Kira Yevtukhova Archives

USCIB Board of Directors Welcomes New Vice Chair and Secretary

Published on May 21, 2020
L-R: Michele Parmelee, Robert DeLaMater

USCIB is pleased to announce the addition of two new Officers: Deloitte’s Global Chief People and Purpose Officer Michele Parmelee as Vice Chair and  Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Partner Robert DeLaMater as Secretary. The USCIB Board of Directors unanimously voted in its officer slate for the next two-year term at its recent meeting on May 12. Parmelee and DeLaMater join Chairman Harold McGraw III, Vice Chair (and former USCIB President) Thomas Niles and Treasurer Donald Monks.

Parmelee becomes the first woman to hold a USCIB Vice Chair position. As a twenty-year veteran at Deloitte, Parmelee leads talent, brand and communications, connecting a broad portfolio of programs to enhance its global brand, reputation and talent experience in support of Deloitte’s global strategy. She leads the office of the Deloitte Global CEO and Deloitte Global Programs and is a member of the Deloitte Global Executive Committee. Prior to joining Deloitte Global in June 2015, Parmelee was the secretary of the board of directors in the United States and led the Office of the Chairman in the U.S. She has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA magna cum laude with honors from Brown University.

DeLaMater has been a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell for more than twenty-eight years and takes over the role of USCIB Secretary last held by the late John Merow, former Sullivan & Cromwell chairman. DeLaMater has advised corporate clients and their financial advisers on mergers, takeover bids, joint ventures, divestitures and other M&A transactions, as well as on securities offerings, privatizations and other corporate financial matters. DeLaMater has been a USCIB director since 2015. In addition to his work in the New York office, DeLaMater has served Sullivan & Cromwell’s clients in its Tokyo, London and Hong Kong offices. He attended Harvard University and Columbia Law School.

Statement from USCIB Recognizing Outgoing WTO Director General

Published on May 15, 2020

New York, N.Y., May 15, 2020 – Peter M. Robinson, president and CEO of the United States Council for International Business, issued the following statement regarding outgoing WTO Director General Roberto Azevêdo:

“I would like to congratulate Roberto Azevêdo on his seven-year tenure as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and express my gratitude for his unwavering leadership in defense of an open trading system during that time.

The sixth Director-General of the 25-year-old institution, Ambassador Azevêdo has been a patient, committed and determined leader. In recognition of his excellent leadership, USCIB honored Ambassador Azevêdo with the International Leadership award in November 2014 at our Annual Award Gala, particularly highlighting the successful conclusion of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.

As the global economy looks to recover and rebuild, leadership in support of international trade is more important than ever, so we will miss Ambassador Azevêdo’s steady guiding hand through the challenges of the global trading system. This is a critical time for the organization, and we look forward to continued strength of leadership as business looks to collaborate with governments around the world to ensure a return to economic growth and development around the globe.”

About USCIB:

USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and prudent regulation. Its members include top U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of our economy, with operations in every region of the world. With a unique global network encompassing leading international business organizations, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide, and works to facilitate international trade and investment. More at www.uscib.org.

Contact:
Glen Brandow, Communications, USCIB
(212) 703-5043 or gbrandow@uscib.org

Marketing and Advertising

Published on May 1, 2020

Trends and Challenges Facing Advertisers:

  • New regulations and policies at the national and global levels that threaten to restrict some types of advertising such as food and beverage marketing, social media, and marketing to children
  • New opportunities to extend self-regulation of marketing and advertising in key countries and regions

 

USCIB’s Response:

  • Advocate for multi-stakeholder initiatives and the central role of science- and evidence-based data in developing policy
  • Press for policies at the OECD that create the right incentives and collaborative environments to drive investment in innovation and technology
  • Advance voluntary consumer initiatives, responsible marketing, and healthy lifestyles

Magnifying Your Voice with USCIB:

  • USCIB is the only U.S. business association formally affiliated with the world’s three largest business organizations where we work with business leaders across the globe to extend our reach to influence policymakers in key international markets to American business
  • Build consensus with like-minded industry peers and participate in off-the-record briefings with policymakers both home and abroad.

USCIB on LinkedIn

Positions and Statements

USCIB Congratulates Colombia on Formally Becoming OECD Member (4/30/2020) - The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced today that Colombia has formally become an OECD Member as of…
ICC Statement on Code Interpretation/Reference Guide on Advertising to Children (12/15/2016) - The Reference Guide on Advertising to Children can be found here.  ICC Statement on Code Interpretation The International Chamber of Commerce Consolidated…

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News Stories

USCIB Members Play Active Role on OECD’s Illicit Trade During COVID Panel (4/30/2020) - The OECD Task Force on Countering Illicit Trade hosted a webinar on April 23—"Illicit Trade at the Time of Crisis.”…
USCIB Congratulates Colombia on Formally Becoming OECD Member (4/30/2020) - The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced today that Colombia has formally become an OECD Member as of…

