As the permanent representative of the Netherlands to the UN, I would like to thank you for visiting our website. Here, you will find information about the Dutch Permanent Mission and on the activities at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. If you have any questions, queries or suggestions, don't hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you.
H.E. Herman Schaper
Permanent Representative
Headlines
| 19 Jan 12 | House agrees to deployment of autonomous anti-piracy team |
| The House of Representatives has agreed to the contribution of an Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD) to Operation Atalanta, the EU mission concerned with protecting food transports to Somalia. The advantage of AVPDs is that the military personnel can be stationed directly on the ship in need of protection, so that no naval escort is necessary. (more) | |
| 18 Jan 12 | Rosenthal and Netanyahu in talks on Middle East |
| 17 Jan 12 | Rosenthal meets with Syrian opposition leader |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs Uri Rosenthal has met with Burhan Ghalioun, the leader of the Syrian National Council, one of the largest opposition groups in Syria. (more) | |
| 13 Jan 12 | Encouraging developments in Burma |
| Foreign minister Uri Rosenthal is pleased with the Burmese government’s decision to release a substantial number of detainees, including prominent political prisoners and leaders of religious and ethnic-minority groups. (more) |
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| 12 Jan 12 | Syria must guarantee safety of observers and journalists |
| Foreign minister Uri Rosenthal is deeply concerned about the growing violence in Syria. Yesterday, a French journalist was killed and a Dutch journalist injured in a mortar attack in the city of Homs. The minister has called on the Syrian authorities to investigate the full facts of the attack. The Dutch ambassador in Damascus is in touch with the injured Dutch journalist. (more) | |
| 10 Jan 12 | The Netherlands announces water for development plans |
| International cooperation minister Ben Knapen has announced how the Netherlands will help developing countries solve their water problems over the next few years. At a meeting today with Dutch water sector representatives, he presented the plans outlined in his policy letter ‘Water for Development’. (more) | |
| 8 Jan 12 | The Netherlands worried by continuing violence in Nigeria |
| Foreign minister Uri Rosenthal is shocked at the new series of attacks against Christians in northeast Nigeria. ‘In the past year, terrorism has cost the lives of more than 500 Nigerians’, says Mr Rosenthal. ‘Violence against religious minorities is unacceptable.’ (more) | |
| 6 Jan 12 | Concern about violence and political process in Iraq |
| Foreign minister Uri Rosenthal has condemned the attacks in Iraq and is concerned about the political process there. (more) | |
| 5 Jan 12 | Tougher sanctions against Iran |
| 'The international community's greatest concern in relation to Iran is the Iranian nuclear programme,' says foreign minister Uri Rosenthal. The minister wants to work with international partners to make the pressure on Iran as intense as possible, force it to be open about its nuclear ambitions, and abandon any plans for nuclear arms. (more) | |
| 2 Jan 12 | Women police officers in Afghanistan receive their diploma |
| Seventeen Afghan policewomen have been awarded their diplomas. At the presentation ceremony on 28 December, General Mohammed Ayub Salangi, the chief of police in Kabul, repeatedly underlined the importance to the national police of training more women officers. He also talked about the Dutch police training mission in Afghanistan. (more) | |
| 23 Dec 11 | House of Representatives backs Dutch contribution to UNMISS in South Sudan |
| The Netherlands is sending police officers and officers of the Royal Military and Border Police to help build up the police force in South Sudan. This new country is in a precarious situation, confronted by huge challenges after the war with north Sudan and its recent independence. So support from UNMISS is essential. (more) | |
| 22 Dec 11 | Ni Yulan awarded Human Rights Defenders Tulip |
| An independent jury has awarded the 2011 Human Rights Defenders Tulip to the Chinese human rights activist Ni Yulan. The announcement of the award was delayed at the request of Ms Ni’s family in the interest of her safety. (more) | |
| 20 Dec 11 | Second national action plan for women in conflict-affected areas |
| ‘Women represent 50% of human capital. It is in every country’s interest to make sure that they are actively involved in society, the economy and political decision-making.’ These words were spoken by Minister of Foreign Affairs Uri Rosenthal in Leiden on Monday afternoon when he attended the launch of the second National Action Plan to implement Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. Mr Rosenthal stressed the importance of women’s leadership and political involvement in peacebuilding efforts in conflict-affected areas. (more) | |
