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Business Leaders Unveil New Strategies to Combat Counterfeiting and Piracy

Published on March 3, 2008
Top members of BASCAP (Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy) met today in New York.
Top members of BASCAP (Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy) met today in New York.

New York, March 3, 2008 – Industry leaders from around the world today unveiled new strategies to combat counterfeiting and piracy, including a set of urgent recommendations for a global anti-counterfeiting pact being negotiated by major trading countries.  In addition, they called on heads of G8 countries to lead the way in improving national intellectual property enforcement regimes and announced a set of their own in-country initiatives beginning with Canada, Germany, the UK, Russia, China and the United States.  The CEOs also announced plans for a ground-breaking consumer education campaign that will take a global approach to building awareness of the damages caused by counterfeiting and piracy.

The CEOs and senior corporate executives of the International Chamber of Commerce’s BASCAP (Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy) initiative met today in New York with the U.S.  Trade Representative Susan Schwab and top representatives of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to agree on joint efforts to tackle counterfeiting and piracy.  The CEOs called on Ambassador Schwab to move quickly towards completing the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) in cooperation with its trading partners, and pledged their support to work with WCO and WIPO.

With more than 8,000 member companies in over 130 countries, the Paris-based ICC is the largest, most representative private sector association in the world.  It is represented in the United States by the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), its American national committee based in New York.  Top USCIB member representatives took part in today’s BASCAP meeting.

U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab and USCIB President Peter M. Robinson.
U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab and USCIB President Peter M. Robinson.

ICC has pushed for business to become more involved in developing ACTA, which was introduced in October by the U.S., European Union, Japan, Canada, Mexico, South Korea and other countries.  The new agreement would focus on filling the gaps not covered by existing multilateral agreements, including stronger enforcement measures, improved international cooperation and a strong legal framework for intellectual property protection.

“It is a positive step and very encouraging that the U.S., EU, Japan and many other major developed countries have recognized the need for a new multilateral agreement dealing with this critical issue,” said Bob Wright, vice chairman and executive officer of General Electric and co-chair of BASCAP.  “It now is essential that the parties keep the momentum going and move quickly to the next stage of developing a process and drafting the ACTA framework agreement.  BASCAP members and others in the private sector are committed to working closely with governments to support this process.”

ICC and the International Trademark Association (INTA) have teamed up to support ACTA.  “Expectations for ACTA are high,” said Alan C. Drewsen, INTA’s executive director.  “This proposed agreement has the potential to deliver significant improvements in establishing stronger international guidelines and standards, and providing national governments with clear directives for action.”

The two global business organizations today presented a paper outlining their recommendations to Ambassador Schwab.  ICC and INTA will distribute the paper to the leaders of the EU, Japan, Korea, Mexico and other governments, and will work with business organizations around the world to press governments to finalize an agreement.

Ambassador Schwab added: “With ACTA we are aiming to set a new, higher international standard for intellectual property rights enforcement, one that addresses today’s challenges.  Private-public collaboration is a vital component in the fight against counterfeiting and piracy.  That’s why we welcome BASCAP and INTA’s support and continued input as we move forward with ACTA.”

ICC Secretary General Guy Sebban said: “Quite simply, there is a need for a new gold standard to guide government performance on IP enforcement.  We hope that ACTA can emerge as this new standard, especially since the existing regimes just aren’t enough.”

Business Leaders Call for G8 Action

BASCAP executives expressed concern that little concrete action has been taken on promises made at G8 meetings in 2006 and 2007.  “The work program laid out today comes at a critical time.  Counterfeiting and piracy are taking a tremendous toll on the global economy.  The situation is getting worse, not better,” said Jean-Rene Fourtou, chairman of the supervisory board of Vivendi and a BASCAP co-chair.  “While some progress has been made, individual governments need to do more.”

“Today we are calling on G8 leaders to respond to the recommendations by BASCAP prior to the Summit in Germany last year by taking immediate actions to shut down flagrant counterfeit markets and to work with us to find appropriate steps on other recommendations,” said Nobuyuki Idei, BASCAP co-chair, representative director of Quantum Leaps Corporation and former CEO of Sony Corporation.

BASCAP will launch country-based action centers to leverage local business voices and push for tangible actions at the national level.  The initiative will begin this year with Canada, Germany, the UK, Russia, China and the United States.

“Our focus is on setting benchmarks for global performance by governments and companies, framing decisions for policymakers, pushing for the allocation of resources at the highest levels in national governments and improving awareness on a global basis,” said ICC’s Mr. Sebban.

WCO Leader Calls for Cooperation to Stop Flow of Fakes

Border control will be a critical element in strengthening each country’s intellectual property enforcement regime.  Business leaders pledged to support the World Customs Organization’s latest plans to strengthen customs efforts to stop the flow of counterfeit goods across borders.

