tracks, the race car drivers or the
racing teams whose names shine a light on their passion. Yes,
car and motorcycle appreciation is ingrained in our culture. It
also cuts across class. Then, we are epicureans who enjoy these
objects like we do good food or art without giving up on our
social awareness. We have a great network of clubs and trusted
professionals.
And finally, we have among the nicest historic event calendars
in Europe with shows, festivals, swapmeets, autojumbles, club
meetings, “Cars and Coffee” Sundays, auctions, road book tours
and track events, to name a few. Feel welcome to participate
as a visitor, as a spectator, as a buyer or a seller, dust off your
driving gloves if you come with a car or a motorcycle or even a
vintage van or lorry…and share in the excitement!
ARE YOU CONFIDENT ABOUT THE FUTURE?
Future regulations are inevitably uncertain. But I am not worried.
An average historic vehicle’s annual emissions is comparable to
50 percent of a cellular mobile connection of which 11.5 million
exist in Belgium (versus 250,000 historic vehicles, half of which
are static). Those on the road have the same annual carbon footprint
as drinking 3 cups of coffee every day. Finally, you cannot
dispossess people of their culture. I know of no lawmaker who
wants to cripple a rolling museum.
Photo: Autoworld
Photo: Diplomatic World
160 161

ASSOCIATION CARITATIVE
DES DIPLOMATES ET CONSULS
ORDRE DE SAINT-GABRIEL – BENELUX
Dubbing ceremony of the Knights
of the Order of Saint-Gabriel – Benelux
Cercle Royal Gaulois Artistique et Littéraire
162 163

On 9 November 2023, the 12th Gala evening of the Order of
Saint-Gabriel - Benelux took place in the salons of the Cercle
Royal Gaulois. It was preceded by a ceremony for the knighting
of new Knights and Lady of Honour.
Ladies Yvonne EGBE; Ambassador Bénédicte HERRY-BERG;
Kaltoum NEBBOU; Diplomat and Secretary General of the
Diplomatic Club of Belgium, Chantale PAUWELS; and Margaret
RUSSELL; as well as Mr Vincent DASCOTTE; Pierre LE PLAS
and André VANDERCAM came to complete the circle which was
already enlarged during the dubbing evening of 27 April 2023.
Among the personalities present were Her Excellency Mrs Saja
MAJALI, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Jordan; Mrs Maxime
MORREN, Attaché to the Permanent Representation of Belgium
to the European Union; Mrs Monique DE DECKER, Honorary
Consul of Sri Lanka and President of the Belgian Consular Union
and Mr. Thierry DUMOULIN, Honorary Consul of Chile and
Vice-President of the Belgian Consular Union.
Mr. Jean DRAGONETTI, Knight of the Order of Saint-Gabriel near
the Grand Magister, also gave us the pleasure of his visit.
A raffle was organized for the benefit of the Compagnie de l’oeil
rouge, whose main objective is to support adolescents and
young adults with disabilities in their wish to perform on stage,
with the target audience being elderly people.
These stage activities promote social inclusion and help to
restore a form of autonomy to elderly people by allowing them
to rediscover their emotions and use their memory. Prestigious
prizes were offered: wine, lithographs and certified paintings, etc.
The first prize was a stay at the Abbey of Septfontaines.
Nearly 120 guests could enjoy a sumptuous meal prepared by
the teams of the Cercle Royal Gaulois, located in the Parc de
Bruxelles.
Resulting from the union of the Cercle Artistique et Littéraire,
founded in Brussels in 1847 by leading figures such as the
astronomer Adolphe Quételet, and the Cercle de la Toison
d’Or, created in 1911 by a group of intellectuals, whose lawyer
Edouard Huysmans, it took the name Cercle Gaulois in 1919,
became “Royal” in 1937 and was renamed Cercle Royal Gaulois
Artistique et Littéraire in 1951.
Created in 2010 in Belgium, the Order of Saint Gabriel is a secular
order of chivalry, modelled on medieval orders, but having the
same charitable objectives as their illustrious predecessors. It is
made up not only of diplomats and honorary consuls, but also
of representatives of civil society such as university professors,
artists or senior civil servants active in charitable actions, through
one-off actions.
Established as a non-profit organization since 2015, the Order of
Saint-Gabriel – Benelux primarily focuses its charitable actions in
favour of projects in this territory.
164 165

and long-term framework agreements with businesses, MEPs
and political groups of the EU Parliament, embassies and broadcasters.
the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); the US
Food and Drug Administration (USFDA); numerous pharmaceutical
companies and law firms.
And our most important clients include the Chancelleries of
Belgian and Luxembourgish Prime Ministers; the European
External Action Service (EEAS); Renew Europe and ECR political
groups at the European Parliament; private businesses like
“Besix”, “Sabena Engineering”, “Fieldfisher” or “McDonalds”;
One of our recent biggest achievements was the award of
interpretation services provision for the Paris 2024 Olympics. We
were one of the few Language Service Providers to have been
awarded the contract and I am proud of our teamwork for having
achieved that.
DAVID BABAEV
CEO AND FOUNDER,
HENALEX CONFERENCE SERVICES
“Henalex” (www.henalex.com) is a fast-growing Belgian
Language Service Provider and its activities include conference
interpretation, translation, localization, subtitling, voice-over
and other language-based solutions.
In this interview David Babaev, CEO and Founder of this flourishing
family business explains to the Diplomatic World readership
what it takes to operate in highly competitive European translation
and conference interpretation markets and what techniques
“Henalex” uses to attract new customers and keep existing ones.
to Strasbourg where I worked at the Council of Europe and
the European Court of Human Rights. Two years ago I started
working for different UN-system organizations namely the World
Health Organization, the International Labour Office, the World
Meteorological Organization, the International Telecommunication
Union and the International Organization for Migration.
AND WHAT EXACTLY HENALEX CONFERENCE
SERVICES PROPOSES TO ITS CLIENTS – AND
WHO ARE YOUR CLIENTS?
DAVID, TELL US HOW IT HAS ALL STARTED.
WHEN, WHERE AND BY WHOM?
After having graduated from high schools both in Russia and the
United States, I moved to Belgium to study translation and interpretation
at the University of Mons, which has a remarkable reputation
since a lot of UMons alumni work as staff and freelance
translators and interpreters for different UN-system agencies in
New York, Geneva, Vienna, Bangkok, and Nairobi.
In 2009, after having obtained 2 Master’s Degrees I was recruited
by three different Belgian universities to teach translation and
conference interpretation and in parallel I entered the freelance
market as English–French–Russian interpreter and translator.
Pretty fast my client portfolio became so big, that I could not
manage all the requests by myself, and I have started to hire
colleagues for assignments first in the same language combination
and later I moved to other languages.
As long as my personal interpretation career is concerned,
I launched my freelance activity in Brussels, afterwards I moved
Anything and everything they would need for their multilingual
meetings, congresses, presentations, confidential negotiations,
official and state visits, press-conferences, inspections, you
name it. Meaning that we not only put together the interpretation
teams, but we also take care all the technical aspects if needed:
audio and video equipment, providing technicians and sound
engineers, assembly and disassembly as well as the delivery.
Our interpreters cover numerous specialization areas: international
relations, defence and security, including cybersecurity,
finance and economy, healthcare and pharma, heavy industry
and environment, television and sports etc.
All our interpreters are either accredited with the EU, the Council
of Europe or different UN-system organizations or are members
of AIIC (International Association of Conference Interpreters) or
CBTI (Belgian Chamber of Translators and Interpreters).
The most important thing for us is to get the client back for a
second, third etc. assignment and the only way to keep the
client is to make him or her happy. We also have some mid
166 167

