ICC News

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

14 June 2022 ICC has launched a new brand identity reflecting the global institution’s strategic direction and mission to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere. The rebrand incorporates a modern and elegant logo emphasising ICC’s global reach as the institutional representative of over 45 million companies in over 170 countries. The logo features a bold ICC monograph from longitude lines. A brighter blue, and confident, approachable typographic voice are also being used to echo ICC’s trusted role and leadership.  The new look was unveiled during a global gathering of ICC representatives meeting in Mexico City this week and celebrated

14 June 2022 As negotiations continue at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC12), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has released a statement on global business priorities outlining seven key recommendations for action. The global business community views the WTO as an essential pillar in the multilateral trading system. As end-users of the system, the global private sector strongly encourages ministers to work towards ambitious outcomes that will meet the needs of modern economies and all stakeholders.  At a time of serious global economic challenges—in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, pressures on global supply chains, and the prospect

7 June 2022 ICC has launched a new Centre of Entrepreneurship in Seville, Spain, to support and mobilise the next generation of entrepreneurs in Southern Europe. The Seville hub of the ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship was officially launched today during an event held at Seville Chamber of Commerce, attended by over 100 Spanish leaders and representatives of regional chambers of commerce. Following the establishment of hubs in Accra, Beirut, Buenos Aires, Casablanca, Istanbul, Jakarta, Lagos, Nairobi, Bogota and Ukraine the latest addition to the ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship brings the number of hubs helping entrepreneurs and small businesses worldwide to eleven. The launch

2 June 2022 Currently underway in the Swedish capital, Stockholm+50 commemorates the 50th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) Conference on the Human Environment, held in 1972 – which made the environment a pressing global issue for the first time. Aiming to drive action towards a healthy planet for the prosperity of all, the meeting brings leaders and representatives from governments, businesses, international organisations, civil society and youth together. Amid the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste, Stockholm+50 will act as a springboard to accelerate the implementation of the UN Decade of Action to deliver

25 May 2022 With a new online certifying tool and a revamped Certificate of Origin (CO) verification website, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is expanding and modernising its catalogue of digital trade services offered in the origin area. A new online tool for smoother customs checks ICC World Chambers Federation is proud to announce the launch of its new online certifying tool, Genesis. Set to last until the end of the year, the pilot project will involve eight participating champion chambers: Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Basel Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland as well as five chambers in

20 May 2022 Updates to the Governing Body of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Dispute Resolution Services, announced today, aim to further strengthen ICC’s strategic leadership on dispute resolution. Mohamed S. Abdel Wahab (Egypt) has been elected Vice-Chair of the ICC Dispute Resolution Services Governing Body. A professor of private international law and English contract law at Cairo University, Mr Abdel Wahab is founding partner and Head of International Arbitration, Construction and Energy Groups at Zulficar and Partners Law Firm (Egypt) and a former Vice-President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration (2015 – 2021). He became a member and the

17 May 2022 The ICC/IBA Pre-International Competition Network Forum, which took place earlier this month,  focused on the digital technology sector, cartels and private information, and merger control. Tasneem Azad, Managing Director, Expert Services at Kroll, and Marzena Meeson, Director, Expert Services at Kroll, explore what the sharp increase in global cartel fines means for the crackdown on cartels. Global cartel fines stood at $4.6 billion (bn) in 2021, up by 229% compared to 2020, according to the latest report published by the law firm, Morgan Lewis.1 Does this mean that, despite some temporary loosening and amendments to competition law due to

16 May 2022 ICC World Business Pride has joined forces with the Open for Business coalition to advocate for a more inclusive and diverse workplace as a driver of creativity, innovation and economic growth. In line with ICC’s commitment to a fairer, safer and more inclusive world, ICC World Business Pride (WBP) is proud to announce a ground-breaking new partnership with Open for Business, a coalition of leading global companies dedicated to LGBTQIA inclusion. With global inequality rising, the need to enable opportunity for all, including the LGBTQIA community, is urgent. In partnering with Open for Business as a key advocate for the