Stories & News

Our latest thinking and news on the issues that matter most in commercial diplomacy and trade from experts at BCIU and within our global network.

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Three Things to Know About the Upcoming NATO Summit

The upcoming North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 2024 Washington Summit, set to take place in Washington, DC, this week on July 9 and promises to be a critical moment in the Alliance’s history.

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Inside BCIU’s Annual Report

Throughout the year, BCIU promotes international understanding and expands global trade through a combination of dialogue and action—and last year was no exception.

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BCIU Announces Strategic Partnership with the International Trade Administration

BCIU is pleased to announce that it has entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the International Trade Administration (ITA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

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BCIU Hosts Reception in Miami for U.S. Ambassadors

On Wednesday, May 1, BCIU along with Amazon Web Services, LLYC, Newmont, Rapiscan Systems, and the Television Association of Programmers (TAP), hosted a highly successful sixth annual reception in Miami

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Reimagining Data Management With Data Dynamics

Data is the core to business operations and strategy, making it the most critical asset for every organization.

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Commercial Diplomacy: The Ambassador’s Role in Boosting Economic Competitiveness

Global ambassadors and embassy staff play a little-known but vital role in facilitating international business expansion.

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Three Things To Know About Singapore

Comprised of more than 60 islands with a primary island city-state, Singapore has defied its modest geographical size throughout history, emerging as a critical business center with a reputation for expone

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BCIU at COP 28

BCIU is on the ground in Dubai at COP 28, delivering climate programming with our members across a range of sectors.

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If we are to build a better tomorrow, we need to invest in the foundations today

In this commentary, Chow Kiat Lim, Chief Executive Officer of GIC and 2023 Eisenhower Global Citizenship Award Recipient discusses the need for long-term investment to help solve the world’s most pressing challenges.

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BCIU and Viatris Host Signature Dialogue, “Toward a Paradigm Shift of Mental Health in Latin America,” During the Seventy-Fifth WHO Regional Committee for the Americas

On Tuesday, September 26, BCIU and Viatris hosted a timely discussion in Washington, DC during the Seventy-Fifth World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Americas to explore best practices and discuss pragmatic solutions to expanding and sustaining domestic resources for mental health

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BCIU Hosts a Roundtable During the U.S.-Pacific Island Forum Leader’s Summit

On Tuesday, September 26, BCIU hosted a business meeting during the U.S.-Pacific Island Forum Leader’s Summit which brought together senior Biden-Harris Administration officials, heads of state, senior private sector executives, and other stakeholders.

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The Evolving Nature of Supply Chain Resiliency

BCIU sat down with executives at Intel to discuss the state of supply chain resiliency, the company’s environmental priorities, and what lies ahead from a policy perspective.

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Reshaping Brazil: 2023 and Beyond

The 2022 general election in Brazil marked a historic political swing for the country, with liberal Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, commonly known as Lula, defeating conservative incumbent Jair Bolsonaro.

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BCIU Awarded UN ECOSOC Consultative Status

After a lengthy application and approval process, BCIU is excited to announce that our organization is now formally accredited as a nongovernmental organization (NGO) through special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

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BCIU, the International Papillomavirus Society, with Co-Sponsors Merck and Roche, Host a Signature Discussion on Cervical Cancer and HPV Elimination During the International Papillomavirus Conference

On Wednesday, April 19, BCIU, the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS), Merck (Rahway, NJ, USA, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada) and Roche hosted a timely discussion in Washington, DC during the 35th International Papillomavirus Conference on the need to eliminate cervical cancer and Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

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Arianna Huffington on Leadership Culture

The group of thoughtful speakers and presenters included Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive Global, who introduced Bourla to accept the award.

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The Role of Boards in Fostering DEI

According to BCIU Director and Chair of the Board Jim Nevels, achieving company-wide change begins with leadership.

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Natarajan Chandrasekaran on Establishing Lasting Purpose

According to Chandra, building an organization based on purpose starts with leadership developing an understanding of what kind of company it wants the business to be, and determining its overall purpose.

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Ruth Porat on Leading With Purpose

According to Porat, having a sense of purpose is a factor in team performance. “Culture is substantially more important to driving strong peak performance than any rules or regulations because it governs what we do every day,” she says.

