The constitutive meeting of the Consultative Group of the Investor Protection Standing Committee (IPSC) was held yesterday at the headquarters of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) in Paris. Prior to the session, IPSC members gathered for a joint lunch. The Consultative Group has been established to define and implement ESMA’s strategic objectives, particularly concerning retail/individual investors, as well as to ensure horizontal alignment and coordination of all ESMA activities related to investor protection across various fields. Among its responsibilities are addressing all key aspects of the distribution of financial products by intermediaries to investors, including costs charged to investors, as well as coordinating financial literacy efforts and policies related to financial innovations, regulations, and similar areas.

Last week, another Slovenian delegation visited China, this time focusing on winemaking and agriculture, accompanying the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry & Food of the Republic of Slovenia, Ms. Mateja Čalušič (pictured). The diverse program featured the participation of 17 Slovenian companies from the food, wine, agricultural machinery, and natural cosmetics sectors across various segments of the visit. On Tuesday, the Minister, alongside Ambassador H.E. Mr. Boštjan Malovrh (pictured), inaugurated the Slovenian exhibition space at the prestigious “ProWine Shanghai International Wine & Spirits Fair”. The event showcased 3,000 exhibitors from 50 countries, including notable Slovenian winemakers – among them Edi Simčič, Klet Brda, Klet Krško, Marjan Simčič (pictured), Steyer, Ščurek, Vina Blažič, and others – who garnered significant attention and enthusiasm from visitors amidst strong international competition. This delegation also visited HUAWEI to review their technological solutions in the agricultural sector, followed by an evening reception featuring Slovenian sommeliers and the renowned chef, Mr. Jože Oseli (pictured), who presented his new book collection “I Realized My Dreams”.

The official program of the Slovenian government-business delegation, which accompanied Slovenia’s Minister Mr. Matjaž Han on his official visit to China, concluded last Thursday in Shanghai with visits to technological powerhouses HUAWEI and the car manufacturer NIO. On Wednesday, the delegation attended the Europe China CEO Summit, organized by the largest Chinese bank, the Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (ICBC). Keynote speakers included the President of ICBC, Mr. Liao Lin, Deputy Minister for Trade and Economic Cooperation of China, Mr. Ling Ji, prominent Swedish banker and industrialist Mr. Jacob Wallenberg, among others. This was followed by the China-Slovenia Connectivity Forum and bilateral meetings with ICBC representatives. The day’s events continued with the “Dialogue on China-CEEC Digital Economic and Trade Cooperation", where representatives from institutions and companies across China and Central & Eastern Europe shared practical cooperation insights. The day wrapped up with B2B meetings, a visit to the National Innovation Center (NICE), and a joint dinner.

With the arrival of Slovenia's Minister of the Economy, Tourism & Sport, Mr. Matjaž Han, in Shanghai on Sunday evening, a strong government & business delegation also arrived. Joining them was also the VZMD President, Mr. Kristjan Verbič, as part of the efforts of VZMD’s international business-investor programs: Invest to Slovenia (investo.si) & International Investors` Network (investo.international). Over the last three days, more than 50 members of the delegation — top representatives of Slovenian companies and institutions — were attending numerous business events. Among these the China International Import Expo, one of Asia’s largest trade fairs, along with a series of important meetings and gatherings.

VZMD.tv is releasing a VIDEO REPORT: https://youtu.be/Ze0KMxZVedQ

from the three-day annual meeting of the World Federation of Investors (WFI), which took place in early October in Milan, Italy.

As a reminder: The invited guests and representatives of national investor associations from Europe and the United States were welcomed at a reception hosted by dr. Paolo Brambilla, President of the Italian Association New Savers, in his Milan residence on the eve of the conference. The reception and gala dinner were followed the next day by the international investor conference titled “Building Financial Futures: Promoting Shareholder Engagement and Financial Literacy”, organized by WFI in collaboration with the European Federation of Investors & Financial Services Users (BETTER FINANCE) and the Italian Association New Savers.