WCO Secretary General Michel Danet cautioned: “Counterfeiting and piracy continue to increase at an alarming rate.  We have to invent our own future; it’s time to step up our action in collaboration with the private sector and the time is now.”

Business/Government to Cooperate on New Consumer Education Campaign

BASCAP today also announced plans for a new consumer awareness and education campaign that could be used by ICC’s national committees and brand protection groups to spell out the dangers of counterfeit and pirated goods.  BASCAP announced plans to work with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and seek out other government partnerships on the campaign.

WIPO Deputy Director Michael Keplinger said: “We cannot afford to ignore the far-reaching and acute threats posed by the spread of counterfeiting and piracy.  A coherent global response requires coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders − governments in developed and developing countries, intergovernmental institutions, the private sector and consumers.” He added: “Joining forces, the public and private sectors can make great strides in changing perceptions about the seriousness of the problem and we look forward to collaborating with BASCAP companies in taking concrete steps to raise public awareness about the issue.”

The BASCAP Global Leadership Group includes some of the world’s largest companies.  Today’s meeting marked the third time the group has met since the cross-sector initiative was launched by ICC in 2005.

Participants at today’s meeting included:

  • Bob Wright, vice chairman and executive officer, General Electric (U.S.)
  • Nobuyuki Idei, representative director of Quantum Leaps Corporation and former CEO of Sony Corporation (Japan)
  • Jean-René Fourtou, chairman of the supervisory board, Vivendi (France)
  • David Iakobachvili, chairman, WBD Foods (Russia)
  • Jean-François Dehecq, chairman, Sanofi-Aventis (France)
  • Doug Morris, CEO, Universal Music (U.S.)
  • Kevin Havelock, president, Unilever United States (United Kingdom)
  • Blair Westlake, corporate vice president, media & entertainment group, Microsoft (U.S.)
  • Andreas Fibig, senior vice president, U.S. Pharmaceutical Operations, Pfizer (U.S.)
  • Marc-Antoine Jamet, secretary general, LVMH (France)
  • Pat Heneghan, global CEO advisor on anti-illicit trade, British American Tobacco (UK)
  • Guy Sebban, secretary general, International Chamber of Commerce
  • Michel Danet, secretary general, World Customs Organization
  • Michael Keplinger, deputy secretary general, World Intellectual Property Organization
  • Ambassador Susan Schwab, U.S.  trade representative

USCIB promotes an open system of global commerce in which business can flourish and contribute to economic growth, human welfare and protection of the environment.  Its membership includes some 300 U.S.  companies, professional service firms and associations whose combined annual revenues exceed $3 trillion.  As American affiliate of the leading international business and employers organizations, including ICC, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade.

Contact:

Jonathan Huneke

VP Communications, USCIB

+1 212 703-5043 or jhuneke@uscib.org

BASCAP website

More on USCIB’s Intellectual Property Committee

Facing the Challenges of Sovereign Investment

Published on February 27, 2008
L-R: USCIB Secretary John Merow (Sullivan & Cromwell), Ruth Morrison (Brooklyn International Trade Development Center), Deputy U.S. Trade Representative John Veroneau.
L-R: USCIB Secretary John Merow (Sullivan & Cromwell), Ruth Morrison (Brooklyn International Trade Development Center), Deputy U.S. Trade Representative John Veroneau.

The recent surge in U.S. investment by overseas sovereign wealth funds should spur efforts to develop best practices for such funds, while ensuring that major markets continue to welcome this much-needed source of capital, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative John Veroneau told a USCIB audience in New York on February 26.

“It is essential that governments and sovereign investors take complementary steps to mitigate calls for measures that could have the effect of limiting the benefits of commercial investments by such investors,” Ambassador Veroneau stated in remarks delivered at The Bank of New York Mellon’s Wall Street headquarters.

Established sovereign wealth funds from Abu Dhabi, Norway and Singapore have been joined on the world stage by new actors from the Middle East, China, Russia and elsewhere.  Often flush with rising oil and other export revenues, sovereign investors have taken significant equity stakes in a number of major financial institutions and other companies at a time when the credit squeeze in many markets is drying up other sources of investment.  This has led some observers to question the motivations of sovereign investors and call for new scrutiny of their actions.

Amb. Veroneau conceded that, given the growing economic significance of sovereign wealth funds and other sovereign investors, “a closer look at the objectives and consequences of their investments is warranted.”  But he said such examination should bear in mind the importance of cross-border investments from all sources for job-creation, economic growth and productivity.

USCIB President Peter Robinson (right) welcomes Amb. Veroneau and presents him with a new International Chamber of Commerce statement urging governments worldwide to maintain open investment regimes.
USCIB President Peter Robinson (right) welcomes Amb. Veroneau and presents him with a new International Chamber of Commerce statement urging governments worldwide to maintain open investment regimes.

