Latest from USCIB Archives

ICC Appoints New Vice Chair of Commission on Customs and Trade

Published on October 2, 2014
Luis Fernando Barbosa Sahagun
Luis Fernando Barbosa Sahagun

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) announced the appointment of Luis Fernando Barbosa Sahagun as the new vice chair of the Commission on Customs and Trade Facilitation.

Barbosa is a partner at Global Business-Customs Solution Consulting Group (Mexico), a member of the International Customs Law Academy in Spain, and a businessman in international trade and customs holding board positions in several Mexican oil and gas companies.

As current chairman of the ICC Mexico Commission on Customs and Trade Facilitation, he liaises with the national authorities on behalf of the Mexican business community to improve the country’s customs and logistical operations and enhance trade facilitation.

“The ICC Commission on Customs and Trade Facilitation stands to benefit greatly from Barbosa’s broad expertise in areas relating to international trade, customs and logistics, as well as from his close relationships with chambers of commerce and industry representatives in Latin America,” said ICC Secretary General John Danilovich.

Read more on ICC’s website.

Staff contact: Kristin Isabelli

More on USCIB’s Customs and Trade Facilitation Committee

USCIB Holds GED Dialogue at WTO on Green Benefits of Trade

Published on October 2, 2014

4848_image002As the United Nations designs its Post-2015 Development Agenda, international trade and investment will serve as powerful tools to disseminate technological innovation and environmental solutions.

USCIB and the Green Economies Dialogue initiative presented a Working Session on trade and development in Geneva on October 2 at the World Trade Organization 2014 Public Forum titled “The Role of Trade in the Post 2015 Development Agenda: Greening Growth and Disseminating Solutions – A Green Economies Dialogue Initiative Discussion.”

This year’s WTO Public Forum theme is “How Trade Benefits Everyone.”  USCIB’s Working Session presented perspectives on trade as a vehicle for technological innovation, global value chains, job creation and environmental solutions, all as they relate to the U.N. Post 2015 Development Agenda over the next year and half. Discussions highlighted the potential benefits and contributions that multilateral trade systems and approaches can deliver in developed and developing countries, especially through private sector technology and expertise relevant to environmental challenges via trade.

According to keynote speaker Christopher Wilson, deputy chief of the US Mission to the WTO, “for the U.S. Government, the crafting of a UN Post-2015 Development Agenda represents, we hope, a new opportunity to build bridges, reduce ideologically-driven divergences, and find common ground on the basis of facts, data and experience.”  He went on to reflect on how new trade-led initiatives on green, sustainable growth – such as the Environmental Goods Agreement — can contribute to this important global effort.

Brian Flannery, chair of the Green Economies Dialogue, noted that “trade and investment will be key enablers of the deployment of innovative technologies that will be essential to make progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, so it is essential to find ways to unlock that potential.”  The GED is currently developing peer-reviewed material and holding additional business-government dialogue sessions on business issues and priorities in the UN Post 2015 Development Agenda.

In July, USCIB joined with other business groups to form the Coalition for Green Trade, a group that represents a broad range of companies and associations that seek to remove global trade barriers to environmental technologies. USCIB also signed an open letter to WTO negotiators along with businesses from around the world calling for the swift passage of the Environmental Goods Agreement. On September 17, the Coalition for Green Trade hosted an event on Capitol Hill to celebrate the launch of the EGA negotiations in Geneva.

Other speakers at the GED working session included:

  • James Bacchus, chair of the International Chamber of Commerce  Trade and Investment Commission
  • Brian Fisher, managing director, BAE Economics
  • Orit Frenkel, senior manager for international trade and investment, General Electric
  • Norine Kennedy, vice president for strategic international engagement, energy and environment, USCIB
  • Steven Stone, head of the Trade and Economy Division, UN Environment Programme

Staff contact: Norine Kennedy

More on USCIB’s Environment Committee

New Going Global Online Training Ethics and Compliance Seminar

Published on October 1, 2014

4843_image002

The International Chamber of Commerce’s online training program on trading internationally, Going Global, provides strategies to address the risks faced by trade professionals when dealing with international markets.

