Speech at the reception for delegates attending the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE, 6 July 2026

Distinguished guests,

A very warm welcome here in our City Hall Atrium, the ‘living room’ of The Hague. The city whose honour it is to host this Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE.

Your annual meeting focuses on a highly topical question: how can international law and shared values once again provide direction for security and cooperation in a period of geopolitical uncertainty?

A question that goes to the heart of your work and the role that The Hague increasingly plays as a forum for security issues.

We have seen rapid changes in the security landscape in recent years. Something that was evident at last year’s NATO summit, which marked a new phase in transatlantic cooperation. As did the Next Gen Security Conference that took place here just a few weeks ago, building on the Atlantic Assembly of the Young Atlantic Association which took place during the NATO summit. What began as an initiative set up by young professionals is evolving into a platform that will regularly bring new generations of thinkers and policymakers together in The Hague.

A strong ecosystem centred on security has emerged in our city in recent years; one that continues to grow stronger. The European Innovation Defence Forum will be held here in November and in October 2026 we will again be welcoming the One Conference; one of Europe’s most important meetings in field of cybersecurity.

It is precisely within this broader security landscape that we see not only States, but also cities and local authorities playing an increasingly prominent role. It is within networks like the UCLG that it is becoming clear how local government contributes to stability, resilience and social cohesion. A development that was again highlighted at the end of June when the UCLG Peace Prize 2026 was presented in Tangier.

The prize was awarded to Lamu County, Kenya, for the Lamu Peace Model: a holistic approach that brings together disaster risk management, social cohesion, climate adaptation, preventing violent extremism, maritime security and the inclusion of refugees. By prioritizing local leadership and embedding policy within the system, Lamu shows how peace truly begins at local level and how communities can emerge from crises stronger than ever. It is an example which reminds us that security is shaped not only in international fora, but also in towns, villages and regions that have the courage to break new ground.

A concept that ties in well with the theme of The Hague Justice Week this November. The Hague Justice Week is a call to restore trust in institutions, strengthen international cooperation and re-establish the rule of law as the foundation for security.

Distinguished guests,

You have come here to discuss security, cooperation and shared values. Those are essential words, but they only become meaningful when people are prepared to keep meeting one another, even when the world is under threat. Your active commitment to peace and security has our full support. Know that you can always count on The Hague.

Thank you very much.