Existing U.S. law governing the potential national security implications of foreign direct investments should apply equally to sovereign and non-sovereign funds from abroad, said Amb. Veroneau.  He also called on managers of sovereign wealth funds to be equally mindful of the “unique questions and concerns” that governments have about sovereign investors.

To help allay fears that sovereign investment might be used for political or other non-commercial purposes, the Treasury Department last year called upon the International Monetary Fund, with the support of the World Bank, to develop best practices for sovereign wealth funds, building on existing best practices for foreign exchange reserve management, noted Amb. Veroneau.

“Such ‘best practices’ would serve to demonstrate that sovereign wealth funds can continue to be responsible, constructive participants in cross-border investing,” he stated, observing that the United States had also called upon the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to identify best practices for countries receiving foreign government-controlled investment, as a safeguard against the adoption of protectionist measures.

USCIB President Peter M. Robinson too the opportunity to deliver a new position paper by the International Chamber of Commerce, part of USCIB’s global network, on safeguarding freedom of investment worldwide.  In its statement, ICC observed that, over the years, the global economy had witnessed a sharp diminution in the barriers to foreign investment as governments embraced foreign capital to spur economic growth and jobs.  These positive contributions of foreign investment, said ICC, “must be safeguarded by a strong commitment by governments, in words and in deeds, to freedom of investment and the avoidance of protectionist measures.”

Staff contact: Shaun Donnelly

Remarks by Amb. John Veroneau, “The Challenges of Sovereign Investment”

ICC Recommendations to Safeguard Freedom of Investmen

More on USCIB’s Trade and Investment Committee

New from ICC Books USA: Commentary on UCP 600

Published on December 3, 2007

3763_image002New York, N.Y., December 3, 2007– American readers of the International Chamber of Commerce’s popular publications no longer have to wait to get their hands on a copy of the long-awaited publication Commentary on UCP 600, an authoritative guide to treatment of letters of credit for international trade.

Written by the drafting group that produced ICC’s universally used rules on documentary credits. Commentary on UCP 600 is now available for purchase from ICC Books USA. Copies can be ordered online at www.iccbooksusa.com or by calling 212-703-5066.

UCP 600 is the first revision of ICC’s rules on documentary credits for 13 years. After three years of preparation, the new rules came into effect on July 1, 2007.

Other UCP revisions have been followed by ICC publications comparing past versions of the rules with the new. But Gary Collyer, chair of the drafting group, noted that UCP 600 incorporated wording that existed in various sections of the previous version, UCP 500. For that reason, he said, “the group decided that a publication comparing one set of rules with another would be too unwieldy and that a commentary on the rules themselves would prove to be more beneficial.”

“There are several major changes in UCP 600 from UCP 500. Perhaps the most important are reflected in their structure, as well as in the roles and responsibilities of the parties.  Regular letter of credit users as well as infrequent or new users should take note. They need to learn what this is all about.” cautioned Don Smith, chair of USCIB’s Banking Committee and a member of the drafting group.

Commentary on UCP 600, which reflects the consensus view of drafting group members, is an article-by-article review of each of the 39 articles of the new UCP. It contains:

  • the text of the new article
  • the key changes from UCP 500
  • a commentary explaining the rationale for the new language, and
  • a cross-reference to other articles in UCP 600

“The aim has been to provide a commentary that enlightens practitioners as to the thought processes behind the changes in each article and to explain why a change was introduced and, in some cases, why no change was made,” Mr. Collyer said.

A wide range of international trade publications on numerous topics in addition to trade finance and letters of credit, are available for purchase from ICC Books USA. Please visit www.iccbooksusa.com for more information or call 212-703-5066 to request a free catalogue.

USCIB promotes an open system of world commerce.  As American affiliate of the leading international business and employers organizations, including ICC, it provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide.  USCIB facilitates international trade by issuing and guaranteeing ATA Carnets, by promoting international cooperation in such areas as customs policies and commercial dispute resolution, and through its ICC Books USA unit, which publishes a variety of publications on international trade and investment.

 

More on ICC Books USA

More on USCIB’s Banking Committee

ICC International Court of Arbitration to Hold Annual Latin America Conference in Miami

Published on October 11, 2007

3750_image002New York, N.Y., October 11, 2007— Back by popular demand, the ICC International Court of Arbitration heads to Miami to hold its annual Latin America conference, November 4-6 at the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach.

The Court is part of the International Chamber of Commerce, the Paris-based world business body in the forefront of cross-border dispute resolution since 1923. The conference is designed to explore current views and developments in international arbitration in Latin America and will focus on the challenges and opportunities of commercial arbitration in the region.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for participants from the Latin American business and legal community, to come together, to learn, to connect and to address the latest trends and issues affecting regional practice,” said Josefa Sicard-Mirabal, ICC’s director for arbitration and ADR for North America. She encourages legal practitioners involved in international arbitration and dispute resolution in Latin America as well as those who do business in the region to attend the event.

