UN Ramps Up Action on Non-Communicable Diseases

Published on June 23, 2011

Panelists at the luncheon briefing on non-communicable diseases. L-R: Dr. Scott Ratzan (Johnson & Johnson), Louise Kantrow (ICC), Donna Hrinak (PepsiCo), Dr. Karen Sealey (Pan-American Health Organization).

The United Nations plans to hold a high-level meeting this September in New York on combating non-communicable diseases like cancer and diabetes. In preparation, USCIB and its affiliate the International Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon briefing at the UN on June 16 on “Multi-Stakeholder Solutions Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases.” The event was attended by some 80 representatives of UN member states, industry and civil society.

Speakers at the luncheon came from across the spectrum of health policy and business, and included:

Alexander Alimov, senior counselor with the Russian mission to the UN
Dr. Karen Sealey, special advisor to the Pan-American Health Organization
Donna Hrinak, co-chair of the International Food and Beverage Alliance and vice president of global public policy with PepsiCo
Dr. Scott Ratzan, chair of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations and vice president of global health with Johnson & Johnson
Erica Whinston, senior manager with Qualcomm

The panel was moderated by Louise Kantrow, ICC’s permanent representative to the UN. Earlier in the day, USCIB and ICC submitted a joint statement to an interactive hearing for civil society. The statement focused on the importance of tailored, local solutions as part of a broader global effort in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the importance of involving the private sector and the need to take a broad, societal approach.

“NCDs are a societal matter and therefore require whole-of-society and whole-of-government solutions,” the statement said, noting that “all companies have an interest in ensuring they have a healthy and resilient workforce to maintain their competitive edge.”

Staff contact: Helen Medina

Remarks by ICC’s Louise Kantrow to the UN civil society hearing on non-communicable diseases

More on USCIB’s Health Care Working Group

With US Tax Reform Looming Global Experts Meet in Washington

Published on June 22, 2011

L-R: Steven Miller, deputy commissioner for services and enforcement at the Internal Revenue Service, and Bill Sample, corporate vice president of worldwide tax at Microsoft Corp. and chair of USCIB’s Taxation Committee. Mr. Miller told the conference the IRS would move “in the next month or so” against foreign banks that refused to hand over details on American clients suspected of tax evasion.

With tax reform high on the agenda in Washington, what are the implications for multinational companies? To help executives and policy makers keep up in this fast-moving area, USCIB convened its fifth annual tax conference earlier this month in Washington, D.C., focusing again on the work of the 34-nation Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

This 2011 OECD International Tax Conference, which took place June 6 and 7 at the Four Seasons Hotel, provided a unique opportunity for the U.S. business community to interact with key representatives from the OECD Center for Tax Policy and Administration, as well as senior tax officials from the U.S. and other OECD countries. The OECD and itsBusiness and Industry Advisory Committee
(BIAC), part of USCIB’s global network, joined in organizing the event.

“As the volume, speed and complexity of international business continues to grow, global firms need clear, consistent and stable tax rules more than ever,” said Bill Sample, corporate vice president for worldwide taxation with Microsoft Corp. and chair of USCIB’s Taxation Committee. “The OECD is the recognized leader in promoting a tax system to facilitate multinational business and dispute resolution.”

Key topics addressed at the sold-out event included: the latest developments affecting permanent establishments, transfer pricing and intangibles; how countries are working together to improve tax compliance and cooperation; the relevance of the recent revision of the OECD’s Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises for tax planning; and how the OECD works with new members and non-members on tax matters.

Carol Doran Klein, USCIB’s vice president and international tax counsel, and Jeffrey Owens, director of the OECD’s Center for Tax Policy Administration.

Speakers at the event included:

Jeffrey Owens, head of the OECD’s Center for Tax Policy and Administration
Steven Miller, deputy commissioner of the IRS for services and enforcement
Pamela Olson, a partner with Skadden Arps and former assistant secretary of the Treasury for tax policy
Thomas Barthold, chief of staff of the Joint Congressional Committee on Taxation
Manal Corwin, deputy assistant secretary of the Treasury for international tax affairs
Masatsugu Asakawa of the Japanese finance ministry, incoming chair of the OECD Committee on Fiscal Affairs

“Informed, ongoing dialogue with the OECD secretariat and with OECD member states is crucial for global companies,” according to Carol Doran Klein, USCIB’s vice president and international tax counsel. “The fact that this year’s conference took place against the backdrop of potentially far-reaching tax reform in the United States only adds to its importance.”

Attendees applauded the substance and organization of this year’s tax conference. “As always, the event was interesting, well-organized and flawlessly executed,” said Linda H. Fernandez of Eli Lilly.

The conference agenda is available at www.uscibtax.org. Photos from the event can be accessed by clicking here.

