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Town Hall meeting with Stefano Grassi, Head of Cabinet of Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson

17 Jul 2020
All Committees
Environment
Transport, Energy & Climate
Transatlantic

On 17 July, AmCham EU hosted a Town Hall meeting with Stefano Grassi, Head of Cabinet of Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson. The discussion centered around:

  • the impact of COVID-19 on the Green Deal and energy sector;
  • the role that the Green deal and the energy sector will play in the economic recovery;
  • the renovation wave and the role of gas; and
  • the EU-US relations regarding transatlantic energy cooperation.

This was the last Town Hall before the summer break. These events will resume in September and will take place on a monthly basis.

Court ruling on EU-US data transfers sends mixed signals to business

16 Jul 2020
All Committees
Digital Economy

Brussels, 16 July 2020 – The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) acknowledges that the Court of Justice of the European Union has upheld the validity of standard contractual clauses (SCCs). Businesses and economies rely on the free flow of data to provide valued services to European consumers. SCCs are for many businesses the most accessible and stable means to transfer data outside of the EU. Today’s ruling delivers judicial endorsement of the important role SCCs play in providing adequate safeguards for EU citizens.

AmCham EU elects new Vice-Chair of the Board

15 Jul 2020
All Committees
Board

AmCham EU would like to congratulate Kaarli Eichhorn (Jones Day), who has been elected as the new Vice-Chair (Lawyer/Consultant) of the Board of Directors for a two-year term. We welcome Kaarli to his new role, and look forward to working with him.

The election followed the end of the term of outgoing Vice-Chair Meglena Mihova (EPPA). AmCham EU places on record our sincere thanks for her valuable contribution to the board over the last three years.

Transparency the order of the day in AmCham EU’s July plenary

15 Jul 2020
All Committees
Plenary Meeting

On 14 July, AmCham EU hosted a virtual plenary meeting addressing good governance and transparency in a time of crisis, and the role for politics and public affairs. We were joined by guest speakers Heidi Hautala, MEP (Greens/EFA, FI), Vice-President, European Parliament, Wes Himes, President, Society of European Affairs Professionals (SEAP), as well as Renate Nikolay, Head of Vice-President Jourova’s Cabinet, European Commission.

AmCham EU doubles down on commitment to principles of transparency

13 Jul 2020
All Committees
Institutional Affairs

Transparency is vital to a well-functioning democracy. It is also the keystone to a public affairs professional’s integrity. On 13 July 2020, Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU signed the ‘Transparency Pledge’, demonstrating our commitment to transparency in our work.

Belgian start-up SAANA wins AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award 2020

13 Jul 2020
All Committees

The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) and Junior Achievement Europe (JA Europe) are delighted to announce that SAANA, a Belgian start-up, is the winner of the eighth AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award.

Saana is made up of a team of cutting-edge researchers and experts who designed a unique personalised nutrition platform based on the latest science and a machine learning algorithm to enhance cancer patients’ continuum of care and chances of remission.

AmChams in Europe webinar on the COVID-19 crisis and economic recovery

9 Jul 2020
All Committees

Last week, on Friday, 3 July, the AmChams in Europe network hosted the second live webinar on the topic of The COVID-19 crisis and economic recovery – How is business across Europe and Eurasia responding to these challenges? The discussion during the panel focused on the current reality for business around the world as well as the steps needed for economic recovery. 

The panelists included 4 members from AmChams across Europe and wider Europe:

  • Maxime Bureau, Director for Government Affairs & Sustainability for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, 3M and Chairman, AmCham EU. 
  • Malin Parkler, Country Manager, Pfizer, Chair, AmCham Sweden; 
  • Leonid Tarasov, Country Manager, Delta Airlines, Board member, AmCham Russia; 
  • Ruza Tomic Fontana, General Manager, Coca-Cola HBC for Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia, President, AmCham Croatia.

The event was moderated by Susan Danger, CEO of AmCham EU in her capacity as Chair of AmChams in Europe.

American Hour 4th of July Special

9 Jul 2020
All Committees
Transatlantic

On Thursday, 2 July, AmCham EU organised a US elections special edition of American Hour. This event was exceptionally open to all. We had the pleasure of welcoming Robert Doar, President of the American Enterprise Institute and Darrell West, Vice President of Brookings. The conversation was moderated by Suzanne Lynch, Washington Correspondent of the Irish Times. In her opening remarks, Susan Danger, CEO of AmCham EU stressed that cooperation between the EU and the US will always be mutually beneficial. During the session we also celebrated the 4th of July with our American Hour: All American Quiz. Test your knowledge by taking the quiz!