WHAT SPECIALIZATION AND GEOGRAPHIC AREAS
DO YOU COVER?
DO YOU ALSO TRANSLATE WRITTEN
DOCUMENTS?
As long as the COVID-19 pandemic is concerned, I can only say
that it was a huge boost for our business. Our customers who
could not organize in-person meetings any longer needed a reli-
just like the one used by Zoom. Thanks to this quick reaction we
have doubled our turnover in 2020 and tripled it in 2021 taking
into account 2019 as a baseline. Of course, Zoom is by far the
We accompany our clients all over the world. Our recent assign-
Of course. Almost everything that I have just said about interpre-
able interpretation solution. In consequence in partnership with
most popular interpretation-featured platform, and we use it on
ments gave us an opportunity to travel from Kazakhstan through
tation services can be used for translation and website localiza-
two other LSPs we have developed our proper on-line platform
weekly basis for the majority of our customers. But those clients
Zambia to California. I have just returned from an interpretation
tion services. We use a team of professional translators and if
called Audix-RSI – which is basically a virtual interpretation booth
who have issues with privacy prefer using our proper solution.
assignment in Panama. A few months ago we had the opportu-
needed editors and proofreaders to make sure that the customer
nity to be a translation and interpretation partner of the Eastern
gets the translation as precise as it can be.
Partnership Civil Society Forum’s Annual Assembly – a great
opportunity to help the civil society activists from the Eastern
Quality assurance and quality control are of key importance for
Partnership countries and stakeholders from the EU Institutions
us. Our linguists are certified specialists in their respective fields,
and Member States to better communicate.
well-versed in the proper terminology and adept at carrying out
the necessary research for high-quality documents. Here I need
We have a wide roster of interpreters living on all six continents,
to note that we use the latest tools to ensure all technical term
so generally we do not need to bring the colleagues in, and we
translation conforms to client’s expected technical terminolo-
hire them locally. Answering to your question about our speciali-
gy and glossaries and we can create them for our customers
zation fields: as I have previously stated the range is wide. If you
as well. Thanks to these tools we can quickly process huge
ask me what are my favourite ones, I would rather say that the
volumes.
list is long. I will try to shorten it to a top-3.
Our most recent projects include translation of technical docu-
Firstly, official and state visits. When you are interpreting conver-
ments for big US aviation companies, a number of Belgian
sations of the world leaders would be it face to face, in the booth
ministries and international law firms based in Geneva and
or over the phone there is always an element of suspense or
New York. This work is highly confidential, and I apologize for not
unpredictability since Kings, Presidents and Prime Ministers are
being able to go into details on this subject, but I can guarantee
human beings like you and I and they also talk about everyday
that these assignments are as interesting as the interpreting
life and you can never predict what kind of challenges you will
missions.
have to face while interpreting them. Not only do you have to
understand the context as well as the sensitivity of questions
We also have a specialized department which covers what we
which are being discussed, but most importantly the cultural
call in Belgium sworn, court or certified translation. This are of
differences between the interlocutors. That being said, we have
work includes translations of driver’s licenses, municipality doc-
to be 100 percent accurate in our job. This is the reason why we
uments, bank statements, rental or lease contracts, prenuptial
have to always put aside our own personality and be as neutral
agreements etc.
as possible.
Secondly, medical and pharma interpreting. This profession
makes us learn on an everyday basis. Preparing technical medical
and pharma conferences and audits is a lot of fun: sometimes
we must read hundreds of pages of technical documents to pre-
HOW HAVE RECENT GLOBAL EVENTS – FROM THE
PANDEMIC TO THE WARS IN UKRAINE AND THE
MIDDLE EAST – IMPACTED YOUR ACTIVITIES?
pare a one-hour meeting. What I also like about pharma is that
As strange as it might sound these crises gave an additional
you get to visit different manufacturing sites and see production
spark to our activities. Do not get me wrong, wars are bad. Sol-
processes in-vivo.
diers and civilians die, and human suffering is incommensurable.
Wars make people move other places where they need assis-
And finally, I would go for sports in general and football in par-
tance if they do not speak the language of the host country. And
ticular. The general public is probably not aware of the fact that
here is the place where Language Service Providers (LSPs) can
sports is a huge market for conference interpreters. FIFA, UEFA,
play a key role to help refugees and migrants to adapt to their
UCI, UIPM, FIBA, IOC, football clubs and national teams regularly
new realities.
use interpreters for their congresses, trainings, press conferences
and other activities. These experiences are unique especially
Our turnover in Arabic, Ukrainian and Russian has been multi-
if you a love sports, which is my case. After having completed
plied by 10 since the beginning of the two wars. Our company
more than 300 assignments in this area, I must admit that it is al-
cannot control politics, we can only support those who need
ways a privilege to work for people like Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsène
our assistance. In this framework I can also say that whenever
Wenger, Didier Deschamps or David Beckham.
possible we try to provide free services for those who cannot be
immediately supported by different state assistance programs.
Photo: Istock
168 169

NOTHING SPEAKS
FOR THE MIDDLE CORRIDOR
EXCEPT RESILIENCE?
Heinrich Kerstgens
Corporate Representative, Director Board Projects,
Rhenus Group
The new geopolitical situation has drawn attention to the Middle
Corridor – and not just among experts. Yet the Middle Corridor
is complex, suffers from a lack of capacity and would actually be
completely unnecessary, were it not for the necessary resilience
of the transport chains.
Unlike the Northern and Southern Corridors, the Middle Corridor
is a multimodal route, as the goods have to change transport
modes several times on their journey in order to cross the
Caspian Sea or the Black Sea. On the other two corridors,
there is usually only one selected mode of transport – truck,
train or ship.
WHAT IS THE MIDDLE CORRIDOR?
The Middle Corridor or Trans-Caspian Route is the shortest route
between China and Europe. From east to west, this route leads
from China through Central Asia, across the Caspian Sea, into
the South Caucasus and then either through Turkey or across the
Black Sea on towards Europe. The distances involved are enormous
and it is easy to be misled. The Kazakh metropolis
of Almaty is almost equidistant between Peking and Berlin.
If we look at the Eurasia region, two strategies collide here. On
the one hand there is China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI) in
the form of a “New Silk Road”, with which the Chinese government
is pursuing the foreign policy concept of integrating the
economic areas of Asia (with China at the centre), Europe and
Africa. On the other, there is the European Union’s Global
Gateway Initiative, which aims to achieve sustainable and
reliable connections for greater competitiveness and stable
supply chains, among other things. Breaking this down into
Trans-European Transport Network TEN-T core Network Corridors
the three corridors, this means that the governments of the
countries concerned ultimately have to decide whether they
want to build infrastructure with European partners and finances,
or with Chinese partners and finances. Both initiatives lack a
consistent strategy similar to Europe’s Trans-European Networks
for Transport (TEN-T).
October 2023, the Chinese government for the first time officially
expressed an interest in the development of the Middle Corridor.
Since the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine,
the interests of China and the EU in developing the Middle Corridor
are not the same – Europe’s main interest in developing it is
obviously because it bypasses Russia.
Map New-Silkroads
Rather, it seems to be the case that projects are initiated and
implemented on an opportunity-driven basis, although it must
be noted that the construction of the northern route almost
15 years ago was an unprecedented feat of strength by the
governments involved. As far as the development of the Middle
Corridor is concerned, the interest of both Chinese and European
governments could drive the improvement of infrastructure and
the facilitation of shipping traffic. At the Chinese BRI summit in
On the Middle Corridor, the various projects and interests have
been supported since 2013 by the Coordination Committee for
the Development of the Trans-Caspian International Route (TITR),
in order to facilitate the smooth transport of goods and containers
between Asia and Europe. Here, too, there is a lack of closer
European involvement with a clear strategy for the expansion of
transport and transhipment capacities.
170 171

IMPORTANCE OF THE MIDDLE CORRIDOR
Transport volumes on the Middle Corridor have been rising
sharply for a number of years, although the level of take-off
is very low. If one only compares container traffic on all three
corridors over the last three years, then last year’s increase of
more than 80 percent to around 60,000 TEU is very impressive
– especially when one considers that the transport volume on
the northern corridor has “only” increased by 27 percent to 2.9
million TEU.
Transport on the southern corridor by ocean-going vessels fell
by 1.1 percent in the same period, but at 21.7 million TEU it was
of a completely different order of magnitude. To put it bluntly,
the Middle Corridor currently only accounts for a meagre 0.25
percent of transport between Europe and the Far East, whereas
almost 92 percent of goods are transported by sea. In theory,
the Middle Corridor offers a shorter transit time and much lower
greenhouse gas emissions than the sea route, but is unfortunately
still three to five times more expensive if you compare
only the pure transport rates. From a door-to-door perspective,
transport from western China to South-East Europe can already
be cheaper today.
Shares of transport Corridors 2023 Europe Far East
SO WHY ARE WE USING THE MIDDLE CORRIDOR
AND WHY HAS SO MUCH BEEN SAID AND WRIT-
TEN ABOUT THIS ROUTE AS PART OF THE NEW
SILK ROAD IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF?
The geopolitical developments of the last two years are very
important. These have clearly demonstrated to us that global
trade, especially trade between Europe, Central Asia and China,
requires efficient and reliable transport links. The powerful economies
of Europe and China need this route, which runs south of
Russia and north of Iran, as a “first-aid kit” in order to be able
to carry out the most important transport operations alongside
the air freight option in an emergency, and thus maintain a
minimum supply. Interrupted supply chains cause problems in
the economies involved. Following the problems caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic, the container ship “Ever Given” showed us
how fragile our supply chains are when it blocked the Suez Canal
in March 2021.
Today, we find that the Houthi militia can force detours via the
Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) by firing on merchant ships
in the Red Sea, which leads to a significant increase in transport
times and higher costs. The Middle Corridor can therefore contribute
to a certain resilience of global transport chains.
But it is not just the transit between China and Europe that is
now focusing more attention on the Middle Corridor. For the
Central Asian countries through which it runs, the Middle Corridor
is also an important rail and road link. With the economic
upturn in the countries of Central Asia, interest in efficient routes
is growing.
These routes can connect Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan
with each other and with Europe. The market of more than 96
million people, the majority young and well-educated, and with
a combined GDP of EUR 588 billion is in itself an interesting and
important market. According to Eurostat, trade between the EU
and Central Asia has increased by 75 percent in the last four
years.
For the European industrialised nations, a close partnership and
exchange of goods with the countries of the South Caucasus
and Central Asia is a great opportunity to further diversify existing
economic relations. This also contributes to the resilience of
the economies involved.
Not to be forgotten is the European Union’s decision that in the
future, not more than 65 percent of the Union’s annual consumption
of each strategic raw material at any relevant stage of processing
should be supplied from a single third country. Initially,
this is to apply to a list of 17 so-called strategic raw materials,
such as lithium, cobalt and silicon. Later, a total of 34 raw materials
are to be categorised as critical.
This opens up completely new prospects for the countries of
Central Asia, as the EU’s strategy of diversifying its raw material
procurement with the aim of increasing resilience means that the
countries of Central Asia will be increasingly integrated into the
EU’s supply chains and their products will be in demand.
German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier observes the container transport in the Caspian port of Kuryk in Kazakhstan
THE FUTURE OF THE MIDDLE CORRIDOR
regional volume will be transported across the Caspian Sea by
2040 at the latest. The ports on the eastern side in Kazakhstan
In June 2023, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(EBRD) published the study “Sustainable transport
can therefore expect to handle and transport 1.1 million TEU by
and Turkmenistan, as well as the port of Baku in Alat in Azerbaijan,
connections between Europe and Central Asia”, which takes a then.
detailed in-depth look at the Middle Corridor. The study lists 33
infrastructure projects with an investment volume of around EUR The rail and sea connections on the trans-Caspian route can
18.6 billion. If these projects are realised, the EBRD forecasts a currently only handle a small part of this forecast freight volume.
transport volume on the Middle Corridor of 865,000 TEU in transit
and 470,000 TEU as a regional volume by 2040. This is largely ent track gauges, limited shipping capacities on the Caspian Sea
The current capacity is estimated at around 100,000 TEU. Differ-
in line with our own forecasts, which predict these volumes even and the lack of efficient container terminals are limiting factors
a few years earlier.
that still require considerable investment.
In Central Asia, the degree of containerisation, i.e. the proportion In principle, the plan is to reduce the free-flow transit time on
of goods transported in containers, is less than 10 percent for the Middle Corridor to 13 – 15 days through technical measures
dry goods. In Europe and China, this figure is over 60 percent, in such as the expansion of transhipment facilities, the procurement
some cases even over 70 percent. It is to be expected that the of additional rolling stock and the expansion of the rail infrastructure,
as well as organisational measures such as greater interop-
degree of containerisation will also increase in Central Asia, as it
did in Europe in the 1980s and 1990s. We assume that the degree
of containerisation will rise to between 20 and 25 percent by particular, the customs authorities.
erability of the systems of the railway companies involved and, in
2035. The reason for this is that the container is simply the most
efficient means of transport for almost all classes of goods.
However, in this context it is important to note that the pure
transit time is not so important, provided it is not far longer than
Based on the development forecast by the World Bank for the the pure transit times of comparable logistics chains. It is much
economies involved, we believe that around 235,000 TEU of the more important for logistics and the supply chain that the entire
172 173