Conference supporting organizations included the International Fiscal Association – USA Branch, the International Tax Policy Forum, the National Foreign Trade Council, the Organization for International Investment, the Tax Council Policy Institute, the Tax Executives Institute and the Tax Foundation.

Staff contact: Carol Doran Klein

Conference Highlights Need for Cooperative Efforts to Rein in Health Care Costs

Published on June 22, 2011

“Governments and the private sector need to work together to offer innovative solutions for health promotion, disease prevention and treatment that will help address the rising health care costs and challenges presented by aging populations,” stated Nicole Denjoy, chair of the Task Force on Health Care Policy at the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD, USCIB’s affiliate. “We need to move from sick care to health care.”

Speaking to over 100 senior policymakers, business figures and academics gathered in Paris for the OECD 50th Anniversary Health Conference on meeting the challenges of aging and multiple morbidities, co-sponsored by BIAC, Ms. Denjoy, the secretary general of COCIR (European Coordination Committee of the Radiological, Electromedical and Healthcare IT Industry), highlighted the business case for greater collaboration with governments to generate improved health outcomes and greater efficiency in the future.

She said businesses, as contributors to health budgets, employers of older workers, and providers of goods and services, have a vested interest in reducing the overall cost burden, while increasing efficiency and quality of health care. Close cooperation with governments will help incentivize the business community to make the necessary investments today that will yield the solutions needed for tomorrow.

Despite big improvements in health since the founding of the OECD in 1961, health policies have been slow to adapt to new challenges. Ms. Denjoy said. Addressing the health care needs of the future requires urgent attention from policymakers as the transformation for the health care system takes years to develop and implement.

Launch of ICC WIPO Handbook for Providing IP Services

Published on June 6, 2011

Available in English and Spanish, the ICC-WIPO handbook gives practical advice on how to set up different types of IP services

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), USCIB’s affiliate, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have launched the publication, Making intellectual property work for business today during the 7th World Chambers Congress in Mexico City. Developed jointly by the two organizations, the handbook – provides practical guidance to chambers of commerce and business associations looking to provide intellectual property (IP) services for businesses.

Although intellectual property has become an essential competitive tool for businesses in today’s economy, many companies do not understand how to use IP in their business. Businesses membership organizations are uniquely positioned to help bridge this knowledge gap.

“Businesses nowadays have to rely on the effective use of one or more types of intellectual property to gain and maintain a competitive edge in the marketplace,” said David Koris, chair of the ICC Commission on Intellectual Property. “Business leaders and managers, therefore require a much better understanding of the tools of the IP system to protect and exploit the IP assets they own, or wish to use, for their business models and competitive strategies in domestic and international markets.”

Daphne Yong-d’Hervé, ICC’s chief IP officer, said: “Because of the strong relationship with their business constituencies, business membership organizations are ideally placed to help companies navigate this emerging field and to play an active role in helping companies understand and use IP assets as a competitive tool.” Read more on ICC’s website.

Staff Contact: Helen Medina

More on ICC’s intellectual property work

More on USCIB’s Intellectual Property Committee

Get Ready for New TopLevel Internet Domains

Published on May 26, 2011

International policymaking around the Internet is in fashion. French President Nicolas Sarkozy recently hosted the “e-G8” summit in Paris to discuss it, deliberations are underway in the United Nations about it, and the OECD will be hosting a high-level meeting on it. But perhaps the most striking change to the Internet for many users may come about as a result of the next month’s meeting of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in Singapore, where discussions will focus on the finalization of the rules around the introduction of new top-level domains (TLDs).

ICANN’s board of directors may vote for a large-scale expansion of the domain name space (DNS) beyond the familiar .com, .net, .org, and country code designations. How would the possible introduction of new TLDs like .music, .eco, and .[your brand] affect the landscape of the Internet?

Over the past three years, ICANN put forward a number of proposals to expand the Internet’s domain name space. Some stakeholders are keen to see new TLDs introduced, arguing that their presence will help increase innovation and competition in the DNS marketplace, decrease prices for domain names, and increase consumer choice. Others see any rollout of TLDs as potentially problematic, citing important concerns over intellectual property protection, possible consumer confusion, and stress on the technical security and stability of the DNS itself.

Governments have been particularly vocal in recent months in seeking to ensure that ICANN proceed in a way that safeguards the global public interest as it works to expand the DNS. On May 22, ICANN’s Board and the Government Advisory Committee held a teleconference to discuss current concerns with the program and agreed to meet again in person at the upcoming meeting in Singapore. Currently, the ICANN Board is scheduled to consider finalizing the program in Singapore on June 20.