Upon completion of the 40 hours user-friendly modules, trainees will be conversant with trade documents, financing, commercial law and dispute resolution, e-commerce and intellectual property. Other key issues include transportation, customs, payment and finance structures. At the end of each trainee-controlled module, trainees can test their knowledge by completing an assessment, and will receive an ICC Certificate of Achievement detailing their personal results. Going Global is a must if you are going global.

 

4843_image004New Seminar on Ethics

For the first time, USCIB partner The World Academy is offering a seminar on Ethics and Compliance on November 19. This seminar will provide hands-on expertise in the field of corporate integrity that companies of all sizes will benefit from in order to build and implement corporate compliance programs.

Who should attend? Compliance Managers, HR Managers, and those responsible for the prevention of corruption and anti-competitive business practices. Attendees will earn 6.5 NEI NCBFAA Educational Institute CCS/CES Points. Register at least 3 weeks early and get up to $50.00 off!

ICC Ethics and Compliance Training Handbook

This anti-corruption guide by practitioners for practitioners sets out the challenges companies must overcome to build and put into action their corporate compliance programs. Providing hands-on expertise from distinguished practitioners in the field, this handbook offers practical guidance on performing risk assessment, installing a whistleblowing system, exercising due diligence when selecting agents or intermediaries, and conducting internal investigations.

Visit the USCIB International Bookstore to place your order.

 

Staff contact: Hsin-Ya Hou

USCIB Urges Obama to Prioritize TFA

Published on October 1, 2014

4844_image001President Obama met with Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi for the first time on September 30 to discuss U.S.-India relations.

Although trade issues accounted for a small part of their sessions, Modi reaffirmed India’s position in the struggle to implement the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement, refusing to back down from his push to shield India’s food security programs from the TFA’s legal challenges. Both leaders were hopeful for a resolution to the impasse but made no firm commitments.

Prior to Modi’s meeting with Obama, USCIB joined other trade associations in signing a letter to President Obama urging the president to prioritize the TFA. The letter underscores the importance of the agreement and notes that India’s actions not only undermine the global trade system, but also call into question the future of WTO multilateral agreements.

“We were hopeful that during the Prime Minister’s visit, progress would have been made on the current impasse with India,” said Kristin Isabelli, director of customs and trade facilitation at USCIB. “It is vital that a path forward is found for the future and credibility of the WTO.”

USCIB signed the letter along with the Express Association of America, the National Foreign Trade Council and the National Association of Manufacturers.

WTO members signed on to the TFA last December as part of a package of trade reforms agreed to at the Bali ministerial. Once adopted, the TFA would streamline global customs procedures, committing developing and least developing countries to facilitate imports with aid from the developed world. The agreement is also estimated to add $1 trillion to the global economy and create 18 million jobs in developing countries. India stunned the international community when it blocked implementation of the TFA in July as it sought to leverage new concessions on food subsidies. WTO members have since failed to resolve the stalemate.

“With an agreement that would create millions of jobs and specifically help least developing countries and developing countries, it is highly disappointing that progress couldn’t be made on finding a solution to this impasse with India,” said Isabelli.

Read the letter.

Staff contact: Rob Mulligan and Kristin Isabelli

More on USCIB’s Trade and Investment Committee
More on USCIB’s Customs and Trade Facilitation Committee

ICC Brings Antitrust Compliance Advocacy to China and Brazil

Published on September 30, 2014
ICC updates Chinese agencies on its antitrust compliance and advocacy work.
ICC updates Chinese agencies on its antitrust compliance and advocacy work.

With the rapid growth of antitrust legislation around the world in recent years, many businesses struggle to comply with laws that punish anticompetitive behavior. To help companies embed a culture of compliance within their operations, last year the International Chamber of Commerce issued its Antitrust Compliance Toolkit, which provides tools and advice for companies of all sizes seeking to create or strengthen an antitrust compliance program.

In August 2014, ICC met with competition authorities in China and in Brazil to discuss the toolkit and related compliance advocacy. To date, ICC has unveiled the toolkit through workshops in several countries, including the United States.

The ICC Commission on Competition gathers over 300 competition law experts from 40 countries. The commission launched the Task Force on Antitrust Compliance and Advocacy in 2011, an initiative that has developed practical toolkits on antitrust compliance and contributes to deepening the discussion and thought leadership with all stakeholders.