Statisics CentralAsia-SouthCaucasus 2023-2028
Heinrich Kerstgens, Corporate Representative of Rhenus Group
route is reliable. The shipper and the recipient of the goods must
be able to trust that delivery deadlines will be met. Whether this
2. GDP GROWTH AND CONSEQUENT DEMAND
4. DEGREE OF CONTAINERISATION
Today, the containerisation rate for dry goods is less than 10
and sea freight on the southern route). Many shippers are already
stipulating today, or will do so in the near future, that the transport
of their goods must be exclusively CO₂-neutral. This also
takes 13, 18 or 25 days is not so important.
In addition to its own development through increasingly stable
percent. There is much to suggest that the degree of containeri-
opens up considerable further opportunities for volume growth
political systems that include a good partnership with the West,
sation will increase to between 20 and 25 percent by 2035. This
on the Central Corridor. The prerequisite for this is the continuous
To summarise, there are five levers that will give the Middle
the expansion of the Middle Corridor creates a good invest-
makes transport more efficient and will lead to stronger growth in
ongoing electrification of the rail line and ships on the Caspian
Corridor its importance and its transport volumes in the future:
ment climate and thus an increase in GDP of around 8 percent
the economies involved.
Sea (or the introduction of other CO₂-neutral drives).
per year. This generates purchasing power, demand and an
1. THE RESILIENCE AND DIVERSIFICATION
STRATEGY OF THE EU
increase in the general prosperity of the 96 million inhabitants in
the region, which in turn increases the volume of trade and the
exchange of goods with the EU and China.
5. CLIMATE POLICY AND ENERGY TRANSITION
The countries of Central Asia also intend to make their econo-
Globally active transport and logistics providers such as the
Rhenus Group can help to increase the efficiency of the Middle
Corridor. The Rhenus Group has been present in the region
since the 1990s and is working closely with the governments of
For geopolitical reasons and also simply for technical reasons,
the Middle Corridor must be available with sufficient capacity
in order to be able to maintain the minimum supply if the other
routes are blocked. The strategy of diversifying the purchase
of raw materials means that the countries of Central Asia will
3. INCREASED EXCHANGE OF GOODS WITHIN THE
CENTRAL ASIAN COUNTRIES AND THE COUN-
TRIES OF THE SOUTH CAUCASUS
mies carbon-neutral. In addition, the EU has set itself the target
of 2050 and China the target of 2060, which will create a great
demand for renewable energy that can be met, for example, in
Kazakhstan by the large areas of land available that are rich in
sunshine and wind, or in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan by hydropower.
the Central Asian countries to develop logistics infrastructure
projects, such as designing the creation of efficient handling
facilities.
Nevertheless, despite these needs we are on the right track, be-
be increasingly integrated into the EU’s supply chains and their
Rising prosperity and the associated increase in demand will
cause all parties involved are pursuing a common goal: to make
products will be in demand. The Investors Forum for EU-Central
lead to an increased exchange of goods between the individual
This renewable energy will have to be exported in the form of
the supply chains between China and Europe resilient, and to
Asia Transport Connectivity took place in Brussels at the end of
countries, i.e. there will no longer be a situation where almost
hydrogen, in methanised gas form, as methanol, or as ammo-
contribute to the economic growth of the Central Asian countries
January 2024. The EU pledged to provide EUR 10 billion for the
every transport begins or ends in China, the Russian Federation
nia. This will induce an additional, strong demand for transport
with reliable transport and logistics concepts.
development of a sustainable transport network between Europe
or the EU. The trans-Caspian exchange of goods in particular will
capacities. This means that the Central Corridor, alongside the
and Central Asia.
increase significantly.
Northern Corridor, has a unique opportunity to become truly
Photos: Rhenus Group
CO₂-neutral and therefore green before all other routes (air freight
174 175

PEOPLE-POWERED
HEALTHCARE
Cigna Healthcare is a global health services company dedicated
to helping improve the health and vitality of those we serve. We
deliver quality healthcare through choice, predictability, affordability
and through integrated capabilities and connected, personalised
solutions that advance health and vitality.
We uphold more than 180+ million customer relationships worldwide
and have global network of 1.7 million partnerships with
health care professionals, clinics and facilities. We are committed
to fostering global impact and driving change.
Our International Organisations Health business, headquartered
in Antwerp, Belgium, has over 60 years of experience in designing,
implementing and managing international group health
insurance and employee benefits programmes for international
and locally recruited staff.
More than 260 international organisations from 200 countries and
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NGOs, are partnering with us on our people-powered healthcare
mission and are placing their trust in us. As a market leader for
IGOs with a client retention rate of 98 percent, you can rely on
us to expertly offer in-depth consultative guidance and solutions
based on benchmarking and comprehensive understanding of
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That’s why we are uniquely placed to support you and your
purpose-driven governments. You can be confident that our dedicated
teams across the business will fully support and protect
your people throughout their health journey.
HELPING YOU MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE
WHILE GLOBAL DYNAMICS ARE EVOLVING
We recognise that global issues are impacting our daily lives,
now more than ever before. We see a changing geopolitical
landscape, recent health crises, and the effects of climate
176 177

CIGNA HEALTHCARE – PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY
HEALTHCARE AND SUPPORT FOR YOUR PEOPLE
Cigna’s global footprint ensures your diplomats can be covered
regardless of where they are in the world. Whether you are looking
for health solutions for a single embassy in one country or
At Cigna Healthcare, we are experts at providing people-pow-
for an entire Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cigna Inspire Diplomats
ered healthcare solutions, to suit the unique needs of your staff.
offers three plans that include a high level of cover for inpatient,
We offer 3 core plans, inspired by flexibility, with our Cigna
outpatient, dental, vision, maternity and cancer treatment. With
Inspire Diplomats benefits package: EssentialCare, Executive-
evacuation and repatriation services in emergency situations,
change across the globe – reminding us of the vital importance
hensive healthcare together with tailored support and tools to
Care and EliteCare.
Cigna Inspire Diplomats provides the reassurance of additional
of multilateral cooperation and shaping the course of internation-
help their staff face the demands of modern life – whether at
support for your members.
al affairs.
home, at work, or everything in between.
Our solutions offer a holistic approach to managing mental and
physical health and well-being and connects people with the
It’s engrained in our DNA to provide health care that’s affordable,
All eyes are on Governments and their representatives abroad,
Cigna Healthcare’s Vitality Study tells us that 94 percent of
best care, at the right time, and in the right place – no matter
flexible and transparent, so you can benefit from a best-in-class
as they adapt and respond to these evolving global dynamics
employees globally have reported at least one symptom over the
what challenges they are faced with and wherever they are in
spectrum of health solutions, customised to the needs of your
that could impact their workforce or operations. To allow you
past year, with work-related issues a key driver of stress. For 64
the world.
staff.
to succeed in achieving your goals and to help fulfil your duty
percent of global employees, working longer hours has become
of care towards your employees, it is important to prioritise the
a way of life and 67 percent feel unable to switch off from work.
With a wide range of mental health products to choose from, our
By partnering with us, you and your people can feel safe and
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As a result, understandably, 51 percent believe productivity is
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maintaining a healthy lifestyle or managing workplace pressures,
potential to make an even bigger difference in the world.
WORK IS A CENTRAL PART OF HEALTH AND
VITALITY
Work is a central part of people’s vitality and well-being. It provides
the social settings, resources, and benefits that are critical
to positive health. 59 percent of workers globally are looking for
to solutions for more acute care such as anxiety and depression
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Each plan option provides peace of mind and security at a com-
Wherever your people are in the world, our team stands ready
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Cigna Healthcare, International Organisations Health, CEO,
more support from their workplace to help them live a healthier life.
petitive price, leaving you safe in the knowledge that the medical
Sébastien Haslé explains that Cigna looks at the full picture of
It is therefore essential that every organisation considers this as
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For more information please visit www.cignaglobal.com or
health. We understand that employers are looking for compre-
part of their workplace health plan. And that’s where we come in.
taken care of.
contact Amandine Schuermans +32 471 54 43 1
178 179

