Overview
IBM Governmental Programs is a globally integrated corporate function providing worldwide public policy and government relations expertise. Our execution supports IBM's growth and business operations. With dedicated resources in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia, we are driven by the mutual objectives of global consistency and local relevancy. We work with governments on key economic, governmental, and societal issues; helping them solve problems and create strategies for the future.
Global focal points
Featured topics
Chinese Delegation Visits IBM
On Friday, July 22, IBM hosted a high-level delegation from Jiangsu Province in China at 590 Madison Avenue. The delegation was in the U.S. for several important business meetings during the Jiangsu China-US Business and Trade Summit. Led by Jiangsu Party Secretary Luo Zhijun, the 30-strong delegation came to IBM to learn more about our Smarter Planet solutions and how we can help one of China's fastest growing provinces to successfully manage societal change.
IBM Italy hosts Centennial celebration
On June 23, IBM Italy celebrated its Centennial in Rome at the Modern Art Museum Maxxi. GP Italy helped arrange the event. Attending the celebration, among other Italian government leaders, were Vice Premier Gianni Letta, Minister for Innovation Renato Brunetta, opposition party leader for Public Adminsitration Hon Lanzitllotta, Aurelio Regina, Lazio Region President of Confindustria, the Special Advisor in the Ministry for Innovation, and the Vice Mayor of Rome. Some 50 key IBM cilents also attended the event.
Sam Palmisano meets with Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang
On May 10, 2011, IBM Chairman and CEO Sam Palmisano met with the Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang in Beijing. Zhang briefed Palmisano about economic and social development in China, expressing his hope that IBM would strengthen its cooperation with China. Sam updated Zhang on IBM's business strategy, the development of IBM in China, and expressed the commitment to contribute to the positive development of Sino-US relations.
Delivery Centre Central Eastern Europe in Brno
Thanks to David Barnes' support and involvement, we had a very successful event in our Delivery Centre Central Eastern Europe in Brno that was initiated, prepared and executed by GP with the support of MarCom. The role of workforce in the Czech Republic’s competitiveness was debated at the Centre on the occasion of IBM's Centennial and DC Brno's 10th anniversary. At the high level panel, workforce policies were discussed in the framework of economic and societal changes. At the panel, led by David, were Mayor of Brno, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Deputy Minister for Labor and Social Affairs, Deputy President of South Moravian region and Vice president of Union of Trade and Industry.
Europe chairman engages with prime ministers, EU leaders and business peers at European Economic Congress
In a wide ranging series of engagements, IBM Europe chairman Harry van Dorenmalen, joined by IBM Poland & Baltics CGM Anna Sienko. played a highly active role at the 2011 European Economic Congress staged in Katowice, Poland last week.
Australian Services Symposium, Summit and Dinner at Parliament House
On 23 and 24 March the Australian Services Roundtable held a Symposium, Summit and Dinner at Parliament House in Canberra. The theme was "Services Driving Growth" and IBM was a key sponsor of the event. The event was one of the first occasions when media, industry, academia and leading politicians attended the same forum to discuss Australia's services future.
Senator Patrick Leahy and IBM Laud Progress on Patent Reform Legislation Historic Bill Expected To Spur U.S. Innovation and Economic Growth
On Friday, March 11, 2011, U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and more than 500 IBMers in Vermont celebrated the overwhelming Senate approval of patent reform legislation as one of the country's first steps toward modernizing the U.S. patent system which is essential to protecting inventors, preserving American innovation leadership and generating economic growth. The bill passed this week, 95 to 5, with a tidal wave of bipartisan support. If passed by the House and signed into law by President Obama, "The America Invents Act" would be the first comprehensive reform to the U.S. Patent System in nearly 60 years.
IBM GET members hosted by the Argentine Minister of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation
During their first visit to Argentina, the GET members were hosted by the Minister of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation, Dr. Lino Barañao. During the meeting, they were able to learn about innovation policies in Argentina, investment growth and prospectives in R&D. They also discussed some views on how to promote public-private partnerships for research in the field of IT, and addressed some relevant topics from the Smarter National Agenda such as public safety, healthcare and precision agriculture, where IBM could partner with the Government.
IBM Centennial: It's all about the future
IBM Chairman, President and CEO Sam Palmisano’s excitement about IBM’s one-hundredth anniversary was palpable at the Townhall of the Century in Singapore. 2011 is an opportunity to tell a unique story - ours.
“Why has IBM been able to last 100 years through all these technology cycles? What has it been about? What are those capabilities and that culture that drove this centennial to this point in time, and how do we take that to the future, that is Smarter Planet? We're going to have this occasion to explain to the world who we are.”
IBM vice president Chris Padilla meets with senior officials in China
On February 24, 2011, Chris Padilla, DC Chien (General Manager, IBM Greater China), Steve Braim, Duanzhi She and Xiuping Huang visited with Mr. Wang Chao, Vice Minister of Commerce, People's Republic of China in Beijing. Chris congratulated Mr. Wang on the success of the recent summit meeting between Presidents Obama and Hu, discussed US-China trade relations, IBM's investments in China, and made policy recommendations on China's service delivery industry.
Sam Palmisano attends President Obama’s Meeting with Technology CEO Council
On February 1, IBM Chairman and CEO Sam Palmisano met with the President along with members of the Technology CEO Council at the White House. In his State of the Union Address, the President laid out a plan to win the future by investing in American competitiveness, education, and innovation. The members of the Technology CEO Council asked for a meeting with the President to discuss ways to work together to grow the economy and make America more competitive.
The attendees discussed plans for their companies to invest in innovation, the importance of science and math education to prepare the next generation of workers, the benefits of the South Korea trade deal to US companies, the benefits of investments in research and development and ways to work together on corporate tax reform. They also discussed ideas for making governments “smarter” and improve efficiency through the use of technology.
Dedication to every client's success
2010 IBM Corporate Responsibility Report
Learn how our business and citizenship strategies have merged in the 2010 IBM Corporate Responsibility Report.