Accented Stories Archives

USCIB Welcomes New and Reelected Trustees and Directors for 2023-2025 

Published on July 12, 2023

Following membership elections in June, USCIB is pleased to welcome new members to the Board of Trustees and Board of Directors for the 2023-2025 term and to congratulate reelected members.

New Trustees include S.C. Johnson & Son Chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson, Mastercard President and CEO Michael Miebach and LyondellBasell CEO Peter Vanacker.

Novozymes A/S President and CEO Ester Baiget, KPMG U.S. Chair and CEO Paul Knopp and Microsoft Corporation President and Vice Chair Brad Smith were reelected.  

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President for International Policy John Murphy, Mastercard Senior Vice President, Global Public Policy & Government Affairs Ravi Aurora and Ferrero Senior Vice President for Institutional Affairs & Corporate Communications, North America Gerald “Chip” Kunde were elected to the Board of Directors.

Additionally, AT&T Senior Vice President for Global Public Policy Len Cali was re-elected to the Board of Directors.

USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson also expressed his appreciation to the Nominating Committee: USCIB Nominating Committee Chair and Sullivan & Cromwell Co-Chair Scott Miller, USCIB Chairman and Salesforce Executive Vice President for Government Affairs Eric Loeb and USCIB Vice Chair and Deloitte Principal Michele Parmelee.

USCIB Welcomes New Leadership at Business at OECD

Published on July 11, 2023

USCIB extends its hearty congratulations to the newly appointed policy group leadership at Business at OECD (BIAC), including representatives from many USCIB member companies:

Sahra English from Citi will serve as vice chair of the Finance Committee at BIAC. At Citi, English is responsible for policy development and advocacy strategy on a broad range of international trade and investment issues, and has ample experience in strategic communications, public policy and global business administration.

The BIAC Finance Committee contributes private sector expertise and perspectives to OECD finance-related activities, including its work to support the G20, in order to develop a strong and sustainable global financial system.

Susan Wilson from Intel Corp. will serve as a vice chair of the BIAC Anti-Illicit Trade Expert Group (AITEG). At Intel, Wilson serves as director for Intellectual Property Policy. Wilson has extensive experience in intellectual property policy in both the public and private sectors, having had a 31-year career in public service.

Also appointed as a vice chair of the AITEG is Monica Ramirez from AB In-Bev. At AB In-Bev, Ramirez serves as global director for Corporate Affairs. Ramirez’s work in fighting illicit trade spans more than twelve years and she has played a key role in developing and promoting markets globally.

The AITEG, which is composed of BIAC and BIAC network participants, supports the evidence-based work of the OECD on countering illicit trade. Previously, this work was under the Task Force for Countering Illicit Trade (TF-CIT), which is transitioning to a Working Party of the OECD Trade Committee. The Group provides business leadership and market insights on OECD policy drafts in order to address illicit activities.

Finally, USCIB Vice President for International Investment and Trade Policy Alice Slayton Clark will serve as vice chair of the BIAC Trade Committee. Clark brings with her extensive experience in trade policy, having worked in a number of international law firms and consulting practices, as well as on Capitol Hill.

“We are thrilled that BIAC acknowledges the value and expertise of our members and staff and has recognized their commitment to global policy making and multilateralism by appointing them in these leadership positions,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson.

More information on Business at OECD (BIAC).

USCIB Applauds Election of Ian Saunders to World Customs Organization Secretary General

Published on July 11, 2023
Left to right: Jerry Cook (Hanesbrands), Ian Saunders, Megan Giblin, Nicole Bivens Collinson (Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg PA) 

Washington D.C., July 11, 2023–The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) applauds the election on June 24, 2023, of Ian Saunders (U.S.) as the new Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO). Saunders, who currently serves as deputy assistant secretary, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, was selected by the majority of WCO members to lead the organization for the next five years. He begins his term on January 1, 2024.

Saunders was chosen as the new Secretary General (SG) during a vote that was taken by secret paper ballot at the 141 and 142 Sessions of the WCO Council, the highest decision–making body at the WCO, June 22 – 24 in Brussels, Belgium. The Council brings together the customs director generals of the WCO’s 185 member countries. Per the WCO: “The WCO Secretary General is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the WCO Secretariat.”

Since January 1, 2009, the WCO has been led by SG Dr. Kunio Mikuriya of Japan. He was elected to serve as SG in June 2008. USCIB has enjoyed, over the years, the opportunity to welcome SG Mikuriya to participate in dialogues with leadership and members.

“We thank Kunio for his leadership and engagement for the past 15 years,” expressed USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson.

“Saunders’ election to WCO SG, represents a return to U.S. thoughtful and experienced leadership at the WCO,” said Megan Giblin, USCIB senior director for Customs and Trade Facilitation. “USCIB has advocated for increased U.S. engagement and leadership at the only global body authorized to speak on customs matters which are inherently technical and complex.”