BIS SOUTH:
BIS South Campus is nestled in the
beautiful Domaine Latour de Freins
and surrounded by 8.8 hectares of
majestic woodland.
Offers the American High School
Diploma along with the International
Baccalaureate from Primary Years
through the Diploma Programme;
BIS NORTH:
Our new campus in the North of
Brussels opened in September 2022,
just next door to NATO and many
multinational companies, below are
the four pillars that enhance the
North Campus pedagogical principles:
Concept-Based Curriculum and
Instruction;
ONE SCHOOL - TWO CAMPUSES
Over the last twelve years, our school
has become one of the most respected
academic institutions in Belgium;
Founded upon our principles of
respect, family, integrity,
collaboration, and innovation.
Interdisciplinary Teaching and
Learning;
Sheltered Instruction Observation
Protocol (SIOP);
Concept-Based Inquiry
Bogaerts International School is a vibrant, family-oriented K-12 school with two campuses,
the South Campus is located in the beautiful Le Domaine Latour de Freins in Uccle, and the
North Campus is situated a stone’s throw away from NATO and many multinational
companies.
WHY BIS?
BIS recruits faculty and staff who are not only highly qualified but also
make the learning community’s well-being their top priority;
Bogaerts International School
South Campus
Rue Engeland 555
1180 - Brussels - Belgium
south@bischool.com
www.bischool.com/south
North Campus
Candidate School
Bogaerts International School
North Campus
Bessenveldstraat 25
1831 - Diegem - Belgium
north@bischool.com
www.bischool.com/north
BIS provides a learning environment based on the principles of respect,
responsibility, and safety; students, parents, and teachers are inspired to
learn together;
BIS charges considerably lower fees than comparable international
schools in Brussels;
BIS ensures small class sizes and the ultimate individualized learning
experience and prides itself on inclusivity.
180 181

Corps Consulaire de la Province de Namur
The Economic Diplomacy Day
The Economic Diplomacy Day
2024
MAGALI DUGARDIN
President
Since 2013, the Consular Corps of the Province of
Namur has been developing innovative and to promote
commercial, cultural and academic exchanges in the
field of international cooperation.
The Economic Diplomacy Day is our flagship event.
Our previous editions have been a resounding success,
bringing together diplomats, academics and
entrepreneurs, demonstrating the interest and impact
of our concept. The Economic Diplomacy Day is more
than an event, it's a catalyst for the exchange of ideas
and opportunities 100% focused on economic
diplomacy.
why take part?
By taking part in The Economic Diplomacy Day, you are associating your brand with the most
important economic diplomacy event in Belgium. Every year, our event brings together diplomats
and influential decision-makers. It offers your company exceptional visibility and unparalleled
networking opportunities. Participating in The Economic Diplomacy Day demonstrates your
commitment to global economic initiatives and strengthens your presence on international
markets.
Our aim
JUNE 2nd, 2024
To promote economic exchanges and international cooperation
w w w . c o r p s c o n s u l a i r e n a m u r . b e
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182 183

Next Edition : 02 JUNE 2024
Packages
VIP Package
Starting Point
Aérodrome de Namur
Parfumerie Delforge
Garden Party
Château de Bioul
Premium visibility before and during the event
Logo on our website, social networks, all
invitations, table totems, photo wall
A table for six at the Garden Party
A promotional article in the welcome pack
offered to rally participants
Premium visibility in the contact book
Promotional video shown throughout the
Garden Party
Prominence in post event Support for our
charity
5.000 € EXCLUDING VAT
The Economic Diplomacy Day : a two-part event
Table Package
Ambassador’s Rally
The Ambassador's Rally kicks off our day with a picturesque
80 km drive through the jewels of the Namur province, with
no notion of speed. Leaving from the Namur aerodrome,
the route is punctuated by a gourmet break at the
Parfumerie Delforge, offering an exclusive networking
opportunity.
Garden Party
The chic yet relaxed Garden Party brings the morning rally
to a close. It brings together the event's key players:
diplomats, entrepreneurs, academics and institutions, in
the exceptional networking setting of the Château de Bioul.
It's the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas and promote
skills and business projects in a convivial atmosphere.
A table for six at the Garden Party
Logo on table totems
Visibility in the contact book
Support for our charity
1.400 € EXCLUDING VAT
All Day Package
Participation in the Ambassadors' Rally
Two tickets for the Garden Party
Presence in the contact book
Support for our charity
Individual seating on request
580 € EXCLUDING VAT
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Back to Previous editions
Contacts
For more information about our different packages and how to take part, go to
The Economic Diplomacy Day 2024
www.corpsconsulairenamur.be/event-details/the-economic-diplomacy-day-2024
contact@corpsconsulairenamur.be
+32 474 275 478
www.corpsconsulairenamur.be
The last two editions of The Economic Diplomacy Day left their mark in terms of attendance
and influence, making them the benchmark event for economic diplomacy in Belgium, hailed
for the quality of its organisation, bringing together diplomats, players from the private sector,
academics and institutions to promote international trade.
The Economic Diplomacy Day is :
Meet over 50 Ambassadors representing a market of over 5 billion consumers
Developing and consolidating your networks
Facilitating and accelerating the development of your projects
Forging partnerships with leading export companies and making privileged contacts
Meet the academic and institutional players who support and promote our economy
Take part in our charity
Back in pictures : https://www.corpsconsulairenamur.be/galerie
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186 187

LAUNCH OF THE BRUSSELS
DIPLOMATIC ACADEMY’S HOUSE
OF DIPLOMACY
The Brussels Diplomatic Academy (BDA) of the Vrije Universiteit
Brussel (VUB) launched the House of Diplomacy in December
2023 at a stylish event held at De Warande, near the Royal
Palace in Brussels. The launch, which took place exactly 10
years after the establishment of the BDA itself, was attended by
members of the Brussels diplomatic corps, business leaders,
academics, lawyers, civil servants and students: the groups for
which the House of Diplomacy was created.
The House of Diplomacy was born of necessity. It was established
to meet the needs expressed by Brussels-based members
of the Diplomatic Corps and the business community for a neutral
space in which to meet, engage on issues of mutual interest,
participate in business and diplomatic events, socialise and
expand knowledge networks, and build new relationships across
different communities.
Gunter Gaublomme, director and founder of the BDA, took the
floor at the launch. He spoke about the BDA’s achievements over
the past decade and highlighted the training that it continues to
provide in economic diplomacy and international business:
“The House of Diplomacy not only answers the needs of the
diplomatic corps but also acts as a composite space to grow
with its members,” he said. “In this way, solution building
between people approaching the same issues from completely
opposite angles can only improve.”
Photo: Ana Martins Photography
Photo : Ana Martins Photography
VUB Vice-Rector Internationalisation, Prof. Dr. Karin Vanderkerken,
welcomed attendees and spoke of the important role of diplomats,
not only in protecting and promoting peace but also in
promoting prosperity.
The panel discussion, with the overarching theme of ‘New
Directions: The World in 2024’, heard from Dr. Len Ishmael,
Global Affairs Advisor of the BDA and former ambassador of
the Eastern Caribbean States to Belgium and to the European
Union. Dr Ishmael considered several trends, including the growing
tension between the West and the Global South as the perception
of double standards increases, in relation to migration,
war crimes and sanctions, to name but a few. She was followed
by Prof. Dr. Tom Vermeiren who works as an independent advisor
to profit and non-profit organisations, and who spoke about
Sustainability Reporting and the clash between the constant
drive by companies to make money that compromises their
progress towards non-monetary values.
Burkhard Ober, Associate Partner at Hume Brophy Consultancy,
looked at financial diplomacy and the impact of the growing
divergence of approaches. He illustrated his point with the
example of China’s recent sale of 40 percent of the United States
government debt, and the effects that will have on individuals
whose mortgages might go up as a result. Ober’s examples
lead neatly to the final panellist, Mark De Zutter, CEO of Law &
Lobby Innovation who considered the needs and potential risks
of European Technology Diplomacy. His alarming intervention on
quantum technology and cybersecurity left no room for doubt
about the dangers ahead.
Despite highlighting various risks ahead, the speakers each
offered positive outlooks for solutions, and emphasized that the
individual human should always be at the heart of things. As
Maxim Vandekerckhove, Attaché / Policy Advisor at the Belgian
Federal Ministry of Social Security & Coordinator Technology
Diplomacy at the BDA, explained in his closing remarks, understanding
the needs of people is a complex task – and the
essence of diplomacy.
House of Diplomacy activities are put together and supported by
academics, practitioners and other experts. They include round
table discussions, reading series with prominent speakers, training
sessions and social functions. With its membership-oriented
and inclusive approach, the House of Diplomacy profiles itself
as a distinctive hub for collaboration and relationship building.
Additionally, the BDA offers education and training programmes,
webinars, lectures and conferences, knowledge and connections,
which enable participants to excel in their fields.
188 189

The HoD is membership driven and inclusive. Different types
of membership ensure accessibility, utility and value to the
widest possible group of stakeholders. These include diplomats,
business people, students and academics, government representatives,
members of parliament, media groups, Think Tanks,
Foundations, NGOs and other interested parties.
The HoD organises activities such as:
• Diplomatic and Business Round Tables
• Distinguished Speaker Luncheon Series
• After-work networking gatherings and social events
• Short skills enhancing courses
The HoD has created a unique programme and calendar of
events – which can be consulted in the following page. The BDA
encompasses a wide range of geographic and thematic areas
of expertise. These promote in depth, historical, cultural and
contemporary examination and understanding of many of the
world’s most vital geographic areas and relationships including
those related to Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean, Europe,
the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Middle
East, the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific Regions, and the
Trans-Atlantic relationship (USA and Europe). These geographic
areas are complemented by a number of cross cutting diplomatic
thematic areas including those related to culture, technology &
innovation, the energy and the environment, defence, security
and aerospace, financial and geo-analytics combined with expertise
in international relations and international organizations.
The House of Diplomacy offers a unique programme and calendar
of events and the BDA’s various geographic and thematic
platforms provide additional value and support to these initiatives
and programmes.
The activities are hosted at the offices of Vanbelle Law.
For information regarding membership details & planned events
please contact the BDA at bda@vub.be
18 January
BRUSSELS
DIPLOMATIC
ACADEMY
Cyber Diplomacy and Hybrid Threats
Bashir Siman O.B.E.
Distinguished Speakers Luncheon Series
15 February
BDA House of Diplomacy
Calendar of Activities
2024
13 June
LAW BOUTIQUE
The Essence and Importance of Financial Diplomacy
Bashir Siman O.B.E.
Distinguished Speakers Luncheon Series
12 September
Success Factors in Diplomatic and Business Negotiation
Philippe Billiet
Skills enhancing lecture
14 March
Nation Brand Building
Prof. Dr. Keith Dinnie
Skills enhancing lecture
18 April
Energy Transition Diplomacy
Dr. Aida Nasiri
Distinguished Speakers Luncheon Series
16 May
How Economics Became the Problem
Prof. Dr. Koen Byttebier
Distinguished Speakers Luncheon Series
Intersections between Development Communication
and Diplomacy
Dr. Sarah Karinge
Distinguished Speakers Luncheon Series
17 October
Diplomatic Law
Philippe Billiet
Distinguished Speakers Luncheon Series
14 November
The New Age of Crypto
Jo Vanbelle
Distinguished Speakers Luncheon Series
12 December
Crisis Communication
Sonia Neffati and Fadwa Rachi
Skills enhancing lecture
Venue:
Vanbelle Law
Avenue du Général de Gaulle 47 - 1050 Brussels
www.vanbellelaw.com
Further information:
bda@vub.be
Photo: Ana Martins Photography
www.brusselsdiplomaticacademy.eu/house-of-diplomacy
190 191

