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 LGBTQIA community in the global economy, ICC is advancing in its mission to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere.

Drawing on a strong alignment of values, ICC and Open for Business consider that diversity and inclusion are essential pillars supporting creativity, innovation and economic growth. Incorporating the opinions, perspectives, and cultures of underrepresented groups is vital to unlocking our collective potential as businesses and communities.

ICC and Open for Business also recognise that more work still needs to be done globally to provide an inclusive, fair and safe workplace for LGBTQIA individuals.

Jon Miller, Founder and Board Chair of Open for Business said: “Open for Business is thrilled to launch this new partnership with ICC World Business Pride. Our reports and programs highlight the business and economic case for LGBT+ inclusion globally and regionally, especially in environments that are most challenging for the LGBT+ community. ICC’s global networks and focus on entrepreneurship will help us expand the reach of our work and be a powerful voice for more diverse and inclusive societies.”

ICC Chief of Staff and WBP Co-Sponsor Quinlan Carthane commented: “As ICC’s first major collaboration through World Business Pride, this partnership with Open for Business is a significant opportunity to progress our shared commitment to inclusive economies with insightful analyses, best practices and safe spaces for engaged discussion among business leaders capable of shaping working cultures to welcome and support diverse talent. We are very excited about what we can achieve through this pairing of original research and an unrivalled global network.”

Secretary General of the International Court of Arbitration and Director of ICC Dispute Resolution Services Alexander G. Fessas added: “ICC is an exemplar, fair and safe workplace for the LGBTQIA community, as recently acknowledged at the 2022 Global Arbitration Review Awards ceremony where we were presented with the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge Award for our work on inclusivity. The Open for Business – ICC partnership is tangible proof of our quest on diversity, equity and inclusion, as we fast approach the ICC Court’s centenary.”

Through this new partnership, ICC, World Business Pride and Open for Business commit to bringing the voice of business to policy discussions on LGBTQIA inclusion with policymakers, international organisations and governments, and to build a network with key stakeholders on diversity and inclusion, by:

  • Working together on publications, programmes, and events that promote LGBTQIA equality and inclusion from the perspective of the business community.
  • Identifying and collaborating with business leaders to advocate and promote the values and objectives we share.
  • Leveraging ICC’s network and the insights of Open for Business to advance equality and inclusion for LGBTQIA workers, entrepreneurs, and individuals.
  • Supporting business leaders to showcase best practices on inclusion and invite further conversation on how companies in all parts of the world can be beacons for diverse talent.

To this end, the two organisations will work closely with the ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship to foster inclusive enterprise, identify existing challenges that LGBTQIA entrepreneurs face, and explore how government, business and society can address them.

As a first step, the partnership will focus on Latin America, where discussions will be held with local entrepreneurs to share best practices, gather information and advocate for more inclusive local policies.