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Press Releases

New Marketing Code Raises Consumer Protection Standards Around the World (9/15/2011) - New York, N.Y., September 15, 2011 –New protection for Internet users – along with detailed standards for marketers selling to…

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Getting the Green Message Right: A New Framework for Environmental Marketing (1/26/2010) - New York, N.Y., January 26, 2010 –  As more consumers consider environmental features important in their purchasing decisions, businesses have…

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Chair

Brent Sanders
Associate General Counsel
Microsoft Corporation

Vice Chair

Carla Michelotti
Marketing Consultant & International Advertising Association Vice President

Staff

Kira Yevtukhova 
Acting Director of Communications
202-617-3160 or kyevtukhova@uscib.org

 

USCIB Calls for International Financial Support for At-Risk Businesses, Workers in Developing Countries Impacted by COVID

Published on April 24, 2020

April 23, 2020 – As the continuing health consequences of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic are being felt across the globe, no country has been spared, but the impacts are particularly acute in vulnerable middle- and lower-income countries.

The scale and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic requires that all stakeholders come together to develop broad-based approaches to this pandemic crisis. Critically, without immediate support from international development finance institutions, the ability of vulnerable countries to reopen and resume economic activity once the pandemic is contained and addressed, will be severely compromised.

As part of the international response to address the health, economic and social crisis from this pandemic, the G-20 countries, including the G-20 Finance Ministers, have coordinated closely with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group and regional development banks, to mobilize resources to address urgent needs.

We call upon the G-20 and leadership of the international financial institutions to support those countries requiring assistance for the health care assets to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, we urge these countries and institutions to allocate necessary resources for:

  1. sufficient funds for governments to offer credit facilities to maintain and avoid the liquidation of businesses in export sectors vital to the economies of these vulnerable countries,
  2. funding to governments to support functioning social protection programs, including income to meet the basic needs of their work force so that they can be supported while they wait to resume their jobs once businesses can be reopened, and
  3. technical and financial support necessary for the export and other economic sectors in these countries so that workplaces can resume operation safely taking into account strategies to mitigate COVID-19 risk.

# # #

A Call for Financial Support for At-Risk Businesses, Workers in Developing Countries Impacted by COVID-19

Published on April 23, 2020

April 23, 2020 – As the continuing health consequences of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic are being felt across the globe, no country has been spared, but the impacts are particularly acute in vulnerable middle- and lower-income countries.

The scale and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic requires that all stakeholders come together to develop broad-based approaches to this pandemic crisis. Critically, without immediate support from international development finance institutions, the ability of vulnerable countries to reopen and resume economic activity once the pandemic is contained and addressed, will be severely compromised.

As part of the international response to address the health, economic and social crisis from this pandemic, the G-20 countries, including the G-20 Finance Ministers, have coordinated closely with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group and regional development banks, to mobilize resources to address urgent needs.

We call upon the G-20 and leadership of the international financial institutions to support those countries requiring assistance for the health care assets to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, we urge these countries and institutions to allocate necessary resources for:

  1. sufficient funds for governments to offer credit facilities to maintain and avoid the liquidation of businesses in export sectors vital to the economies of these vulnerable countries,
  2. funding to governments to support functioning social protection programs, including income to meet the basic needs of their work force so that they can be supported while they wait to resume their jobs once businesses can be reopened, and
  3. technical and financial support necessary for the export and other economic sectors in these countries so that workplaces can resume operation safely taking into account strategies to mitigate COVID-19 risk.

 

USCIB’s Donnelly Retires; Will Take on a Consulting Role 

Published on April 1, 2020
Shaun Donnelly

Vice President for Investment Policy and Financial Services Shaun Donnelly is retiring April 3 after eight and half years at USCIB.

Donnelly came to USCIB in 2011, after an impressive 36-year career as a Department of State Foreign Service Officer followed by shorter stints at two other leading Washington trade associations. Throughout his time at USCIB, Donnelly has been a leading voice for the U.S. and international business communities on a wide range of investment policy issues, speaking out forcefully and publicly, as well as privately, to the U.S. Administration, Congress and in international fora, from the OECD and World Trade Organization (WTO) to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

Donnelly has also been a sought-after and a provocative speaker at investment conferences and seminars around Washington and around the globe.  But most importantly, Donnelly has always been willing and able to put his experience, his expertise and his rolodex to use to assist USCIB members, collectively and individually.

“It has been a real privilege to have Shaun as part of the USCIB team, and I’m delighted that he will continue on in an advisory role,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson. “Shaun is a global regulatory diplomat par excellence, never hesitating to stand up for private sector interests in a forceful, rational and compelling way.”

