ICC News

26 July 2022 The International Tax Conference jointly hosted by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Business@OECD and BusinessEurope last week highlighted how a consistent global tax system is essential for business and will foster cross-border trade and investment. Under the theme “Towards a Sustainable World Tax Order?”, the International Tax Conference, held last week in Munich, Germany (21-22 July), gathered business leaders and policymakers from around the world over two days to address key, current and emerging topics in international tax policy. The sessions underscored the importance of certainty, clarity and simplification for effective implementation of the new international tax rules,

22 July 2022 ICC has issued a statement following the signature of a deal to allow the resumption of grain exports via the Black Sea. ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO said: “The strategic importance of today’s agreement for global food security cannot be overstated. Projections from our network suggest that restoring shipments of Ukrainian grains and vegetable oils via the Black Sea is absolutely imperative to avert a severe cost-of-living – and potentially hunger – crisis in the developing world. “We applaud the leadership of the UN Secretary General in forging today’s agreement – and especially welcome the opportunities

20 July 2022 The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Young Arbitrators Forum (YAF) has changed its name to the Young Arbitration and ADR Forum (YAAF) to underscore the global network’s wide range of alternative dispute resolution services. Under the auspices of ICC’s market-leading Dispute Resolution Services, ICC YAAF dedicates its work to the promotion of all methods of effective dispute resolution and dispute prevention and avoidance, by introducing new practitioners and students worldwide to the field of International Arbitration and ADR. Open to young dispute resolution practitioners aged 40 and under, ICC YAAF provides a range of opportunities for individuals to gain knowledge,

19 July 2022 The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) held a side event at the 63rd Meetings of the Assemblies of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva this week, bringing the voice of business to global discussions on innovation and intellectual property. Leaders from companies including Nestlé, Microsoft and Intel, and international organisations including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) were among the participants of the ICC Side Event at the 63rd Meetings of the Assemblies of WIPO in Geneva earlier this week. The event was a wonderful opportunity for the business community

12 July 2022 The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) received the lowest number of reported incidents for the first half of any year since 1994 – a testament to its pivotal role in raising awareness to make waters safer. IMB’s latest global piracy report details 58 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships – the lowest total since 1994 – down from 68 incidents during the same period last year. In the first six months of 2022, IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) reported 55 vessels boarded, two attempted attacks and one vessel hijacked. IMB Director Michael Howlett said: “Not only is

28 June 2022 The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) to launch the second edition of the Small Business Champions Initiative. The second edition of the Small Business Champions Initiative was launched at a joint event hosted by ICC, ITC and the WTO Informal Working Group on Micro-, Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). The aim of the initiative is to identify, highlight and celebrate creative and impactful organisations or initiatives that put small businesses at the centre of the green transition. Proposals should be submitted by 15 August 2022. The initiative

21 June 2022 The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is proud to announce the launch of a campaign on World Food Programme’s (WFP) crowdfunding platform ShareTheMeal to provide food assistance to the people of Ukraine. Following a recent visit to Ukraine by ICC Secretary General, John W.H. Denton AO, and the anniversary of a strategic partnership signed between ICC and WFP, the fundraising appeal aims to support WFP’s response strategy and efforts to reach six million Ukrainians by the end of June. The unsolicited war that has been ravaging Ukraine since February has transformed what was once known as the breadbasket

21 June 2022 The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is delighted to welcome five chambers from the United States and Italy to the International Certificate of Origin (CO) Accreditation Chain. By joining the ICC CO Accreditation Chain, the United States’ Birmingham Business Alliance, Greater Miami Chamber, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and American Export Chamber, and Italy’s Chamber of Commerce of Maremma and Tirreno will benefit from the use of the internationally recognised ICC CO label and will be able to link their CO to the official ICC CO Verification website. Emily Jerkins Hall, President and COO at the Birmingham Business

17 June 2022 The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) welcomes the “Geneva Package” that world trade ministers agreed to at the World Trade Organization (WTO) today and applauds the leadership of WTO Director-General Dr Ngozi-Okonjo-Iweala for shepherding a significant package of deals. Today’s agreement is a significant boost for international cooperation, global trade and cross-border commerce, with many of the outcomes corresponding with what ICC has been consistently calling for over the past few years. In an era so often characterised by geopolitical frictions, protectionist impulses and go-it-alone trade policies, today’s deal reminds us that effective global governance remains possible and that the WTO

15 June 2022 The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is delighted to welcome Maria Fernanda Garza as its new Chair. After serving as ICC First Vice-Chair for the past two years, the small business owner from Mexico succeeds Ajay Banga as ICC Chair, making her the first woman to hold this position.  Maria Fernanda Garza has been elected ICC Chair for a period of two years following a meeting of the ICC World Council, held yesterday in Mexico City. The ICC World Council additionally elected Philippe Varin, Chair of ICC France, as ICC First Vice-Chair, and Nayla Comair Obeid and Harsh