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Emphasizing Impact With Albert Bourla

When it comes to leading with purpose, Bourla thinks it’s a big misconception that what is good for stakeholders and what is good for shareholders is fundamentally at odds

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Kenya’s Strategic Importance: Within East Africa and Beyond

This August marked a historic election for Kenya: After a competitive presidential campaign – and six days of tallying votes – William Ruto was declared president-elect, as certified by the Supreme Court.

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Prioritizing Climate Resilience During COP27

The next decade is a critical moment in history: a turning point to establish the policies and investments necessary to limit the global average temperature to the Paris Agreement goal level of 1.5 degrees Celsius. It’s also a critical moment to begin to adapt to a warmer world.

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BCIU UNGA Forum with 3M Health Care on Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance by Practicing Better Infection Prevention and Control

BCIU hosted a panel discussion on the margins of UNGA in partnership with 3M Health Care on “Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) by Practicing Better Infection Prevention & Control (IPC)”,

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AgTech and the Future of Food Security

According to current estimates by the UN, 690 million people—8.9% of the population—are hungry today. If this trend continues, that number will surpass 840 million by 2030.

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Advancing the Energy Transition

Earlier this year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report, “The Mitigation of Climate Change,” to examine what can be done to limit and prevent human-generated emissions that cause global warming.

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BCIU Appoints Three New Board Directors

BCIU recently held its mid-year Board of Directors meeting and Members meeting where three new directors

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BCIU and the United Bank for Africa Host a Fireside Chat with Tony Elumelu and Mike Froman

BCIU and the United Bank for Africa hosted a Fireside Chat in New York on April 29, 2022 with Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, CON, Chairman, United Bank for Africa plc., and Ambassador Michael Froman, Vice Chairman and President, Strategic Growth, Mastercard, on The Pursuit of Sustainability and Development of Africa. Discussion points included inflation, climate change, youth entrepreneurship, digitalization, energy and food security, gender equity, and much more.

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Women and Digital Transformation

Sustainable growth and gender equality are not only compatible, but concordant. In order to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,

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Perpetuating BCIU’s Mission for International Understanding

At the end of last year, I traveled with BCIU’s President, Peter Tichansky, to Abu Dhabi. Considering the challenges facing the world right now

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How We Achieve the COP 26 Goals

Climate change is an undeniable reality, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions must be an urgent short- and long-term priority for both the public and private sector.

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BCIU & SIDO Sign MOU to Help Boost U.S. Exports, Attract FDI

BCIU & the State International Development Organizations (SIDO) are excited to have entered into an MOU to help advance exports of U.S. goods and services, and increase foreign direct investment to the U.S.

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Three Things to Know About the UAE

In the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has long been a leader in innovation and business-friendly regulation. As the country celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the UAE is looking ahead and making plans for a future

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3 Questions in 3 Minutes with Mr. Stephen Kaniewski, President & CEO of Valmont Industries, Inc.

In this segment of our “3 Questions in 3 Minutes” video series, Valmont Industries, Inc. President & CEO Stephen Kaniewski provides insights

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3 Questions in 3 Minutes with Mr. David Malpass, President of the World Bank Group

In this segment of our “3 Questions in 3 Minutes” video series, World Bank Group President Mr. David Malpass provides insights on the World Bank’s mission, it’s priority focus on combating climate change, and what “international understanding” means to him.

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Global Citizenship from Ken Frazier

Our Eisenhower Awards Gala is a very special time every year when we have the supreme privilege to recognize leaders who are making exceptional contributions to our world.

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Global Leadership from H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak

Every year at the BCIU Eisenhower Awards Gala, we recognize leaders who have displayed outstanding leadership and achievement in the international arena.

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Women’s Health Is Wealth: How Investing in Women’s Health Directly Improves Economic Outcomes in Developed and Developing Markets

Prioritizing women’s health is of vital importance in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and rebuilding a global economic recovery. Too many gaps exist in health coverage for women and there is a significant need to promote gender equality in national recovery plans.