In the State Department’s Foreign Service, Donnelly served eight years as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State (DAS) in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, at various times leading policy on Trade, Energy and Economic sanctions.  For almost five of those years he was the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, the Department’s #3 economic policy official. Donnelly also served as U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives and as Deputy Ambassador to Tunisia and Mali. In his final U.S. government assignment, Donnelly was detailed to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) as Assistant USTR in charge of Europe and the Middle East, running USTR’s largest regional office.  He retired from the Foreign Service with the personal rank of Career Minister, roughly equivalent to that of three-star general.

“Simply put, it’s time,” Donnelly said.  “It’s been a great run and I have really appreciated the opportunity to work with so many great colleagues at USCIB and in our member companies.”

For us at USCIB, the good news is that Donnelly has agreed to stay on in a consulting role, serving as a senior advisor to Robinson and USCIB Senior Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs Rob Mulligan, as well as to take on a few special projects.

“I look forward to staying involved behind the scenes with USCIB and helping where I can,” said Donnelly. “It’s a great organization and there is still a lot of important, challenging work to do.”

Op-Ed: Business Must Come Together to Respond to COVID-19 Now

Published on March 30, 2020

Op-Ed by Scott C. Ratzan MD, Executive Director of Business Partners for Sustainable Development

Earlier this month, nearly 500 experts in public health, law and human rights wrote an open letter to U.S Vice President Mike Pence to act swiftly, fairly and effectively, warning that “the COVID-19 outbreak is unprecedented in recent American history, and there is no playbook for an epidemiological event of this scope and magnitude.”

Yet, just weeks later, we all are living with unprecedented turmoil from this novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

While the virus was named a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO), this is the seventh time we have had such a proclamation in the last two decades. H1N1 influenza, polio, ebola in West Africa and in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zika, all abated and did not cause as much havoc. Financial markets are on a roller coaster, planes grounded and many of us sheltering in place or in a self-imposed or government-recommended quarantine.

The future of our public health and economy depend on how government officials, policymakers, leaders and our fellow citizens react.

This includes honest, coherent, transparent, and timely communication while providing adequate funding and support for the response. The health care system needs immediate resources for equitable and effective infection control and the means to effectively manage the disease.

As 24/7 news, interactive websites, social media and alerts fill our day, the virus continues to spread. Unfortunately, without a clear treatment or cure, fear and uncertainty results in a rich environment for misinformation and misguided actions.

COVID-19 is a test of our system’s ability to address a legitimate public health threat with an unknown trajectory. Multiple sectors must leverage knowledge, expertise, networks and resources to produce better public health outcomes. Being prepared with a plan and being proactive is the name of the game in prevention, mitigation and management of risk and the adverse consequences of any threat.

Business must play a critical role in planning, implementing and adapting to this crisis due to its wide reach, resources and impact on employees, partners and markets.

Communication from employers on coronavirus is the most credible source of information, according to a recent Edelman ten-country study (March 6-10). This is consistent with a 2020 Edelman Trust Barometer, which showed that “my employer” is the most trusted institution by 18 points over business in general and NGOs, and by 27 points over government and media.

Employers are central in communicating the response. The public needs the assurance that as more is learned, information will be shared accurately and clearly from sources they trust.

This emergent threat challenges our society to cooperate amongst all sectors, including government, media, technology platforms and the private sector.

We know that large scale communication campaigns that employ behavioral economics, health literacy and communication levers (mass and social media) can drive citizens toward healthier decisions. As COVID-19 continues to spread, the business sector’s historical hallmarks of innovation, efficiency and management can help address the challenge we face today.

There are some promising examples:

  • A COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator supported by Mastercard will join with the WHO, government and private sector funders and organizations to speed the response to the COVID-19 epidemic by identifying, assessing, developing and scaling-up treatments.
  • The USCIB is leveraging existing networks to catalyze partnerships to address challenges, such as COVID-19. This includes working with the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) to distribute WHO guidance on simple and low-cost measures for creating a healthier and more productive workplace.
  • The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Business at OECD (BIAC) are also working on the design of an action plan to reach millions of businesses with recommendations to help governments deal with the threat to the global economy.
  • The Global NGO Business Fights Poverty is collaborating with Business Partners for Sustainable Development (BPSD) to develop an online “challenge” discussion on how business should tackle the coronavirus challenge.
  • NBCUniversal, Viacom/CBS, iHeartMedia, The Atlantic, Disney/ABC Television and the Ad Council will donate advertising inventory for campaigns that will advise consumers about social distancing, steps that can be taken to protect the public and more.

While the WHO was established to advance “informed opinion and active cooperation on the part of the public” we have now learned that health issues are not confined to one organization or sector.

Only by working together, with the public and private sectors, we can advance a society where our livelihoods are not threatened by similar future outbreaks and create a resilient society capable of responding to any future threat we may face.

Scott C. Ratzan MD is Executive Director of Business Partners for Sustainable Development. He is Former Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.

