On September 21, the GW Engineering Environmental and Energy Management Institute (EEMI) conducted a seminar with Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, which is the second largest Port in Europe. GW Engineering Dean John Lach kicked off the event in the Lehman Auditorium, followed by a panel discussion with Mr. Vandermeiren and Ambassador Andras Simonyi, EEMI Distinguished Visiting Scholar.
In his opening remarks, Dean Lach stated, “I’m really excited to welcome you all today to The George Washington University. This is a university that is very serious about bringing people together and having really important conversations to make the key advancements to create a more sustainable and livable future for our world.”
The panel discussion focused on transatlantic efforts and cooperation in support of energy security and the green transition, as well as the increasingly important relationship between the United States and Europe with a particular focus on Belgium. The Russia-Ukraine war was a special focus as well since the cutoff of energy supplies from Russia to Europe makes shipping ports play an increasingly important both in terms of energy security and in facilitating the transition to clean energy through their instrumental roles in resource import, distribution, and the advancement of renewable infrastructure.
The in-person audience was invitation-only and consisted of 45 experts selected by the Atlantic Council and Belgian Embassy, along with SEAS National Advisory Committee members, EEMI Director of Business Sustainability Dr. Salah Hassan and other GW experts. They posed questions to Mr. Vandermeiren and were monitored by 280 virtual participants. EEMI Director of Professional Education Dr. Ed Saltzberg coordinated the event.
A recording of the event can be viewed on Vimeo.