ICC Meets Competition Authorities in China

In China, the ICC Task Force on Compliance and Advocacy met with several Chinese agencies, accompanied by a delegation of ICC corporate members and representatives from ICC China and from the University of International Business and Economics of Beijing. Anne Tubbs, co vice-chair of the task force, said “ICC is delighted by the very positive welcome it received and the level of interest Chinese agencies showed in the Toolkit and related compliance advocacy work.”

Tubbs noted that the Chinese government is aware of the challenges companies face in mitigating compliance risks through internal controls. “A proactive focus on compliance, as a means of preventing anti-competitive conduct, can help embed a strong compliance culture across all markets, to the ultimate benefit of consumers,” she said. “ICC will continue to explore means of contributing to such efforts in China with assistance from local experts and advocates.”

Tubbs noted that the Chinese government is aware of the challenges companies face in mitigating compliance risks through internal controls. “A proactive focus on compliance, as a means of preventing anti-competitive conduct, can help embed a strong compliance culture across all markets, to the ultimate benefit of consumers,” she said. “ICC will continue to explore means of contributing to such efforts in China with assistance from local experts and advocates.”

The Chinese agencies – which included the Anti-Monopoly Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce, the national Development and Reform Commission, and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce – invited ICC to prepare a Chinese version of the Antitrust Compliance Toolkit and to remain in close contact for the future launch of such materials, as well as other initiatives including the development of guidance tailored to SMEs.

ICC Participates in High-Level Seminar on Compliance Law in Brazil

Hosted by the Center of Social and Economic Law Studies and the Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), ICC participated in a seminar from August 28-29 in Sao Paulo to address competition law and policy and corporate compliance initiatives. The event brought together legal experts and representatives from the private sector, competition authorities, and national and international organizations.

Both private sector and agency speakers recognized the ICC Antitrust Compliance Toolkit as an invaluable benchmark for corporate compliance initiatives, serving the antitrust community worldwide. Much attention was also given to SMEs, noting that they deserve particular consideration as limited resources make it harder to develop and embed a successful competition culture. Simone Pieri, one of the contributors to the ICC Antitrust Compliance Toolkit, announced at the seminar that ICC will soon be rolling out an SME version of the toolkit.

As for the promotion of a competition culture, it was acknowledged that companies and lawyers have an important role to play. Speakers stressed that competition agencies should also promote competition culture through their decisions. The need to promote the globalization of competition compliance legislation and build international consensus and coherence on how to treat compliance programs garnered considerable attention from participants.

Staff contact: Rachel Spence

More on USCIB’s Competition Committee

USCIB Issues Statement on China’s WTO Commitments

Published on September 30, 2014

4847_image002The economic relationship between the United States and China is both vital and complex, and U.S. business holds an important stake in this relationship’s success. China’s emergence as one of the world’s largest economies means that its policies have a direct impact on its trading partners.

American engagement and exchange of best practices with the Chinese government and business community have proven to be a productive approach to addressing both countries’ common challenges and responsibilities.

Since China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, the United States Trade Representative is required to submit a yearly report to Congress on China’s compliance and commitments to its WTO accession. USCIB submitted a statement to USTR providing member feedback, comments and recommendations on Chinese compliance with WTO commitments.

USCIB commends the U.S. and Chinese governments for positive and consistent work in ongoing bilateral dialogues, as well as the significant efforts China has made since joining the WTO to meet its obligations under the terms of its accession agreement. However, there still remain general WTO obligation compliance concerns. Broad concerns are listed below, excerpted from USCIB’s statement.

China’s Antimonopoly Law

Chinese authorities are using a variety of policy tools, which include technology standards, antitrust rules and intellectual property policies to protect and promote Chinese companies. USCIB members urge the U.S. government focus more on this issue and its effects on U.S. companies.

Intellectual Property Rights

While USCIB members acknowledge improved IPR laws and combating of IPR violations in China, there continue to be major concerns across industry sectors such as in audiovisual, software, agricultural biotechnology and chemicals. USCIB members urge the U.S. to continue to press for increased protection of IPR through better coordination and enforcement by Chinese authorities.

National Treatment

USCIB members continue to call on China to abide by their WTO commitments of national treatment and non-discrimination and ensure a competitive market that allows for foreign business participation.

