Flagship Event: Netherlands-EU Economic Dialogue (NEED) 2026
Navigating Business Climates & Foreign Investments
June 2, 2026 | Amsterdam
The global economy is under pressure amid rising uncertainties, while cross-border investments and mutual dependencies run deep. For multinationals, the ability to seize opportunities and anticipate risks is becoming increasingly relevant.
Therefore, we believe it is vital for our investment and business climate to actively engage in a structured peer-to-peer dialogue with foreign direct investors. Addressing shared concerns, providing expert insights and scenarios will mitigate risk and enhance our competitive position.
Hence, join us for the Netherlands-EU Economic Dialogue (NEED) in Amsterdam on June 2nd, 2026. This program is co-organized by the European American Chamber of Commerce Netherlands, AKD, Bird & Bird, Deloitte and Loyens & Loeff with support of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency.
Date & location
June 2, 2026 | The Edge building, Gustav Mahlerlaan 2970, Amsterdam
For whom
Mainly executives and senior management of foreign companies from all industries and nationalities, operating in the Netherlands.
REGISTRATION IS UPON INVITATION
(In case you are interested, please email marcel.schulze@eaccnl.eu)
Breakouts with 4 dialogue table sessions:
AKD | The Energy transition at system level: The hard questions. The real answers.
The world’s energy system is being rebuilt from the ground up – faster than anyone planned, and under more pressure than anyone anticipated. Energy prices are surging. The transition is no longer just about the climate. It is about control – over supply, over prices, over sovereignty. The case for renewables, grid investment and homegrown energy infrastructure has never been more urgent, or more politically charged. Grid congestion. Hydrogen bets. Offshore wind at scale. CO₂ infrastructure. AI eating the grid. Geopolitics rewriting the rulebook.
At this dialogue table session, the operators and architects of the future energy system take the stage – not to present polished slides, but to tackle the questions that actually matter:
- Who keeps the lights on when wind and solar dominate the grid?
- 2GW of offshore wind is one thing. Actually, building it is another.
- Hydrogen: real infrastructure or wishful thinking?
- Carbon management/CCS is not a fallback – it’s the only way heavy industry survives the transition.
- Gas isn’t gone. So when does it leave, and on whose terms?
- The cross-border connections that will make or break Europe’s energy future.
Featuring senior voices from the organisations shaping the Dutch and European energy system.
Bird & Bird | ‘EU tech sovereignty, trade restrictions and high-risk vendors: leveraged or unbalanced approach?’
Are you curious about the latest state of play in Brussels and how it may affect your business?
Experts from Bird & Bird, VNO-NCW, Microsoft and Huawei will discuss the European regulatory initiatives aiming for a more technologically sovereign Europe. Key statement for debate: ‘EU sovereignty and supply chain resilience require international collaboration rather than exclusion’.
What will be the potential impact of designating risky countries and high-risk vendors? How will it affect the EU economy? Brussels will be presenting a Tech Sovereignty Package, including investment programs and a framework for sovereign cloud and AI.
What can we expect from the upcoming proposal? The Commission has launched an initiative to streamline and simplify digital regulations for AI, data and cyber, the so-called AI & Digital Omnibus. What are the hot topics for the industry?
Join us for a lively debate and gain useful insights!
Deloitte | Bridging Blocs: How scenario planning transforms geopolitical risk into supply chain resilience
In a world of geopolitical fragmentation and recurring disruption, the traditional “lean & mean” supply chain has increased exposure to and impact of disruptions. Leading organizations are now rethinking their approach—shifting from efficiency to resilience as a core strategic priority.
This session explores how leading organizations are shifting from efficiency-first to resilience-first supply chain strategies—and how scenario planning transforms uncertainty into strategic advantage. Deloitte and A.P. Møller–Mærsk will share real-world insights, including lessons from Mærsk’s Gemini Cooperation with Hapag-Lloyd, revealing how industry leaders are preparing for disruption, strengthening reliability, and redefining resilience as a driver of long-term value.”
Loyens & Loeff | Investing in EU: From open access to managed entry while maintaining competitiveness
Talking points:
- Legal & Tax Investment Restraints & Opportunities
- Protectionism on the rise: how to navigate in the evolving EU regulatory landscape: tariffs, FDI and merger control? How political will it get?
- Digital Finance: what role for EU corporates? Digital finance is rapidly reshaping how large corporates manage payments, data, and compliance, creating both strategic opportunities and legal and tax challenges.
