Founder of Self-Declared Micronation Verdis Honored at United Nations
Daniel Jackson, founder of the self-declared micronation Verdis, received a humanitarian award at UN headquarters in New York, drawing international attention despite ongoing territorial disputes with Croatia.
Daniel Jackson, a 21-year-old British national from Dover, Kent, has achieved international recognition after receiving a humanitarian award at United Nations headquarters in New York. Jackson is the founder of the Free Republic of Verdis, a self-declared micronation established on a disputed parcel of land along the Danube River between Serbia and Croatia.
The project began in May 2019 when Jackson was just 14 years old. Alongside friends, he identified Pocket-3, an unclaimed plot of land resulting from a border dispute between Serbia and Croatia, and declared it an independent state. Since then, Verdis has developed official state symbols, including a flag, passport, coat of arms, government cabinet, and laws, though it lacks physical control over the territory.
Recognition at the United Nations
The humanitarian award was presented to Jackson by the Institute of Public Policy and Diplomacy Research during a ceremony at the UN headquarters, in recognition of Verdis's humanitarian aid activities in Côte d'Ivoire. Jackson addressed the gathering, describing the experience as intense and remarkable for someone of his age.
On October 9, representatives of the micronation participated in a UN General Assembly session focusing on youth mobilization. Verdis's Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Jeffrey Lee, delivered an address detailing the entity's ongoing initiatives and future plans, enabling the leadership to expand its diplomatic network.
Territorial Disputes and Exile Government
Verdis spans approximately 12.5 hectares, which would rank it among the world's smallest sovereign entities if officially recognized. However, settlement attempts have been stalled due to actions by Croatian authorities, who reportedly prevent Jackson and his cabinet from entering the area and monitor the coastline to block access from Serbia.
Jackson stated that he is currently banned from entering Croatia, effectively forcing the Verdis administration to operate as a government in exile. Despite these restrictions, Jackson has secured Serbian citizenship and maintains two diplomatic representations, located in Dover, United Kingdom, and Novi Sad, Serbia, while boasting a registered citizenry of around 400 individuals.
