Autumn Newsletter - President’s Editorial

While Europe is stretched between a full speed economic recovery and an unexpected strong resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the world leaders not yet fully convinced of the urgent need to concretely address climate change, we at CEIR are betting on human’s capability of overcoming the worst crises and are determined to bring our contribution.

It is the natural vocation of any industry association, and ours in particular, to strengthen our community by offering debate opportunities to our members and beyond, and this is the main purpose of our Annual Congress.

I am glad to inform that registration for our next year’s Congress, which we plan to be a physical gathering on 9-10 May in Brussels, is now open! This new edition with not only feature our statutory Board meeting and General Assembly to define the next stages of our association’s developments, but also a joint set of events with our partner associations Europump and Pneurop, with whom we organised a “Get-To-Know-Each-Other” virtual gathering this year. The main events will be a joint Gala Dinner and a Joint EU Policy Conference.

We share many policy issues with Europump and Pneurop, and strongly believe that our voice will be better heard by EU policy makers if we deliver our messages collectively.

In the 2021 update of its Industrial Policy Strategy proposed in 2020, the European Commission has once again indicated that it relies on industry to deliver on the major challenges faced by our economies and societies in Europe: sustainability, digital transformation, and global competitiveness. Likely, the EU Recovery and Resilience is largely building on the capability of European industry to design and produce the building blocks of the twin green and digital transition. But, at the same time, the EU is putting in place a new regulatory framework that does not always support the freedom and flexibility needed for companies to grow and compete globally.

These are the topics that we will discuss on 10 May with EU policy makers: the Joint Conference will consist of a policy panel debate between industry executives and EU officials and MEPs on “Sustainability and Decarbonisation: how can the EU’s industrial policy support industry’s efforts?” and three technical parallel sessions addressing topics of relevance for our sectors. “Circular economy and Eco-design”, “Industry’s Digitalisation and Innovation”, and “The restriction of use of materials and substances of concern”, with speakers from the EU, industry and R&D or other stakeholders.

Registration is open here. We will be happy to welcome you to Brussels in May 2022!

Carlos Velazquez
CEIR President