ICC News

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

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