The Chairman of the General Authority for Search and Identification of Missing Persons (GASIMP), Dr. Kamal Abu Bakr, received a high-level delegation at the Authority’s headquarters. The delegation included representatives from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Libya, led by Ms. Heleen Bartmans, Deputy Head of Mission, and Ms. Maartje Stijfveld, a visiting diplomat and advisor at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

   The meeting was also attended by a senior delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which included Ms. Sophie Kemkhadze, the UNDP Resident Representative in Libya, and her accompanying team.

Reviewing Joint Programs and Enhancing Capabilities

   The visiting delegation was welcomed by the Chairman along with several directors of GASIMP’s specialized departments. The visit aimed to:

• Review current programs and activities implemented in cooperation with the UNDP.

• Discuss mutual cooperation regarding the missing persons file.

• Explore ways to support technical and institutional capacities, thereby advancing search and identification efforts, supporting justice and reconciliation paths, and upholding families’ right to know the fate of their loved ones.

Briefing on Institutional Challenges and Partnerships

    During the meeting, the Chairman provided a comprehensive briefing on GASIMP’s ongoing operations across various files, highlighting the prominent technical and logistical challenges associated with search, recovery, and identification processes. He emphasized the critical importance of sustained partnerships with international supporters—foremost among them the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as a key supporter of the missing persons file in Libya, and the UNDP—to strengthen professional and institutional work in this national and humanitarian mission.

International Commendation

   The delegation members expressed their deep appreciation and admiration for GASIMP’s extensive efforts. They praised the noticeable development in the Authority’s institutional and technical performance, underscoring the vital importance of this humanitarian work. They also reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing coordination to support national efforts aimed at uncovering the fate of the missing, assisting their families, and strengthening trust in relevant national institutions.

Conclusion

   The meeting concluded with a mutual affirmation on the importance of continued consultation and coordination between GASIMP and its international partners. Both sides agreed to explore future areas of cooperation that serve the missing persons file in Libya and support national efforts in truth, justice, and reconciliation.