Ladies and gentlemen, dear shareholders, welcome to this Annual General Meeting. It's a great honor and a great pleasure to organize this first AGM since my appointment as the president of the supervisory board. Now, during 2020 and during the first few months of 2021, our group has demonstrated extraordinary resilience against a very complex operational backdrop. We were open only 70 days before the first lockdown in 2020, and remain closed today. A very significant closure, and subject to severe restrictions, we continue to deal with the closures of all shopping centers, convention exhibition centers. Against this very troubled backdrop, our teams have demonstrated total commitment to ensure that nothing would prevent people returning to our shopping centers, thanks to a very exemplary health and safety protocol in our malls.
Alongside this, our group continues to work in partnership with its tenants to navigate together through these very choppy commercial waters. Despite the restrictions, URW has benefited a return of clients and consumers to its high-quality assets, once restrictions were either eased or lifted. Nevertheless, the performance of the group has been strongly impacted during 2020, as during the first quarter of 2021, Q1. And against this backdrop, the Board of Directors forecasts 2021 being adversely impinged upon, so-- And there'll be severe restrictions which will affect the group well beyond Q1, the first quarter. Now, there is a bit of optimism here. We've decided... We think we've seen signs of the situation returning to normal once restrictions have been eased, because there's the pent-up demand from our clients for our shopping centers.
The returning strength of the footfall of the customer frequency in the United Kingdom is an encouraging sign. We expect to see that in all markets. Throughout the first few weeks after reopening, the customer footfall reached 75% of the level of 2020 with 1.2 million visits, despite the closure still underway of restaurants and indoor leisure centers. Now, more than ever before, our group remains a solidarity-oriented player and contributes to the collective effort against the COVID-19 pandemic. URW has reviewed its commitments and continue to focus its commitments as part of its CSR strategy, Better Places 2030, with 245 initiatives which were deployed across all markets.
Now, the environment remains a priority for the company, and subject to the execution of the contract signed, URW has already done EUR 1.37 billion regarding its objective of EUR 4 billion of disposal before 2022, before the end of 2022. In terms of governance over the last few months, now, there have been important changes have taken place. We've got a new Board of Directors has been put into place, and subject to the votes of this board, the Supervisory Board will be renewed in depth with the appointment of six new members out of a total of nine.
Now, the Supervisory Board wishes to thank all those, the members of the board, the members of the Supervisory Board, who are going to leave, or have left these decision-making bodies, for the commitment they've demonstrated for this company, despite the very troubled and complex operating environment. Now, focus on the execution of projects. The group now has major, has a robust governance system, or a revisited organizational system with stronger and better assets. Our assets, our shopping centers, our resource, our structures, our trump cards up our sleeve to succeed in the future.
Now, due to the health conditions and to protect the health and safety of all people, clients, customers, shareholders, our AGM is being held exceptionally in camera, in accordance to the decree of December 2020, focusing on the rules of meetings and the deliberations of Annual General Meetings due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Now, the speeches will be. There will be simultaneous translation or simultaneous interpreting provided for English-speaking shareholders, who I welcome today. Alongside me, Jean-Marie Tritant, who is our Chief Executive, Fabrice Mouchel , Director of Finance, and David Zeitoun, who is the Legal Affairs Director for the group, and in accordance with the rules of the law, and opening up this AGM for the shareholders.
Now, pursuant to the decree of the 18th December, 2020, the Supervisory Board appointed on the 15th of April, 2021, Amundi Asset Management and Rock Investment as returning officers for this Annual General Meeting. David Zeitoun, to my left, will act as the Annual General Meeting secretary. I will therefore give the floor to Mr. Zeitoun, to remind us of the conditions under which this AGM is being held. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The organization of this AGM took place in accordance with the current rules. We provided the appropriate documents and the new resolutions for the shareholders. Now, all information documents required by the law were made available to shareholders, both on the site of the company, in accordance with the legal and regulatory provisions. This AGM will be rebroadcast live on the internet site.
There will be a video recording, which will be available on the website afterwards. Mr. Raphaël Prud'hon has been tasked for the auditing of our accounts, and our auditors will be represented by Mr. Emmanuel Gadret, who will present the conclusions of their audit. Now, concerning the quorum for the AGM, based on 138 million or over shares, a little bit more than that. Now, I'd like to point out the shareholders have the possibility of expressing the votes on a remote basis, up to Tuesday, the 11th of May, by 5:00 P.M. You could also send them in by land mail as well. Now, as to the attendance sheet drafted by BNP Paribas, and register the shareholders who represent or voted, bring together around 95 million, a little more than 95 million shares.
