Reporting progress toward a world without cigarettes

Today we launched our second 2020 Integrated Report, the sixth report on Sustainability since we announced our company's transformation.

Drafting an integrated report meant exploring the year backwards. Having that privilege allowed me to do something we rarely permit ourselves: to pause, reflect, look back, and, in doing so, rediscover the remarkable talent our company has accrued and developed since announcing its transformation. This is repeatedly demonstrated throughout our report, a testament to our commitment to Sustainability, and the resources we are putting into achieving our long-term goals.  

The past year has not been easy. I don’t need to say much about how difficult it has been because, on a collective level, we have all felt the emotional tide carrying us out. Everyone has suffered in their own way; some privately, others outwardly. Needs are greater than ever and our capacities to give have never been more constrained. And yet, despite the unprecedented challenges brought on by the global pandemic, we have not deviated from our efforts to show care, support those in our orbit, and continue our quest to become a more sustainable company.  

People’s enthusiasm and disposition have been able to move mountains and, against all odds, continue to improve our company’s performance, as well as its impact on society and on the environment. The secret is no other than empathy and compassion, coupled with integrity, talent, and commitment. 

The cover of our Integrated Report has always been a topic of debate: how do we best reflect in one image what PMI is? If you have been with the company long enough, you will recall that the common thread in our previous reports has been innovation. Indeed, as a company, we understand Sustainability as an opportunity for growth through science and technology, and so of course it always made sense to showcase this when trying to describe what is PMI.

To me, however, this picture always seemed incomplete. I imagine it's because we got lost trying to convey what and forgot to tell the world why. Why are we doing all of this, and who is behind of it all. Although it is true that science and innovation sit at the core of our strategy, we would be nowhere if we didn’t have amazing people making our transformation real. 

That’s what this year’s cover of our 2020 Integrated Report aims to be, a tribute to our employees, and their continuous dedication and perseverance. To me, this is what our company is truly about: a reflection of collective talent, flourishing together, seeing our hard work come to fruition. Our report tells that story – the story of a group of passionate people, with open minds and big dreams, chasing a common goal, getting one step closer to achieving it. 

I thank my team and all my colleagues, sustainability jedi from around the world, and different functions in our company, for fighting the good fight with me. I am grateful for your support, your trust, and your friendship — it is because of you that change is happening. 

This report is about us, and I can only hope it does justice towards recognizing the amazing work we have accomplished this past year. 

Happy Reading! 

Jenny