Business Green
“Speaking to reporters this morning, Norine Kennedy of the US Council for International Business said while it was good to see the private sector referenced in the decision section of the text, it was disappointing there is no reference to business in the preamble.”
Corruption is a major obstacle to economic and social development around the world and adds considerable risk to doing business globally. On the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day this week, the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC) organized a roundtable with the OECD Working Group on Bribery, calling for close private sector involvement in an ambitious OECD strategy to fight corruption and bribery.
“BIAC considers the OECD a key organization in the fight against bribery and corruption”, said Klaus Moosmayer of Siemens, chair of the BIAC Task Force on Anti-Corruption/Bribery. “Close public-private cooperation is essential to effectively curb corruption and provide a real level playing field for international business.”
The roundtable focused on two major topics where in BIAC’s opinion the OECD can play a key role:
(1) Addressing the demand side of bribery to help establish the necessary confidence for the business community, recognizing that solicitation poses a serious challenge for firms and discourages them from investing in countries where bribe demands are frequent, and
(2) Helping governments put in place a framework that incentivizes companies to build robust compliance programs and to self-report compliance breaches. If companies can be given legal certainty of not being punished for their cooperation, this can lead to major improvements in the fight against corruption.
Eva Hampl, USCIB’s director for investment, trade and financial services participated in the roundtable and spoke about the need to increase transparency and encourage companies to self-report instances of bribery.
BIAC calls upon the OECD and its members to forcefully engage themselves and foster international cooperation in these areas, working closely with the private sector.
Washington, D.C., December 10, 2015– The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) welcomed yesterday’s announcement that the Customs Conferees have issued a final bipartisan, bicameral, Conference report on the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015. We applaud Congressional Leadership and appointed Conferees for moving this vital bill forward. We continue to urge Congress to take prompt action and pass the reconciled Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 before Congress adjourns.
“American business needs this legislation, which is long overdue and sets the United States on a path to remain in the top-tier of nations when it comes to trade facilitation and customs modernization,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson. “We will work to get the bill passed and signed into law as quickly as possible.”
Last week, USCIB was joined by 21 other businesses organizations representing every sector of the American economy in signing a letter to Congressional leadership urging legislators to resolve outstanding issues and pass the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 before Congress adjourned.
“[W]e strongly encourage the passage of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement bill within the 2015 legislative calendar,” the letter stated. “Continued customs modernization is essential to providing U.S. Customs and Border Protection the support it needs to safeguard America’s borders while enhancing economic prosperity, and ensuring stability for American importers and exporters.”
About USCIB:
USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of our economy, with operations in every region of the world. With a unique global network encompassing leading international business organizations, including ICC, 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, USCIB
+1 212.703.5043, jhuneke@uscib.org
Paris, December 9, 2015 – Private-sector representatives from around the world have endorsed the conclusion of an ambitious and comprehensive worldwide agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen resilience, while advancing energy access and security in the context of sustainable development.
Meeting today at the headquarters of the French business federation. MEDEF, company executives and business federation officials from more than 20 countries agreed on a joint declaration stating: “Climate change is a common responsibility for all stakeholders, including for businesses in every part of the world, of every sector and every size, large groups and SMEs.”
“We have a common and unified approach to this urgent challenge,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson. “Our message to governments is clear: Business needs the right policy frameworks in order to enable and incentivize the mammoth amounts of investment and innovation that will enable our global society to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. And we require a clear and recognized path to participate in ongoing discussion with the UN and with national governments as we move forward together.”
As the COP21 talks moved into its final crucial stage, the joint business statement laid out a blueprint for an effective global agreement to mobilize broad private-sector action to apply its technological know-how to effectively addressing climate change. An ambitious agreement, it said, must include transparent, fair and comparable national commitments among all parties, effective and transparent monitoring and reporting mechanisms, and the maintenance of open trade and investment regimes worldwide.