KEY CONTACTS
KEY CONTACTS
Avenue Louise 146 | Brussels | +(32) 2 643 33 01 | info@billiet-co.be
INTERACTIVE THEMATIC SESSIONS
FOR DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS AGENDA 2024
Billiet & Co is a Brussels based law firm reputed for its niche services to Diplomats and Diplomatic
Missions. In collaboration with Diplomatic World and the House of Diplomacy, it will host the following
informative sessions in 2024, each tailored to Diplomatic Missions:
DISPUTE RESOLUTION TOOLS & RELEVANT INSIGHTS
21 March 2024 - Time: 2 PM CET
Duration: 2 hours
Location: Billiet & Co lawyers office, Avenue Louise 146, 1050 Brussels
Reservation: mail to secretariaat@billiet-co.be (first-come-first-served)
GDPR & DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS
23 May 2024 - Time: 2 PM CET
Duration: 2 hours
Location: Billiet & Co lawyers office, Avenue Louise 146, 1050 Brussels
Reservation: mail to secretariaat@billiet-co.be (first-come-first-served)
PRIVILEGES & IMMUNITIES OF DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS
19 September 2024 - Time: 2 PM CET
Duration: 1 hour
Location: Billiet & Co lawyers office, Avenue Louise 146, 1050 Brussels
Reservation: mail to secretariaat@billiet-co.be (first-come-first-served)
DO THE NEW EU RULES ON WHISTLE BLOWING (EU DIRECTIVE 2019/1937) AFFECT
DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS?
21 November 2024 - Time: 2 PM CET
Duration: 1 hour
Location: Billiet & Co lawyers office, Avenue Louise 146, 1050 Brussels
Reservation: mail to secretariaat@billiet-co.be (first-come-first-served)
There is no participation cost involved to attend any of the above sessions.
For more elaborated trainings that are tailored to Diplomats and Diplomatic Missions,
we recommend to visit the website of the Brussels Diplomatic Academy:
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Johan Billiet
johan.billiet@billiet-co.be
Dr. Konstantinos Adamantopoulos
konstantinos.adamantopoulos@billiet-co.be
Philippe Billiet
philippe.billiet@billiet-co.be
Vladimir Lincautan
vladimir.lincautan@billiet-co.be
AD-BillietCo.indd 2 28/07/2020 15:16
Avenue Louise 146 | Brussels | +(32) 2 643 33 01 | info@billiet-co.be
LEGAL SERVICES FOR DIPLOMACY
Billiet & Co lawyers advices and represents States, International
Organizations and other Missions in various legal matters.
We understand that you require unique services, and we are uniquely placed to provide them,
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The firm has wide experience in legal issues surrounding Seat Agreements,
Rights and Obligations of the guest mission and its hosting State, Investor-State disputes,
Inter-State disputes and all kinds of legal questions involving International Organizations.
We represent clients before national and international courts and arbitral tribunals.
OUR LEGAL SERVICES FOR DIPLOMACY
Our legal support and representation services for Missions (including Mission Staff members) includes:
Legal compliance with local Belgian, European, International laws and regulations
Diplomatic immunity / Consular support OFFER
Public International Law / EU Law
Trade and WTO law, treaty interpretation and trade negotiations
Arbitration and Dispute Resolution
Enforcing International Arbitral Awards in Belgian Courts
Enforcement proceedings against State entities
Sanctions law and Export controls
Global fraud and Asset Recovery
Foreign Direct Investment in Belgium, EU and CIS countries.
International Employment and Labour law
Immigration and International Mobility
International Sensitive Matters Practice
CONTACT INFO
Johan Billiet
johan.billiet@billiet-co.be
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konstantinos.adamantop
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philippe.billiet@billiet-co
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BILLIET & CO LAWYERS
Avenue Louise 146 - B-1050 Brussels
www.billiet-co.be
+32 2 643 33 01
Johan Billiet
Dr. Konstantinos Adamantopoulos
Philippe Billiet
Vladimir Lincautan
192 193

AEROSPACE,
DEFENCE AND SECURITY
The High-Level Course on Aerospace, Defence & Security
(AD&S) is being organised in Brussels (Belgium) and London
(United Kingdom) at the initiative of the grouping High AD&S
and ULB – ATM, under a signed MoU, and its partners.
cooperation geometries. Therefore, our grouping and its partners
are providing decision-makers with opportunities to informally
access and discuss high quality and up-to-date information
within trusted networks:
Simultaneously, we are responsible for the Cercle AD&S – a
Group of high-level personalities – that has been created in
the aftermath of the first pilot high-level Course on Aerospace,
Defence & Security hosted in 2022. All background and current
information available at www.high-ads.academy
Our Grouping and its partners’ initiatives emerged from significant
discussions over the years with trusted professional peers
with widely recognised true competences within AD&S. These
made apparent that complex emerging and disruptive technologies
entail clear cross-sector benefits and improved system
efficiency within AD&S.
However, the latter also demonstrably impose novel and challenging
requirements for new skills, processes and inherently
new Defence and Security threats. To address these issues
appropriately a coordinated multi-sector approach is required
with high quality sourced information and training, complemented
by inter-institutional cooperation at national and inter-governmental
levels (including European, international and transatlantic)
within trusted networks of qualified, competent and experienced
professional peers.
Cooperation benefits intrinsically and foremost from secured
exchanges of high-quality trusted information. The latter, for
understandable reasons, has not always been available and/
or made possible within the very sensitive fields of AD&S in
• Digital and Space-based technologies and their impact in
policy, planning and operations;
• Strategic forward thinking to include also novel methodologies
for management of legacy issues related to procedures,
processes and equipment;
• Evolution of threats within AD&S sectors;
• Legal and Procurement frameworks and their necessary fast
paced evolution;
• Aerospace and Defence systems life-cycle overview;
• Investment strategies and new business models for cost
saving efficient outcomes at national level with significant
repercussions at European and international levels;
• Cooperation programmes within AD&S striving for resilience
while avoiding duplications of resources (human, financial, …);
• Planning, operational, societal, and other benefits and challenges
induced by technologies;
• Diplomacy as an instrument for AD&S: Public, Industrial,
Economic, Financial, Cyber, etc.
The above listing recognises the crucial role played by public administrations,
in their various levels and geometries, in addressing
Policy, Strategic Investment decisions, Public Procurement,
Economic and Financial Security, Cyber Resilience of Critical
Infrastructures, the role of Academia and Diplomacy, and the
many other critical aspects raised by the implementation of
Emerging, Disruptive, Digital and Space-based technologies.
Photo: RHEA Group
194 195

LEARNING TO NAVIGATE THE FUTURE:
THE LIVING TOMORROW ACADEMY
IS LAUNCHED
THE LIVING TOMORROW GROUP, CONSISTING
OF THE BELGIAN INNOVATION PLATFORM LIVING
TOMORROW AND ITS INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
AND CONSULTANCY COMPANY TOMORROWLAB,
HAS LAUNCHED AN EXCITING NEW CONCEPT:
THE LIVING TOMORROW ACADEMY. THIS OPEN
LEARNING HUB IS DESIGNED FOR COMPANIES
AND INDIVIDUALS AIMING TO DEVELOP SKILLS
TO BE FIT FOR THE FUTURE, POSITIONING LIVING
TOMORROW AS THE ULTIMATE ONE-STOP-SHOP
FOR FORWARD-THINKING INNOVATION AND
STRATEGY.
At the heart of innovation, where technology meets foresight,
the Living Tomorrow platform introduces its latest venture -
the Living Tomorrow Academy. An open learning centre for
businesses and individuals who want to navigate the future
with confidence. We sat down with TomorrowLab Director
Marijke Verhavert and the Academy’s Manager Tine Van Hecke
to explore its inception, its unique offerings, and the impact it
aims to make.
of tomorrow’s leaders. We also decided to bring the learning
experience to the setting of the Living Tomorrow Innovation
Campus, with its broad network of inspiring partners, a pleasant
hotel, restaurant, and green surroundings.”
WHAT SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES DOES THE
ACADEMY AIM TO DEVELOP?
WHAT SPARKED THE IDEA FOR THE LIVING
TOMORROW ACADEMY?
Tine Van Hecke: “The simple realisation that companies need
more varied training to fully unlock their innovation potential.
Particularly in the areas of innovation and strategy, the dynamic
nature of these areas required a more robust and diverse training
approach.
As TomorrowLab, we already had different trainings and workshops
in our curriculum. This led us to create the Living Tomorrow
Academy, a place where the future of learning meets the needs
Marijke Verhavert: “Our curriculum is designed to give organisations
the tools they need to stay ahead of the game and to have
impact in their industry. To help you see changes coming and react
fast. With such strategies and early warning systems in place,
you can react more effectively to opportunities and threats.
It’s about arming you with methods for implementing a culture
of innovation, creative leadership, and various techniques to
strengthen the support base within each organisation. And
ultimately, create a culture that is resilient to change, and
prepared for whatever comes next.”
196 197