“Whenever and however a program for new TLDs is approved, it is incumbent on ICANN to ensure that it is done in transparent and accountable manner,” according to Chris Martin, USCIB’s manager for marketing & advertising policy, ICT and banking. “On the broader question of Internet policymaking, many eyes are watching ICANN in its stewardship of the DNS. It is important that it get it right, so that policymakers, wherever they may reside, have confidence in the private-sector model of Internet governance that ICANN embodies and which USCIB supports.”

USCIB has participated in a number of discussions around new “gTLDs” and has stated that any program for their introduction should enhance innovation, competition, the protection of consumers and intellectual property rights, and preserve the security and stability of the DNS. USCIB has also said that it is vital that ICANN work diligently with stakeholders to address remaining key concerns of the initiative with the Internet community.

Fashions may change, Mr. Martin said, but correctly managing governance of the Internet is of vital importance to U.S. business.

More on USCIB’s Information, Communications and Technology Policy Committee

Cooperation Key to Maximizing Internet and ICTs ICC Tells UN Commission

Published on May 23, 2011

When it comes to development of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICTs), business stands at the forefront – as a dynamic innovator, investor and user. This was the message delivered by Herbert Heitmann, chair of the Commission on E-Business IT and Telecoms at USCIB’s affiliate, the International Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Heitmann, executive vice president, external communications, Royal Dutch Shell, spoke at the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) today in Geneva.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the 14th session of the CSTD, Mr. Heitmann said: “From fast-tracking literacy rates to enhancing agricultural productivity, every day the products and services business develops are helping to empower and improve the lives of millions of people around the globe.”

Mr. Heitmann told delegates that when the right conditions are put in place, the private sector can play an important role building infrastructure and delivering required goods.

“Business contributes to establishing enabling environments through education initiatives, promoting innovation and creativity, public – private research and development partnerships,” he said.

UN Under Secretary General’s letter confirms strong business input into Internet Governance Forum preparations

ICC and its Business Action to Support the Information Society (BASIS) initiative have welcomed the recent announcement by UN Under Secretary General, Sha Zukang confirming continued strong representation of business in the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) that will steer preparations for the 6th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) – an open forum for policy dialogue on issues of Internet governance.

Mr Sha’s letter recognized the proven expertise and balanced representation of Internet stakeholders in the MAG including governments, business, civil society and the Internet technical community. Commending the MAG’s valuable contribution to IGF preparations each year, he said: “The MAG has more than proven its worth and the successful meetings that have been held in Athens, Rio de Janeiro, Hyderabad, Sharm-El-Sheik and Vilnius are [testament] to the work of its members.”

The MAG – a special advisory group to the UN Secretary General – is made up of representatives from all Internet interest groups.

To see a modified list of business representatives of the MAG and to read more on ICC’s website, click here.

To read Mr. Heitmann’s speech at CSTD, please click here.

USCIB Urges Changes to Proposed Korean Chemicals Regulation

Published on May 11, 2011

The Korean environment ministry recently proposed far-reaching regulations, modeled largely on European Union law, on the use of chemicals. In response, USCIB engaged its members and submitted comments, supporting other submissions by business and industry groups, including the American Chemistry Council.

The regulations would amend Korea’s toxic chemicals control act and introduce many elements similar to those found in the EU’s REACH law on chemicals, including priority chemicals, chemicals for authorization, chemicals for restriction, pre-registration of priority chemicals and communication of information throughout the supply chain.

USCIB urged that manufactured products or articles be excluded from all the regulation’s provisions, and that exclusions for such articles not require a confirmation that they are exempt. “A requirement that manufacturers or importers submit an application for confirmation of an exemption would be inefficient and wasteful,” the USCIB letter stated.

Under a World Trade Organization agreement on technical barriers to trade, Korea must notify the organization when it prepares or adopts a new technical regulation or standard, and other WTO member nations may comment on such measures.

Staff contact: Helen Medina

USCIB Letter to Korean Environment Minister

More on USCIB’s Product Policy Working Group

Stakeholder Involvement is the Key to Continued Internet Development and Economic Growth

Published on May 11, 2011

As the e-G8 gets underway in Paris on May 24-25, USCIB’s affiliate the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has reiterated its long-standing belief that Internet policy issues are most effectively addressed with the involvement of all relevant stakeholders on an equal footing, and highlighted global business positions on several policy topics to be discussed at the event.

Business acknowledges the positive contributions of the Internet to the global economy and advocates a favourable Internet governance environment as a pre-condition for continued investment, innovation and development in this dynamic network of networks.

ICC believes that effective Internet-related policies can foster economic recovery and growth.

“The e-G8 meeting is a positive recognition of the importance of the Internet sector, and the importance of taking a multistakeholder approach to Internet issues,” said ICC Secretary General Jean-Guy Carrier. “Helping more people to gain access to the Internet is the most effective way to ensure diversity of content and users. A regulatory environment that helps obtain development goals through private sector competition, is the most sustainable way to attract investment, promote innovation and help build necessary infrastructures to bring the benefits of the Internet to the next billion users.”