Regulatory Environment

USCIB members expect Chinese authorities to fairly and transparently develop, promulgate and enforce regulations and other legal norms. However, USCIB members continue to experience business obstacles related to institutions, frameworks and regulatory enforcement. Improved coordination among regulators in China would benefit USCIB member companies by creating a more transparent and predictable framework.

State-Owned Enterprises

As they increasingly compete with Chinese SOEs, both in China, third markets and in the United States, companies believe that it is critical that the U.S. government use all available tools in dialogues with China and in other forums to press for level playing fields as they compete with these entities globally.

Staff contact: Justine Badimon

More on USCIB’s China Committee

USCIB Convenes Forum on Private Sectors Engagement in UN Development Agenda

Published on September 29, 2014

More: USCIB Spotlights Sustainable Business Practices

USCIB’s Norine Kennedy delivers opening remarks at the UN doorknock on September 26 at Pfizer’s headquarters.
USCIB’s Norine Kennedy delivers opening remarks at the UN doorknock on September 26 at Pfizer’s headquarters.

Last week in New York, the United Nations General Assembly began its annual deliberations, convened an important Climate Summit and formally launched the process to complete the UN Post-2015 Development Agenda, including the formulation of ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to build on the earlier UN Millennium Development Goals. Among the numerous events that were held that week, USCIB convened a second annual Business UN door knock event, hosted by Pfizer at its New York headquarters.

The UN has invited business to the table during the SDG negotiations, and the views of the private sector are being increasingly heeded as the UN crafts the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

On September 26, USCIB joined with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to hold a unique business-convened forum on “Practical Private Sector Engagement in the UN Post-2015 Development Agenda,” at Pfizer’s New York headquarters. Other business partners included the Business and Industry Advisory Committee
to the OECD; the International Labor Organization and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy.

Officials from UN member states and the UN secretariat joined executives from leading companies and members of civil society for an assessment of the practicality of the SDGs and what it will take to fully engage the business community as a partner in addressing future sustainable development priorities.

At the heart of this event was USCIB’s assertion that the success of the SDGs will depend on marshaling business input and support for the SDGs. UN and government speakers echoed this view. Louise Kantrow, ICC’s permanent representative to the UN, and coordinator of the Global Business Alliance for Post-2015, was on hand to make a strong case for the importance of the UN to the business community.

“Change is in the air,” declared Nikhil Seth, director of the UN’s Division for Sustainable Development. “The commitment to private-sector engagement is not the flavor of the day, but rather the flavor of the 21st century. Business is everywhere in the SDGs.” Other speakers echoed Seth’s sentiments, reinforcing the sense that shortcomings in the earlier MDG exercise would be corrected, with the private sector fully engaged and involved in the discussion.

L-R: Gisela Abbam (GE), Lilliane Kidane (GE), Emad Bibawi (KMPG), Claus Stig Pedersen (Novozymes) and Gerald Pachoud (UN Secretariat)
L-R: Gisela Abbam (GE), Lilliane Kidane (GE), Emad Bibawi (KMPG), Claus Stig Pedersen (Novozymes) and Gerald Pachoud (UN Secretariat)

Last month, the UN’s Working Group on SDGs identified 17 goals and 169 specific action items. These will form the basis for the final round of negotiations among UN members to finalize the SDGs by next year’s General Assembly opening.

While some in the business community have questioned the number of SDGs as too many, USCIB members took a practical approach. Business speakers at the forum stressed the importance of four key elements that they said would crystallize private-sector engagement and support for the SDGs: good governance, economic growth and empowerment, innovation and infrastructure. USCIB is preparing separate papers on each of these elements and will analyze key SDGs vis-à-vis their contributions to each of these 4 fundamental areas.

“We have entered a new era of industrial development, one that integrates sustainable development as a top priority,” said Tam Nguyen, global head of sustainability at Bechtel Corp. and co-chair of USCIB’s working group on the SDGs. “We in the business community are seeking to help countries and communities use resources wisely. The private sector is an innovator here.”

Other business speakers echoed Nguyen’s points, saying they were reformulating business practices to align more fully with the sustainable development imperative. Still others placed the focus on getting the SDGs right, especially when it comes to governance and the rule of law.

