Statement by Mayor Jan van Zanen at the signing ceremony of the Host Nation Agreement between The Netherlands and UNDP, New York, United States (Permanent Representation of The Netherlands), Wednesday 5 February 2025
Dear all,
For two reasons I am proud to be present at this significant ceremony today.
Of course, I am honoured that UNDP will open an office in The Hague soon.
Your work is of the utmost importance for people in humanitarian need throughout the world.
And this work has become even more indispensable as a result of very recent developments.
Your Global Programme on the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development is a perfect fit for our city.
We host a vibrant ecosystem of more than 500 organisations and 20,000 people working on complex peace and justice challenges daily.
And, as a local government, the municipality fosters this innovative ecosystem by creating a favourable, safe and welcoming climate for international organisations working on solutions for the international justice crisis.
I am confident that your European hub in The Hague, including the JusticeFutures CoLab,
will benefit greatly from both the cooperation with other institutions, NGOs and universities here, as well as from the partnership with the government of The Netherlands.
As the mayor of the international city of peace and justice, there is a second reason to be proud.
Although the signing of this agreement is done by a simple stroke of hand,
Its symbolic value cannot be underestimated. The very signing of this document strengthens the international legal order itself.
After all, the international legal order materializes through international agreements, treaties, and the like.
This moment, therefore, is history in the making.
In The Hague, we understand the value of international cooperation.
It is with reason, that The Hague is explicitly mentioned in the United Nations Charter.
We hope that, from this year on, our city will inspire UNDP´s efforts to contribute to a peaceful and just world too.
And in those efforts, you will always find The Hague at your side.
Thank you.