During his campaign Saunders stated, “While respecting the WCO’s rich past, there is a need to innovate and adapt to modern challenges. I intend to lead the Organization by forging strong and enduring public-private partnerships, leveraging technology, promoting inclusivity for effective global Customs cooperation and ensuring transparency and openness as fundamental principles of good governance.”

“We believe Ian’s leadership skills, substantive knowledge, in customs and more broadly international trade, will make him a superb SG at the WCO,” added Robinson.

USCIB expressed its strong public support of Saunders very early in his campaign. USCIB appreciates the opportunity to have worked with and support the U.S. campaign team and process and have welcomed Saunders on numerous occasions to discuss, provide inputs into and inform members about his campaign platform.

“We have always believed that Ian was the right choice to head this heavily technical global customs body. We support Ian and his intent to raise the bar for customs globally and look forward to continued engagement with our USG partners as well as in collaboration with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), WCO observers, on technical matters before this critical customs body,” said Giblin.

More information can be found at:

About USCIB: USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development, and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of our economy, with operations in every region of the world. USCIB is the U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and Business at OECD (BIAC). More at www.uscib.org.

Global Associations Request Consultation With India on Proposed Telecoms Bill

Published on July 11, 2023

USCIB joined nearly a dozen other associations, such as BSA, ITI and the App Association, to request a consultation with the government of India on India’s proposed Telecommunications Bill. India is in the process of finalizing a second draft of the Bill.

The associations, which represent global companies that develop, sell or rely on digital technologies and services, support the Government of India’s commitment to promoting digital inclusion and catalyzing the next generation of digitally enabled economic growth.

The letter states: India is a global technology leader that creates and supplies goods and services to contribute to a productive, competitive, and innovative global economy and society. Thoughtful regulatory approaches have been critical to that success.

To read the letter, please click here.

Wanner Speaks at UN Stakeholder Meeting on Security and Use of ICTs

Published on July 11, 2023

USCIB Vice President for ICT Policy Barbara Wanner joined a stakeholder consultation alongside other non-governmental organizations in an informal dialogue of the United Nations’ Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on security and the use of information and communications technologies (ICT’s) (2021-2025).

According to Wanner, the OEWG is mandated to further develop rules, norms and principles of responsible behavior for governments related to ICT security, such as information and data, as well as possible cooperative measures to prevent and counter threats.

Wanner’s intervention focused on three points; timely involvement of the business community, especially during cybersecurity incidents, a shared approach to capacity building and the importance of convening experts on the impact of AI, quantum computing and other technologies on international security.

“As UN members states consider how to harness these technologies to enhance security – as well as address potential risks they pose – we urge you to include stakeholders to ensure a holistic and thoughtful examination of what is new, what is different and what warrants policy and regulatory adaptions,” said Wanner.

Hosted by the OEWG Chair, the Permanent Representative of Singapore to the UN Burhan Gafoor, the dialogue provided an opportunity for continued interaction between the stakeholder community and governments.

This stakeholder consultation was scheduled ahead of the fifth substantive session of the OEWG taking place later this month at the UN headquarters in New York.

Robinson Covers BIAC General Assembly and OECD Ministerial Council Meetings

Published on June 21, 2023

USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson traveled to Paris earlier this month for the Business at OECD (BIAC) General Assembly and the OECD Ministerial Council. 

According to Robinson, one focus of the General Assembly was the release of its 2023 Economic Policy Survey, which revealed cautious but slightly optimistic business sentiment despite a tumultuous year.  

As per the survey, 57% of the responding national business federations from BIAC’s network regard the current business environment as “good”, compared to only 10% in the previous year. However, business concerns remain significant about energy prices (83%), food prices (61%) and overall geopolitical tensions (62%), and key challenges for companies include staff shortages (80%), increased cost of human resources (55%), and market uncertainty (57%).  

BIAC shared these results and the Economic Policy Survey with the OECD during the June 7-8 OECD Ministerial Council. The Ministerial was held under the theme, Securing a Resilient Future: Shared Values and Global Partnerships. BIAC’s insights included business concerns about the war in Ukraine, which has exacerbated inflation rate developments, labor shortages and energy prices. BIAC also raises concerns about supply chains disruptions, the need for structural reforms around infrastructure, digitalization, regulatory burdens and green transition. 

The Ministerial took place amid persistent tension in world affairs, including Russia’s illegal war in the Ukraine, which has resulted in insurmountable human suffering in the Ukraine, as well as humanitarian and economic crises globally. Additionally, economies around the globe continue to face challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic and compounding challenges around climate change. 

“In light of these persistent challenges in the international system, we cannot underestimate the importance of multilateral cooperation,” said Robinson. “USCIB will continue working with the OECD, through Business at OECD, to support our common values and a rules-based order, overcome shared obstacles, and achieve societal and economic progress.” 