That's to say, so a percentage of the voting rights. So we therefore reached the legal quorum. Now, regarding this AGM in camera, it... Now, the members of the bureau will be signing the attendance sheet. So thank you very much for all these bits of information. I'd like to point out, the AGM is therefore, meets all the legal requirements, and is therefore in a position to deliberate. Now, regarding the brochure for organizing this AGM and inviting you, it's also available on the internet. Now, I'm going to give the floor to Jean-Marie Tritant, who is the Chief Executive and the Chairman of the Board of Directors, to talk about the company's operations. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, dear shareholders.
Thank you, welcome to this AGM 2021 of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, a company which I've had the honor of running since the first of January 2021. It's a great honor for me, who joined this company in 1997, under the chairmanship of Léon Bressler, and I'd like to thank him again for his trust. Before going to the details, I want to thank all our teams for their commitment. Now, throughout 2021, and even today, they've demonstrated remarkable commitment and tenacity, given the exceptional circumstances of this crisis. Now, your company's committed supporting against particularly difficult backdrop, and we see return of clients with the easing conditions. But the first quarter of 2021 was extremely difficult, with strict conditions and total and long closures, mainly in Europe.
At the same time, we witnessed a strong uptake in growth in the United States, thanks to the major vaccination process, which has enabled an easing of restrictions during Q1. We continued to attract major brands and up-and-coming brands, so we're working with them for in a sector which is in the throes of change. The directors teams are fully focused on the execution of our projects and on their operational performance, and reducing the debt levels of the group, which enable URW to emerge stronger from this crisis, and to take full of advantage of the upswing in the economy. During Q1 of 2021, our brands were closed up to 41 days, compared to 13 days during the previous year.
Now, 57% of our shopping centers were closed, with exception of essential stores, and 36% of our shopping centers are still closed as I speak today. When we opened, we applied a very rigorous health protocol, and we are still subject to, restrictions in terms of capacity and keeping certain shops closed, like restaurants, leisure centers, and sports and fitness centers. Now, our shopping malls in the United States remained opened, but more or less severe restrictions, depending in the state and county in which they found themselves. Against this backdrop, the gross rental revenue is down compared to the same period in the prior year. That could be explained by the, rental franchises decided upon on local authorities, the bankruptcies, and the reduced operational performance of brands.
The sales activities has been satisfactory during this difficult period, but, we're up by certain basis points compared to the 31st of December, 2020. Now, during this Q1, we've reduced our rents and there's been grants, well, credit loans have also been granted. Now, the rental percentage has also improved as negotiations continue. Now, as was the case in 2020, during the opening of our shopping centers and with the easing restrictions, we've seen a constant uptick of turnover in the United States in shopping malls. In March 2021, our American flagship stores, our Westfield World Trade Center and Westfield San Francisco Centre, which were strongly impinged upon by work from home, reached 93% of their turnover achieved in March 2019.
We've seen the same observation in Europe, in Sweden, Austria, and Spain, where stores were open, that same high level of turnover. Turnover was 73%, 79%, and about 89% during this first quarter. Now, the opening of our two London centers with restrictions has borne out the appetite of consumers for our shopping centers, and as my colleague pointed out, we've had 1.2 million visits in terms of footfall in London. And for the four weeks since the opening up, about more than 4 million visits. That's to say, 70% of the frequency we wait for the same period in 2020, despite the fact that restaurants and leisure centers were still closed.
Now, the success of the reopening process has illustrated real appetite of clients and consumers to come back to our high-quality sites. It's been translated by the strong appetite for the events that we organize, while respecting health and safety protocols. Now, for the examples you can see on the screen, I'd like to mention the centers of Wroclavia in the town of Wroclaw, Poland, but also the closing concert of a jazz festival. The welcome capacity was around a hundred people, and the tickets sold like hotcakes in advance. And we provided support to the local community of artists, who were strongly impinged upon by the health crisis, and we created a large amount of footfall in our shopping centers.
This experience, a key factor which enabled us to stand out from the crowd, not only did they increase our footfall, but they increased customer loyalty. With a large amount of cases signed, we've seen a drop in activity compared to 2019. In terms of rental surface as well, during Q1 2020, it was strongly impinged upon. All our centers were strongly impinged upon, and our brands had to review their strategies. During the second half, although negotiations were underway, we saw an uptick in economy following the re-startup of our brands and stores. So our level of rental income in terms of renewal, for renewal of leases and new leases, bounced up significantly due to our partnership-based approach.