Success in international commercial arbitration depends greatly on an understanding of local legal cultures and attitudes.  With this in mind, conference organizers aim to shed light on aspects of arbitration that are particularly relevant to Latin American cases. Topics to be covered include recent developments in ethical considerations relating to international arbitration, evidence, multi-contract arbitration, influence of public law, corporate perspective, and current developments for enforcing arbitration agreements and awards in Latin America.

Established in 1923, the ICC Court pioneered international commercial arbitration.  Last year it handled more than 590 cases involving parties from 125 countries and independent territories.  The ICC Court is comprised of some 124 lawyers and legal experts, drawn from more than 85 countries and territories from around the world, giving it a unique and diverse cultural and legal perspective.

USCIB promotes an open system of global commerce in which business can flourish and contribute to economic growth, human welfare and protection of the environment.  Its membership includes some 300 U.S. companies, professional service firms and associations whose combined annual revenues exceed $3 trillion.  As American affiliate of the leading international business and employers organizations, including ICC, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade. USCIB’s Arbitration Committee serves as the contact point for the ICC International Court of Arbitration and its multi-faceted dispute resolution services.  More information is available at www.uscib.org.

Program for the Miami conference

More on ICC’s Dispute Resolution Services

New York Conference Draws the Curtain on ICC Court

Published on August 29, 2007

3696_image002New York, N.Y., August 29, 2007 – The ICC International Court of Arbitration, the world’s best-known arbitral institution, returns to New York, to set the stage for its second annual conference on Monday, September 24 at the Hilton New York.

“As a practitioner, I always wondered what happened at the Court,” reflected Josefa-Sicard-Mirabal, ICC’s director of arbitration and ADR for North America. “And, now as director, I decided to draw the curtains on the Court and invite the world to see what happens inside.”

The Court is part of the International Chamber of Commerce, the world business body that has been in the forefront of cross-border dispute resolution since 1923. The conference is designed to explore current views and opinions on the issues of arbitrator independence.

The conference is being presented in cooperation with the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), ICC’s U.S. national committee, which has its headquarters located in New York.

“This is a unique opportunity for participants from the U.S. legal community to experience first-hand what goes on in the plenary court session and to afford an understanding of an actual scrutiny process,” said Ms. Sicard-Mirabal. She said the event is designed to appeal to any legal practitioner involved in international arbitration and dispute resolution – including arbitrators, corporate counsel, magistrates, and transactional lawyers.

The conference will feature a stellar cast of panelists, including former members of the ICC Court and of its Paris-based international secretariat, former and current U.S. secretary generals, leading arbitrators, and professors of law.

“New York is one of the leading centers of arbitration practice in the world, and what better place to set the stage for a mock court session than in the city of Broadway,” said Ms. Sicard-Mirabal.  “We believe the front row access to the Court and its members really sets it apart.”  She said a highlight of the conference is a first-time opportunity to observe a mock ICC Court plenary session deciding on challenges to arbitrators serving ICC cases. Participants will engage in an interactive dialogue on the issues raised.

Since its founding in 1923, the ICC court has handled over 14,000 cases.  In 2006, more than 500 cases were filed, involving parties in over 100 countries and independent territories.  The court itself has an exceptionally broad representation, comprising members from 86 countries.  Over the years, ICC has developed a full range of other dispute resolution rules in addition to arbitration to meet the latest international commercial challenges.

A brochure and registration form for the workshop is available at https://uscib.org/docs/ICC_arb_Sept07_Conf_Brochure.pdf.

The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) is ICC’s American national committee.  As American affiliate of the leading international business and employers organizations, including ICC, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade.  USCIB’s Arbitration Committee serves as the contact point for the ICC International Court of Arbitration and its multi-faceted dispute resolution services.  More information is available at www.uscib.org.

Contact:

Amy Lehr, USCIB

(212) 703-5063 or alehr@uscib.org

USCIB Dispute Resolution Website

More on USCIB’s Arbitration Committee

New York Conference Draws Curtain on ICC Court

Published on August 29, 2007

3734_image002New York, N.Y., August 29, 2007 – The ICC International Court of Arbitration, the world’s best-known arbitral institution, returns to New York, to set the stage for its second annual conference on Monday, September 24 at the Hilton New York.

“As a practitioner, I always wondered what happened at the Court,” reflected Josefa-Sicard-Mirabal, ICC’s director of arbitration and ADR for North America. “And, now as director, I decided to draw the curtains on the Court and invite the world to see what happens inside.”

The Court is part of the International Chamber of Commerce, the world business body that has been in the forefront of cross-border dispute resolution since 1923. The conference is designed to explore current views and opinions on the issues of arbitrator independence.