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Offsetting the Pandemic Fallout: 6 Ways to Support Women in the Workforce

Before COVID-19 struck, many organizations were advancing solutions to address the roadblocks that hold women back. We were making progress. Not enough and not fast enough, but the trend was positive. Then, suddenly, a once-in-a-lifetime global health emergency turns the world upside down, and our workplaces face a confluence of crises. In the past year, the issue of gender parity has become particularly acute, and the inequities in our places of employment are taking a brutal toll on women.

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Three Things to Know About the Future of Sustainability

Sustainability is no longer just a business priority, but an integral part of every successful organization’s transformation strategy. In fact, 99% of large-company CEOs agree that issues related to sustainability are important to the future success of their businesses. And one of the top issues within sustainability relates to climate change, which has become an urgent concern for the private sector.

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Three Things to Watch in Global Digital Technology Policy

Over the past twenty years, digital technologies have brought deep transformation to our industries and economies. They have contributed to U.S. economic growth and      competitiveness. More recently, digital tools and technologies have enabled resilience      amidst the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing people to connect, communicate, work, shop and learn virtually. Digital transformation is likely to only       accelerate, as policymakers look for ways to strengthen economic resilience and boost economic recovery in a post-pandemic world.

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Three Things from Henry Kravis on Leading Better

Every year at the BCIU Eisenhower Awards Gala, we recognize leaders who have made  exceptional contributions to social responsibility, sustainability, and the growth and development of humankind. This year, we presented the 2020 Eisenhower Global Citizenship Award to Henry Kravis, Co-founder and Co-Chief Executive of KKR & Co., in recognition of his decades of work enhancing progress around the globe.

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Henry Kravis, BCIU’s 2020 Global Citizenship Award Recipient

Alex Gorsky, for changing the trajectory of health for humanity. Ajay Banga, for revolutionizing financial inclusion across the globe. Marillyn Hewson, for tackling some of the most pressing science and engineering challenges in history. For 35 years, BCIU and its partners have gathered annually in New York for our Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Awards Gala. We come together to celebrate outstanding leadership in the international arena and the power of partnership to drive progress around the world. But this year is different.

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Three Things on Global Leadership from BCIU Gala Honorees

The power of leadership can easily be taken for granted. That’s why we bring businesses, governments, and people together every year to recognize outstanding global leadership at BCIU’s Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Awards Gala. Past honorees include Alex Gorsky of Johnson & Johnson, Ajay Banga of Mastercard, and Marillyn Hewson of Lockheed Martin. This year, BCIU will honor Henry Kravis from KKR at our virtual gala on December 8.

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Three Things to Know About Global Cybersecurity

Digital integration is growing across work, home, and life. Smartphones connect us to family on the other side of the world. Collaboration apps give us the power to work from nearly anywhere. But as digital technology steadily integrates into our lives with each passing day, cybersecurity threats are evolving as well.

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Three Things Every Business Should Know About Emerging Markets 

When it comes to expanding operations in an emerging market, most businesses rely on complex business modeling. Simulations spit out what a business needs to succeed and what to expect over the horizon. But often asking obvious questions can lead to deeper thinking and more clarity than you might otherwise expect.

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UNGA 75 and the Path to a Sustainable Future 

We enter the historic 75th UN General Assembly during a pandemic that has laid bare the fragility of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite a concerted global response during this crisis, the recent Sustainable Development Goals Report 2020 highlights the threats to our hard-earned gains and overall ability to accomplish the 2030 goals.

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Three Things Every Business Should Know About Commercial Diplomacy 

When it comes to expanding operations in an emerging market, most businesses rely on complex business modelling. Simulations spit out what a business needs to succeed and what to expect over the horizon. But often asking obvious questions can lead to deeper thinking and more clarity than you might otherwise expect.

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A Bridge to International Understanding

Almost two months ago, protests spurred by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery spread from US cities to cities across the globe. Citizens of France, Brazil, Japan, and Syria stood up in global solidarity with Americans calling for change and meaningful redress for prolonged systemic discrimination.

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3 Things to Know About the Future of Health Policy

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a clarifying moment in so many ways. Not only has it unveiled many of the challenges within the global health system, but it also exacerbated longstanding inequities across our communities that need to be addressed. Along the way, the pandemic has reaffirmed the need for a collaborative, global healthcare framework to ensure equity and security against future health emergencies.