COVID-19 Responses: Our Global Network

Published on March 30, 2020

USCIB is pleased to share the work being done related to COVID-19 across the world by our global network. For information on what USCIB member companies are doing to curb the impacts of COVID-19, visit our dedicated Member Responses page.

Table of Contents:

-International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
-International Organization of Employers (IOE)
-Business at OECD (BIAC)
-USCIB Partners:

-Intergovernmental Forums:

  • United Nations
  • World Health Organization

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)

Visit ICC’s dedicated site on COVID: https://www.covid.iccwbo.org/

Latest ICC News and Statements on COVID-19:

  • ICC Statement of tax measures to Save Our SMEs in response to COVID-19
  • ICC partnered with WHO to launch a comprehensive survey, an unprecedented private sector call to action to tackle Covid-19. One important contribution to the private sector effort is mapping responses by individual businesses; that is, actions taken by you and your teams. This survey – which takes a short time to complete – will not only provide ICC and WHO with new data and insights, but also reinforce key health messages. ICC will use your responses to provide updated information to businesses, and develop solutions that will help your company to tackle the consequences of the pandemic.
  • ICC publishes a COVID-19 Business Continuity Guide
  • ICC launched a new global campaign, #SaveOurSMEs, to help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) survive the COVID-19 pandemic. In a co-signed message to the ICC network, ICC Secretary General John Denton and ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF) Chair Hamad Buamim called on the ICC network to widely share the‘SOS’ Call to Action and engage with media using these campaign key messages.
  • While recognizing the essential role the private sector can play in minimizing the likelihood of transmission, a joint ICC-WHO statement calls on national governments to adopt a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and underscores the urgency for Heads of State and Government to make preventing the spread of the virus a top priority.

Recordings and presentations of recent virtual sessions:

  • ICC’s educational arm, the ICC Academy, will be hosting a series of livecasts and webinars on COVID-19 in the coming weeks, free of charge. As part of the COVID-19 response, the series will focus on three core areas: health, economy, and at a later stage: recovery.

International Organization of Employers (IOE)

IOE is mobilizing its network to provide information on business and employer organizations’ efforts to support members with safety and health measures, preventive actions to minimize disruption to productivity, strategies for mitigation of financial losses, and overview of government initiatives to reduce economic stress on business.

IOE is providing information based on regions (Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe and Central Asia), virtual conferences, and key documents from its global network. For more general information visit IOE’s dedicated page on COVID-19.


Latest IOE News and Statements on COVID-19:

  • The ILO released their third report on the impact of COVID-19 and the world of work.  The report estimates the drop in working hours in the current (second) quarter of 2020 is expected to be significantly worse than previously estimated.  The report recommendations include supporting international coordination on stimulus packages; simplifying and expediting procedures to access benefits, credit and loans; providing income support to businesses and workers; and continuing social dialogue throughout the reopening of economies to ensure safeguards workers and consumers.
  • The IOE and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and their constituents stand in solidarity with governments and underline the critical need for social dialogue at national and multilateral levels to design measures to overcome the impact of COVID-19. The two organizations have released a joint statement, which contains several call of action points on business continuity, income security, social dialogue, policy coordination and coherence. The statement also notes that the 2019 ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work contains critical elements.

Recordings and presentations of recent virtual sessions:

Business at OECD (BIAC)

Business at OECD (BIAC) believes it is now more important than ever that the OECD delivers the best policy advice both on short-term collective response measures, as well as the longer-term recovery plans that will soon need to be implemented. The extensive experience of the OECD, from its origins emerging from the Marshall Plan implementation to the 2008-2009 global financial crisis, makes the organization a unique forum to help governments achieve an effective balance between the health and economic needs of society. Evidence-based analysis, enhanced best practice sharing and improved coordinated collective actions will prove decisive.

NEW! Business at OECD key messages on the impact of COVID-19 international travel restrictions on services-trade costs

Initial OECD analysis on COVID-19:

For more information on what the OECD and Business at OECD (BIAC) are doing related to COVID-19, please visit their website: http://biac.org/coronavirus/.

USCIB Partners

American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU)

On April 23, during AmCham EU’s “American Hour” online series for members, AmCham EU hosted USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson alongside other distinguished U.S. business leaders: Myron Brilliant, Executive Vice President and Head of International Affairs, US Chamber of Commerce; and Nancy McLernon, President and CEO, Global Business Alliance. The panel discussed business view on COVID-19.

During the chat, CEO of AmCham EU Susan Danger moderated and provided opening remarks, noting, “As like-minded powers, the business community counts on the EU and the U.S. to work together, with the international community, in the fight against COVID-19. Now is the time to demonstrate the values we share in Europe, across the Atlantic and with the rest of the global community.”

