Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Final Day in Japan for the Grand Duke and Princess Alexandra

Photo: SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen
Today was already the last day of the Grand Duke and Princess Alexandra's state visit to Japan. The third and final day centered around two conferences attended seperately by the Luxembourgish duo - and one of the even included a glimpse of the Grand Duchess.
Photo: SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen
But first the Grand Duke: Luxembourg's head of state attended the Luxembourg-Japanese Space Conference entitled "New Opportunities and Challenges in Space". The event took place at the Konica Minolta Planetarium Tenku and the Grand Duke gave the opening remarks. Luxembourg is the first country in Europe to have a law on the exploration and use of space resources. The Grand Duchy is therefore seeking partner countries to discuss a legal framework at the international level. Agreements having already been concluded with Portugal and the United Arab Emirates, Japan is the third country with which such a cooperation agreement has been signed. At the end of the Space Conference Grand Duke Henri paid a visit to the Skytree Tower, the second largest building in the world.
Photo: SIP / Charles Caratini
Meanwhile Princess Alexandra attended the a financial conference entitled "Making Sustainable Finance: Global Perspectives on Green and Responsible Finance". The opening remarks were given by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa via video. The conference, which brought together representatives of the Japanese and Luxembourgish financial sectors, discussed the latest developments in sustainable finance, exchanging best practices and discussing the different challenges and opportunities for green finance in Asia and in Europe.
Photo: SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen
Grand Duke Henri and his daughter then attended a reception hosted by the Luxembourgish embassy in their honour. The words of welcome by the Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Tokyo, Béatrice Kirsch, were followed by the speeches of Ministers Étienne Schneider and Pierre Gramegna as well as a toast by the Honorary Consul of Luxembourg in Tokyo, Hajime Sawabe.
Photo: SIP / Charles Caratini
The state visit ended at the stunning Akasaka Palace in Tokyo with a concert hosted by the Grand Duke in honour of the Emperor and Empress of Japan, also attended by Princess Alexandra, Etienne Schneider and Pierre Gramegna as well as several members of the Japanese imperial family. Following the interpretation of the national anthems, the guests had the opportunity to attend recitals by violinists Philippe Koch and Laurence Koch and pianist Eliane Reyes. 
Photo: SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen
After the concert it was time for Grand Duke Henri and Princess Alexandra to bid farewell to their Japanese hosts and head back to the Grand Duchy. Our state visit coverage also ends here. Make sure to have a look at the cour and the government as well as Wort for more pictures.

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