Word of welcome by Jan van Zanen at the gathering for members of the corps diplomatique, 24 October 2024

 

Excellencies,

Distinguished guests, dear friends,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you, members of the corps diplomatique and representatives of the international community.

Also on behalf of councillors Mariëlle Vavier, Saskia Bruines and Nur Icar.

This year we are guests at the Groote Sociëteit ‘Haagsche Club – Plaats Royaal’.

The Hague’s oldest gentlemen’s club, actually, the Netherlands’ oldest.

Which, for more than 275 years, has been a ‘place of civilised entertainment’.

Speaking of civilised entertainment: I would like to thank the students of the Royal Conservatoire for the musical backdrop to this evening.

The past few months have again seen a lot of activity on the international front.

For example, at various moments this year we have been marking 125 years of peace and justice in The Hague.

In that context on 21 September, Peace Day, 125 children buried a peace wish in a time capsule in the gardens of the Peace Palace.

Earlier this month our city was the setting for the World Council of United Cities and Local Governments, UCLG.

A meeting dedicated to peace and the role that local governments can play in that.

For the next 12 months I shall hold of the office of president of the UCLG.

Besides peace, sustainability will be another important focus of the UCLG in the coming period.

A subject high on the agenda of The Hague city council, as it is for many embassies and international organisations.

On 8 October The Hague was the first city in the Netherlands to be awarded the EU Mission Label for a ‘Climate Neutral and Smart City’.

This has everything to do with our plans to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the city.

But The Hague is not alone in that.

International organisations and embassies, united in the International Greening Network, make a vital contribution to the realisation of our goal to become climate neutral.

The Network sets a good example and is an inspiration to others: I thank you for that.

Not just in The Hague, but also the diplomatic communities elsewhere in Europe and the rest of the world.

Please know that the sustainability team of The Hague is ready to help embassies and international organisations wanting to join the International Greening Network.

However, we should see sustainability in broader terms than just in relation to the built environment.

It is also about social and economic inclusion.

Local governments have a key role to play here.

Not least, because social and economic inclusion can remove the root causes of conflict.

Such as inequality, injustice and lack of opportunities.

Thus helping to resolve those conflicts.

And, besides reconstruction, to work towards reconciliation and lasting peace.

In these times of armed conflict it is all the more necessary to keep making connections.

And to roll up our sleeves for that which is as important as oxygen: peace.

As president of the UCLG and Mayor of the city of peace and justice, I see this as my mission.

And in that spirit, I wish you a nice evening.