field visits, gamification or a guided tour at the Living Tomorrow
Digital Experience Center.
THE LIVING TOMORROW ACADEMY,
A PLACE WHERE THE FUTURE
OF LEARNING MEETS THE NEEDS
OF TOMORROW’S LEADERS
Our open trainings are short courses, typically one to three days,
centred around key innovation or strategy themes. But there’s
also an upcoming special: a comprehensive one-year Leadership
program in strategy and innovation.
HOW DOES THE ACADEMY STRUCTURE ITS
PROGRAMS TO MEET THE DIVERSE NEEDS?
And thirdly, we offer Moments of Inspiration - these are transformative
experiences designed to ignite creativity, from inspirational
talks to workshops that end with actionable strategic
outcomes.”
Tine Van Hecke: “Our approach is multi-faceted, designed to
meet the specific needs of both organisations and individuals. Inside
our Academy, we operate on three main tracks: customized
in-company trainings, open trainings, and shorts tracks, called
“moments of inspiration”.
In-company training programs and courses are tailored to the
specific needs of your organisation. You have the choice: from a
more traditional learning format to unique interactive experiences,
such as a learn by doing hackathon, inspirational keynotes,
THE FUTURE OF INNOVATION
RELIES ON INTERCONNECTED
KNOWLEDGE ECOSYSTEMS,
AND THE ACADEMY IS
AT THE FOREFRONT
198 199

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THE ‘OPEN’ ASPECT AT
THE ACADEMY’S PROGRAMS?
Marijke Verhavert: “Our goal is to equip you with knowledge and
networks. Our programs are wide open for anyone eager to dive
into tech, innovation, and what’s coming next. Building stronger
businesses by mixing ideas from different fields.
The future of innovation relies on interconnected knowledge
ecosystems, and the Academy is at the forefront. We’re not just
focusing on the lone expert leading an organisation. We are also
targeting HR managers and other key roles responsible for ensuring
teams have the right competencies and skills to innovate and
think ahead. It’s about exploring and seizing chances, developing
tools, and making informed decisions in the face of uncertainty.
CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE ACADEMY’S
LEADERSHIP PROGRAM AND THE ROLE OF
MENTORS?
Tine Van Hecke: “Our Leadership program in strategy and
innovation reflects our commitment to collaborative learning and
innovation. It brings together individuals from different sectors
to learn about strategy and innovation over the course of a year.
Every participant will craft an innovation plan tailored for their
organisation’s future and receive personal coaching in strategy
and innovation. Our goal is to foster a community of experts
who, despite being competitors, can share insights and grow
collectively.”
Marijke Verhavert: “The role of mentors is invaluable in this journey.
We have engaged both established and emerging innovation
leaders, such as Rik Vera, Jurgen Ingels and Joachim De Vos.
They bring a wealth of experience and share their world-class
insights. Through our program, they work with you, mixing and
matching ideas, and strategies. Mentorship is a cornerstone of
our approach, making sure everyone gets the personal guidance
and tailored advice and they need. Learning from the best; while
growing together.”
HOW DOES THE LIVING TOMORROW ACADEMY
DIFFER FROM TRADITIONAL EDUCATIONAL
OFFERINGS?
Marijke Verhavert: “What makes us different? Our commitment to
practical, hands-on learning. “Innovation taught by innovators” is
not just a slogan, it’s our way of working and DNA. We strongly
believe in learning by doing and constantly adapting. Our
programs are continually updated to keep pace with the latest
societal changes, technological advances, and methodologies.
That’s how we ensure that our participants are always at the
cutting edge and ahead of the curve.”
Tine Van Hecke: “Our curriculum is deliberately diverse, covering
everything from strategic foresight and scenario planning to the
nuances of innovation culture and the application of AI tools in
the innovation process. We cover both the hard skills needed
to drive business success and the soft skills required to lead
innovation efforts. This comprehensive approach ensures that
our participants are inspired and have the practical tools and
strategies to create impact.”
FINALLY, WHAT IS THE VISION FOR THE FUTURE
OF THE LIVING TOMORROW ACADEMY?
Marijke Verhavert: “We’re on a mission to create a thriving community
of professionals dedicated to innovation, strategy, and
transformation. By fostering a network of experts, innovators,
and leaders, we aim to position Belgium as a global innovation
hub.
The Academy is more than a learning place; it’s a movement
towards a future where businesses and people have the tools to
make their innovative ideas happen. With a deep dive into the
future, the Living Tomorrow Academy is leading the charge in
teaching innovation and strategy.
More information?
www.tomorrowlab.com
WE’RE ON A MISSION TO CREATE
A THRIVING COMMUNITY
OF PROFESSIONALS DEDICATED
TO INNOVATION, STRATEGY,
AND TRANSFORMATION.
BY FOSTERING A NETWORK
OF EXPERTS, INNOVATORS,
AND LEADERS,
WE AIM TO POSITION
BELGIUM AS A GLOBAL
INNOVATION HUB.
200 201

Be a member of ANADE
Indringingsweg 1, 1800 Vilvoorde / +32 2 263 01 33 / info@sapor.eu /
sapor.eu
202 203

MICHAEL MATTIS
CEO, SILICON VALLEY EUROPE
Diplomatic World Institute has started a partnership with Silicon
AMC Media Network is the umbrella company, which we started
Valley Europe, a new Germany-based cooperative platform for
in 2005. The company has now been active for almost 20 years.
the European IT industry. DWI co-founder Dieter Brockmeyer
Since the beginning we have always been involved in the IT
talked to the brains of the project, Michael Mattis, about the
business. We are not an IT company, though: we are an agency
vision to make German digital expertise more heard globally.
building platform like DICO, for example. The acronym stands
for Digital Corporation. We built this platform together with
SILICON VALLEY EUROPE SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD
IDEA. WHAT IS IT EXACTLY AND WHAT DID YOU
ALREADY ACCOMPLISH WITH THE PROJECT?
a company in Darmstadt. It started much earlier than Silicon
Valley Europe and we now use it to bring people and companies
together under the domain silicon-valley-europe.com. We have
owned this domain for more than years but only started the platform
under that name in November 2023. Hence, it still is a very
The goal of the idea of the IT cluster Silicon Valley Europe is
young platform. At present we have 75 members, both small and
to create a platform where IT companies and users can come
big companies, some having thousands of employees, others
together to achieve more and strengthen the IT cluster in Europe.
with one or two people only.
That’s the name of the game.
WHAT DOES THE PLATFORM OFFER?
HOW DYNAMIC IS THE DEVELOPMENT?
I think the development is quite strong and interactive. Our goal
I think we have to look back a few years, 12 years maybe. In this
is to have 100 members by the end of March. I looks like we will
time, we have developed a lot of exhibitions. We built up our
expertise in physical on-site and hybrid events but also virtual
ones. Our largest show is the Digital Future Congress. The biggest
event in this series we did was in February 2020 with more
than 4,000 people. This was just before the COVID-19 outbreak.
reach that goal. We have a lot to offer: from strengthening the
image of members to supporting the positioning of companies.
And, finally, I think this is the main thing, we generate real contacts
and leads for our members.
YOU STRESS THE CROSS-BORDER NATURE OF
THE PLATFORM. HOW PAN-EUROPEAN IS IT
ALREADY?
learn what is possible. Therefore, I think Silicon Valley Europe
can have an impact on bringing information both to the market
and the political scene.
Since that time, we have developed virtual platforms and started
working as a publishing agency. That’s more than five years ago
now. We did interviews with more than 200 IT experts and CEOs
or CIOs (Chief Information Officers).
We learned that software buying is now different than in the past.
The buying procedure of software changed a lot and so has the
market all across Europe. We see more American and Chinese
software products coming to Europe. We thought that it should
We launched the platform first in Germany, and for the time being
about 95 percent of the member companies are German. Stepby-step
we will increase the network by including more European
companies. We will start in France or Spain and Türkiye where
we have good contacts. But this will be the second step. We first
want to grow the network here in Germany to develop a good
base since the European IT industry is interested very much in
cooperating with the German “Mittelstand” (SMEs).
THE ECONOMIC SITUATION, ESPECIALLY IN
GERMANY IS NOT VERY BRIGHT. YET, MICROSOFT
HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL INVEST HEAVILY
IN ITS EUROPEAN HUB FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLI-
GENCE IN GERMANY. WHAT IS YOUR ANALYSIS
OF THIS AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR IT AND
DIGITALIZATION IN EUROPE?
be good to have a European platform or a European publisher
of software tools to bring people together. That’s why we built
Silicon Valley Europe, based on three pillars: visibility, networking
and knowledge. For that we are using our existing platforms and
contacts.
THIS BRINGS ME TO ANOTHER ISSUE. WHAT IS
YOUR INTEREST IN THE COOPERATION WITH
DIPLOMATIC WORLD AND OTHER ENTITIES IN
THE WORLD OF DIPLOMACY?
I think it is getting more and more important to work together
within the European IT and software cluster, to strengthen the
European development market against competition from the
US and Asia. I think Europe has to learn that we are strong
and that we have to work together and if we do this, there are
huge potentials. We have over 2,000 digital hubs spread all over
WHEN DID YOU LAUNCH SILICON VALLEY
EUROPE? OF COURSE, IT’S A BRAND OWNED
BY A COMPANY – TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE
ABOUT THE COMPANY AND HOW DOES IT FIT
INTO THE CONCEPT
I think the cooperation between Diplomatic World and Silicon
Valley Europe is to spread the idea all over Europe. On the other
hand, if you look at the recent development of digitalization in
Artificial Intelligence, for instance, creating new tools available for
all companies in such a short period of time. I think it is important
that decision and policy makers alongside economic players will
Europe, in Denmark, Poland, Italy, France... Everywhere! We have
to learn to cooperate more and that is what we like to support
with Silicon Valley Europe.
Photos: Michael Mattis
204 205

