This year’s Diplomatic Council Summer Celebration will take place on 16 June with Japan as the partner country.
FURTHER INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
The event will be held at the magnificent Villa Bonn in Frankfurt am Main (Germany), renowned for its distinguished atmosphere and elegant surroundings. Guests can look forward to a high-calibre programme in a relaxed setting, accompanied by excellent cuisine and refreshing drinks within an exclusive social environment designed for engaging and stimulating conversations among distinguished attendees.
Japan’s Vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” and Euro-Atlantic Security
With an economic output of approximately US$4.4 trillion, Japan is the world’s fourth-largest industrial economy. Against this backdrop, the remarks by Japan’s Consul General ITO Takeshi are expected to attract considerable interest.
He will speak on the topic of the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP):
“The current global situation demonstrates how closely intertwined the security of the Euro-Atlantic region and that of the Indo-Pacific have become. Under these circumstances, the importance of cooperation between Germany and Japan – partners united by fundamental values such as democracy, human rights and the rule of law – cannot be overstated. At the heart of Japanese foreign policy lies the vision of a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ (FOIP). This year marks the tenth anniversary of the FOIP vision. The presentation will address the evolution of Japan’s FOIP strategy, its application in today’s geopolitical environment, and the cooperation between Japan and Germany as two important partners sharing common values.”
Dark Sea: The Middle East Conflict as a Wake-Up Call for the Future of the Maritime World
Complementing this topic, author Claude Piel will speak about her book “Dark Sea”. The war in the Middle East has sharply highlighted the importance of critical maritime routes for the global economy. It served as a wake-up call for a world whose future is increasingly being decided at sea.
Claude Piel coined the term “Dark Sea” as the maritime counterpart to the darknet: a condition of opacity in which control diminishes and the law of the strongest prevails. The oceans cover 70 per cent of our planet. They represent both the world’s largest infrastructure and its most dangerous blind spot. Around 90 per cent of global trade moves across the seas, while beneath them lies the nervous system of our digital civilisation.
Above the waves, a dense network of satellites and sensors continuously maps maritime activity. What was once regarded simply as the “open seas” has evolved into a highly technologised strategic domain. Power ambitions, competition for resources and cyberattacks now intersect with the realities of climate change. Geopolitical chokepoints – from the GIUK Gap to the South China Sea – increasingly determine supply chains and global stability. Autonomous fleets are making ports more efficient, yet simultaneously more vulnerable.
“Anyone who does not understand the dynamics of the ‘Dark Sea’ will neither be able to protect their own interests nor contribute meaningfully to the stability of the international order,” says Ambassador Prof. Dr. Heinrich Kreft, President of the Diplomatic Council.
Another highlight of the evening will be the recognition of authors who have recently published a work with Diplomatic Council Publishing. During a ceremonial presentation, they will receive the “Quality Writers Award” certificate. Authors contributing to a second or third publication will additionally be honoured with Silver, Gold or Gold on Ribbon distinctions.
Programme Highlights
Welcome and moderation: Hang Nguyen, Secretary General, Diplomatic Council
Keynote Address by ITO Takeshi, Consul General of Japan
Keynote Speech “Dark Sea” by Claude Piel, Diplomatic Council Consul
Presentation of the “Quality Writers Award” to DC authors
Programme Schedule
The evening will begin at 6:15 pm with a sparkling wine reception accompanied by light refreshments.
This will be followed by the speeches and award presentations.
Afterwards, guests will enjoy a summer buffet, weather permitting on the beautiful garden terrace or alternatively in the exclusive dining hall of Villa Bonn.
Food and beverages – including the reception, table drinks (wine, beer, water and coffee) as well as all starters, main courses and desserts – are included in the participation fee of EUR 80 for Diplomatic Council members (and their partners) and EUR 100 for guests until 10:00 pm. Guests wishing to remain longer may continue the evening at the bar at their own expense.
In keeping with tradition, the Diplomatic Council Summer Celebration also serves as a meeting point for various initiatives. This year, this particularly applies to supervisory and advisory board members, interim managers, and all those interested in artificial intelligence and quantum technology.
Villa Bonn can be reached by taxi in 5-10 minutes from Frankfurt Central Station and in approximately 15-20 minutes from Frankfurt International Airport. For those arriving by car:Despite its central city location, Villa Bonn offers ample complimentary parking spaces. For late arrivals unable to secure parking there, the Palmengarten multi-storey car park is located nearby.