Annual Report Carnegie Foundation Peace Palace
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Annual Report Carnegie Foundation Peace Palace 2020 “It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t Piet Hein Donner enough to believe in President it. One must work Carnegie Foundation at it.” Editorial - Peace Palace – Eleanor Roosevelt The year 2020 was an extraordinary year, in every (ICJ) and the Hague Academy of International Law. future generations. With that purpose in mind, we are respect. It was a challenging year but also a year of These international institutions were able to continue glad with the decision of the Dutch government to new experiences and perspectives; for the Carnegie their work and that resulted in 15 cases that entered in reserve funds for a major renovation of the original Foundation as for so many others. the ICJ’s List and the PCA provided registry services in buildings. At present, we are engaged in a discussion 211 cases, a record 59 of which were initiated that year. with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs on how this The year started full of hope with our New Year’s In addition, 322 students were educated by The Hague renovation of the Peace Palace can be realized while Reception. The Foundation welcomed more than 170 Academy. preserving the original purpose of its founder. partners and stakeholders. We launched our Friends program during this reception, and we are proud of the With regard to other activities of the Carnegie In 2020, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the diverse circle of friends we are developing. Foundation, the Covid-19 pandemic forced us to search United Nations. As the International Court of Justice for innovative ways to fulfill our mission and thereby (ICJ) is the only principal organ of the UN not housed In March 2020, Covid-19 reached the Netherlands and showed us new opportunities for the future. Many of in New York, the Dutch government organized it had a huge impact on our staff and our activities. our activities took place online: for example, we created various hybrid activities that were hosted by the Peace The Library and the Visitors Centre were closed for an online guided tour for groups, educational packages Palace. These events were accessible worldwide via large parts of the year. In addition, we were not able for schools and students, and developed a virtual reality live-streams. In the same year, the Netherlands also to facilitate external events at the Peace Palace. This tour for individuals. In addition, the Library of the Peace commemorated its liberation from occupation and resulted in a loss of income which could however Palace evolved into a digital library and events and oppression and 75 years of freedom. All activities in be covered by a special subsidy from the Minister of conferences were hosted online. the context of these commemorations reminded us Foreign Affairs and a reduction of staff. that freedom and peace cannot be taken for granted, Despite the extraordinary situation created by the we must continuously work at it. Using the words of Thanks to the flexibility of our employees, we were Covid-19 pandemic, the Carnegie Foundation is Eleanor Roosevelt: “It isn’t enough to talk about peace. able to continue fulfilling our main purpose, which is to determined to preserve and continue the ideal of One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in provide housing and services to the Permanent Court Andrew Carnegie of the Peace Palace as a “Temple of it. One must work at it”. The Foundations gladly works of Arbitration (PCA), the International Court of Justice Peace” (courthouse and library) for all countries and together to promote peace. 3 193 COURT DAYS Table of Housing the Courts and The Hague Academy of International Law contents PCA & ICJ The Peace Palace opened its doors in 1913 and was built to house out in collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). Since 1922, the Peace Affairs and assigned to the Government Real Estate Agency Editorial – Piet Hein Donner 3 Palace also housed the Permanent Court of International Justice (Rijksvastgoedbedrijf). In the area of fire safety, fire-resistant 15 59 (PCIJ) which, in 1946, was succeeded by the International Court compartmentalisation has been enhanced and constructive CASES Housing the Courts and The Hague Academy of International Law 5 of Justice (ICJ) of the United Nations (UN). The Hague Academy measures with a view to fire-resistance were carried out. The ENTERED/INITIATED of International Law has also been situated on the grounds of the competent authorities for fire safety concluded that, for the next IN THE LIST Institutions housed in the Peace Palace 6 Peace Palace, since its beginnings in 1923. 