Adriana Machado, vice president for government affairs and policy in Latin America at GE, emphasized that many in the business community are “already involved in furthering the SDGs” She went on to say that the UN effort must address business’s involvement, not just as philanthropy or corporate responsibility, but in a holistic way. The meeting not only reviewed examples of how companies were furthering sustainable development, but also discussed how well-designed and accountable partnerships would be needed to supplement government action.

UN representatives welcomed the private sector’s engagement with the Post-2015 Development Agenda. During his concluding remarks, George Kell, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, expressed thanks that businesses and governments were coming together in real terms to address sustainable development, and he urged businesses to seize the SDGs as an opportunity to revive multilateralism.

“Don’t wait for governments to get it all right,” Kell said. “See how the SDGs fit into your corporate strategy.”

The event included a Green Economies Dialogue (GED) presentation on metrics and indicators for the SDGs, and their relevance to business, by Anthony Janetos, of Boston University. The GED initiative is focused on contributing substantive peer-reviewed input on business relevant issues in the SDGs, and on continuing Dialogues started in the run-up to Rio+20.

Other speakers at the event included Americo Zampetti, EU Delegation to the UN; Claus Stig Pederson, Novozymes; John Sullivan of BIAC and the U.S. Chamber Center for International Private Enterprise; and Gerald Pachoud of the UN, as well as Congressman James Bacchus, chair of ICC’s Trade and Investment Commission, and Norine Kennedy of USCIB.

Read USCIB’s key messages on the UN Climate Summit.

USCIB Spotlights Sustainable Business Practices


The international business community plays a vital role in establishing the foundation upon which global sustainable development can be realized. Many global business leaders are supporting the tenets of the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda within their corporate strategies.

During the opening week of the UN General Assembly, USCIB partnered with Bloomberg Government and Accenture for an event about global sustainable business practices in the context of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which lie at the core of the Post-2015 Development Agenda. The event took place on September 23 at Bloomberg’s headquarters in New York City, and featured a conversation with Amina J. Mohammed, the special advisor to the UN secretary general on post-2015 development planning.

USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson participated in a panel about investing in global growth, in which he framed the discussion along four broad issue areas where business can contribute to the SDGs – good governance, economic growth, innovation and infrastructure. For the fourth item, he noted that infrastructure refers not only to physical assets, but to “the maintenance and management of the multilateral system.”

Prior to Robinson’s panel, Louise Kantrow, the International Chamber of Commerce’s permanent representative to the UN, and Georg Kell, the UN Global Compact’s executive director, gave the audience a status report on the SDGs. “Business has demonstrated that it’s part of the solution,” said Kantrow, referring to the private sector’s engagement with the UN’s development agenda. “In every goal, there’s a huge opportunity for business.” They explained that economic growth is now a UN objective, and that sustainable business development is a force for good.

Mohammed concluded the event by noting that the SDGs provide the UN and global business the opportunity to mutually reinforce each other. Business is at the table during SDG negotiations, and the UN is committed to understanding what the right incentives are to get companies to invest in the developing world.

“Business is not a charity,” Mohammed said. “But there’s a win-win there.”

Staff contact: Norine Kennedy and Ariel Meyerstein

More on USCIB’s Environment Committee

More on USCIB’s Corporate Responsibility Committee

USCIB Convenes Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights

Published on September 29, 2014

More: Business Applauds U.S. Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct

L-R: James Plunkett (U.S. Chamber of Commerce), Ed Potter (Coca-Cola), Brent Wilton (IOE) and Ariel Meyerstein (USCIB)
L-R: James Plunkett (U.S. Chamber of Commerce), Ed Potter (Coca-Cola), Brent Wilton (IOE) and Ariel Meyerstein (USCIB)

In 2011, after extensive consultation with the private sector and civil society, members of the United Nations Human Rights Council endorsed the landmark UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Prepared under the stewardship of Prof. John Ruggie of Harvard’s Kennedy School, who served as a UN special representative on the issue, the Guiding Principles established a framework under which states are obligated to protect human rights in their territories, while businesses, both foreign and domestic, are responsible for respecting these rights throughout their operations. The principles also propose a framework for greater access to human rights victims to effective remedy.