Discover How GBA Members Are Fighting COVID-19

Global Business Alliance (GBA) is comprised of a diverse coalition of members whose businesses span numerous industries. These companies are utilizing their expertise, resources and dedicated employees to bring aid to the communities in which they operate and help eradicate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit the GBA website. To explore by sector or company, see below.

Medical Innovation


Bayer, bioMerieux, Boehringer Ingelheim, CSL Behring, GlaxoKlineSmith, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Roche, Sanofi, Siemens, Takeda, Teva Pharmaceuticals

Manufacturing

Anheuser-Busch, Bosch, Daimler, Hitachi, LVMH, Nissan, Pernod Ricard, Philips, Toyota, Volkswagen

Technology


Ericsson, Samsung, Tata Consultancy Services

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Intergovernmental Forums (IGOs)

United Nations

  • The United Nations published a report titled “Shared Responsibility, Global Solidarity: Responding to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19“. The report is a call to action, for the immediate health response required to suppress transmission of the virus to end the pandemic and to tackle the many social and economic dimensions of this crisis. It is a call to focus on people – women, youth, low-wage workers, small and medium enterprises, the informal sector and on vulnerable groups who are already at risk. Pages 6-7 of the report features a section on “Businesses and Corporations: Step Up to the Challenge“
  • USCIB’s biweekly memo on “Business at the UN” flags events and decision points relevant to members, passes on intelligence and indicates next steps for business-relevant UN workstreams. If you would like to receive the memo, please contact: Claudia Herbert Colfer (ccolfer@uscib.org).

World Health Organization

From Our President and CEO Peter Robinson

Published on March 23, 2020
USCIB President and CEO Peter M. Robinson

What Comes After COVID: Better, Stronger and More Resilient Cooperation and Commerce

By Peter Robinson, President and CEO

April 14, 2020

As I write this today, we are watching with dismay the impacts COVID-19 is having around the world on people’s lives, on the economy, on jobs. We have taken in the hits on economies, trade, travel, supply chains and employment, and are aware of challenges ahead. We have seen tie after tie cut as countries have closed borders and restricted travel and other interactions in an understandable exercise of caution.

Like many of you, I find myself navigating an unparalleled crisis management situation. In the first instance we are seized with the imperative of protecting the health and welfare of our families, our staff colleagues, and our respective institutions themselves. We are responding to the immediate needs of ensuring business continuity through virtual means, while rising to the occasion as business leaders to support member and international efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and find relief and solutions for those in need. And at the same time, we need to be thinking hard about the future and how we can best adapt to what will certainly be a new normal.

Despite the dire situation, this is a time when USCIB’s core beliefs in the power of the private sector, the necessity of trade, investment and supply chains for goods and services, and the imperative of sustainable development are stronger than ever. And despite significant uncertainty about the full force and duration of this unprecedented event, USCIB members across every sector of the American economy are rallying to contribute to solutions by addressing the pandemic through private sector innovation, investment, and partnership. Inspired by our members, USCIB as an organization is doing likewise.

USCIB is an American business group founded on the necessity of global citizenship and commerce—just like the organizations in our global business network for which we serve as the American affiliate: the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and Business at OECD (BIAC). Together, we are looking at ways we can help bring society together in support of the multilateral institutions we need to be able to count on to work with governments to help those millions of people around the world whose lives and livelihoods are being upended today through real or impending job loss. Examples of the efforts we are supporting include the ICC action call to G20 and its Save the SMEs campaign, the ICC and IOE work with WHO and the IOE’s work with ITUC and ILO, and the BIAC’s support of OECD. We encourage collaboration among the major business organizations in order to leverage the combined voice and efforts of business at a critical time.

 

We see reason for optimism in the multilateral system to respond, strengthen and restore the global economy. The UN has just launched a Global Humanitarian Assistance campaign, and WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo is urging all countries to remove trade barriers to essential goods and services to respond to this health crisis.  It is clear to us that only through an all-out international collective and cooperative effort can we stop the pandemic and restore confidence in the future.

We understand that the experience and disruptive impact of the pandemic will—and indeed should—bring with it transformational change, and we should embrace and work together to shape that change to create a more equitable and just society. After we flatten the curve, we need to accelerate the recovery across humanitarian and economic fronts. We are already looking ahead to the need not only to restore, but to take this opportunity to improve and strengthen the policies and political and economic institutions that provide critical infrastructure for business in the global marketplace to deliver jobs, solutions and opportunities for shared prosperity.

In that regard, I would note that when it was announced last year, the UN Decade of Delivery and Action was about scaling up implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  This global effort should now prioritize responding to the health, economic and social crises of COVID-19 and mobilizing government, business and all stakeholders on response, remediation and rebuilding a better, stronger and more resilient international community.

I am certain that the U.S. private sector will be a big and active part of this new picture. We stand ready to help design and build a healthier and more prosperous future that safeguards lives and livelihoods—working closely with our members, our government and our partners in the international community.