Back to the new normal? Re-thinking the future workplace after COVID-19

9 Jul 2020
All Committees
Future of Work, Education & Skills

On Wednesday, 1 July 2020 AmCham EU organised an online event to discuss the future of the workplace and how organisations can best adapt to the changes brought forward by the pandemic. Guillaume Alvarez, Senior Vice-President EMEA, Steelcase; Andy Baldwin, Global Managing Partner, EY and Pastora Valero, Vice-President, Public Policy and Government Affairs EMEAR, Cisco Systems, Inc. shared their insights on how future workplaces will function in the future and how the pandemic will impact the way we work in the long run. 

Leena Maria Linnus, Director-General for infrastructure and logistics, European Parliament  spoke about how the Parliament has managed to continue its operations while guaranteeing the safety of its employees and elected representatives.

Uniting for diversity: 22 industry contributions to a more inclusive society

8 Jul 2020
All Committees
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

On Tuesday, 7 July 2020, AmCham EU launched 'Uniting for diversity: 22 industry contributions to a more inclusive society', a report aimed at fostering best practices within the business community and beyond. On the occasion of the launch AmCham EU hosted an event featuring Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli, Monica Semedo, Member of the European Parliament for Renew Europe and Aongus Hegarty, Chair of AmCham EU’s Executive Council and President, International Markets at Dell. The panel discussion was moderated by Elizabeth Krahulecz, Chair of the AmCham EU Diversity & Inclusion Task Force and Associate Partner at EY. The event provided multiple reflection points on where Europe stands when it comes to Diversity and Inclusion.

 

Let's celebrate the 4th of July!

3 Jul 2020
All Committees

AmCham EU would like to wish you a happy 4th of July! You can celebrate with us by testing your American history knowledge with our American Hour: All American Quiz. 

AmCham EU German Presidency recommendations

2 Jul 2020
All Committees
Presidency

AmCham EU welcomes the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union which kicked off on Wednesday, 1 July. Our recommendations to the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union aim to ensure we reach our common objectives of a stronger and more prosperous EU. In the recommendations, we highlight priorities we believe will make Europe more competitive and attractive for investment based on the original European Union work programme for 2020. However, the German Presidency comes at an unprecedented moment in the history of the European Union. Europe, like the world, has been rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our dedicated economic recovery paper contains recommendations specific to the crisis context in which Germany takes over the presidency of the EU.

We look forward to working closely with Germany during its Presidency. AmCham EU had the opportunity to travel to Berlin on a Presidency Delegation, just before the lockdown in March 2020. We would like to thank all the stakeholders that we met while in Berlin and wish them a successful Presidency!


 

EU climate law: Forging Europe’s green future

1 Jul 2020
Transport, Energy & Climate

Earlier this year the European Commission presented a proposal for a European Climate Law that sets a legally binding target for climate neutrality by 2050. AmCham EU member companies have been have been researching, investing in and developing a wide range of low-carbon technologies in Europe for decades and are keen to support the establishment of a well-designed framework that fosters the development of efficient and cost-effective solutions to achieve the EU’s climate goals. For more on AmCham EU's position on the EU Climate Law, please see our position paper here.

The COVID-19 crisis has had a significant impact on the European economy and moving forward, the EU Climate Law, as a key pillar of the European Green Deal, will be essential to unlock the economic, social and environmental benefits of the green transition.  More climate friendly solutions, including investment in sustainable infrastructure will bring to bear the EU’s potential to be a leader in combatting climate change.

Roderick ‘Rory’ Macmillan's memorial service

30 Jun 2020
All Committees

Roderick ‘Rory’ Macmillan was a dear friend and colleague to many of us and he will be sorely missed. Many of our lives have been enriched by his friendship and supported by his professional dedication. We are very appreciative of Rory’s collegiality and commitment over the years as well as his friendship, sparkling sense of humour and his true kindness. Our thoughts and are with his husband Koenraad, his extensive family and loved ones around the world.

The memorial service will take place in Wexford, Ireland on Friday, 3 July at 12.30 GMT+1. You are invited to attend via this web link. Please share this link to friends and colleagues for them to participate in this tribute to our dear friend Rory with his family. Instead of flowers, you are kindly invited to make a donation to one of Rory’s favourite charities as listed below. On behalf of the staff, members and Board of AmCham EU, both past and present, we have made a contribution to both charities in his memory:

World Child Cancer
Belgium Alzheimer Association

 

AmCham EU hosts first virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM)

26 Jun 2020
All Committees
Communications Group
Operations Group

On Thursday, 25 June, AmCham EU held its first virtual Annual General Meeting, where members reviewed last year’s accomplishments and discussed future plans for the organisation in 2020 and beyond. The AGM included reporting and voting on the annual accounts and budgets for 2019 and 2020.