For more information on BIAC and the OECD Ministerial Council, please see the links below: 

BIAC Statement to the OECD on Securing a Resilient Future: Shared Values and Global Partnerships 

2023 Business at OECD Economic Policy Survey 

BIAC Year Highlights: How We Delivered Value to Our Members (May 2022-May 2023) 

Vinblad Delivers Business Statement for Final UNFCCC Global Stocktake Technical Dialogue in Bonn

Published on June 21, 2023

Policy Manager for Environment and Sustainable Development Agnes Vinblad served as head of the USCIB Delegation at the recent Session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB-58) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, Germany, commonly known as the Bonn Climate Change Conference. According to Vinblad, these sessions serve as the most critical preparatory negotiating meeting ahead of Climate COP each year.

This year’s sessions of the SBs proved particularly challenging, marked by deep disagreements among Parties regarding the adoption of the agendas for the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA). According to Vinblad, these disagreements led to especially slow negotiations throughout the first week of the conference, with many Parties consistently calling out the fact that due to there being no adopted agendas, there was no formal mandate to move the negotiations forward.

Despite challenges, Parties eventually reached a compromise and managed to agree on the adoption of agendas on June 14. Being on the ground for the full duration of the negotiations from June 5 – 15, Vinblad emphasized that important progress was still achieved, for example the conclusion of the third and final technical dialogue of the Global Stocktake (GST), technical dialogues on the new finance goal (NCQG) and significant efforts to work towards consensus on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). For USCIB, negotiations on the GST were of special importance.

The first global stocktake of progress made on the goals set out in Paris Agreement will be one of the central mandates to deliver on for the COP-28 Presidency in Dubai later this year. Working closely with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Vinblad delivered the opening statement on behalf of the Business & Industry Constituency (BINGO) during the opening plenary for the third and final GST technical dialogue.

“Business views the global stocktake as a critical process to identify concrete actions that can be meaningfully implemented by Parties, business and other non-Party stakeholders, with a particular focus on measures for governments to undertake with regards to their domestic technical and policy work, with the ambition to agree on stronger NDCs centered on action”, said Vinblad in summarizing her remarks delivered in the Chamber Hall.

According to Vinblad, for the global stocktake to be effective, there will need to be clear outcomes accompanied by policy roadmaps for business on what interventions are needed down on a sectoral level. “This is what we hope to see at the end of this process,” she added.

USCIB Delegation Shares Progress Made on International Instrument on Plastic Pollution

Published on June 21, 2023
L-R: Agnes Vinblad (USCIB), Christian Gylstorff,(Novozymes A/S), Louise Smith (The LEGO Group), Chris Olsen (USCIB)

USCIB was well represented on the ground at the second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-2). INC-2 was held May 29 to June 2 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.

A USCIB delegation comprised of USCIB Policy Managers Chris Olsen and Agnes Vinblad, as well as USCIB members LEGO and Novozymes, followed the negotiations and attended a range of events throughout the week. Additional USCIB members attended the negotiations, joining through a panoply of other observer organizations, and the importance of involving the business community in the INC process was conveyed throughout the week.

According to Olsen, negotiations got off to a halting start, as procedural debates regarding the rules of procedure and the need for votes to finalize the INC bureau took a larger portion of time than had been expected, delaying the start of substantive deliberations in contact groups. However, negotiators did well to move past the early impasse and work tirelessly to get through enough substantive discussions for the week to conclude with a clear call for the INC chair to prepare a “zero draft” for consideration at INC-3, which will take place in Nairobi, Kenya this fall. The timeline for negotiations set out by UNEA Resolution 5/14 calls for an agreement to be reached by the end of 2024, leaving only a handful of negotiating rounds left for member states to develop the instrument.

Speaking on the importance of INC-3, Olsen stressed, “The zero draft will be where the rubber hits the road, for countries and for businesses alike. The potential scope and scale, objectives and substantive obligations, means of implementation and implementation measures… views on what will actually comprise the international legally binding instrument will be officially put down as text to be negotiated on. It is imperative that we at USCIB bring to bear as broad a cross-section of American industry views as possible to continue to inform this process.”

A host of side events took place leading up to and alongside the negotiations themselves, where USCIB actively engaged with governments, other stakeholders and key international affiliates. Among these were the UNEP International Forum to End Plastic Pollution in Cities, the U.S. Government’s event “Galvanizing Global Action on Plastic Pollution”, an OECD series “Towards an International Treaty on Plastics Pollution: Reflections on Selected Issues” and a high-level ICC Breakfast Roundtable that brought together UNEP staff, governments and global business voices.