Peter Robinson is President and CEO of the United States Council for International Business. This is the first in a series of articles from USCIB over the coming months on the key challenges facing the world in every phase of the COVID-19 crisis and the role of business in promoting global cooperation – saving lives and jobs by slowing the spread of the pandemic and working on the gradual re-opening of the world economy.  

Open Letter to Members from Peter Robinson, CEO and President USCIB: Response to COVID-19

Dear Members,

Things have been rapidly developing since my last message to members of March 9. Going forward, our emphasis will be on doing what we can to ensure business continuity during COVID-19.

During this period of uncertainty, USCIB will be using our weekly e-newsletter to stay in touch on what we, along with the international business organizations for which we serve as American affiliate, are doing to ensure the continued, proactive representation of your interests internationally. Our newsletter will focus on communicating what is happening in the UN and multilateral system with regards to response efforts, which we hope will mitigate the impact on your business.

I assure you that USCIB is fully operational during the pandemic and we will continue to provide the services you depend on.  While there are challenges to this new reality as we adjust to social distancing, travel restrictions, work from home and rescheduled or cancelled meetings across the multilateral system, we have implemented a comprehensive teleworking strategy for conducting our daily routine that allows us to protect our employees and respect the role we all play in preventing the spread of the virus to our families, friends and communities.

On the policy front: to maintain the flow of information and advocacy critical to support your interests, policy managers continue to monitor and report back to their committees (through virtual meetings and conference calls) new measures that our global affiliates and network of multilateral organizations we typically interact with have implemented.

Going forward, we will communicate this aspect of our work under “Business Continuity During COVID-19”, a dedicated page on our website (www.uscib.org) that will keep you informed on how we represent your interests at the multilateral “virtual” meetings we will continue to attend.

On the trade services side: to provide the services required in our role as the National Guaranteeing Association for ATA Carnet in the U.S., our Carnet managers continue to process claims and handle inquiries from Carnet holders in support of the free flow of goods and services across borders during this difficult time, and our Service Providers are adapting their processes and procedures to the new circumstances. Relevant developments will be reported that may impact your operations globally.

Our dedicated page on www.uscib.org mentioned above will also spotlight USCIB-member initiatives, such as new public-private partnerships, financial assistance programs, innovations, and accelerated projects that help identify, develop and scale potential treatments and vaccines, all of which strive to minimize the devastating global impacts of the virus. This page is now live and will be updated daily.

During this uncertain time staying in touch is critical.  We want to hear from you.  Please let us know where USCIB can add value in coping with the crisis by answering a few questions:

  • Where can USCIB assist your company or association during these challenging circumstances?
  • What role should global business networks like ICC, IOE and Business at OECD (BIAC) take to mitigate the impact of COVID-19?
  • Which are good private sector practices and partnerships to be shared through the multilateral system?

If members find it helpful, we will organize weekly exchanges tracking efforts to advance private sector solutions and initiatives as the pandemic affects countries across the globe.

In closing, the COVID-19 pandemic has significant implications for every policy area in which USCIB engages. Rest assured that we remain focused on how we can best engage with our partners in business, government and the multilateral system to bring business solutions to the discussion.

Virtual Events on the COVID-19 Challenge

Published on March 23, 2020

ILO Global Summit on COVID-19 Recovery & the World of Work, July 1-9

The International Labour Office is organising a virtual Global Summit to address the impact of Covid-19 on the world of work. The Global Summit will provide a high-profile platform for the tripartite constituents to maintain connectivity with the ILO’s global tripartite constituency, address the economic and social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and in particular to draw on the Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work to contribute to building back better in the post-pandemic recovery.

A brief document is being prepared by the ILO Office to provide a framework for the discussions around the world of work impact of Covid-19, and the ILO’s vision of the post-pandemic recovery through the human-centred approach of the Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work.

IOE is preparing a highlights document for employers on the various topics and outlines of employers’ positions on the different items up for discussion.

Dates and structure

The Summit is organised in two parts: regional events (July 1-3) followed by three global events (July 7-9). All events are scheduled to allow remote participation from all time zones and will be broadcast live with interpretation in several languages.

Contact Gabriella Rigg Herzog for more information: gherzog@uscib.org.

VIRTUAL: OECD Webinar on Investment Screening in Times of COVID-19 – and Beyond, June 25: 6:30-8am EST.

This webinar will set out the developments in the area of investment screening prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and how the pandemic modified and amplified these developments. The webinar will also seek to anticipate the future of FDI screening policy, as the landscape for international investment and FDI screening may emerge transformed even when the pandemic and the related economic crisis have eventually receded. One of the speakers will be the Chair of the Business at OECD Investment Committee, representing the global business voice.

If you are interested in attending, you can register here. Please see below for further details on the webinar, including several OECD resources.

VIRTUAL: Foreign Direct Investment Flows in the time of COVID-19, May 13: 8am EST.