- Draghi Report, Wennink Report, Dutch Coalition Agreement: Tax incentives and other stimuli to boost competitiveness and innovation.
REGISTRATION IS UPON INVITATION
(In case you are interested, please email marcel.schulze@eaccnl.eu)
Speakers
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01 Admiral (Ret.) Rob BauerFormer Chair of the NATO Military CommitteeAdmiral (ret.) Rob Bauer is an international advocate for a whole of society approach to resilience. From 2021 to 2025, he served as Chair of the Military Committee (CMC) of NATO, residing in Brussels. In that role he was the highest military officer in NATO and the most senior military advisor to the NATO Secretary General.
From 2017 to 2021, Bauer served as Netherlands Chief of Defence. Here, he was the primary military advisor to the Minister of Defence and commanded the Navy, Army, Air Force, Defence Materiel Organization, Defence Support Command, Special Operations Command and Defence Cyber Command. In his 43 year-long military career, Bauer was also involved in counter-terrorist and anti-piracy operations in the Mediterranean Sea, and in the Horn of Africa.
‘Expect the unexpected’ is for Admiral Bauer a personal mantra, as well as a sacred principle for every military force. In June 2025, he published his book: ‘If you want peace, prepare for war’. Today, he works together with leaders in the public and private sector to strengthen Allied deterrence and defence. -
02 Bas ter WeelExecutive Board Member of Monetary Affairs, DNBBas ter Weel was appointed to the post of Executive Board Member of Monetary Affairs as from 1 March 2026. He is responsible for five divisions at DNB: Economic Policy and Research; Financial Stability; Financial Markets; Payments, Cash & Market Infrastructure and Statistics. He is also the deputy to the Governor of DNB on the Governing Council and General Council of the European Central Bank (ECB).
Bas is an economist with a broad background in academic research, policy analysis and executive leadership. Before joining DNB, he was the General Director of SEO Amsterdam Economics. He is also a part-time Professor of Economics at the University of Amsterdam.
Previously, he held various leadership positions at the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis, including as deputy director and as head of the international economy, labour market and education sectors. He was a Professor of Economics at Maastricht University from 2011 till 2016.
He obtained a PhD in economics at Maastricht University in 2002.
Date of birth: 15 February 1975, Wierden
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03 Gerben EvertsCEO, European Investors-VEBGerben Everts (1971) has been the Managing Director of the European Investors – VEB since 1 October 2021. Prior to this, he was a board member at the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) for nine years. At the AFM, he was responsible for supervision of stock exchanges, traders, asset managers, accountants, and corporate governance and financial reporting of listed companies. In addition, he had legal affairs and international representation in his portfolio.
Previously, he worked at APG/ABP, the European Commission, the Ministry of Finance, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
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04 Karel LannooCEO, Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) -
05 Bart van BolhuisFormer Minister Counselor for Economy, Netherlands Embassy Washinton -
06 Hilde van der MeerCommissioner, Netherlands Foreign Investment agency (NFIA) -
07 Annemarie CosterisGovernment Affairs Director, MicrosoftAnnemarie Costeris has been leading Microsoft’s government and corporate affairs work in The Netherlands since September 2021 focussing on areas such as privacy, technological innovation, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. She works closely with government ministries, lawmakers and industry partners to advance policies that support innovation, digital resilience and economic growth. She holds an LLM in International Law and International Relations from Utrecht and Nottingham university. Annemarie has extensive experience in government, non-profits, and the private sector, focusing on international business, sustainable energy and human rights.
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08 Robert-Jan RuifrokDirector Public Affairs | Benelux & Global Terminal Relations | A.P. Moller - Maersk -
09 Jaap MeijerCyber Security & Privacy Officer, Huawei Technologies -
10 Irvette Tempelman
Deputy Director Privacy, Consumerpolicy & Regulation of Digitalisation, VNO-NCW
10 Irvette TempelmanDeputy Director Privacy, Consumerpolicy & Regulation of Digitalisation, VNO-NCW -
11 Norbert FuhlerFiscal Coordinator, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate -
12 Feyo SickinghePrincipal Regulatory Counsel, Bird & Bird -
13 Lonneke KnipscheerPartner | Consulting – Supply Chain & Network Operations -
14 Harm KerstholtPartner at AKD | Attorney at law | Corporate M&A | Energy sector deals and projects -
15 Martijn SchoonewillePartner, Lawyer, Banking & Finance/Capital Markets -
16 Brian MulierInternational trade & customs lawyer/partner, Bird & Bird