ICC News

3 December 2020 The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Global Export Finance Committee’s Sustainability Working Group (ICC-SWG) has commissioned International Financial Consulting Ltd. and Acre Impact Capital to develop a white paper, to be published in June 2021. The paper will review the state of sustainable finance across the export finance industry and propose both product and policy recommendations aimed at increasing the flow of export financing towards sustainable activity. Sustainability is an increasingly important topic for a wide range of public and private stakeholders globally, both in the developed and emerging markets. This seminal project, convened by the ICC Global

1 December 2020 The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) publishes its submission to the European Commission’s Consultation on Trade Policy Review. Launched in June 2020, the European Commission’s Consultation on Trade Policy Review is an all-encompassing examination of the European Union’s (EU) trade policy settings. The consultation’s objective is to build consensus around EU Trade policy, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and other trade-related challenges. The Commission has sought public consultation from the European Parliament, Member States, stakeholders, and civil society. As the largest trading bloc in the world, the EU’s trade policy creates rules and standards that

26 November 2020 The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) welcomes Delta Airlines and Alitalia’s announcement of quarantine-free flights from Atlanta and New York to Rome. In close coordination with Italian and American officials, Delta Airlines and Alitalia will begin operating quarantine-free flights between Aeroporti di Roma and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Beginning mid- December, Delta-Alitalia passengers travelling between Atlanta and Rome will be required to take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test 72 hours before departure, and then one rapid test in Atlanta and another in Rome. Responding to the announcement, John W.H. Denton AO said: “We applaud Delta and Alitalia’s decision

24 November 2020 The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) provided an update on the electronic ATA Carnet (eATA) pilot project as part of the World Customs Organization’s annual ATA/Istanbul Administrative council meeting. The virtual meeting – which gathered customs experts from around the world – discussed ICC’s eATA Carnet pilot project, the impact of COVID-19 on ATA Carnet operations, as well as interpretation issues related to ATA Carnet claims. The ATA Carnet is an international customs document that permits duty-free and tax-free temporary import of goods for up to one year. ICC is the international organisation administering the global guarantee chain that

23 November 2020 ICC AOKpass, a risk mitigation tool, is a scalable solution that enables governments and border authorities to reopen cross border travel safely and efficiently. ICC AOKpass allows users to present digitally authenticated, secure and portable copies of medical records to government authorities, border agencies and employers, without compromising their personal data. Supported by International SOS and SGS Group, the ICC AOKpass digital application utilises secure blockchain technology to validate and verify the authenticity of digital passes without requiring users to disclose personal medical information. After a round of successful ICCAOK pass pilots, ICC is working with national governments,

18 November 2020 The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) virtually joined stakeholders at the annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) to share in policy conversations concerning the future of Internet governance. During the first-ever virtual IGF, ICC convened business, government, civil society and the technical community to discuss the most pressing issues related to Internet governance through a series of workshops, high-level sessions, and roundtable discussions. Taking place under the theme of “Internet for human resilience and solidarity,” this year’s IGF developed around four thematic tracks: data, environment, inclusion, and trust. Here is how ICC contributed to this year’s Forum: Reinforcing ICC’s

17 November 2020 The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Pearson have announced a new collaboration to create educational products and services that will equip people with the necessary skills to thrive in an ever-changing global economy. Over the past decade, digitalisation, automation and artificial intelligence have reshaped industries and created new skillset requirements for workforces everywhere. These changing conditions have only accelerated in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic, where necessary public lockdowns and workplace closures have transformed the nature of work, education, and daily life. In this context, ICC and Pearson will work together to co-create educational programmes that

16 November 2020 ICC has published the latest edition of the Intellectual Property (IP) Roadmap – a comprehensive guide and overview of the key intellectual property issues faced by business professionals, policymakers, and legal experts. The latest edition of the IP Roadmap covers emerging IP issues, including artificial intelligence, sustainable innovation and persistent threats posed by piracy and counterfeiting to business operations. The Roadmap explains how, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, disrupted supply chains, supply shortages and demand surges have aggravated existing piracy and counterfeiting. As the world continues to recover and build back better from the COVID-19, the Roadmap highlights

14 November 2020 ICC has welcomed the opportunity for further business engagement to address taxation challenges relating to the digitalisation of the economy but calls for increased collaboration to achieve global consensus agreement. The call follows the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD)’s update on international tax negotiations this week. Digitalisation is revolutionising the way businesses operate but is also creating new opportunities for global growth and prosperity. Technological advances and digital connectivity can spur innovation in business models, business networking and knowledge transfer while also facilitating access to international markets for businesses large and small, old and new. As

13 November 2020 In an interview with international news channel France 24, ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO outlined measures that the incoming Biden administration can take to shield small businesses from the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking to Senior News Editor and anchor Stephen Carroll, Mr Denton underscored the vital role played by small businesses within the much wider landscape of the US economy saying: “In the US alone, we’re talking about 30 million small businesses. This is a very big part of the US economy and one of the most important employers. Let’s also be very clear