VZMD has obtained an independent legal opinion from Prof. Dr. Verica Trstenjak, former Advocate General at the Court of Justice of the EU in Luxembourg, member of the Administrative Board of Review at the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, a distinguished professor at the Universities of Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Ljubljana, and Maribor, and one of the foremost legal authorities in the EU and the Republic of Slovenia. Prof. Dr. Verica Trstenjak thoroughly examined all the claims from the collective compensation lawsuits against telecommunications operators and confirmed VZMD's arguments that the contractual terms allowing operators to unilaterally change prices are not in line with EU law. As a result, these price changes should not be enforced – VIDEO: https://youtu.be/IzpoHs-pAV0.

As of October, Mr. Kristjan Verbič, the VZMD President, has commenced a new three-year term at the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), this time serving on the Consultative Group of the Investor Protection Standing Committee (IPSC). The IPSC has been established to develop and implement ESMA's strategic objectives concerning retail/private investors, ensuring horizontal coordination and alignment of all ESMA activities related to investor protection across various domains. It addresses all significant aspects of the distribution of financial products by intermediaries to investors, including the costs charged to investors, as well as the coordination of financial literacy initiatives and aspects of financial innovation and regulation.

A three-day meeting of the World Federation of Investors (WFI) took place in Milan, Italy, over the past week, actively attended by the VZMD President, Kristjan Verbič, as a member of the Executive Committee. He arrived in Milan directly from a joint conference of European regulatory and supervisory bodies - the European Banking Authority (EBA), the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) - which, as part of the "ESAs Consumer Protection Day," was held in Budapest following last year's session in Madrid.

Following the successful conclusion of the World Federation of Investors (WFI) meeting and the investor conference in Milan (VIDEO: www.youtube.com/live/Cbq7zGUz6dQ), the Executive Board of the European Federation of Investors and Users of Financial Services (BETTER FINANCE) held a meeting this Tuesday, attended also by the VZMD President, Kristjan Verbič. During the session, the Executive Board discussed preparations for the annual meeting and the international investor conference scheduled for December, which BETTER FINANCE organizes biennially in Wiesbaden (near Frankfurt) in collaboration with the German Shareholders' Association (DSW). This year's conference will be titled "Europe at a crossroads – are we still competitive?".

The International Investor Conference “Building Financial Futures: Promoting Shareholder Engagement and Financial Literacy” has just commenced in Milan. Organized by the World Federation of Investors (WFI) in collaboration with the European Federation of Investors and Financial Services Users (BETTER FINANCE) and the Italian association New Savers, this annual event is now available for live viewing via the BETTER FINANCE YouTube channel – LIVE VIDEO: www.youtube.com/live/Cbq7zGUz6dQ.

Today the "ESAs Consumer Protection Day" joint conference is taking place at the headquarters of the Central Bank of Hungary in Budapest. The event is being jointly organized for the 11th time by the European Banking Authority (EBA), the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). This year's theme is "Fair access to the future of financial services." The conference was opened by ESMA Chair, Verena Ross, and Vice Governor of the Central Bank of Hungary, Csaba Kandrács. Following the opening remarks, panel discussions and presentations are focused on artificial intelligence in the financial sector, empowering consumers in the digital age, improving accessibility and user experience of financial services, and ensuring a stable regulatory framework that benefits consumers.

Last Thursday, a full-day meeting of the Financial Services User Group (FSUG) at the European Commission took place, attended also by the President of VZMD, Mr. Kristjan Verbič. Among other topics, the members discussed letters and guidelines from the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to the candidate for European Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, Ms. Maria Luis Albuquerque, as well as to the candidate for European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, and the Rule of Law, Mr. Michael McGrath. They also addressed proposals and comments related to the EU Regulation on Sustainability-Related Disclosures in the Financial Services Sector (SFDR), the Mortgage Credit Directive (MCD), the Payment Accounts Directive (PAD), and the Shareholder Rights Directive.