In this article we look at the world from an economic perspective.
We thereby focus on the near future, that being the period
2024–2025. As with the weather, short term forecasting, or
near-casting, is more accurate than long term.
ECONOMICS AND GEOPOLITICS
In the post-World War II period, the United States ruled the
world. This hegemony was mainly driven by their economic
power. That power was reflected in the dominance of the US Dollar
in world transactions. The collapse of the USSR led to a quasi-monopoly
of geopolitical power and made Fukuyama declare
the end of history, meaning that liberal democracy was the final
form of government for all nations.
But new powers emerged. Twenty-five years ago, the recently
deceased charismatic Jacques Delors introduced the Euro, a
single currency for Europe, which became a new player in the
financial world and broke the Dollar monopoly. And then the
Asian countries began to grow at a double-digit rate putting
China in position to surpass the United States and become the
largest economic power in the world by 2057. This all goes to
show the interdependency of economics, finance and geopolitics 1 .
Therefore, near-casting economics implies much more than pure
economics. It gives a flavour of future geopolitical relations. A
world economic outlook exploring future economic tendencies
therefore has diplomatic consequences. I invite the reader to
explore what follows from this diplomatic perspective.
SLOWBALISATION
RUDY AERNOUDT
WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK:
THE END OF STAGFLATION?
We became used to living in a globalised world. Based on economic
theories that wealth can be optimised by producing where
it is cheapest, trade barriers were gradually removed. Industry
offshored to Asian countries in search of cheap labour. But this
globalisation was stopped by Covid-19. Continents felt much too
dependent on one another. Open trade was replaced by open
Resilience might, in the future,
be more important than growth
strategic autonomy. This process was accelerated, especially in
Europe, where the Ukraine conflict highlighted the energy-dependence
of Europe on Russia. Events in the Red Sea stress the
vulnerability of logistics. And on top of all that, environmental
awareness led to a closer geographical relationship, where possible,
between producer and consumer.
All these phenomena together resulted in stopping the veneration
of globalisation, and its replacement by slowbalisation. This has
led to slower growth, even stagnation, of the world economy, at
almost every world level. This is the new reality.
In this context, we need to stop believing that the crisis is now
almost over. We live in a perma-crisis. In the last decennia we
have had a crisis every five to seven years. The crises were of
differing nature: epidemics or pandemics such as SARS, EBOLA
or COVID-19; financial crisis such as the Wall Street Crash of
1929, the banking crisis of 2008, and conflicts such as the two
world wars, the Ukraine conflict and the Gaza-Israel conflict.
So, we must learn that economics is not a linear process but
rather a roller coaster. The year 2023 was not only the post-covid
recovery year, but at the same time, linked to conflicts, a year of
high inflation and low growth. In summary, a year of stagflation.
The most important thing in the next few years is to make our
economies more crisis resilient, more robust, before the next
crisis hits. Resilience might, in the future, be more important than
growth. But resilience could mean that the world increasingly
thinks more in blocs. The global world becomes an intercontinental
world.
THE BRICS+ COUNTRIES
The BRICS+ represent, with its 30 trillion-dollar GDP, 29 percent
of the global economy. BRICS+ is of course an informal alliance,
such as the G7, but it is now the biggest in the world. China
represents, in economic terms, half of the BRICS+.
China got used to writing its growth figures with two digits. The
growth in China for 2024 is estimated at 4.6 percent, the lowest
growth for decennia, and lower than India, with an estimated
growth of 6.5 percent. For 2025, the figure is lower, estimated
at 4.1 percent. This is a nightmare for an emerging country such
as China as it needs high growth to increase its gross domestic
product (GDP) per capita, particularly in rural areas.
China’s industrial economy has lifted hundreds of millions of people
out of extreme poverty but even so, hundreds of millions of
people in China continue to struggle with low incomes and poor
standards of living. People living on less than five dollars a day,
estimated at 240 million, have hardly any purchasing power. As
internal consumption would have to become the main driver in a
slowbalised world, further eradicating poverty should remain high
on the Chinese economic and social agenda.
The second biggest challenge for China is the mindset of the
people. The one-child policy led to an older population and an
inverse age pyramid, contrary to India which has a much younger
population. But more important is that the, in the meantime
abolished, one-child policy had a lasting impact on the mindset
so that necessity is no longer a driver for growth.
It is an almost universal law that parents having one child tend to
spoil this child, including materially. This reduces the incentive to
work and has the same effect as an exaggerated social security
system in some European countries. Lack of a work ethic is a
sword of Damocles on long-term economic growth.
Russia is part of the BRICS+ as well. This makes relation between
the BRICS+ as a whole, and other continents, very difficult
for the time being. Despite the sanctions, which are often
circumvented, the Russian economy seems to be rather resilient
with growth estimations of 2,6 percent in 2024 and 1,1 percent
in 2025. A war economy is still an economy, and huge public military
investment apparently compensates for the drastic reduction
in private investment.
THE EUROPEAN UNION
The European union is a formal alliance and can hence not be
fully compared with the BRICS+. It represents around 16 percent
of the global economy. While China is the leading power of the
BRICS+, Germany is the uncontested economic power within
the European union, representing 27 percent of the GDP of the
Eurozone. But the German engine is sputtering, taking the entire
European economy in tow.
The German economy shrunk by 0.3 percent in 2023, making it
the worst performing economy in the world. And close to zero
growth (in fact, exactly 0.5 percent) is predicted for 2024. The
Photo: Rudy Aernoudt
European Central Bank states that the German economy is in a
technical recession. The causes are stagnant uncertainty about
economic policy, transport strikes and, above all, weakness of
both consumption, and industrial demand.
The weak consumption is due to the loss of purchasing power.
Germans lost 4.5 percent in real wages in 2023. Labour shortages,
high energy prices and high interest charges caused the
construction sector and energy-intensive sectors to decline.
The reduction in gas prices and falling inflation could bring the
German economy to one percent growth in 2025.
In its wake, the German economy is dragging many countries
along with it. The European Commission therefore adjusted its
growth forecasts. While at the end of last year it estimated that
economic growth in the Eurozone would be 1.3 percent in 2024,
it revised its forecasts in February 2024 to only 0.9 percent in
2024.
This makes the European continent economy the slowest
growing in the world and is therefore further losing market share.
Unfortunately, the proponents of zero growth theory have de
facto achieved exactly what they wanted.
206 207

Hartmann Tresore_right side.pdf 2 13/05/2022 13:16
THE UNITED STATES
TOWARDS A NEW TRADE-DEAL?
The United States is still the biggest economic power representing
25 percent of the world’s GDP. The economic growth in the
United States is estimated for 2024 at 2,1 percent, or twice the
estimated growth of the Eurozone. For 2025, growth is estimated
at 1,6 percent. This low growth is leading to a return to the
old-fashioned subsidy policy. With the Inflation Reduction Act, a
total of USD 369 billion is injected in the American economy to
support renewables, hydrogen, and other clean-tech industries.
The act stipulates that those wishing to benefit from the subsidies
and tax credits must either produce in the United States or
use products that are manufactured there. This brings us back to
the race to the bottom of subsidies as a competing instrument
between continents. A good example is the rat-race in the chip
industry where all continents without exception are competing
to subsidise the industry. This goes together with a new era of
protectionism.
But the biggest obstacle for the American economy is the lack of
labour force. The red-hot labour market is the driver for inflation
in America. In Europe, inflation was more energy-driven.
The globalized world is over. The world has become comprised
of interdependent blocks. One should however realize that the
relations between United States, China and EU are crucial for
world prosperity.
The United States and the European Union should not fall back
on their past behaviour by becoming pure importers of goods
and services. This is not a sustainable model. Asian countries
should focus on further eradication of poverty to make their
economy more driven by internal consumption.
And perhaps trade relations should be based on comparative,
not absolute advantages, as explained by the theory of the 18th
century British economist David Ricardo claiming that wealth for
all can be optimized if goods and services are produced in those
countries where the comparative advantage is the highest.
To illustrate: China took crucial action in the field of raw materials.
This means that China will become the leader in electric
vehicles. Europe and the United States, Tesla aside, are lagging.
China has 77 percent of the world production in batteries, the
United States has 15 percent and Europe has only 3 percent.
C
M
THE END OF STAGFLATION?
This brings us to the topic of inflation. The overall stagnation in
Europe in 2023 went along with huge levels of inflation. Stagnation
plus inflation is what economists call stagflation. The low
estimated growth levels, together with the reduction of energy
prices in Europe, leads to a cooling of the prices. Inflation is falling
faster than expected in most regions, with even deflationary
forces in China.
Political uncertainty that has an impact on the volatility of energy
prices, and the tight labour market may still throw a spanner in
the works, but if this is discounted, we can assume that inflation
in Europe will decline sharply in 2024 to reach the policy target
by the end of 2025 of 2 percent. Inflation in the Eurozone is estimated
at 2.5 percent for 2025 while the United States foresees
2.2 percent in 2025. In China there is a deflation of 0.8 percent in
2024 leading to distrust in the Chinese economy and downward
pressure on share prices.
The year 2024 can hence be considered as a transition year
between the high-inflation year 2023 and the controlled inflation
that will be reached in 2025. This would bring about an end to
the stagflation, resulting in a relaxation of the Central Bank’s
policy, and could lead to lower interest rates and to boosting
the economy again, giving a new impetus to intercontinental
relationships.
So, Europe will be overwhelmed with Chinese electric vehicles
which offer a good price-quality for the consumers. At the same
time, the car production, which is still very important to Europe
and the US, employing respectively 13 million and 4.5 million
employees, will suffer.
The same happened with the solar panel industry, now mainly
produced in China, while performant German companies went
bankrupt. Instead of having a race to the bottom, including subsidies,
why not meet around the table and determine the optimal
solution for all continents. I plead for co-competition (cooperative
competition) instead of a killing competition. Therefore, next to
diplomats, economists should be involved in bilateral relations.
Rudy Aernoudt
Professor of Economics, University of Ghent and BMI Executive
MBA, Author of ‘Towards a New European Impetus Post-Brexit’,
Intersentia, Cambridge, 2023
1
For interested readers, this is the topic I’m teaching at the executive MBA of
BMI, founded by HEC Paris and Louvain Management School.
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
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208 209