The strength of our assets, it made us a partner of choice, and this is a trend that we've seen continue during Q1 of 2021. Against this backdrop, I'm proud to announce that we signed in March with Hermès, with Topanga in Los Angeles, a commercial lease, a store shop of 700 m² which will be the second-largest store of this prestigious French brand. There are about 80 million inhabitants, which represents about a quarter of the local population. This position as a privileged commercial partner. We can see that in choices of new emerging trade actors who've decided to join our shopping centers and malls. They're demanding regarding their first store, because they seek it to build up a brand, to acquire clients, and to generate turnover.
For example, electric vehicles manufacturer launched its first model last September, and the first six stores were in our Westfield centers in the San Jose Valley near Silicon Valley and also in Los Angeles. The automobile industry, which is in the throes of change, has actually increased presence in shopping centers due to the emergence of Tesla, which elected to have shopping centers to showcase its brand. Now, there's also growth on the internet as well, due to e-gaming, which is an important constituent part of commercial diversification. Our sales teams are working on an ongoing basis to identify new opportunities for our business portfolio. Now, our capacity to deliver new shopping centers with high commercialization rate is the best proof for our partners. People want to have exceptional brands also in exceptional locations.
The latest example is the opening in March last, in the Westfield Mall of the Netherlands, in the region of The Hague, in the Netherlands, which was pre-rented out up to 92% and generated a very large footfall during the first weekend, despite a closed cinema, despite closed restaurants as well. People had to reserve four hours in advance before going into a store. With the easing of the health conditions in the Netherlands, we expect to see a constant increase in the shopping center, and that its success will be borne out in the future. Now, the dominant shopping centers in the key catchment areas continue to attract investors, as was shown by the first few operations during Q1 2021.
We talk about the full sale of Aupark in Bratislava, our only center in Slovakia, and which we'll be gradually selling off through to 2024. We've signed off around 60% or more, and subsequent to that, the enhanced partnership with Crédit Agricole Assurances, which is a subsidiary of Crédit Agricole, which has joined us in Shopping City Süd in Austria. This partnership was initiated with the disposal of four assets. This partnership is part of a rationale developed over several decades for La Maquinista, Forum des Halles, Parly 2, and Rosny 2, with prestigious institutional investors, so there's AXA. Now, we've also got valuations online. These contribute to reducing the debt level of the group, and we managed to achieve a significant percentage of our disposal strategy last year, too.
Now, the attention that we pay to operational performance and reducing the group's debt level hasn't deviated from our corporate social responsibility, so CSR, Better Places 2030. Now, we deployed 245 initiatives last year, such as setting up COVID tracing centers, and providing a large amount of personal protection equipment to 33 different organizations, and installing vaccination centers in our shopping centers. As part of our strategy, Better Together, we've achieved significant progress as part of our approach to promote diversity and inclusion, regard ensuring that women occupy 48% of management positions by 2025. Now, finally, we're proud to announce that our commitments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative as being compliant with the Paris Agreement.
Now, 2021, like 2020, will be an extremely difficult year, and we'll continue to try and overcome difficulties to prepare the economic upswing, which will be awaiting us in the regions where events, once the vaccination process is over. Now, as a consensus is emerging that there will be an economic upswing as of Q3 of 2021. Given the backdrop, there's still considerable prevailing uncertainty, so it's difficult to provide exact financial forecasts. The strategy concentration of URW on key centers is being borne out. We have major assets to take full advantage of the economic upswing and to generate growth in the future. Our teams are ready, they're in place. We've got high quality teams, and they have the resources that we need to attain the objectives.
URW is ideally positioned to profit from the economic upswing and to capture the pent-up demand. The spending of households has never been so strong in our catchment areas, so we are fully ready, rest assured. The high quality of our assets will generate robust financial performance, boosted by the falling vacancy rates and the data provided, and the internet will create exceptional commercialization opportunities. I'd like to thank you very much for your kind attention, and I'm now going to give the floor to Fabrice Mouchel for a more detailed presentation of our financial results for 2020. Thank you.
Thank you, Jean-Marie, and hello to everyone. Yes, I will now go back on the financial results and the main financial indicators of the past year, 2020. So the net recurrent is EUR 7.28 per share, in a decrease of 41.1% compared to 2021. With the extraordinary results we have experienced in 2020 with the closing of shopping malls, as explained earlier. This is explained, namely, by the decrease in net rentals to, with a constant perimeter of 26.4%, so 24% of the activity of the shopping centers, and 93% for the activity of the congress and exhibition halls. I'll come back to these elements during the presentation.
