Convening
Global Business Briefing with His Excellency Jean-Arthur Régibeau, Ambassador of Belgium to the U.S.
Ambassador Régibeau begins the briefing for Meridian Corporate Council Members. Photo by Erik Cieslewicz On January 17, 2024, the Meridian Corporate Council partnered with PhRMA to host a Global Business Briefing with His Excellency Jean-Arthur Régibeau, Ambassador of Belgium to the U.S. The discussion covered the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union along with the EU’s economic and green energy achievements and upcoming priorities.. .
About His Excellency Jean-Arthur Régibeau After a few years of working for private business and later as a legal advisor, Ambassador Régibeau joined the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1998. He was the diplomatic advisor to the Minister of Defense from 1999 to 2002 and he went on to be First Secretary at the Belgian Embassy in Berlin. From 2003-2007, Régibeau returned to Brussels as Head of the Private Office of the Minister of Defense.
In 2007, he was appointed Director General in charge of Multilateral Organizations at the Foreign Ministry. In this capacity, he managed some aspects of the Belgian presidency of the European Union in 2010. From 2012-2016, he also was Deputy Commissioner for the commemoration of World War I. In 2016, he took up his role as Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus and Uzbekistan Here are some takeaways from the program: Belgium now holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first half of 2024, from January 1 st to June 30 th .
The Council develops national and international legislation through consensus voting by Council members representing the 27 member states. To help explain Belgium’s goals for their chairmanship of the presidency, Ambassador Régibeau briefed Corporate Council members. The discussion centered around Belgium’s six priorities for strengthening the European multilateral system and economic competition this upcoming semester.
Corporate Council members also touched on the importance of EU and U.S. collaboration and consistency in supporting Ukraine during the ongoing war. This program was made possible through the support of: Steven Greenwald (Meridian) and Lauren Watt (Salesforce) in conversation ahead of the Global Business Briefing on July 17, 2024. Photo by Erik Cieslewicz Sophi Hayashi (Delta Air Lines) receives her name tent ahead of the Global Business Briefing on July 17, 2024.
Photo by Erik Cieslewicz Sahra English (Citi) takes notes during the Global Business Briefing on July 17, 2024. Photo by Erik Cieslewicz Prashanth Rajan (Mastercard) and Lauren Watt (Salesforce) listen in during the Global Business Briefing on July 17, 2024. Photo by Erik Cieslewicz Emilia Valbum (3M) listens to opening remarks during the Global Business Briefing on July 17, 2024. Photo by Erik Cieslewicz Dr. Kathryn Neal (Microsoft) asks a question to the Ambassador during the Global Business Briefing on July 17, 2024.
Photo by Erik Cieslewicz Patrick Hedren (Upwork) arrives ahead of the Global Business Briefing on July 17, 2024. Photo by Erik Cieslewicz Monika Juska (PhRMA) introduces Ambassador Régibeau during the Global Business Briefing on July 17, 2024. Photo by Erik Cieslewicz A full table listens to Ambassador Regibeau’s remarks during the Global Business Briefing on January 17. Photo by Erik Cieslewicz. Project summary Global Business Briefing with His Excellency Jean-Arthur Régibeau, Ambassador of Belgium to the U.S. | January 2024 Number of Visitors: 25 Number of Attendees: 25 Regions: Europe and Eurasia Countries: Belgium Impact Areas: Business and Trade , Foreign Policy , Security and Defense Program Areas: Corporate Diplomacy Partners: Diplomatic Corps , Private Sector .