Tuesday, 16 January 2024, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany: AmCham Germany hosted its first New Year’s Gala Reception of the season in Düsseldorf, capital of Germany’s most populous federal state.
Speakers included Premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst; U.S. Consul General Pauline Kao; AmCham Germany President Simone Menne; and Regional Chapter Chairs Theresa Winkels and Frank Jørgensen joined members from North Rhine-Westphalia in ringing in the New Year together in the spirit of transatlantic partnership and friendship.
Opening the evening, Theresa Winkels, Chapter Chair, pointed out the difference we can all make in the special year 2024.
AmCham Germany President Simone Menne continued by emphasizing how this will be another year of disruptive transformation. In light of these challenges, it is essential that we look for global solutions, as nationalism and protectionism are not the answer. AmCham Germany and its members share common values such as human rights, democracy and free speech. After all, AmCham Germany is a melting pot of members coming from different cultures, backgrounds and companies. Menne encouraged our members to remain optimistic and take initiative rather than waiting for challenges to be resolved on their own.
U.S. Consul General Pauline Kao subsequently invited guests to imagine the year 2025 and work together to fulfill their goals until then. She pointed out that our partnership is based on three pillars: security, prosperity and shared values, and also placed transatlantic relations in a geopolitical context with the war in Ukraine and Gaza. Furthermore, she touched on the importance of 2024 for major elections in many countries around the world, and also highlighted the opportunities presented by the NRW-USA Year. In closing, U.S. Consul General Kao refered to two quotes by Martin Luther King Jr.: “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope” and “the time is always right to do the right thing.”
In his keynote speech, Premier Hendrik Wüst underscored the importance of transatlantic partnership and the important role that U.S. companies play in North-Rhine Westphalia. “North Rhine-Westphalia and the United States are closely linked with each other,” says Wüst. “We are faced with the same big challenges: The transition to green industry, the strengthening of security and defence policy and the struggle against antisemitism. Together, we are filling the transatlantic relations with life. This is what the NRW-USA Year 2023/2024 represents.”
For further information
Amcham Germany: https://www.amcham.de/news-details/new-years-reception-2024-duesseldorf
Picture’s caption: F.l.t.r.: Chapter Chair Theresa Winkels; U.S. Consul General Pauline Kao; Premier Hendrik Wüst; AmCham Germany President Simone Menne; Chapter Chair Frank Jørgensen – Photo Copyright: Amcham Germany, Michael Lübke