Business leaders from major developed and developing countries called on governments to remain engaged with the private sector after COP21, including through an institutionalized channel for private-sector consultation and engagement in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change process.
On Saturday, American business representatives including Robinson appealed governments to establish a mechanism for ongoing, substantive dialogue with the private sector, saying such a mechanism is essential to achieving COP21’s goal of effectively addressing global climate change.
With over twenty years’ experience of direct engagement in the UN climate process, USCIB is representing American business at COP21 in its capacity as the U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), which is serving as the umbrella business coordinator in Paris, and as a member of the Business Major Economies Forum (BizMEF), which encompasses national business groups from the leading economies around the world.
About USCIB:
USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of our economy, with operations in every region of the world. With a unique global network encompassing leading international business organizations, including ICC, 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, USCIB
+1 212.703.5043, jhuneke@uscib.org
Politico, Morning Trade
“BUSINESS GROUP GIVES TPP QUALIFIED ENDORSEMENT: Meanwhile, a major business group, the New York-based United States Council for International Business, urged Congress to approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership, but also called on the administration to fix problems with the pact before sending it to Capitol Hill.”
Will push for congressional ratification, but urges some shortcomings in agreement be addressed
New York, N.Y., December 8, 2015 – The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) supports the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) and urges members of Congress to approve TPP. After reviewing the text of the agreement and consulting with our broad cross-sectoral membership as well as our Board of Directors, USCIB believes that the TPP agreement will contribute substantially to economic growth in the United States and the region, cement U.S. global leadership and provide significant new opportunities for U.S. businesses, workers and farmers.
The TPP expands market access in the region through elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers as well as breaking new ground in addressing growing regulatory impediments to trade. Some of the key measures include:
While we support TPP, we also believe that it could be improved by addressing provisions in the agreement that limit or exclude protections for certain sectors. We urge the Administration to work to address these limitations before submitting the final agreement to Congress. Dealing with these concerns would avoid any possible negative precedents for future agreements and facilitate consideration of TPP under Trade Promotion Authority.
With slowing global trade and modest economic growth forecasts, passage of the TPP is a critical act and affirmation by governments representing almost 40 percent of world GDP that protectionism is not the answer and that liberalized markets in which businesses are allowed to compete on a level playing field are the best formula for creating jobs, opportunity, innovation and spreading the rule of law more extensively in the region. This reality is already being grasped by many other countries that now aspire to join the TPP. The United States and the global economy will be better off with a TPP and USCIB will work with the Administration and Congress, as well as our global business partners, to secure passage.
About USCIB:
USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of our economy, with operations in every region of the world. With a unique global network, 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, USCIB
+1 212.703.5043, jhuneke@uscib.org
USCIB was joined by 21 other businesses organizations representing every sector of the American economy in signing a letter to Congressional leadership on December 3 urging legislators to resolve outstanding issues and pass the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 before Congress adjourns for the year at the end of this week.
“[W]e strongly encourage the passage of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement bill within the 2015 legislative calendar,” the letter stated. “Continued customs modernization is essential to providing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (U.S. CBP) the support it needs to safeguard America’s borders while enhancing economic prosperity, and ensuring stability for American importers and exporters.”
The letter notes that it has been more than two decades since the United States passed true customs modernization legislation. Passage of the Customs bill will, among other items, update outdated e-commerce and business practices, benefit small business and consumers by raising the de minimis amount to $800, and codify U.S. CBP operations and management.
The U.S. House and Senate have each passed independent and differing versions of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement bill. Last week, the House joined the Senate in appointing Conferees. However, staffers have been working to resolve issues informally for months. The bill is now in Conference. The business community hopes that Congress can reconcile and pass a bicameral, bipartisan bill before Congress adjourns at the end of the year.
World leaders representing nearly 200 nations have gathered in Paris for the Conference of the Parties (COP21) to finalize a long-term global climate agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping communities deal with the adverse effects of global warming. On December 5, the draft climate agreement agreed by 195 countries was presented to the COP. The COP president hopes to have an outcome ready for review by Friday, December 11.
