ICC welcomes EU Regulation amendment increasing legal certainty for the business community

Following the strengthening of the Russian and Belarusian related financial sanctions earlier this year, the dispute resolution community raised numerous concerns regarding the subsequent and anticipated impact on the administration and conduct of ICC proceedings implicating these countries.

Read the full statement here

ICC Switzerland Centenary

100 years of "Merchants for Peace"

The challenges for globally active companies and service providers in times of crisis were the focus of the 100th anniversary of ICC Switzerland. Against the background of the consequences of the Ukraine war for the international economy, guest of honor Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin gave an overview of Switzerland's position in the global economy and took part in an exciting discussion. Concrete practical issues were addressed in the preceding workshop on "Contracts and Arbitration in Times of War," focusing on the implementation and consequences of sanctions, the application of "force majeure" clauses, problems in arbitration negotiations involving travel restrictions, and the enforcement of arbitral awards.

A record number of more than 100 interested participants followed the annual meeting of ICC Switzerland in Zurich and at the same time celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Swiss National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce ICC. This world business organization is active in over 100 countries, has its headquarters in Paris, and since 2017 has been the only private organization with full observer status at the UN General Assembly.

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin's guest presentation, "Switzerland's Place in the Global Economy in Turbulent Times," focused on the consequences of rising inflation, lack of supply chain security, energy supplies at risk, and Switzerland's involvement in a changing global economic order. The future of multilateralism, a sanctions policy without side effects, and Switzerland's relationship with the European Union were addressed by Thomas Wellauer, president of ICC Switzerland. "Prosperity through multilateralism" will also be the motto of the ICC World Chambers Congress in Geneva in 2023. This will be the first time since 1947 that such a world congress will be held in Switzerland.

We thank everyone who has joined us for the 100 years ICC Switzerland celebration and of course a very warm thank you to our speakers who made this event such a success!

Thank you to our colleagues at ICC Ukraine for these kind congratulations!

Anniversary Letter ICC Ukraine

100 Years ICC Video    John Denton message to ICC

New ICC Brand Identity Video

Check out our ICC Switzerland History Brochure:

ICC Switzerland History Brochure

Ahead of the next World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference (MC12), the International Chamber of Commerce — the institutional representative of over 45 million businesses worldwide, small, medium and large, in over 170 countries — wishes to set out its priorities for a successful meeting.

The global business community views the World Trade Organization as an essential pillar in the multilateral trading system. As end-users of the system, the private sector strongly encourages ministers to work towards ambitious outcomes that will meet the needs of modern economies and all stakeholders.

At a time of serious global economic challenges—in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, pressures on global supply chains, and the prospect of high inflation and recession—ministers must take the opportunity presented by MC12 to reinforce the role of the WTO and to ensure its effectiveness to meet ongoing and new global challenges.

Read the MC12 ICC STATEMENT

Zurich, 27 June 2022, 18:15

Baur au Lac, Talstrasse 1, 8001 Zurich 

Keynote Speaker: Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin

ICC Switzerland celebrates this year its 100th anniversary. On behalf of our Chairman Thomas Wellauer, I am pleased to invite you to our anniversary celebration at Baur au Lac in Zurich on 27 June 2022. 

Our guest of honour, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, will join us and present an overview of Switzerland’s position in the global economy in turbulent times. Concerns regarding inflation, supply chain security, energy security and the integration of Switzerland into a changing global economic order will be main topics. 

Before the anniversary celebration, we are organising a workshop which will focus on the topic “Contracts & Arbitration in Times of war” with sub-topics such as sanctions, force majeure, travel restrictions, order public and enforcement of awards. Exchange your views and experiences with our experts!

We look forward to seeing you in June. Our event is open to representatives of members of ICC Switzerland, delegates in general and our contacts and friends. Please feel free to forward this invitation to colleagues. Non-members are also welcome. Registration is compulsory. Places are limited. 

Yours sincerely,

Thomas Pletscher

Secretary General

PROGRAMME 100 YEARS ICC SWITZERLAND

A five-point plan to keep Ukraine’s private sector alive

While ICC welcomes emerging thinking from governments about a “modern-day” Marshall Plan to support an eventual post-war recovery, it remains gravely concerned—based on its consultations with local chambers and businesses—that the attrition of Ukraine’s productive capacity will accelerate in the coming months absent of a comprehensive package of interventions from the international community.

A new survey by the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry indicates that 30% of businesses have completely closed their activities since early March—while a further 45% are operating at severely reduced levels of output. Trade capacity has also been reduced by an estimated 70%, with key maritime trade routes in the Black Sea unsafe for navigation—limiting the capacity of businesses to generate essential export revenues. Based on current trajectories, direct losses alone could amount to over US$500 billion.

In this context, ICC calls for immediate action to enable the continued functioning of Ukrainian business and urges the international community to commit to a five-point plan to progressively—to the extent possible—restore its productive capacity:

1. Remove tariffs and quotas on exports

2. Adopt enhanced trade facilitation measures for ground shipments

3. Boost ground logistics capacity

4. Provide full risk coverage for trade finance

5. Deliver targeted support for Ukrainian farmers

Get the Document Here

A fruitful Chairman's Lunch

Swiss Foreign Policy and the Economy

Speaker: Ambassador Stefan Estermann
At the moment, important marks are the war in Ukraine and its consequences as well as the imminent Swiss membership in the UN Security Council that will remain an important topic in the next months. What are the implications for business and what can the private sector contribute? Further, Switzerland still must find a new balance in its relations to the European Union after the negotiations on a Framework Agreement ended on unsolvable differences in core points. What are the prospects and possible timeframes? Ambassador Stefan Estermann introduced the discussion with his views on current challenges for Swiss Foreign Policy and gave us valuable insights into these pressing topics.

Thank you for the fruitful discussion! Our appreciations go to Ambassador Estermann and our distinguished guests.