“We must declare war on this virus,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his comments on the global response to the spread of the COVID-19, calling on governments to cooperate in order to “ensure targeted support for the people and communities most affected by the disease.” The United Nations is actively addressing the global Covid-19 outbreak on several fronts - from situation reports and technical guidelines, through funding and partnerships, to advice for the public.

In light of the corona virus pandemic the demand for protective masks has increased dramatically. In the meantime, these masks have become scarce goods.

Coronavirus Outbreak Update

In connection with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the following changes have been published by IATA (International Air Transport Association) as of March, 15, 2020:

The Diplomatic Council warmly welcomes the Miller White Group, a dynamic international operating real estate company which is mainly active in the development of temporary and/or permanent real estate concepts. The founders Laura de Wit and Edwin Mulder, have become Diplomatic Council Executive Members.

This year’s Executive Club focused on the global issues and concerns in the first part. The group discussed the economic and personal impacts of the Coronavirus as well as the conflict between Iran and the USA always raising the question what this means for Europe. Analysis and predictions were made on how the next decade could and would develop.

Rehago is the winner of the Diplomatic Council Startup Leadership Award 2020. This startup has found a way to employ virtual reality to help partially paralysed patients to manage their daily life after e.g. a stroke. The training in rehabilitation is often demotivating and boring - especially when it is done alone and at home. Therapists suffer from a constant lack of time and patients are often undersupplied. Rehago is a VR application for independent training that can support the rehabilitation process.

Right after the check-in, members and guests of the Diplomatic Council Gala 2020 seized the opportunity to be professionally photographed with dignitaries of the Diplomatic Council. Printouts of the pictures could be taken home at the end of the event.

For those who prefer digital pictures, the Diplomatic Council picture gallery is now available at: http://photos.diplomatic-council.org. The gallery also includes pictures from former galas and summer festivals.

The Diplomatic Council has presented a microcosm of the world at the Gala 2020. Ambassador Dr. Heinrich Kreft, member of the Diplomatic Council Board of Presidents, enthused the audience with his impressive keynote address on world and European politics. In particular, Dr. Heinrich Kreft proposed valuable ideas on the role of the European Union in the world of tomorrow after the painful exit of Great Britain.