By Diplomatic Council member Jane Enny van Lambalgen*
Companies and consumers will have to prepare for shortages in the supply of goods in 2024. There are more black swans on the move around the world than ever before. A "black swan" refers to unforeseeable events such as a pandemic, whereby many events that seem unimaginable at first glance are "announced" long in advance. This includes, for example, a tightening of the security situation around the world with an impact on supply chains.
Conflict over Taiwan is foreseeable
Members of the Diplomatic Council have the opportunity to take part in the 27th session of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development. This will take place from April 15 to 19 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
This year there are two priority topics:
Theme 1: How to harness digitalization to advance human development,
Theme 2: Global cooperation in science, technology and innovation for development.
The Silicon Valley Europe initiative has joined the Diplomatic Council as a new member. At the same time, a comprehensive cooperation between the European IT cluster and the Diplomatic Council was agreed.
Silicon Valley Europe, which was launched at the beginning of 2024, is a significant step for Europe towards strengthening the IT sector across borders. The initiative will make it easier for companies in the information technology sector from all European countries to make contact, work together more universally and continue to grow together
The quantum leap in artificial intelligence has taken most people and companies by surprise. Quantum computing is considered the "next big thing". If you don't want to be surprised by it, you are welcome to find out more about quantum computing on March 19 in Frankfurt.
Diplomatic Council Advisory & Professional Services (DCAPS) combine management consulting with a global think tank and business network with UN consultative status
The Diplomatic Council Advisory & Professional Services (DCAPS) have been expanded to include a new service unit for ESG. This unit supports companies in the areas of environmental, social and governance issues. Michael Gutowski has taken over the global management of the new unit.
The Diplomatic Council has been granted by the United Nations the highest status that can be achieved for a non-governmental organisation (NGO): the special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. This status entitles the Diplomatic Council to attend UN sessions and make written and oral statements at international UN conferences and events.
The Diplomatic Council was established as a Global Think Tank with the objective to serve as a bridge between diplomacy, economy and society. Diplomatic Council members share the idea that economic diplomacy provides a solid foundation for international understanding and a more peaceful interaction amongst nations.
For many years, the Diplomatic Council has provided an important building block in the global healthcare sector through its strategic partner member Temos International. Temos is the only organization in the world recognized by the Diplomatic Council for the certification of medical facilities around the globe.
Let's say goodbye to the old year and turn our attention to the New Year 2024. Let's toast to this at the Diplomatic Council's New Year's Reception on February 15 in Frankfurt am Main (Germany).
Welcome to the New Year's Reception of the Diplomatic Council on February 5, 2025 in Frankfurt am Main (Germany). It will be an event full of encounters and highlights.
In view of the dramatic global developments, we are launching a new book at the beginning of the year that provides a guideline for the future direction of the Diplomatic Council: ‘Europe and the Emerging New Global Order’.