| 20 Dec 11 | Effects of North Korean transfer of power unclear |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs Uri Rosenthal is concerned about the impact the transfer of power in North Korea could have following the death of Kim Jong Il. ‘The question is what is happening behind the scenes now and whether it will result in a power shift. We need to be aware of the risk of new tensions arising in the region. The Netherlands and the EU are both following the situation closely.' (more) | |
| 20 Dec 11 | Leading Dutch designers to renovate UN building |
| A team of leading Dutch designers are going to renovate and refurbish the Delegates’ Lounge in the United Nations headquarters in New York. Members include Hella Jongerius, designer, OMA/Rem Koolhaas, architects, Irma Boom, graphic designer, Gabriel Lester, artist and Louse Schouwenberg, design critic. (more) | |
| 16 Dec 11 | Netherlands supports reconstruction of South Sudan |
| Over the past few years the Netherlands has been closely involved in the peace process in Sudan and intends to play a major role in the reconstruction of South Sudan. This commitment was reaffirmed yesterday by Minister for European Affairs and International Cooperation Ben Knapen in a speech at a high-level conference on the future of South Sudan in Washington, DC. (more) | |
| 12 Dec 11 | Coalition of countries for free internet |
| An international coalition is to stand up for freedom of expression on the internet. This was decided by 14 countries (including Canada, Ghana, Mexico, Mongolia, Sweden and the USA) represented yesterday and today at the Freedom Online conference in The Hague. The conference was opened by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. (more) | |
| 9 Dec 11 | Freedom Online: Joint Action for Free Expression on the Internet. |
| On Thursday 8 December 2011, foreign minister Uri Rosenthal and his US counterpart Hillary Clinton will speak at the opening of a conference entitled ‘Freedom Online: Joint Action for Free Expression on the Internet’. (more) | |
| 8 Dec 11 | Ad Melkert nominated as next Director-General of the ILO |
| The Netherlands has nominated Ad Melkert as its candidate for the position of Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The Government made this decision on the recommendation of Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Henk Kamp and Minister of Foreign Affairs Uri Rosenthal, following consultation with Dutch trade unions and employers’ associations, which support the candidacy. (more) | |
| 7 Dec 11 | Proliferation of biological weapons still cause for concern |
| ‘Biological weapons still pose a serious threat to international peace and security.’ Foreign minister Uri Rosenthal delivered this message at the conference of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention in Geneva. ‘The global fight against the proliferation of biological weapons continues to demand our attention,’ he said. ‘We must ensure that such weapons do not fall into the hands of rogue states, terrorists or criminal organisations.’ (more) | |
| 6 Dec 11 | Rosenthal shocked by attacks in Afghanistan |
| The Dutch government is shocked by today’s attacks on innocent civilians in Kabul and Mazar-e Sharif and conveys its condolences to all those who have lost loved ones. (more) | |
| 6 Dec 11 | Rosenthal calls on Belarus to release political prisoners |
| Foreign minister Uri Rosenthal considers the human rights situation in Belarus unacceptable. He made this known at the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Vilnius. 'I am greatly concerned about democracy, human rights and freedom of expression in Belarus', the Minister said. (more) | |
| 30 Nov 11 | Rosenthal condemns storming of British embassy in Iran |
| The Dutch government condemns the violence used against the British embassy in Teheran. ‘The storming of the embassy is an unacceptable breach of international obligations,’ says foreign minister Uri Rosenthal. ‘Iran has a duty to guarantee the safety of foreign missions.’ (more) | |
| 28 Nov 11 | Rosenthal: Syria even more isolated |
| Foreign minister Uri Rosenthal welcomed the decision yesterday by the League of Arab States to impose sanctions on Syria. ‘The majority of the League has made clear that this cannot continue,’ said Mr Rosenthal. ‘The Syrian regime is now even more isolated than it was.’ The Arab League’s decision has increased the likelihood of an international condemnation. (more) | |
| 24 Nov 11 | Hillary Clinton to attend conference on internet freedom in The Hague |
| On 9 December 2011, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will take part in a conference entitled ‘Freedom Online: Joint Action for Free Expression on the Internet’. The conference will be hosted by Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Uri Rosenthal. Also taking part will be ministers from Canada, Estonia, Kenya, Sweden and Tunisia. (more) |