The conference is being presented in cooperation with the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), ICC’s U.S. national committee, which has its headquarters located in New York.

“This is a unique opportunity for participants from the U.S. legal community to experience first-hand what goes on in a plenary court session and to afford an understanding of an actual scrutiny process,” said Ms. Sicard-Mirabal. She said the event is designed to appeal to any legal practitioner involved in international arbitration and dispute resolution – including arbitrators, corporate counsel, magistrates, and transactional lawyers.

The conference will feature a stellar cast of panelists, including former members of the ICC Court and of its Paris-based international secretariat, former and current U.S. secretary generals, leading arbitrators, and professors of law.

“New York is one of the leading centers of arbitration practice in the world, and what better place to set the stage for a mock court session than in the city of Broadway,” said Ms. Sicard-Mirabal. “We believe the front row access to the Court and its members really sets it apart.” She said a highlight of the conference is a first-time opportunity to observe a mock ICC Court plenary session deciding on challenges to arbitrators serving ICC cases. Participants will engage in an interactive dialogue on the issues raised.

Since its founding in 1923, the ICC court has handled over 14,000 cases. In 2006, more than 500 cases were filed, involving parties in over 100 countries and independent territories. The court itself has an exceptionally broad representation, comprising members from 86 countries. Over the years, ICC has developed a full range of other dispute resolution rules in addition to arbitration to meet the latest international commercial challenges.

A brochure and registration form for the workshop is available at:
https://uscib.org/docs/ICC_arb_Sept07_Conf_Brochure.pdf

The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) is ICC’s American national committee. As American affiliate of the leading international business and employers organizations, including ICC, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade. USCIB’s Arbitration Committee serves as the contact point for the ICC International Court of Arbitration and its multi-faceted dispute resolution services. More information is available at www.uscib.org.

Contact:
Jonathan Huneke, USCIB
jhuneke@uscib.org

USCIB Dispute Resolution Website

More on USCIB’s Arbitration Committee

Business Demonstrates Leadership on CSR at Global Compact Leaders Summit

Published on July 23, 2007
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon

With over 1,000 participants from government, business, labor, and civil society, the Global Compact Leaders Summit, held July 5-6 in Geneva, was heralded by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon as the largest single gathering ever held to address corporate responsibility. The UN Global Compact, launched seven years ago by Mr. Ban’s predecessor, Kofi Annan, is a voluntary pact to promote corporate practices in support of key UN goals.

Mr. Ban, who opened and closed the summit, acknowledged the positive role of business. “You have made it abundantly clear that market leadership and sustainability leadership go hand-in-hand,” he said. “This will help us build the supportive measures needed to create more sustainable markets, and it will ultimately help improve the lives of many people around the world.”

The Geneva summit – attended by USCIB President Peter M. Robinson, several USCIB members and representatives from our global business network – afforded companies, either publicly or through the publications distributed at the meeting, to illustrate specific, “on-the-ground” projects in which they had participated with a variety of UN agencies.

One of the most important presentations came from USCIB Trustee Neville Isdell, chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola, who in the opening plenary appealed to business to “Speak Up, Step Up and Scale Up” its leadership in conservation and sustainability. Mr. Isdell pointed specifically to Coca-Cola’s programs for water conservation, as well as its participation in tsunami relief with the UN Development Program and the UN Fund for International Partnerships.

Several leading CEOs spoke in plenary sessions.
Several leading CEOs spoke in plenary sessions.

Mr. Isdell defended the Global Compact’s voluntary nature. “Governments can enforce accountability, but they cannot engender responsibility,” he stated. “Responsibility is a choice, and the Global Compact allows business people to make that choice.”

Among the other leading global CEOs making plenary presentations were Carl-Henric Svandberg of LM Ericsson, Anne Lauvergeon of Areva, B. Muthuraman of Tata Steel and Ntombifuthi Mtoba of Deloitte South Africa.

Participating civil society leaders included Irene Khan, secretary general of Amnesty International, and Jeremy Hobbs, executive director of Oxfam International. While supportive of voluntary corporate responsibility initiatives, both called forcefully for greater accountability and compliance programs to measure company performance.

Abraham Katz, chairman of the International Organization of Employers and president emeritus of USCIB, also addressed the Global Compact summit, citing the important role of small and medium-sized enterprises in furthering sustainability at the local level. He highlighted the importance of support for open trade policies and offered IOE help in this regard.

The summit concluded with the adoption of a “Geneva Declaration,” which pledged joint action in support of the Global Compact’s goals by business broadly, by adherents to the Global Compact and by national governments.

ICC Secretary General Guy Sebban and IOE Secretary General Antonio Peñalosa serve on the Global Compact Board, a multi-stakeholder body comprised of 20 representatives from business, labor, civil society and the UN.