Three years on, how are global companies implementing the responsibility to respect human rights in their activities? This was the focus of USCIB’s latest annual forum on business and human rights, held September 18 at the Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta. Organized with the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and the US. Chamber of Commerce, with support from The Coca-Cola Company, the day-long forum drew well over 100 company executives, including Coca-Cola bottlers from around the world, along with select public-sector and NGO representatives.

“This event underscored the strong commitment and ingenuity that leading American and global businesses bring to addressing the human rights impacts of their operations,” said Ariel Meyerstein, USCIB’s vice president for labor affairs and corporate responsibility. “We heard example after example of companies putting their values into practice, on the ground and throughout their operations, to uphold human rights. We also learned about the many challenges they are facing in implementing the UN Guiding Principles throughout their sometimes complex global supply chains.”

The forum included a frank and open discussion on the importance of addressing challenges related to integrating respect for human rights in business. It provided a unique opportunity for participants to engage with business leaders and other experts in this emerging field. “We are confident that participants left with a better understanding of how to integrate human rights as part of their overall corporate responsibility to respect human rights,” said Ed Potter, Coca-Cola’s director of global workplace rights.

“Companies are increasingly aware of the growing stake they have in creating better societies,” said Brent Wilton, the IOE’s secretary general. “The strong participation in this forum has also demonstrated their firm commitment to do so.”

Speakers at the event included former U.S. Labor Secretary Alexis Herman, who currently sits on the board of the Coca-Cola Company, IOE Secretary General Brent Wilton and Ed Potter, director of global workplace rights at Coca-Cola and chair of USCIB’s Labor and Employment Policy Committee. Company presentations came from representatives of ABB, ExxonMobil, GE, Hewlett-Packard, Hess Corp., Disney, Nestle and Shell.

 

 

 

Business Applauds U.S Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct

The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights established a framework under which governments are obligated to protect human rights, and corporations have responsibilities to respect them. As part of implementing the Guiding Principles, the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has strongly encouraged all states to develop a National Action Plan (NAP) on responsible business conduct. Such action plans would make it easier for global businesses to comply with the Guiding Principles throughout their operations.
Last week President Obama announced that the U.S. would develop a NAP, joining the other five countries that have already developed NAPs: the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark and Spain. The White House recently released a Fact Sheet outlining the Obama administration’s global anticorruption agenda, which includes the creation of a National Action Plan:

“The U.S. Government works closely with U.S. businesses to ensure that private actors maintain their international brand as transparent and accountable partners. The United States will develop a National Action Plan to promote and incentivize responsible business conduct, including with respect to transparency and anticorruption, consistent with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises.”

USCIB is an essential stakeholder as the United States begins designing its National Action Plan in a process that will be open and consultative.

“Obama’s announcement not only reinforces the United States’ position as a global leader on human rights, but also demonstrates its firm commitment to the UN Guiding Principles as the best way to achieve progress on this issue,” said Ariel Meyerstein, USCIB’s vice president for labor affairs and corporate responsibility.

Meyerstein noted further that the U.S. government is far ahead of most in terms of its encouragement of responsible business conduct among U.S. businesses, so the National Action Plan will likely be an exercise in greater harmonization of existing policies across government agencies. “Hopefully other countries will follow the U.S.’s example, which will only make it easier for U.S. companies to act responsibly, particularly in foreign markets,” he said.

Staff contact: Ariel Meyerstein

More on USCIB’s Labor and Employment Committee

 

USCIB Represents American Business During the ICN2 Outcome Documents Negotiations

Published on September 22, 2014

4839_image001Global hunger and malnutrition remain stubbornly high, with over two billion people suffering from nutrient deficiencies. To address the worldwide double threat of undernourishment and obesity, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) spearheaded the International Nutrition Conference in 1992, aimed at alleviating hunger and malnutrition while encouraging countries to develop national strategies to address unhealthy diets, obesity and other nutrition-related diseases. Although progress has been made, more needs to be done to combat global hunger and malnutrition.

To reach that goal, the Second International Nutrition Conference (ICN2) will take place this November, and in the lead-up to the conference the FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO) have organized an Open Ended Working Group on September 22-23, hosted at the WHO in Geneva, to approve the final drafts of the ICN2 Political Declaration and a Framework for Action, documents that are meant to provide key priorities to governments and other stakeholders for improving people’s nutrition in a sustainable way.