Concerning the net rent result with constant perimeter in shopping malls, the impact come from direct elements coming from the COVID-19. This is to say, deductions in rates, rates granted, for tenants for their rentals to support them during the closing of the shops. This amount came up to EUR 313 million as total cash, therefore, EUR 246 million integrated in the balance sheet of the company, in application to the rules to the accounting rules. Total, these two elements combined represent less than 18% of decrease, therefore, three-quarters of a decrease in terms of rents net for the constant perimeter.
As what Jean-Marie mentioned for the first quarter, the closing due to restrictions have also called for, in 2020, a decrease for the recovery of rents, especially during the first quarter, during which the restrictions were the strongest, with a collection rate of 61% for this Q2 2020. On the other hand, when the centers reopened, we saw that the recovery rate improved. Therefore, during the Q3, the collection rate was of 85% for the group, 95% for continental Europe. Total, the recovery rate for the year was of 80% based on all the invoiced rents, and 88% of the base rents due with the rebates granted.
The vacancy rate also increased in 2020 from 5.4% to 8.3% on the group level, with different levels depending on geographic areas. 4.9% in continental Europe, 9.7% in the United Kingdom, 13.1% in the USA, where the vacancy rate is structurally superior to that of Europe. This increase of the vacancy took place during the three first quarters of 2020, and it stabilized during the fourth quarter, as namely in Europe, as you can see on this chart. Jean-Marie gave you the level of vacancy for Q1 2021, 8.8% in an environment which remains very marked by strong restrictions. There were a number of bankruptcies, of course, which were very numerous in 2020, but it is also due to the COVID situation.
Indeed, this is what we have been able to notice for 2020. The commercial teams, to which I want to pay homage to, were very active on these rebates and these deductions on the rates for their tenants, and this weighed on the activity of the group. You can see that all of the leases signed represent a decrease of 36% compared to 2019. These decreases were especially strong during the closing periods during the Q2, but there's also a recovery in the number of signed leases during the third and fourth quarters. As Jean-Marie said, there were newcomers that were attracted in the automotive industry, digital brands as well, which show the attractivity of the portfolio of our brands.
Let's now go to the office activities, which represent 8% of the value of our portfolio in the group, and the net rentals decreased by 17% due to the disposals, namely of the Majunga Tower, sold in 2019 to the Hotel Novotel, and the Hotel Novotel sold in 2020. So the rentals, net rentals are stable. Now, the performance was very different for activities in congress halls and exhibition centers, 5% of our value, because of the closing that started right from March. This, therefore, a decrease of operational results by 92% compared to 2019. The demand of organizers remains very strong, and they are waiting for the recovery and the reopening and coming back to normal by 2023. Let's now go to the value of assets, which was also affected by the crisis.
The net revalued asset for reconstitution, the amount necessary to reconstitute the portfolio assets of the group with its financial structure, is EUR 168.68 per action, therefore, a decrease of -27% compared to 2019. This decrease comes from the decrease of the constant perimeter values of -11.2%, EUR 6 billion, therefore -11.3%, for the shopping centers that were closed, and the buyout of Westfield. So for the debt ratio, we went the debt ratio, IFRS, went to from 38.6% to 44.7% at the end of 2019, end of 2020, and 44%, taking into account the sale of two assets of offices signed at the end of 2019, 2020.
Despite this decrease of the value, the debt ratio is far from the maximum debt ratio of 60% fixed by the banks. We have a clear strategy, an exhaustive strategy, to deleverage, and we have four pillars to do so. The execution of our programs of assets sales or disposal, and EUR 4 billion will be done by 2022, and EUR 1.35 billion has already been achieved to this day, as indicated by Jean-Marie. The launch of the reductions, of the program for significant reduction of our exposure to USA is ongoing, and the reduction of their property investment program as well, and the suspension of our dividend for fiscal years 2020, 2021, 2022.
The group has the financial means that will help execute the plan and follow the plan in the most efficient and organized way, thanks to the liquidity that it has at hand, and I will come back to this later. To come back to the decision to suspend the dividend, this decision is explained by the priority to disengage, deleverage, in an operational environment, which remains uncertain and difficult for 2020, 2021 after the long closures as planned, even if the reopening has started in the countries of where the group operates, so it is encouraging. The group can suspend its dividend interest spend in, in respect of its fiscal obligations, tax obligations, because of the social result negative for URW.