The OECD is hosting a webinar on Foreign Direct Investment Flows in the time of COVID-19 on Wednesday, May 13 at 8am EST.

Ana Novik, Head of the OECD Investment Division, will moderate and Maria Borga, Head of the OECD International Investment Statistics Unit will present the policy note.

To register click here. Further information on the webinar is available on the website.

 

VIRTUAL OECD Briefing: Impacts & Consequences of Coronavirus Pandemic, May 12: 12pm ET

The impacts and consequences of the coronavirus pandemic on our lives and our societies have been profound. What are some of the solutions to boost the performance of our healthcare systems, secure our businesses, maintain our jobs and education standards, and stabilize financial markets and economies?

The OECD is compiling data, conducting analyses and offering recommendations on a range of topics to address the emerging health, economic and societal aspects of the crisis. The OECD also facilitates co-ordination amongst our member countries, and contributes to the necessary global action to confront this enormous collective challenge. The OECD’s response embraces a long-term strategy, reflecting on how we move from addressing the immediate health crisis to assessing the consequences, and ultimately to building a rapid and successful recovery.

Our COVID-19 digital hub brings together data and policy responses spanning a large range of topics, providing guidance on the short-term measures needed in affected sectors. It also includes a Country Policy Tracker, allowing users to explore what countries are doing to weather the crisis and beyond.

Registration available by clicking here.

IOE Session: COVID-19 Impact on the Business & Human Rights Agenda, April 29: 8am ET

IOE will host a digital conference with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.

Mthunzi Mdwaba, Chair of IOE Policy Working Group on Human Rights and Responsible Business Conduct will open the session. Additional participants include Linda Kromjong, Global Labor & Human Rights Director, Samsung Electronics; John Morrison, Executive Director, IHRB; David Vermijs, Senior Adviser, Shift.

Register by clicking here.

Dialogue on SDG 17 & Public-Private Partnerships: COVID-19 Response & Recovery in the Framework of the 2030 Agenda, April 29: 9-10:30am

Shared Responsibility, Global Solidarity

A Virtual Dialogue on SDG 17 and Public-Private Partnerships: COVID-19 Response and Recovery in the Framework of the 2030 Agenda

Organized by UN DESA, IOE, USCIB’s All In 2020 Campaign and the Business Partners for Sustainable Development (BPSD), this webinar will provide ideas about how partnerships can be catalyzed and scaled up in the COVID-19 era to advance the 2030 Agenda and inform the future work of the HLPF. Short presentations by government speakers, private sector experts and development practitioners will lay out new and innovative partnerships to curb the pandemic, safeguard MSMEs, and accelerate global research and innovation. All are welcome.

Wednesday, April 29, 2020
9-10:30 a.m. EDT

Register by April 27: is.gd/sdg17webinar

Arbitrators Series: Nuts and Bolts of Conducting Arbitral Hearings via Videoconference, April 28: 3pm – 4pm ET

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, arbitrators and arbitration counsel have increasingly looked to web-based video conferencing technology for the conduct of arbitration hearings. Over the past several weeks, the arbitral community has been inundated by advice from arbitral institutions and practitioners on whether and how to fairly and efficiently conduct arbitration hearings by video.

This program will offer best practices and meaningful “nuts and bolts” suggestions geared to arbitrators and arbitration counsel in sole practice for conducting video hearings.

Nancy M. Thevenin, FCIArb, USCIB’s general counsel, will provide a brief update on USCIB/ICC USA’s Arbitration committee activities.

Marek Krasula, the North America counsel for the ICC International Court of Arbitration®, will discuss the ICC Guidance Note on Possible Measures Aimed at Mitigating the effects of COVID-19 Pandemic. See bio.

Stephanie Cohen, FCIArb, a New York-based arbitrator, will address her Draft Zoom Hearing Procedural Order, which was published by Transnational Dispute Management on April 14, 2020. Ms. Cohen is Vice Chair of the New York Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR. See bio.

Matthew Draper, FCIArb, who serves as Chair of the Sole Practitioner’s Committee and Treasurer of the New York Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, will moderate the discussion. See bio.

The speakers will answer questions submitted in advance by participants.

REGISTER AND SUBMIT QUESTIONS HERE

USCIB Corporate Responsibility & Labor Affairs Committee Call, April 9th: 3:30 pm EST

USCIB’s CR&LA Committee call will discuss the coronavirus (COVID-19) impacts on corporate responsibility and labor affairs policy internationally, in the U.S. and in your own organizations. A draft agenda can be found here.

RSVP: Email Kendall Thibeadeau at kthibeadeau@uscib.org

WIPO Director General Public Briefing, April 7: 8:00 am EST

Director General Francis Gurry of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) will conduct an on-line public briefing on WIPO’s 2019 results and also discuss how the organization is managing the current crisis.