ICC paper

In preparation for the summit, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) unveiled a new policy statement on “The Role of the United Nations in Promoting Corporate Responsibility.” In its paper, ICC said the role of the UN should be to promote corporate responsibility broadly, including through the creation of new initiatives – local, regional and global – and to support their growth and development.

ICC defines corporate responsibility as a voluntary commitment by business to manage its activities in a responsible way. The UN can best support these commitments by acknowledging the value of having a broad range of initiatives available to tackle different issues and try new approaches, the statement said.

Noting that companies and organizations elect to engage with or support a diverse array of corporate responsibility initiatives, ICC said it was essential for the UN to work with as many different initiatives and programs as possible to ensure the broadest engagement with the private sector.

ICC also called on the UN to improve the governance of the Global Compact, in order to increase its transparency and its accountability within the UN system. In particular, ICC called on the UN to give the Global Compact Board oversight responsibilities as opposed to its current advisory role.

Staff contact: Ariel Meyerstein

More on USCIB’s Corporate Responsibility Committee

UN Global Compact website

ICC website

World Chambers Congress Attracts Record Numbers to Istanbul

Published on July 19, 2007
Over 1,600 delegates from 116 countries took part.
Over 1,600 delegates from 116 countries took part.

The fifth World Chambers Congress, held July 4 to 6, drew more than 1,600 delegates to Istanbul, Turkey for three days of discussion, insight, business development and networking by chamber of commerce executives, other business representatives and top public figures from around the world.

The record turnout included a large number of Americans – the highest ever for this event – who together made up the largest national delegation after the host country. Over all, delegates from 116 countries took part.

Held under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce and its World Chambers Federation, the biennial congresses have established itself as essential dates on the calendars of chamber executives across the globe. By the time Rona Yircali, the Turkish chair of ICC’s World Chambers Federation Chair, brought the Istanbul congress to a close, chambers were lining up bids for future congresses well into the next decade. The sixth World Chambers Congress will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2009.

Next June, bids will be entered for 2011, when the event will return to the Western Hemisphere. (Quebec City hosted the 2003 congress.) Mexico City has announced its candidacy, and the United States is also considering a bid.

“I think everyone will agree that the 5th World Chamber Congress has set the benchmark for all future congress gatherings,” said longtime supporter Robert Recker, executive vice president with the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce and vice chair of the World Chambers Federation. “I was especially pleased with the high number of U.S. participants.” Mr. Recker also serves as vice chair of USCIB’s Chamber of Commerce Committee.

First-time congress-goers also came away impressed.

Some of the American delegation in Istanbul, plus guests, at USCIB’s booth in the Congress exhibition area. L-R: Brennen Searcy (Iraqi American Chamber), Anne Blouin (American Society of Association Executives), Gary Toebben (Los Angeles Area Chamber), Janice Toebben, Adam Hobson (Iraqi American Chamber), Janice Rys (Metro Atlanta Chamber), Amanda Barlow (USCIB), World Chambers Federation Chair Rona Yircali, Win Hallett (Mobile Area Chamber), Robert Recker (Orlando Regional Chamber), Anthony Parkes (World Chambers Federation), Leslie Schweitzer (U.S. Chamber), David Kreider (Pennsylvania Chamber), Chris Mead (American Chamber of Commerce Executives), Jonathan Huneke (USCIB), Susan Sarfati (American Society of Association Executives), Raad Ommar (Iraqi American Chamber) and Demet Ariyak (ICC Turkey).
Some of the American delegation in Istanbul, plus guests, at USCIB’s booth in the Congress exhibition area. L-R: Brennen Searcy (Iraqi American Chamber), Anne Blouin (American Society of Association Executives), Gary Toebben (Los Angeles Area Chamber), Janice Toebben, Adam Hobson (Iraqi American Chamber), Janice Rys (Metro Atlanta Chamber), Amanda Barlow (USCIB), World Chambers Federation Chair Rona Yircali, Win Hallett(Mobile Area Chamber), Robert Recker
(Orlando Regional Chamber), Anthony Parkes (World Chambers Federation), Leslie Schweitzer (U.S. Chamber), David Kreider (Pennsylvania Chamber), Chris Mead (American Chamber of Commerce Executives), Jonathan Huneke (USCIB), Susan Sarfati (American Society of Association Executives), Raad Ommar (Iraqi American Chamber) and Demet Ariyak (ICC Turkey).

“I not only had the opportunity to meet a great number of interesting people, I made contacts that will be advantageous for future international missions,” said Winthrop M. Hallett III, president of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. “I was impressed by our U.S. delegation, and I hope we will be able to grow that number in years to come.”

Other American delegates included senior representatives of chambers in Pennsylvania, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Orlando, as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American Chamber of Commerce Executives, the national professional association.