When the group will have achieved its deleveraging, it will be able to pay the dividend, and it will be supported by a growing ongoing dividend, thanks to the progress of results of its portfolio, centered on the best assets, European assets. The other pillar is the deleveraging and the pursuit of the policy of the sales of the group. In 2020, the group sold for EUR 2.3 billion of assets, including five French assets, like Predica, in the framework of a long-term partnership. For these assets, the group sold participations in Aupark and SCS . For the latter, Predica, up to EUR 1.35 billion were made with a bonus compared to the expertise that was made, and this shows the relevance of these expertise.
These are also confirmed by the sales in 2021, and realized at the level of the values for Aupark, with a light decrease of 3% for SCS. The last pillar is our disengagement or debt relief, and the reduction of our investment program and development. As you see on the slide, you see the program was reduced by EUR 8.3 billion-EUR 4.4 billion between 2019 and 2020. Therefore, EUR 2.9 billion on these engaged projects. This is to mean that the work has already begun, and we're online with the targets. Part of the projects have been delivered at the beginning of the year, especially Mall of the Netherlands, which is going to open and has opened, and is a success, as Jean-Marie has said.
Let's now look at the effects that are considered for these actions and the group debt. The plan of the disposals of EUR 4 billion European assets, limitation of investments, and suspension of the dividends should bring the debt ratio to 45% and 39% within a two-year horizon, by supposing a stability of the asset values that are, of course, set by independent experts. By integrating the impact of the disposals. The hypothesis is that this program will help the group to reach more long-lasting projects. As I said before, the group has at hand the means to do it financially in the best conditions possible, thanks to the liquidity that it has at hand.
This liquidity comes from the finance obligations that the group has continued to have access to in 2020, despite the difficult market conditions. As you can see, we have raised EUR 4 billion in obligations, with an average coupon of 1.66% and average maturity of nine years. We have enough liquidity to cover the needs of the group for the 24 coming months. This is what you can see on this chart on the right, with the sources and needs for financing for the 24 month. The group has already done even better than the forecasts on the chart done at the end of 2020, mainly with the cash sources and the divestitures of participations of Aupark and SCS, which are extra to the other secured...
And the credit lines that were renewed and extended, the quantum of lines of EUR 3.2 billion, the total goes to EUR 6 billion, thanks to the implementation of an undrawn line of EUR 3 billion signed on April 28th, 2021. These all attest to the ability of the group to sell its assets at the values of the experts, and to show the relevance of the plan and the trust we can have in its execution. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you, Fabrice. Thank you, Jean-Marie, for your speeches. And David now is going to give you some details, more precise details, on the different aspects of the governance of the groups.
After the changes that have appeared during the last six months, I would like to take advantage of it to thank, once again, all of those who are going to leave, who have or soon... There are a certain number of members who have left, and they were there during the tsunami that shook us during the COVID-19 in 2020. I believe those who are going to leave or are leaving, and Mr. Cuvillier , who was the president, who Mrs. Cuvillier , sorry... After noticing how the transition was well assured and allowed a good development level for the company. This is the general framework on which David Zeitoun is going to give you some details.
The territory is now composed of four members: Jean-Marie Tritant, as President, Fabrice Mouchel, Finance Director, Olivier Bossard, General Director for Investments, and Astrid Panosyan, General Director for Central Functions. Under reserve of the ratification of co-optations of Mrs. Julie Avrane and Cécile Cabanis, the renewal of Mr. John McFarlane's nomination, and the nomination of Madam Aline Sylla-Walbaum, the Supervisory Board will be composed of nine members, five women, representing seven nationalities, nine independent members out of 10, and bringing a wide range of expertise in finance, real estate, commerce, digital, e-commerce, and sustainable development. The policy of remuneration of the Board has been approved during the assembly in 2020.
In 2020, because of the impossible situation to forecast with the COVID-19, the board, under the recommendation of the Remuneration Committee, made use of the discretion to make minor adjustments in line with the context. These adjustments and changes carried were on two points, the annual variable remuneration, with the priority which was given to the reduction of administrative gross costs, which replaced the objective of commercial partnerships which were chosen beforehand. In March 2020, the objective initially set was to reach net recurrent results per share, adjusted at the title of the 2020 year. These adjustments are described and justified in the Universal Registration Document 2020.
