Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU)

Global news company SEMAFOR, which was formed two years ago and began with U.S. and Africa regional coverage, has now launched Semafor Gulf, featuring original reporting from across the Arabian Peninsula. The Semafor Gulf launch event will be held on October 22 during the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings in DC, and will feature top leaders - including Saud Bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, Deputy Undersecretary for Economic Affairs at Qatar's Ministry of Finance - speaking on the region’s future across #finance, #tech, and #diplomacy. Request your invitation here: https://lnkd.in/exbhkG4r

The 29th Session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG) opened at FAO headquarters in Rome, addressing the urgent need to transform agrifood systems amid rising global hunger, with over 730 million affected in 2023. The meeting emphasizes innovation and science in agriculture to create sustainable food systems. Later in the conference, COAG discussed key priorities, including livestock management, nutrition, and climate change impacts, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. https://lnkd.in/dDZ8vM-Y

Healthy diets are diverse, balanced in energy intake, adequate in all nutrients and moderate in the intake of unhealthy foods. #WorldFoodDay is celebrated to promote worldwide awareness of hunger and promote action for the future of food, people and the planet. https://lnkd.in/gXd-FPH2 

While U.S students have made some progress in recovering pandemic-related learning losses in math and reading, the recovery has been slow and uneven. The pandemic exposed deep racial and income inequalities in #education, and many impacted students—particularly those with disabilities and English learners—still lack the support they need. https://lnkd.in/grw8bMZa 

Record-breaking floods have once again devasted South Sudan, displacing over 700,000 people, many of whom had not yet recovered from previous floods. The region’s unique geography means these floodwaters could persist for long periods, raising fears that displaced communities may never return. This could mark one of the first cases of permanent mass displacement due to #climatechange, highlighting the urgent need for solutions in a region already grappling with conflict and environmental challenges. https://lnkd.in/g_Y7_Tsx 

Next month, leaders from business, government, and global agencies will convene in New York City to celebrate the power of partnership and recognize the outstanding global leadership, citizenship, and innovation of their peers in the international business community. Last year, we honored Citi’s Jane Fraser and Chow Kiat Lim of GIC with our Eisenhower Global Awards. Click here to watch the prior 2023 #BCIUGala: https://lnkd.in/dEp5C6q9     

BCIU joins the millions who were fortunate enough to receive Ratan Tata's guidance. From the time he served as our 2013 Eisenhower Global Leadership Award recipient, we benefitted immensely from his warmth and inspiration. It's been a rare and indelible honor to have his support, as it is to maintain ties to the incredible organization he helped build.

This year’s #BCIUGala theme is “Champions of Change: Values in Practice,” because in an era where words can seem louder than actions, embodying values through tangible activities must be a priority. This theme celebrates leaders and organizations that exemplify values in action, showcasing their commitment to making a difference in the world and moving society forward. Whether it’s through rigorous environmental standards, diversity and inclusion initiatives, or harnessing innovation as a means for improvement, these leaders demonstrate the power of aligning values with actions to drive meaningful change.     At our upcoming #BCIUGala, we will recognize Dominique Senequier, CEO and founder of Ardian; H.E. Yasir Al Rumayyan, Governor of Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Chairman of Saudi aramco; and Marc Benioff, Chair, CEO and cofounder of Salesforce, leaders who serve as global champions of change through the public value they are creating.      Click on the link below to learn more on how to participate:    https://lnkd.in/d3rDbNkj

While current decarbonization efforts focus on lower-carbon fuels like biofuels and natural gas, significant regulatory pressure in the EU and the U.S. is pushing for faster adoption of electric and hydrogen-based trucks. Achieving zero-emission mobility will demand greater collaboration across industries, as the ecosystem faces major hurdles in scaling production, reducing costs, and meeting regulatory targets. https://lnkd.in/ewebMyk2 

Big tech companies across the U.S. like Facebook and Meta are struggling to find enough clean energy to keep all the data centers they plan to build powered up. To combat the setback, tech companies are looking below the Earth’s surface, hoping to create emissions-free electricity using drilling techniques from the oil and gas industry. https://lnkd.in/dJmkuuWv