With U.S. Tax Reform Looming, Global Tax Experts to Meet in Washington

Published on May 10, 2011

Washington, D.C., May 10, 2011 – With tax reform high on the agenda in Washington, what are the implications for multinational companies? To help executives and policy makers keep up in this fast-moving area, the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), which represents American business on the global stage, will convene its fifth annual tax conference next month in Washington, D.C., focusing on the work of the 34-nation Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

This 2011 OECD International Tax Conference, June 6-7 at the Four Seasons Hotel, will provide a unique opportunity for the U.S. business community to interact with key representatives from the OECD Center for Tax Policy and Administration, as well as senior tax officials from the U.S. and other OECD countries.

Key questions to be addressed at the conference include: What are the latest international developments affecting permanent establishments? What about transfer pricing and intangibles? How are countries working together to improve tax compliance and cooperation? With its membership growing, how is the OECD working with new members and non-members on tax policy matters?

Speakers at the event are scheduled to include

Jeffrey Owens, head of the OECD’s Center for Tax Policy and Administration
Thomas Barthold, chief of staff of the Joint Congressional Committee on Taxation
Manal Corwin, deputy assistant secretary of the Treasury for international affairs
Masatsugu Asakawa of the Japanese finance ministry, incoming chair of the OECD Committee on Fiscal Affairs
Mary Bennett, head of OECD’s tax treaty, transfer pricing, and financial transactions division
Steven Miller, deputy commissioner of the IRS for services and enforcement
Michelle Levac of Canada’s revenue agency, chair of the OECD Working Party Taxation of Multinational Enterprises.

“Informed, ongoing dialogue with the OECD secretariat and with OECD member states is crucial for global companies,” according to Carol Doran Klein, USCIB’s vice president and international tax counsel. “The fact that this year’s conference takes place against the backdrop of potentially far-reaching tax reform in the United States only adds to its importance.”

Details on the conference are available at www.uscibtax.org.

The conference is co-organized by USCIB, the OECD and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD, which officially represents the view of industry in the Paris-based body. Supporting organizations include the International Fiscal Association – USA Branch, the International Tax Policy Forum, the National Foreign Trade Council, the Organization for International Investment, the Tax Council Policy Institute, the Tax Executives Institute and the Tax Foundation.

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

Contact:
Jonathan Huneke, VP communications, USCIB
(212) 703-5043 or jhuneke@uscib.org.

Conference agenda, registration form and other information

More on USCIB’s Taxation Committee

OECD website

Ambassador David Gross to Spearhead Global Business Groups Internet Policy Work

Published on February 15, 2011

New York, N.Y., February 15, 2011 – Ambassador David Gross, the former top State Department official on international communications policy, has been tapped to lead the development and delivery of business views on information technology and Internet policy developments worldwide, according to the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), a top pro-trade group. Mr. Gross, a partner at the law firm Wiley Rein, has been named the new chair of USCIB’s Information, Communications and Technology Committee. He succeeds Arthur Reilly, who has retired from Cisco Systems, Inc.

“We are delighted to have someone of David’s stature leading our work in this area,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter M. Robinson. “He brings broad worldwide credibility and a deep understanding of the challenges facing the global Internet to our efforts, and he will bolster our representation in the United Nations, the OECD and other forums. We welcome him and also thank Art Reilly for his energetic, highly professional and effective service as chair these past several years.”

Mr. Gross coordinated international communications and information policy at the Department of State from 2001 to 2009. He headed U.S. delegations to a number of high-level International Telecommunications Union (ITU) gatherings, led U.S. delegations to three APEC ministerial meetings and was the lead U.S. negotiator in the lead-up to the two-part UN World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005). Throughout his State Department tenure, Mr. Gross worked closely with industry, including USCIB, in his efforts to provide commercial and policy advocacy on behalf of U.S. companies in markets around the world.

USCIB’s ICT Committee advocates sound international policy to ensure the continued growth of ICTs, emphasizing free and fair competition, minimal government intervention, free information flows and a user orientation. It works through USCIB’s overseas network of business groups, including the International Chamber of Commerce and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD, to secure strong industry representation and input to major multilateral discussions of ICT issues.

“I am eager to step into this new role,” said Mr. Gross. “I have long respected USCIB as the voice of U.S. business in international policy forums and its active contributions to ICT policy debates. Industry guidance and leadership will be critical if we are to secure the continued growth and vitality of the Internet and ICTs as a whole.”

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

Contact:

Jonathan Huneke, VP Communications, USCIB

+1 212.703.5043 or jhuneke@uscib.org

Mr. Gross’s bio

More on USCIB’s Information, Communications and Technology Committee

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