About the remuneration of Mr. Christophe Cuvillier, who was in position in 2020, his fixed remuneration, unchanged since June 2020, was of EUR 1,250,000. Taking into account the voluntary reduction of 25% of his fixed remuneration during two months, the amount was of EUR 1,197,921. Taking into account the 2020 results, his adjustable remuneration was of at a maximum of 26%. For the long term, the president of the Board had a 70% value of his fixed remuneration, therefore, on the low side, determined by our remuneration policy. For Mr. Jaap Tonkens, as you see on screen, his remuneration, his annual, has been unchanged since June 2018, and it reached EUR 800,000 .
After voluntary reduction of two months, the amount was EUR 769,231. Taking into account the results 2020, the annual variation remuneration is 33% maximum, therefore EUR 376,000. The long-term variation 2020 reaches 70% of his fixed remuneration. In the current economic context, the policy suggested by the new Board is moderated. Jean-Marie Tritant, new director of the board, his remuneration is inferior by 20% compared to predecessors. His maximal annual remuneration is 150% of the fixed, compared to 200% for his predecessor. Globally, a decline of 33%. The remuneration of Mr. Fabrice Mouchel, new finance director, is also inferior to that of his predecessor.
The Supervisory Board also aims for stability, namely with the annual variable remuneration, and for the long term, of 70%-90% of the fixed remuneration, unchanged for several years. In 2021, the attribution proposed is still in the low scale of at 70%. To be logical, the members of this board, their opportunity for variable remuneration and long-term annual remuneration remains the same. They're unchanged for 2021. The variable annual remuneration has a simplified structure, and the adapted criteria of performance are specific to the challenges of 2021, and the objective is to reduce the net debt and control the cost and collecting of the rents.
You will pronounce yourself about the remuneration for 2020 and 2021 for the two presidents. Mr. Colin Dyer received in 2020 an amount of EUR 261,154. Mr. Léon Bressler, who took position in November 2020, wanted to limit his annual total remuneration for 1 EUR symbolic . The policy for, of the council for remuneration is on the screen. It remains unchanged as the envelope for remuneration of the board. I'd like to say that the Board Members do not have any other remuneration. You're also invited to pronounce yourself on the ratification of the co-optation of two new members of this Supervisory Board for Mrs. Julie Avrane and Mrs. Cécile Cabanis, and for the renewal of Mr. John McFarlane for a duration of two years, and the nomination of Mrs. Aline Sylla-Walbaum for a duration of three years in quality of member of the supervisory board.
In my quality as president of the Supervisory Board, it is up to me to give you a reading of the report of the Board and the results for 2020. The report of the Directoire doesn't call for any special remarks from the Supervisory Board. The accounts closed on December 31st, 2020, and reviewed by the Audit Committee and certified by the commissioner, do not call for any further observation from the Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board has examined the resolution proposed during this general assembly. It is in favor of their approval in order to provide the Directoire all the necessary means to fulfill its functions and implement the group strategy. We have no further comment to formulate or to issue.
Now, I am going to give the floor to the commissioners, Mr. Emmanuel Gadret, representing the college of commissioners to the accounts for the company, and they are going to present us with the details of the reports. Ladies and gentlemen, shareholders, in the name of our commissioners, I have the honor to present you with the reports that we established for the attention of this ordinary and extraordinary assembly, mixed general assembly. All of the reports have been put at your disposal by the company and those relative to the accounts and conventions that are regulated in the Universal Registration Document, which is available on the internet website of the company. I suggest, in accordance and agreement with the use of this assembly, to summarize the terms of our reports.
For the accounts, the main objectives of our mission is to obtain the reasonable assurance on the sincerity, regularity, and the faithful image of the accounts, and to make sure that these do not have any significant anomalies. Our audit approach is adapted to the activities and the geographies of the group. Our work has consisted of to check the surveys of the amounts and the information that appear in the annual accounts, and those that are consolidated, and to appreciate the environment of internal control, the principles of accounting followed, and the estimates for significant revenue and presentation of all of the accounts.
We'd like to remind you that our reports also have specific parts describing the key points of the audits relative to to significant anomaly risks, which, according to our professional judgment, have been the most important for the auditing of the accounts for the past year and for the answers we provided confronted to these risks. Concerning the annual accounts of these Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield SE company, which were the object of your vote for the first resolution, our report on the yearly accounts are on page 404- 408 on the Universal Registration Document. It presents a reserve-less opinion on the accounts and the and notes in the annex of December 31st, 2020.
And the third part of the report, the audit key points are first, the assessment of the titles, participation titles and debt attached, the accounting of the financial debt and the derivative instruments. We confirm also in the report, have checked on the specific points by checks and procedures, namely on the report of the Supervisory Board, on the governance and the corporate governance, engagements, remuneration, and advantages to corporate officers. For the consolidated accounts, these are object of the vote for the second resolution. Our report is on pages 397-403 of the Universal Registration Document. It presents an opinion without any reserves or observations.