As ICC’s American national committee, USCIB coordinated the delegation and organized several side-events, including participation at a Fourth of July Party hosted by U.S. Consul General Deborah Jones.

“Our memories of the event and this city will stay with us for many years to come,” ICC Chairman Marcus Wallenberg told delegates assembled at the congress closing. “But, more importantly, the partnerships and connections made here will also continue long into the future. This is what the congress is all about: building the links that ultimately facilitate trade among nations.”

Mr. Wallenberg hailed a declaration that appealed urgently to governments to press harder for a global trade accord in the World Trade Organization’s Doha Round of trade negotiations. The statement was endorsed by all the delegates attending the congress.

“We are counting on you to redouble your efforts when you return home, to convince your government leaders to act swiftly to finalize an agreement in the Doha Round,” said Mr. Wallenberg, who is also chairman of the Swedish banking group SEB.

Other highlights from the three-day congress included:

  • At a standing-room-only session, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, the founder of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, told delegates that businesses could play a vital role by in eliminating poverty by creating projects whose principal aim is to achieve a social good.
    At a standing-room-only session, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, the founder of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, told delegates that businesses could play a vital role by in eliminating poverty by creating projects whose principal aim is to achieve a social good.

    An opening address by Turkish Prime Minister Reycep Tayyip Erdogan.

  • An address by Mohammed Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner and founder of Grameen Bank, on microcredit and reducing world poverty.
  • An address by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
  • Five plenary sessions on threats to multilateralism, managing global risks, supporting SME development, securing the future of energy and chambers and migration.
  • More than 20 workshops covered a wide range of topics, including customer service, chamber branding, leadership versus management, intellectual property, IT and e-business for chambers, and empowering businesswomen.
  • A Bosphorus cruise and banquet at the Ciragan Palace, as well as a dinner at the Rahmi Koc Museum.
  • The 2007 World Chambers Competition for the most innovative projects from chambers of commerce (see below).

This year’s congress was hosted by the International Chamber of Commerce, the World Chambers Federation, and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey.

Staff contact: Jonathan Huneke

Chamber Competition Winners

Winners of the 2007 World Chambers Competition were unveiled at a gala dinner in Istanbul at the end of the 5th World Chambers Congress. Avijit Mazumdar, honorary chairman of ICC’s World Chambers Federation and head of the competition jury, announced the victors:

  • Best Unconventional Project for a Small Business: Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, which, following the 2004 tsunami, set up ten regional help desks to assist businesses in getting back on their feet. To date, more than 11,000 businesses have been restored.
  • Best International Cooperation Between Chambers: Confederation of Brazilian Commercial and Business Associations, together with Essen Chamber of Arts and Crafts in Germany, which implemented a program northeastern Brazil that successfully changed the perception of chambers from social clubs to key parts of the business community.
  • Best Skills Development Program: The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bangladesh, which launched a training center with human resource development programs to help SMEs face the challenges of globalization.
  • Best New Membership Recruitment Project: Vancouver Board of Trade, which leveraged its potential as the region’s best venue for networking, including publishing a book on the subject, and boosted membership by 30 percent.
  • Best Project for a Chamber in a Developing Country: Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in the Caribbean, and Chamber of Economy of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, shared this new award recognizing outstanding achievement by chambers operating in a challenging business environment.

This year’s contest was the most diverse and most competitive in the history of the awards, drawing a record number of 55 entries from 38 countries.

More on the Fifth World Chambers Congress

USCIB Response to Doha Setback in Potsdam

Published on June 21, 2007

New York, N.Y., June 21, 2007 – The president of the United States Council for International Business, Peter M. Robinson, issued the following statement today in response to news of the breakup of the G4 (Brazil, India, EU, U.S.) meeting in Potsdam, Germany on the WTO Doha Round:

“USCIB calls on governments to quickly revisit their positions and find the political will to overcome the lack of progress at the Potsdam G4 meeting.

“The defining moment of the Doha Round is now. The outlines of a balanced agreement are clearly visible. But unless this setback is rapidly reversed, there will be no time to conclude an agreement by the end of this year, before the U.S. becomes politically locked up in its 2008 election campaigns.

“USCIB remains committed, as a matter of top priority, to achieving substantial new trade liberalization in industrial goods, services and agriculture products in the Round.

“The Doha Round is the best opportunity to boost economic growth and development, not just for the United States, but also for all WTO members. Governments must not fail to seize it.

“USCIB strongly supports the leadership efforts of the U.S. negotiators and appreciates their willingness to show flexibility. Clearly, all governments must find more flexibility, and do it now, to prevent a failure of this Round.”

Mr. Robinson also expressed full support for the statement issued by International Chamber of Commerce Chairman Marcus Wallenberg. The ICC statement is available at http://www.iccwbo.org/iccbefeg/index.html.