The broadcast will be available on the WIPO website at www.wipo.int

For additional information, please read this notice.

Contact: USCIB Vice President for Innovation & Product Policy Mike Michener (mmichener@uscib.org).

IOE-ITUC Digital Summit: What Needs to Happen Next, April 2: 2:00pm – 3:30pm (Europe CST)

IOE President Erol Kiresepi and Secretary General Roberto Suárez Santos together with ITUC General-Secretary Sharan Burrow will be joined by:

  • Ahmad Alzahrani, Deputy Minister and Chair of the G20 Employment Working Group
  • Anousheh Karvar, Government Representative to the ILO Governing Body &  Labour & Employment Sherpa to G7-G20
  • Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General.

Following the recent Joint Statement by IOE and ITUC, this digital summit will provide an in-depth review of G20 measures to address the pandemic, the French experience in engaging with social partners, the ILO approach to the crisis, an overview of employers and workers priorities as the economic emergency causes severe hardships worldwide. It will also launch a dialogue on the next stage of concrete measures needed to mitigate the impact on the global business community.

Register here for this digital summit.

Business and COVID-19: Business Fights Poverty Briefing with McKinsey and UNDP, March 26: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST

We would like to share with you an invitation to join a live webinar hosted by Business Fights Poverty, McKinsey, UNDP and the Connecting Business Initiative on Thursday, March 26 at 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST. The webinar will deep-dive into the impacts, and what action businesses can take, in response to COVID-19, particularly to support those who are most vulnerable in their value chains and in the communities in which they operate. Speakers include:

  • Sahba Sobhani, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • Kurt Chauviere, McKinsey
  • Jane Nelson, Harvard University
  • Myriam Sidibe, Harvard University

You can find more information and register here.

IOE Virtual Conference on Private Sector Contribution on Health Emergency Situations, March 26: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM CET

To effectively respond cooperation and coordination among international organisations, multilateral actors and the business community is vital. Never have effective public-private partnerships been so necessary. IOE is committed to spearheading efforts to build partnerships, and helping the private sector mitigate the impact of the crisis. As part of our COVID-19 response, IOE is leading a digital conference for its members with the participation of high-level experts including the Director of Public Health from the World Health Organization. The goal is to share with our network the latest information on the evolution of the virus and discuss around best response practices around the world.

The session will provide experts insights on critical questions such as:

What is the current situation and impact in different countries with regards to COVID-19? Which measures can be jointly taken with the private sector to mitigate it? What works, what does not work, based on previous emergency situations like the Ebola outbreak? What are the main challenges and opportunities with collaborating with public-private partnerships?

How are international organisations, specially WHO and ILO currently working with the public-private partnerships in response to Covid-19? What kind of initiatives or campaigns have been launched thus far? What levels of engagement and support have been received?

In preventing future global health crisis, how can they further promote and strengthen public and private partnerships, especially in developing countries, to tackle health related issues and to improve overall public health care systems?

AGENDA

  • Welcome, Roberto Suarez, IOE Secretary-General
  • Maria Neira, Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Department of Public Health: In this period of emergency what is WHO’s position and view on private sector and worker collaboration, how it should be conducted to support a good functioning of Health Systems in anticipating coming problems, especially in developing economies where COVID-19 has not yet reached a critical point?
  • Dr Laurent Taymans, Regional Medical Director,International SOS:What are the challenges of private service providers in addressing health-related crises? Where are the boundaries of private sector engagement in emergencies? What are the best practices with regard to private Sector contribution to Health Emergency situations?
  • Joaquim Pintado Nunes, Chief of Labour Administration, Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health Branch (LABADMIN/OSH), International Labour Organization (ILO):How is ILO mobilizing governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and other key partners for creating or strengthening health and safety awareness of what is coming? Is the ILO committed to fostering public-private partnerships and private sector engagement for better anticipation of situations like this in the future and how will it ensure that?

Conclusions, Roberto Suarez, IOE Secretary-General

To join from your computer, tablet or smartphone:https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/226156741
You can also dial in using your phone: United States: +1 (786) 535-3211
Access Code: 226-156-741

USCIB Partners with Business Fights Poverty: COVID-19 Challenge Discussion, March 19: 11am – 12 pm EST

On Thursday March 19, USCIB will partner with Business Fights Poverty (BFP) in an online “challenge” discussion, to which you have also been invited, on how business can best deal with the coronavirus challenge – if you wish to participate, please go to businessfightspoverty.org and register Mike Michener, VP, Innovation and Product Policy will be joined by USCIB policy staff and representatives of our affiliates: ICC, IOE, and BIAC. Michener is leading USCIB’s international health policy work and more specifically our partnership, along with The USCIB Foundation’s program, Business Partnership for Sustainable Development, with Business Fights Poverty.

More information can be found in this press release (along with highlighted efforts of our affiliates).