In the first part of the report, we confirm that we proceeded to an audit according to the professional standards applicable in France, and we certified the regularity and sincerity of consolidated accounts that were prepared in compliance with the IFRS referential, as adopted by the European Union. In the third part of this report, we want to bring clarification that the key points of the audit contributed to our opinion. We identified the following key points: the assessment of the buildings and those that are being built, held directly or via co-companies.
Secondly, the value of recoverables, recoveries for indeterminate lease and the acquisition in line with Westfield, and then the assessment and accounting treatment of the rent relief and the provisions for the losses of the credit expected in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the accounting of the financial debt and the derivative instrument. The details is presented in pages 398- 401 of the document, of Universal, the Universal document. I will now summarize the special report that you will find on pages 409 and 410 of this document. We'd like to inform you that we were informed that a new convention was the object of a previous authorization of your Supervisory Board during the year.
It is about the transactional agreement between your company and Mr. Christophe Cuvillier, who has been the president of the directoire of your company until December 31st , 2020. The modalities and the reasons for this agreement are described in our report on pages 410 of the document, of the Universal Registration Document. This convention is submitted now to your approval on the Resolution Number 4. In the second part of the report, we want to take it, make account that no previous convention was approved or pursued during the closed year. Concerning now, the reports on operations on capital planned by the resolutions 19-2 1, 23- 26 of this general assembly, they don't have there's no mention or special observation. We will establish complementary reports if needed, during the use of these authorizations by your board. Ladies and gentlemen, shareholders, I thank you for your attention. Thank you, mister?
Thank you, Mr. Gadret. Thank you very much, the dear auditors, for these reports. I'm now going to give the floor to David Zeitoun, to present the questions from shareholders. The question session is now open. Thank you. I'd remind shareholders, they've had the possibility of using an electronic mailbox, specially made available to submit their questions. We received a total of 16 written questions, based on France's business law for the Forum of Responsible Investment and the Dutch Association, VBDO. These questions focus on global warming, payment, deadlines, training employees, stock options, employee savings, taxes paid, gender parity, diversity and inclusion, and the respect of human rights, and the declaration of extra-financial performance.
Given the general character, and sometimes technical nature of these questions, Sharon is invited to become mindful of all of the questions and the answers which are available in the Internet site of the company, in the tab dedicated to the AGM of 2021. As to promote shareholder dialogue, and as a complement to the legal system written questions, shareholders now have the possibility of putting questions, submitting questions via a platform made available on the company's Internet site. Please let us know what the first question is. The first question is regarding, can we buy up shares in the short term? Well, the group doesn't envisage using this program of buying up shares. The reason for this, as I pointed out, the group's priority today is regarding reducing the company's debt levels.
Second question, there are no other questions on the chat system, the live chat system at this stage. Is there another, Perhaps, we, if there are any shareholders who've got any questions? Well, that's, perhaps slightly unusual, given the density of the presentation from the Board of Directors. If there are no other questions, we consider that the Q&A session for shareholders is closed. Now, we're going to now move on to the results of the votes, the votes of the resolutions. I'd like to invite and call upon David Zeitoun to announce the results of the voting process. So, Mister Raphael Prud'hon, who was, responsible for checking out the legitimacy of the remote voting. So the results of the votes are the following: Resolution Number one, approval of, the company's financial accounts for financial year 2020.
Resolution adopted by 99.98%. Resolution Number two, approval of the consolidated accounts for financial year 2020. The resolution is adopted with 99.98%. Resolution Number three, the allocation of the financial results for the financial year, 31st of December. Resolution is adopted by 99.97%. Resolution Number four, the approval of the transactional protocol concluded between the company and Mister Christophe Cuvillier, pursuant to Article 225-86 of France's business laws. The resolution is adopted with 98.04%. Resolution Number five, the approval of the special report of the auditors on the regulated conventions, and this resolution is adopted with 99.97%.
Resolution Number six, the approval of the information regarding the total remuneration and benefits paid in cash and in kind at the end of the financial year 2020, to Mister Christophe Cuvillier, in his capacity as Chairman of the board. The resolution is adopted with 91.95%. Resolution Number seven, approval of the information regarding the total remuneration in cash and in kind, paid during the financial year 2020 to Mister Jaap Tonkens in his capacity as a Board member. The resolution is adopted by 93.67%. Resolution Number eight, the approval of the information regarding total remuneration and the advantages of all kinds paid or allocated during financial year 2020. Mister Colin Dyer, in his capacity as President of the Supervisory Board through to 13th of November 2020.