About USCIB

USCIB promotes an open system of global commerce in which business can flourish and contribute to economic growth, human welfare and protection of the environment. Its membership includes some 300 U.S. companies, professional service firms and associations whose combined annual revenues exceed $3 trillion. As American affiliate of the leading international business and employers organizations, including ICC, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade. More information is available at www.uscib.org.

Contact:
Jonathan Huneke, VP of Communications, USCIB
+1 212 703 5043 or jhuneke@uscib.org

Member Staff News

Published on June 1, 2007

USCIB Members Turn Out for World Trade Week

As part of World Trade Week in New York, IBM’s George Pohle spoke about emerging growth strategies for foreign companies in China.
As part of World Trade Week in New York, IBM’s George Pohle spoke about emerging growth strategies for foreign companies in China.

May 21-25 was World Trade Week in cities around the country, an occasion for pro-trade groups like USCIB to marshal their resources in support of enhanced awareness of trade’s importance to America’s prosperity. We thank all the USCIB members and friends around the country who helped make the week’s events such a big success.

In New York, the theme was “Small Business Success in the Global Marketplace.” USCIB joined with several other groups in organizing an array of events, discussions and get-togethers. A kickoff award breakfast recognized New York companies that have scored major successes in overseas markets. In another event, USCIB Senior Vice President Cindy Duncan led a discussion of the ATA Carnet service for temporary exports

At a packed panel discussion of new tools for doing business in China, George Pohle of IBM’s Institute for Business Value gave an incisive presentation of new study on China’s new mass markets. Foreign companies, he said, must alter their business models and operations to tap China’s rapidly growing middle class.

Mr. Pohle noted that prosperity outside of major coastal cities, coupled with fierce competition, will drive more companies to develop innovative, low-cost business models to reach new markets and customers across diverse regions of China. Companies will need to transform key areas of their businesses – including sales channels, distribution, R&D, procurement and human resources – to capture this opportunity. Click here to access a copy of the IBM study.

Louise Kantrow
Louise Kantrow

New ICC Representative to the United Nations – We are delighted to welcome Louise Kantrow as the International Chamber of Commerce’s new permanent representative to the United Nations. In April, Ms. Kantrow succeeded William J. Stibravy, ICC’s longtime UN representative, who retired after more than a quarter-century representing business in the world body. Like him, she will be based in USCIB’s Midtown Manhattan offices.

Ms. Kantrow most recently served as executive director of the International League for Human Rights, one of the oldest human rights organizations in the world. She has also held senior positions in UN Association of the USA, the United Nations Population Fund and the Population Council, and worked for many years as economic affairs officer in the UN Department of Economic and Social Development.

In March, USCIB members and friends, along with a host of current and former UN official and delegates, joined in celebrating Mr. Stibravy’s years of service and record of accomplishment. “A lot of the credit for the UN’s more positive attitude toward business in recent years can go to Bill Stibravy,” noted USCIB President Peter M. Robinson.

L-R: USCIB Vice Chair Thomas Niles, ICC Finland Chair Markku Pohjola and Jorma Korhonen of Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
L-R: USCIB Vice Chair Thomas Niles, ICC Finland Chair Markku Pohjola and Jorma Korhonen of Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

More Comings and Goings – USCIB Vice Chair Thomas Niles paid a visit to Finland in April at the invitation of ICC Finland. Mr. Niles, the former assistant secretary of state for European affairs who served as U.S. ambassador to several countries, met with business and government leaders, as well as the press, to discuss the current state of transatlantic relations. … USCIB President Peter M. Robinson has joined the U.S. Trade Representative’s Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee, which provides expert advice to U.S. trade negotiators on environmental matters. … David Lewis has retired as vice president of government affairs with LENNOX International and stepped down as chair of USCIB’s Climate Change Working Group, a position he had for seven years.

USCIB Trustee Thomas Gottschalk has retired from his position as general counsel with GM, and taken a position with law firm Kirkland & Ellis. … Mark Beckett of Latham & Watkins is the new chair of USCIB’s Arbitration Committee on June 1, succeeding Louis Kimmelman of Allen & Overy.

Welcome New Members! – We are proud to welcome the following new USCIB members: General Mills, Inc., Kilpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP, Littler Mendelson, P.C., Scott & Scott LLP, Entertainment Software Association and the Managed Funds Association.

New Faces at USCIB Headquarters – A warm welcome to Lea Felluss, the new executive assistant supporting ICC’s liaison team in New York, which handles both commercial arbitration and outreach to the United Nations. Lea is a graduate of Berkeley College. … We are also pleased to welcome Alix Anfang as program assistant, supporting our Environment, Intellectual Property and Competition Committees among other areas. Alix is a graduate of Georgetown University. … Finally, Kirsten Robinson has joined us for the summer as receptionist and administrative assistant. Kirsten will be a junior at James Madison University in the fall.