USCIB led an American business delegation to Paris, providing critical business recommendations and engagement to the UN through its global network, including the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and in partnership with the Major Economies Business Forum on Energy Security and Climate Change (BizMEF), to inform the agreement’s outcome, ensuring that its conclusions truly work for business.
COP21 will conclude on December 11. Here are some highlights from week one of the world’s largest climate change summit.
Find out more on USCIB’s climate homepage.
American business representatives gathered at the UN climate summit in Paris have appealed to governments to establish a mechanism for ongoing, substantive dialogue with the private sector, saying such a mechanism is essential to achieving COP21’s goal of effectively addressing global climate change.
USCIB and the American Chamber of Commerce in France issued a joint declaration following a business briefing on December 5 that coincided with the halfway point of COP21.
The declaration stated: “Until now, business groups have been viewed as ‘observers’ at these vital UN deliberations. Yet in view of all that business does and offers, that is a misnomer. We see COP21 as a pivotal opportunity to pursue institutional innovation. New challenges require new ways of working together, which can be achieved through the recognition and expansion of partnerships, dialogue and consultation between governments and the private sector.”
“Our takeaway from today is that the UN needs business,” USCIB President CEO Peter Robinson said at the meeting. “It needs a solid working relationship between business and the UN system. To be sure, business needs the UN Climate Agreement – but more importantly, the UNFCCC needs business.”
Read the full press release here.
View photos of the event (Flickr).
Business representatives taking part in the official COP21 Business and Industry (BINGO) Day on December 4 called on governments to seal a deal that will work with the private sector and help them do more to meet the climate challenge.
“A COP21 agreement must work with business to speed and scale up the innovation and investment needed to reduce emissions and increase resilience to changing weather patterns,” said ICC Secretary General John Danilovich. Danilovich pointed to the estimated $53 trillion investment required in energy supply and efficiency that is largely expected to come from the private sector, saying “It’s clear that business action and engagement will be, without doubt, a central and defining part of the solution [to the climate challenge].”
In a letter to the New York Times on December 4, Danilovich also said: “It is therefore vital that the Paris talks mark the start of a new era of collaboration with business when it comes to climate change.”
ICC SG @JohnDanilovich interview @CNBC How can leaders achieve a deal at #COP21? #BizCOP21 > https://t.co/BAq4piDwyVpic.twitter.com/GE9PsHkMWN
— ICC WBO (@iccwbo) December 4, 2015
Never have there been more world leaders focused on one issue, for one day, in one place. 150 presidents and prime ministers, along with 40,000 delegates from 195 countries and civil society and businesses have been attending COP21. Pledges made by countries during the first week of COP21 include:
At the start of COP21 on November 30, President Obama said: “We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change, and the last generation that can do something about it.”
COP21 will conclude on December 11.
Paris, December 7, 2015 – American business representatives gathered at the UN climate summit in Paris have appealed to governments to establish a mechanism for ongoing, substantive dialogue with the private sector, saying such a mechanism is essential to achieving COP21’s goal of effectively addressing global climate change.
The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) and the American Chamber of Commerce in France issued a joint declaration following a business briefing on December 5 that coincided with the halfway point of COP21.
The declaration stated: “Until now, business groups have been viewed as ‘observers’ at these vital UN deliberations. Yet in view of all that business does and offers, that is a misnomer. We see COP21 as a pivotal opportunity to pursue institutional innovation. New challenges require new ways of working together, which can be achieved through the recognition and expansion of partnerships, dialogue and consultation between governments and the private sector.”
The two business groups said a new business consultative mechanism would provide both long-term and short-term benefits, helping governments prioritize policies to address climate change, while allowing companies to better invest in cleaner technologies and solutions. This mechanism could provide national governments and the UN secretariat with detailed technical guidance on a range of matters, including implementation of the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) at the national and international levels.