The resolution is adopted by 99.65%. The Resolution Number Nine, approval of the information regarding the total remuneration and benefits in cash and kind paid during the financial year 2020 to Mr. Léon Bressler, as President of the Supervisory Board. Resolution adopted by 99.85%. Resolution Number 10, approval of the report on the remuneration of the executive directors pursuant to Article 225-100 of France's business law, adopted with 97.09%. Resolution Number 11, the approval, the principles, and the criteria for determining, spreading and allocating the total remuneration of the Chairman of the Board. The resolution is adopted with 94.57%.
Resolution Number 12, approval of the principles and criteria for determining, breaking down, and allocating the total remuneration and advantages made available to other members of the Board other than the Chairman. The resolution is adopted by 95.55%. Resolution Number 13, approval of the principle and the criteria for determining, breaking down, allocating the total remuneration and benefits attributable to the members of the Supervisory Board. The resolution is adopted with 97.73%. Resolution. Let's move on to Resolution Number 14. Regarding the 14, this is Supervisory Board now. The ratification of the co-optation of Mrs. Julie Avrane as a member of the Supervisory Board. Resolution adopted by 99.87%. Resolution Number 15, ratification of the co-optation of Mrs. Cécile Cabanis as a member of the Supervisory Board.
Resolution is adopted with 94.30%. Resolution Number 16, the renewal of the mandate of Mr. John McFarlane in his capacity as a member of the Supervisory Board. Resolution is adopted with 99.56%. Resolution Number 17, the appointment of Mrs. Aline Sylla-Walbaum, in her capacity as a member of the Supervisory Board. Resolution adopted with 99.74%. Resolution Number 18, authorization granted to the Board to buy back the company's own shares as part of the system of Article 225-209 of France's Commercial Code. Resolution is adopted with 97.78%. Resolution Number 19, authorization granted to the Board to reduce the capital by canceling shares bought by the company as part of the system of Article 225-209 of France's Commercial Code.
The resolution is adopted by 96.35%. Resolution Number 20, the delegation of a competence granted to the Board to issue ordinary shares or securities, giving immediate access, or in the long term, to the company's capital or its subsidiaries, and maintaining the preferential subscription rights, adopted with 99.75%. Resolution 21, delegation of competence to the Board to issue ordinary shares and securities, giving immediate or long-term access to the company's capital, or to one of its subsidiaries, with the removal of the preferential subscription rights via a public offering. Resolution adopted by 94.04%.
Resolution 22, delegation and competence granted by the Board to increase the number of shares to be issued in the event of an increase in capital, with or without preferential subscription rights pursuant to the 18th and 19th resolutions. This resolution is adopted with 94.01%. Resolution 23, the delegations of the powers granted to the Board to issue ordinary shares or securities, giving immediate access to capital with the removal of the preferential subscription rights, with a view to paying contributions. A resolution adopted by 98.24%. The delegation of competence granted to the Board to proceed to increase capital by issuing ordinary shares or securities, giving access to the company's capital reserved for the company's employees with the removal of the preferential subscription rights advantage pursuant to Article 3332-18.
Resolution adopted with 96.43%. Resolution 25, authorization given to the Board to grant stock options or subscription shares to the company and URW shares with the removal of the preferential subscription right for the benefit of the members of staff and executive directors of the company's subsidiaries. The resolution is adopted with 95.26%. Resolution 26, authorization given to the Board the possibility of proceeding to allocate performance shares of the company or URW shares towards the members of staff and executive directors. This is adopted 96.07%. Resolution 27, the various statutory modification amendments with regard to harmonizing the statutes with the legislative and regulatory provisions in force, adopted with 99.96%.
Resolution 28, the statutory amendments with a view to enable the Supervisory Board to take certain decisions via written consultation. The resolution is adopted 99.98%. And finally, the last resolution, Resolution 29, the powers for formalities. This resolution is adopted by 99.99%. Thank you very much, David, for this, long, recital of the, resolutions which were easily adopted. Thank you very much, David. Now, on behalf of the Supervisory Board, which is a great honor to chair, and on behalf of Jean-Marie Tritant, and on behalf of the board, I'd like to thank to, to express our sincere gratitude for your loyalty and the trust you've placed in us, in what are particularly exceptional and difficult circumstances. So thank you very much, shareholders, and we've now reached the end of this Annual General Meeting. Thank you very much for your kind attention.