The ceremony symbolised the formal opening of the revitalized facility, representing the culmination of tireless efforts and a collective vision to create a space that fosters innovation, collaboration, and growth for over 900 staff members.
"Today, we celebrate not only the physical transformation of this building, but also the spirit of resilience and adaptability displayed by our remarkable staff throughout the entire process," stated Decamps in his opening remarks.
Then, addressing Mayor van Zanen, the General Manager expressed the Agency's gratitude with the city and the Host Nation for the remarkable support and cooperation. "The high quality and standard of this space truly exemplifies the Netherland's commitment to creating an environment that inspires our staff and serves as a magnet for attracting and retaining top-tier tech talent. This facility is NATO's home in The Hague, and thanks to our collaboration and commitment, its foundations have never before been stronger," he stated.
Remarks from the Mayor of The Hague and the ASB Chair followed, highlighting the long-standing history of NATO in The Hague and the good cooperation between the city and the Agency.
"The city of The Hague feels privileged to have NATO here. I warmly congratulate all NCI Agency staff on your beautifully renovated complex, it reflects the prestige of your organisation. I am pleased that the municipality was able to contribute to the landscaping around it," said Mayor van Zanen
After the speeches, the General Manager and the Mayor unveiled a plaque to commemorate the Host Nation's contributions to the renewed facilities.
The Agency established its first presence in The Hague in 1968. With the NCI Agency teams distributed across a total of 29 locations, the campus in The Hague constitutes one of the five central elements, providing 27,000 m² of modern and fully equipped facilities for almost a thousand staff members.