The members have approved the 2019 annual accounts and 2020 annual budget, discharged the Board and auditors of their responsibilities for the accounting year 2019, and confirmed the mandate of current Board members. Changes to the AmCham EU Board were also announced, with Joris Pollet (Procter & Gamble) confirmed for his second mandate as Chair of Operations Group. Two dedicated members presented their candidacy for the position of Vice-Chair (lawyer/consultant): Kaarli Eichhorn (Jones Day) and Pablo Muñiz (Van Bael & Bellis). The nominations for Chair of Board of Directors were also launched at the AGM. 

2020 Lizanne Scott Staff Excellence Award winners

26 Jun 2020
All Committees

On Thursday, 25 June, during our virtual Annual General Meeting, we presented the 2020 Lizanne Scott Staff Excellence Award to Roberta Brumana, Senior External Relations Adviser and Wendy Lopes, Senior Graphic Design Specialist.

The Lizanne Scott Staff Excellence Award recognises outstanding work by members of the AmCham EU staff and is given annually to one or two members of the secretariat. Roberta and Wendy's dedication, professionalism and can-do spirit have been recognised and appreciated by staff and members alike. Congratulations to both winners!

Town Hall with Dr Peter Liese, MEP

23 Jun 2020
All Committees
Trade & External Affairs
Transatlantic

For the eleventh edition of its ‘Town Hall’ for members, AmCham EU connected with Dr Peter Liese, MEP, (EPP, DE) and EPP Coordinator in the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety who engaged in a fireside chat with Zeger Vercouteren, Vice President Worldwide Government Affairs & Policy – Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) and Global Supply Chain Initiatives, Johnson & Johnson. Dr Liese shared his insights on the COVID-19 emergency and on its impact on the EU’s public health policies.

According to him, the COVID-19 outbreak showed the importance of strategic sovereignty for the EU’s supply chains as well as the need for strong and trusting relationships with trade partners like the US and the UK. During the chat, we also covered topics including the European Economic Recovery Plan, supply chains, and the EU Beating Cancer Plan. The discussion was chaired by Ava Lloyd (FTI), Vice-Chair, Healthcare Committee, AmCham EU. 

 

Farm to Fork: Towards a sustainable agro-food system in Europe

23 Jun 2020
All Committees
Agriculture & Food
Policy Group

With the European Commission’s Farm to Fork strategy (F2F) now on the agenda, the future of the agro-food economy will look very different and more sustainable than it does today.  AmCham EU represents companies from across the agro-food supply chain and believes that the Farm to Fork strategy as part of the European Green Deal can bring lasting and fundamental change to the food and feed sector.

AmCham EU has identified key objectives in its position paper that can help contribute to achieving a more sustainable food system in Europe and help facilitate decarbonisation of the agro-food sector.

The objectives strive to ensure sustainable production, consumption, better regulation, trade and international cooperation as well as the required investment in research and innovation.

The importance of the transatlantic economic relationship

23 Jun 2020
All Committees
Trade & External Affairs

Roger Coelho, Senior Policy Director, AmCham EU, gave a presentation on Tuesday, 16 June to the Council of American States in Europe (CASE) for its 'Virtual USA Investment Roundtable'.

In his presentation to an audience of representatives from US States and businesses from across Europe, Roger highlighted the importance of the transatlantic economic relationship with an emphasis on investment. As highlighted in AmCham EU’s annual Transatlantic Economy report, investment drives the transatlantic economy.

 

Pulling together today for the circular economy of tomorrow

15 Jun 2020
All Committees
Environment
Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU wrote an opinion piece on the circular economy last week. Susan makes the case for Europe’s transition to a circular economy and notes that such a change is compelling for the EU's leaders, its citizens, and in many respects for businesses. According to her, potential opportunities include: 'reduced pressures on the environment, as better waste management would imply both reduced use of resources such as energy, water, land and materials, and reduced emissions of greenhouse gases.
 
It would also mitigate the risks associated with the supply of raw materials, such as price volatility, availability and import dependency.' You can read the full piece here and for more details on AmCham EU’s member companies' actions towards sustainability, see our brochure ‘The Circular Economy: 15 innovative industry solutions that drive a sustainable future’. 

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