MCI CARBON AND ITS
CEO MARCUS DAWE HONOURED
WITH THE 2023 WHOLISTIC WORLD
INNOVATION TROPHY
“And the winner is...” was again heard on stage at the Casa
Llotja de Mar in Barcelona last November when the exclusive
Laureate of the Wholistic World Innovation Trophy’s 3rd season
was announced. The Trophy is an annual exclusive global award
curated since 2021 by Diplomatic World Institute. It was not
a new tech company or social enterprise. This time it was traditional
engineering with the potential to decarbonize the planet’s
atmosphere by turning carbon into stone that later can be used
as the basis of construction materials like cement. Carbon replacing
sand in construction, a resource of which we are seeing
an increasing shortage.
MCi Carbon was founded 15 years back by Marcus Dawe and
his partner in Canberra, making him a true pioneer in that sector.
It was a pity not to have him on stage in person, only via video
note. However, it is hard to argue for flying around the globe
representing a company fighting carbon emissions that also tries
to reduce its carbon footprint in their operations, only to receive
a piece of art. The Trophy by now has been forwarded to its
recipient in Australia.
The Trophy came from the hands of the German/Belgian artist
Ulrike Bolenz, who created a brand new and exclusive art object
– a female Icarus. The object came along with an NFC providing
information about the artist, illustrating the options new technologies
provide.
Last year, for the first time, the congress hosting the trophy
was embedded in the premiere of the new DEXT Force Festival,
offering a wide variety of offers, a thrilling mixture of extensive
information, experiments, music and gaming, all centred around
Web3 experiences.
This did not contradict the trophy’s intent. On the contrary, the
entire Casa Llotja de Mar was in use and vibrating in creativity.
The opinion is shared by Vasilisa Marinchuk, for the second time
the president of the trophy’s jury board but also, more important,
the curator of the Festival’s congress component “Decentralization4all”:
“The Trophy fits very well in our setting, opening in the
wider world of innovation and illustrating the diverse impact on
everything.”
This is a perfect base to continue this successful cooperation
also in 2024. The upcoming DEXT Force Festival will be held on
the October 4-5, again in Barcelona’s Casa Llotja de Mar. The
next Laureate of the Wholistic World Innovation Trophy will again
be announced on the evening of the first day.
210 211

“WE HOPE THAT OUR TECHNOLOGY WILL
HELP US GET TO NET ZERO”
The 2023 Trophy Laureate Marcus Dawe, co-founder and CEO of
Canberra-based MCi Carbon, spoke about his vision on decarbonization
and protecting the planet. This is an edited transcript
of the video note given during the ceremony in Barcelona:
“It is a tremendous accolade to be awarded with the Wholistic
World Innovation Trophy. I’m extremely appreciative given that
the journey I’ve been on for the last 16 years with MCi Cabon has
been a tremendous experience with my people. I’m very lucky to
have such a great team around me. 16 years ago, my co-founder
John Beever and I started the venture looking for a large-scale
CO2 solution for the world, some way that we could transform
large amounts of CO2 emissions into valuable materials.
We knew this was an opportunity for the world, but we really did
not know if the technology would get us there. For the last ten
years we have been fully funded by the Australian government,
and MCi has been on a journey to prove the technology, that we
can stop the CO2 emissions from the industry and put them into
materials that go into cements or concretes, into building materials
like plasterboards, glass, paper, all the materials that need to
be decarbonized.
MCi is a company of 50 people and expanding rapidly with our
first customers in Europe, Japan, Australia and the US. We are
actively looking for opportunities with industry partners that want
to reduce their emissions. We want to scale at the same time that
the industries are looking for solutions we believe we can create.
There is a very large-scale opportunity to avoid emissions now
whilst we do all the things the world needs to do, like renewable
energies, the energy transition away from fossils and the decarbonization
of the supply chain.
without a carbon price. If industries are still allowed to emit for
free, it is hard to justify why they should spend money on anything
else unless they are regulated or there is a carbon price.
There is the race towards net zero which MCi Carbon and
many others of our technology competitors are facing and even
industries that actually are trying to tackle their emissions. We
are often asked who are our competitors. The answer is pretty
simple: Business as usual! That is to say, any company and any
individual there buying fuels and traditional materials with a high
carbon intensity.
We are calling everyone to consider how they might switch to
the race towards net zero! It is really beholding on all of us in any
of our capacities to help humanity in the race towards net zero.
We are very appreciative of any recognition we get. We have an
amazing team of chemical engineers, geologists and business
people to avoid a billion tons of CO2 per annum by 2040. This
is a realistic goal for us, and we hope that our technology –
amongst others – will help us get to net zero.”
Marcus Dawe was also a guest at the Diplomatic World video
podcast “Today & Tomorrow”, which can be accessed here:
www.diplomaticworld.media/dw-tt-podcast
Photos: DEXT Force Festival
Our global reference pilot plant was built in response to the 2007
report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
that looked at mineral carbonation, which is our core technology
of taking CO2 and reacting it with low grade minerals, creating
valuable materials that have the carbon embodied in them.
Our planet is reacting every day with different minerals and waste
feedstocks like steel slags and bottom ash from the industry to
convert them into materials by using CO2. This CO2 gets locked
into these materials permanent and safety. This is really a way to
locking CO2 permanently away.
We need continuous support from our governments, which we
had from the Australian Federal Government and successive
state governments in New South Wales. Now we are at the stage
where we need significant capital as we expand our technology
and get it into the market. Policy support is very, very important.
Nothing still is cheaper than putting carbon into the atmosphere
212 213

JEAN-MICHEL SAIVE
PRESIDENT, BELGIAN OLYMPIC
AND INTERFEDERAL COMMITTEE (BOIC)
For me it is important as BOIC President
to be close to the sport federations,
close to the athletes and spend time on the field
YOU HAVE LED THE BOIC SINCE 2021. GIVE OUR
READERS AN INSIGHT INTO THE FUNCTIONS AND
ROLE AS THE HEAD OF THE BELGIAN OLYMPIC
COMMITTEE AND YOUR LONG-TERM VISION FOR
THE BOIC
The upcoming Olympic Games in Paris are important for us on
the sporting side because we won seven medals in Tokyo and
26 top-8 classifications. And our aim is to do better in Paris. It is
additionally important because it is very close from our country,
we are closer to Paris than many French cities (such as Lyon or
Marseille), if you think about it.
First, a little bit about my background. I am a former athlete,
I played table tennis for a very long time. I participated in 7
The Lotto Belgium House will be very well located close to the
Olympic Games and was ranked number 1 in the world exact-
Arc de Triomphe where we can host 2,000 Belgian supporters
ly 30 years ago, in 1994. I was always involved in defending
every day. Those supporters, even those without an official ticket
the voice of the athletes, first at the International Table Tennis
for a competition, can come to our House and watch the live ac-
Federation, then in the Olympic Movement. I became member
tion on the screens. We will have a sports bar, a celebration hall,
of the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission
Team Belgium shop, activities with the athletes after they finish
and subsequently President of the Athletes’ Commission of the
their competition, etc. Fans can live the Olympic spirit without
Belgium and the European Olympic Committees. At the BOIC, I
necessarily having a ticket to the competition.
have been a Board Member since 2009 and then I was elected
Jean-Michel Saive
Photo: BOIC
President in September 2021 as the predecessor, Pierre-Olivier
In London at the 2012 Olympics, we already had a big House
Beckers-Vieujant, had already served four terms of four years.
which received the prize from the BBC for the best National
Olympic Committee (NOC) House. Therefore we are under
Evidently, the media is always interested in hearing the number
For a small country with little snow, no speed skating facilities
For me it is important as President to be close to the sport feder-
pressure to perform! In fact, a big decision in my first meeting
of medals we are aiming for. As a reference, sports statistics
(only short track), winter sports are a bigger challenge, therefore
ations, close to the athletes and spend time on the field. I did not
two weeks after being elected was to have the Belgium House
company Gracenote believes the Belgian delegation will bring
we have to be happy with the results.
want to become President to be far away and occasionally come
in Paris.
home 11 medals.
to the headquarters for board meetings. I form a very good and
strong tandem with the CEO, Cédric Van Branteghem. Everything
that is operational is his task. I am more on the representative
side of things and I am also part of the management team. But
we call each other nearly every day, but we know very well where
the institutional boundaries of our respective roles lie. I’m Walloon
and he is Flemish – a good balance for a Belgian institution,
WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS OF TEAM
BELGIUM AHEAD OF THE 2024 SUMMER
OLYMPICS IN PARIS AND THE 2026 MILANO-
CORTINA WINTER OLYMPICS?
As for the Winter Olympics, I was very lucky since my first
Olympics as president of the BOIC was in Beijing (2022) and
we got two historic medals, one gold (Bart Swings in speed
skating), the first gold medal for Belgium at the Winter Olympics
since 1948; and one bronze (Hanne Desmet in short track), the
first individual medal for a Belgian female athlete in winter sports.
HOW IS THE BOIC INVESTING AND PREPARING
THE NEXT-GENERATION OF BELGIAN TOP
ATHLETES? COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT
THE PROJECT “BE GOLD”?
The project Be Gold is to help the next generation for subsequent
and we can both speak each oth