Helen Medina, USCIB’s senior director for product policy and innovation is currently attending the working group, along with other non-state actor representatives and Member State delegations. USCIB was among two U.S.-based associations representing American business interests at the working group. The meeting marked the first time USCIB has been invited to attend a negotiating session at the WHO.

Last month, USCIB submitted comments to the FAO consultation on the framework identifying several problems with the draft’s language, particularly clauses that either ignored or downplayed industry’s contributions to alleviating malnutrition. As USCIB’s comments were taken into consideration, Medina is attending the working group negotiations to ensure that stakeholders acknowledge that the private sector plays a positive role in addressing nutritional issues.

“We want to make sure that the discussion acknowledges that the private sector is part of the solution,” Medina said.

USCIB maintains that increased trade in agriculture and food increases the standard of living in developing countries and improves the performance of national economies. Given the positive role industry plays in combating malnutrition, it is important that the FAO’s framework support policies that do not inhibit international trade and investment.

During the working group meeting, USCIB working with other private sector representatives will have the opportunity to engage with U.S. and foreign government officials to further the following messages:

  • Industry has a positive role in addressing nutritional issues;
  • It is important to employ “knowledge and evidence-based programs” to combat global hunger and nutrition-related diseases;
  • Any roles and responsibilities given to the various multilateral organizations involved in addressing global malnutrition should be clearly defined;
  • Increased trade, particularly in agriculture and food, increases the standard of living in developing countries and improves the performance of national economies;
  • Empowering women is crucial for improving nutrition, and therefore promotes policies that help women become farmers, traders and business owners;
  • Fiscal policy is complex and often has unintended consequences, therefore taxes should not be used as incentives for healthy diets; and
  • It is essential that all stakeholders work together to develop holistic, impactful, and sustainable solutions.

The political outcome document and the framework for action are supposed to be finalized during the working group meeting with the view of being adopted at ICN2 in November.

Watch Helen Medina summarize key business takeaways from the ICN2 negotiations in Geneva.

Staff contact: Helen Medina

More on USCIB’s Food and Agriculture Working Group

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Making Formal Work More Attractive in Europe

Published on September 22, 2014

Two machinists working on machineWith increasing levels of undeclared work being recorded in Europe since the recent economic and social crisis, its reduction has been prioritized by the European Union as a major policy objective for increasing job creation, job quality and fiscal consolidation. Moreover, the Europe 2020 strategy highlights measures to promote the transition from informal or undeclared work to regular employment as critical in achieving inclusive growth, with more and better jobs.

In this context, the International Organization of Employers was invited to a two-day conference hosted by the Lithuanian Ministry of Social Security and Labor from September 17 to 18.

Participants were drawn from EU member states, the European Free Trade Area (EFTA), International Labor Organization, European Commission, the OECD, and from European and international social partners.  Among other issues, the conference discussed informal work and the transition to formality; how to facilitate the sharing of information and exchange of best practice; and other policy measures national authorities have implemented to address the problem.

Speaking in a roundtable discussion chaired by ILO Director General Guy Ryder, IOE Senior Adviser Frederick Muia called on EU governments to “use a two-pronged approach in addressing informality and undeclared work.” While recognizing that many EU governments preferred to bring about compliance through detection and punishment for non-compliance with the law, he said it was important for governments “to address the barriers to formalization, including assessing the rigidity of legislation and regulation to ascertain whether it lacked the necessary flexibility for employers, particularly SMEs.” Such an approach would enable the right ecosystem for businesses and promote compliance through incentives, which would encourage the transformation of undeclared work to formal employment.

Muia reiterated the importance of providing an enabling environment for new formal jobs to be created, particularly by SMEs. Recognizing the key role of entrepreneurship, start-ups and micro-enterprises, he further called for the promotion of the approach proposed by the Employers’ group during the 2014 International Labor Conference on transitioning from the informal to the formal economy. Access to education, work-readiness programs for young people, lifelong learning and skills development would all enable workers to be well equipped for formal employment. Equally important, he added, was the need to promote access by SMEs to finance and credit, business development services, markets, infrastructure and technology.

Staff contact: Ariel Meyerstein

More on USCIB’s Labor and Employment Committee

More on USCIB’s European Union Committee