“COP21 gives us an opportunity to develop workable solutions. These can only be found if the private and public sector work together. It is time for the UN to provide a recognized interface for business engagement so that together we build solutions that make a difference in the fight against climate change.” Pierre Dejoux (Otis/United Technologies), member of the board and representative of the Green Growth Committee at AmCham France. The Green Growth Committee, made up of representatives from large corporations, SMEs and startups, leads AmCham’s actions on climate change and sustainability issues. Through its network of committees, AmCham’s role as a business enabler focuses on facilitating exchanges amongst private sector actors and on fostering a dialogue with public authorities in France.
“Our takeaway from today is that the UN needs business,” USCIB President CEO Peter Robinson said at the meeting. “It needs a solid working relationship between business and the UN system. To be sure, business needs the UN Climate Agreement – but more importantly, the UNFCCC needs business.”
With over twenty years’ experience of direct engagement in the UN climate process, USCIB is representing American business at COP21 in its capacity as the U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), which is serving as the umbrella business coordinator in Paris, and as a member of the Business Major Economies Forum (BizMEF), which encompasses national business groups from the leading economies around the world.
About USCIB:
USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of our economy, with operations in every region of the world. With a unique global network encompassing leading international business organizations, including ICC, 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, USCIB
+1 212.703.5043, jhuneke@uscib.org.
USCIB will participate in three events next week about corporate responsibility and human rights. For more information and registration details, please contact USCIB Vice President Ariel Meyerstein (ameyerstein@uscib.org).
The Corporate Counsel Innovation Summit
Monday, December 7, 2015
New York
The Financial Times’ Innovative Lawyers General Counsel Summit will build on the success of last year’s inaugural summit and focus on the implications of a changing landscape. For in-house lawyers, most often at the forefront of innovation, how should related challenges be met and how will the in-house role change as a result? Meyerstein will speak on a panel about the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs)
The UNGPs are a global framework for preventing and addressing the risk of adverse impacts on human rights linked to business activity. John F. Sherman III, General Counsel, Company Secretary and Senior Adviser at the Shift Project, will lead a panel to discuss what this global framework means for GCs and the responsibilities it places on lawyers.
The Human Rights First Summit
December 9, 2015
Washington, D.C.
Modern-day slavery is a global problem that taints many of the products we use every day. How can the United States work with businesses and other governments to eradicate human trafficking from supply chains?
More than 14 million people are exploited for labor worldwide, many of them buried deep within the supply chains of global businesses. Nearly four years ago California enacted a law that requires retailers and manufacturers to disclose if they have policies to prevent trafficking in their supply chains. Yet these policies aren’t adequately compelling companies to ensure that their suppliers protect vulnerable workers.
There are, however, a few successful non-regulatory initiatives. The Electronics Industry Citizen Coalition (EICC) has a progressive code of conduct that all members must follow. The Fair Labor Association has pulled responsible businesses, civil society and universities together to establish better policies to protect vulnerable workers in supply chains. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) incentivizes suppliers who score well on sustainability standards—including preventing forced labor—by offering lower lending rates. Are these models sustainable? Could they be applied more broadly within their own industries or scaled up and replicated in other industries? What can the United States do to ensure that the gains from these programs are sustainable? Meyerstein will moderate a panel discussion that addresses these questions.
Registration and the full program agenda is available here.
OECD In-Depth: G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance
December 11, 2015
Washington, D.C.
In a landmark decision, the G20 Leaders endorsed the G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance as an indispensable and globally recognized standard for assessing and improving corporate governance. The Principles have been developed under the auspices of the OECD, convening the expertise of policy makers, regulators, business and other stakeholders from around the world.
USCIB will co-host an informal roundtable discussion of the Principles and a conversation about how corporate governance in today’s equity markets can facilitate corporate access to finance, unlock investment, and boost sustainable economic growth.