“As U.S. business, we support and welcome an ambitious instrument aimed at working toward the elimination of plastic pollution in the environment,” said Vinblad at the conclusion of the week, “We stand ready to constructively support the process by bringing forth leading private sector voices representing a wealth of technical expertise, on-the-ground experience and best practices learned. We cannot solve this immense challenge through siloed efforts – it takes everyone being at the table.”

ILO Adopts New International Labor Standard on Apprenticeships

Published on June 16, 2023
Photo credit: Akustina Morni (IOE) Top, L-R: Luis Claudino de Oliveira (Chairperson), Amanda Brown (Vice Chairperson, Workers), Blaise Matthey (Vice Chairperson, Employers)
Bottom, L-R: Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri (President of the Conference), Gilbert Houngbo (ILO Director General)

New York, N.Y., June 16, 2023—The International Labor Organization (ILO) has adopted a new international labor standard, in the form of a recommendation, on apprenticeships, according to USCIB Director for Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs Ewa Staworzynska.

Staworzynska is currently on the ground in Geneva representing U.S. employers at the 111th annual International Labor Conference (ILC). USCIB is the U.S. national committee of the International Organization of Employers (IOE).

The Standard-Setting Committee on Apprenticeships is a two-year process.  This is the second year of the Standard-Setting Committee. USCIB has participated in both years partnering and collaborating with the IOE to ensure that business needs and realities are reflected in the text.

We had great success in reaching a balanced approach, with special emphasis on the promotion of quality apprenticeships.

Photo credit: Akustina Morni (IOE)
L-R: Ryan Larsen (Walmart & USCIB CRLA Vice Chair), Sarah Morgan (U.S. Department of Labor), Thea Lee (U.S. Department of Labor), Adam Lee (U.S. Department of Labor)

USCIB was represented by Ryan Larsen, senior director for International Labor Relations at Walmart and vice-chair of the USCIB Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs Committee (CRLA), taking part in the U.S. Employers delegation. Larsen participated throughout the Standard-Setting process.

In his remarks at the Plenary, where the draft text was submitted to the Conference for adoption, he noted that, “In this unique tri-partite system, we have developed a strategy, program, and approach to continually enhance Apprenticeships, ensuring that they provide workers with the necessary skills to attain full, productive and freely chosen employment. Additionally, we have emphasized the importance of lifelong learning opportunities; promoting continuous skilling, reskilling and upskilling, which in turn contributes to the promotion of decent work and full employment.”

Larsen added that, “The promotion and development of quality apprenticeships not only lead to decent work but also provide effective responses to the challenges of the ever-changing world of work. These apprenticeships offer lifelong learning opportunities, enhancing productivity, resilience, transitions and employability.”

“USCIB has often advocated the critical role of quality apprenticeships,” said Staworzynska. “Quality apprenticeships support the development of business-ready skills, help realize the goals of inclusive economic growth and can advance the transition to the formal economy.” This new ILO standard provides non-binding guidelines for Member States to ensure quality apprenticeships.

According to the ILO, a glance around the world shows that an increasing number of countries are focusing on the development or improvement of apprenticeship systems and programs to address the challenges of changing labor market trends and the need for workers to retrain and upskill.

The ILC is currently taking place in Geneva June 5-16. Delegates from the ILO’s 187 Member States along with employers and workers have gathered to tackle a wide range of issues. In addition to apprenticeships, delegates have discussed a just transition towards sustainable and inclusive economies as well as labor protection.

About USCIB: The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) advances the global interests of American business. We do so through advocacy for an open system of world trade, finance, and investment, where business can flourish and contribute to economic growth, human welfare, and environmental protection.  We play a leading role in informing the negotiation and adoption of international labor standards, and in human rights, labor, and environmental   policy deliberations at the United Nations, OECD, and ILO, as the sole U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Business at OECD (BIAC) and the International Organization of Employers (IOE). In addition, USCIB is the only U.S. business organization with standing at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and is recognized at the UN Environment Program (UNEP), UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD).

USCIB Letter to OECD on Pillar 1 and DSTs Quoted in Tax Press

Published on June 14, 2023

USCIB’s advocacy on international tax policy was referenced in a recent Bloomberg article titled, US Seeks to Extend Digital-Tax Freeze as Global Deal Stalls. The article references a letter that USCIB submitted to the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration Director Manal Corwin, requesting the OECD to extend a moratorium on Digital Service Taxes (DSTs). USCIB raised several concerns about Pillar 1 including that a lack of extension of the moratorium poses a risk in triggering trade disputes with allies.

USCIB was also quoted in a Tax Notes article titled, US Trade Group Calls for Extending OECD Digital Tax Moratorium on the same topic. The article, which can be accessed behind a paywall, focuses on USCIB’s letter to the OECD and extensively quotes from USCIB’s letter.

“We encourage the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework to agree to an extension of the so-called DST standstill agreement, so that no new DSTs are enacted as the work moves forward,” said USCIB Vice President and International Tax Counsel Rick Minor.