7 years, the Peace Palace is a safe working space for its regular International Court of Justice | The Permanent Court of Arbitration | The Hague Academy of activities. In addition, in December 2020, a report from the International Law Since its establishment, the Carnegie Foundation is the owner voluntary, yet critical, Monument Watch concluded that, generally, ICJ PCA and manager of the Peace Palace and it supports the Dutch the Peace Palace is in a good state of maintenance. The Carnegie Study Report Decisio 10 Ministry of Foreign Affairs in housing and serving the Courts. The Foundation is pleased with these reports confirming that it has Billions in economic damage worldwide saved by the institutions in the Peace Palace foundation works continuously on keeping the accommodation of maintained the palace appropriately with the means at its disposal. the international institutions at the highest level and adapting its Events organised by the Carnegie Foundation 12 services to current needs. In 2020, a Facility Management information system (FMIS) was 322 New Year’s Reception | Art of Peace Garden Walk | Meet and Code | Carillon Concerts installed and implemented to serve the Courts more efficiently WINTERCOURSE Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the foundation was able to and effectively. This online system connects the Courts and STUDENTS External Events 17 fulfill its main task of housing and serving the Courts at all times. the Facility Department and helps structure communication, 75 years United Nations | Hiil The Innovating Justice Forum | HCCH Council on General Affairs In March 2020, a joint Covid-19 task force with members from the requests and tasks. Via this system, any one of the 30 available and Policy | Eurovision: “Ein bisschen Frieden” at the Peace Palace institutions housed in the palace was convened to discuss and conference rooms can be reserved and availability can be seen THE HAGUE ACADEMY FOR implement measures to apply for the safety of all employees in the in real time. In addition, the required set up of the rooms and INTERNATIONAL LAW Activities & Projects 26 palace, even during the pandemic. catering can also be requested. Also, with the help of this ICT- Peace Palace Library | Art Collection | Visibility | Visitors Centre tool, both communication and technical services became faster, While the palace was almost empty during the pandemic, more transparent and more efficient allowing all employees to be Organization Insights 33 staff from the Facilities Department of the foundation were optimally supported in their work on a daily basis. With the help of 362 Board, Advisory Council and Management Team and Departments | Trends & Progress | able to perform regular maintenance works as well as special the new system, a total of 362 reservations for various events and RESERVATIONS Financial Report service projects. Works on safety and security were carried 193 court hearing days were made in 2020. Outlook – Erik de Baedts 39 5 VARIOUS EVENTS INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE Institutions Note: the ICJ Annual Report covers the period from 1 August 2019 to 31 July 2020. housed in the Peace Palace The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations and was established by the United Nations Charter in June 1945, after which it began its activities in April 1946. As at 31 July 2020, 193 States were During the period under the review, the Court delivered three judgements and indicated provisional parties to the Statute of the Court, and thus had access to it. measures in one case. The Court, or its President, also handed down seven procedural orders. In addition, 74 of them have made a declaration (some with reservations) during the same period, the Court held public hearings in five cases and was seized of one new contentious recognizing as compulsory the jurisdiction of the Court. case. At 31 July 2020, the number of cases entered in the Court’s List stood at 15: In addition, more than 300 bilateral or multilateral treaties or conventions provide for the Court to have jurisdiction 1 Gabčíkovo-Nagymaros Project (Hungary/Slovakia); ratione materiae in the resolution of various types of disputes 2 Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Uganda); between States. 3 Question of the Delimitation of the Continental Shelf between Nicaragua and Colombia beyond 200 nautical miles from the Nicaraguan Coast (Nicaragua v. Colombia); The International Court of Justice consists of: 4 Alleged Violations of Sovereign Rights and Maritime Spaces in the Caribbean Sea (Nicaragua v. Colombia); • 15 judges elected for a term of nine years by the General 5 Maritime Delimitation in the Indian Ocean (Somalia v. Kenya); Assembly and the Security Council. Elections for the next 6 Dispute over the Status and Use of the Waters of the Silala (Chile v. Bolivia); renewal were held on 12 November 2020. 7 Immunities and Criminal Proceedings (Equatorial Guinea v. France); • The President (as at 31 July 2020, Mr.