The 2026 ICC Arbitration Rules are now in force

2026 ICC Rules of Arbitration officially entered into force on 1 June 2026. 

ICC Annual Conference 2026

On Tuesday, ICC Switzerland held its Annual Conference at the Quai Zurich Campus.

ICC Switzerland Arbitration Reception 18th June 2026

Registration is open: ICC Switzerland’s Arbitration Reception with ICC United Kingdom

ICC Switzerland Annual Conference 19th May 2026

Registration is now open for the ICC Switzerland Annual Conference, taking place on Tuesday, 19 May 2026 at 17:00 at the Quai Zurich Campus in Zurich.

WTO MC14: No agreement on the e-commerce moratorium

ICC Webinar with Swiss Ambassador to Germany

Our webinar on the 20th of March 2025, with the Swiss Ambassador to Germany and former State Secretary of Switzerland, Livia Leu, provided valuable insights into the close economic relationship between Switzerland and Germany.

Business Case for Integrity

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the UN Global Compact and Transparency International have launched yesterday the “Business Case for Integrity”.

UN Climate change Conference COP30

ICC, as the official UNFCCC focal point for business and industry, will be actively engaged in the UN Climate Change Conference COP30 which starts this week.

Der ICC-Kodex zur Werbe- und Marketingkommunikation jetzt auch auf Deutsch verfügbar

ICC Webinar with Swiss Ambassador to China

Our webinar last week, on the 16th of September 2025, with the Swiss Ambassador to China, Jürg Burri, provided a comprehensive assessment of the current dynamics shaping Swiss-Chinese economic relations. 

Roundtable for In-House Counsel 2025

On 4 September 2025, a roundtable on international arbitration for in-house counsel took place at the Geneva offices of Pestalozzi Attorneys at Law. 

Meet the Arbitration Nomination Committee 2025

Yesterday, ICC Switzerland hosted its first “Meet and Greet Session” with the Arbitration Nomination Committee at the offices of Bär & Karrer in Zurich.

ICC Switzerland's Arbitration Reception

ICC Switzerland hosted its first-ever ICC Arbitration Reception, proudly welcoming ICC Türkiye as the guest National Committee.

ICC Annual Conference 2025 

Yesterday, our Annual Conference took place at the Swiss Re Auditorium.

Declining attractiveness of Switzerland as location for the Life Sciences industry

Today ICC Switzerland had the pleasure of being invited by Severin Schwan, Chairman Roche Group, to Basel.

Initial response to US reciprocal tariff plan

Following the announcement of the US reciprocal tariff plan, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has issued the following statement.

ICC Digital Standards Initiative - Roundtable

ICC Switzerland hosted on 21 March in Zurich a Digital Trade Roundtable with Pamela Mar, the Managing Director of the Digital Standards Initiative.

Visit to the Secretariat of the ICC Court of Arbitration ICC Italia & ICC Switzerland

Last week, ICC Switzerland and ICC Italia organised together a two-day visit to the ICC International Court of Arbitration in Paris.

 ICC Webinar «Trump Administration 2.0: First Insights from a Swiss Perspective »

Today, we were honoured to hear Ralf Heckner, Swiss Ambassador to the United States, at our webinar «Trump Administration 2.0: First Insights from a Swiss perspective».

We are hiring!

We are looking for a well-qualified, friendly assistant to support our small team from 1 April 2025 in a 40% pensum.

Joint visit to the Secretariat of the ICC Court of Arbitration ICC Italia & ICC Switzerland

The ICC Swiss Commission of Arbitration and ADR will organize on 28 February a meeting with the Secretariat of the ICC Court of Arbitration.

“From Cybercrime to Cyberwar: What companies should know -  impact on international trade

Today we were honoured to welcome Dr. Christian Keller from IBM to our Chairman's Lunch in Zurich.

Private sector as the voice of reason

Guest commentary by Peter Maurer and Yannick Hausmann in the NZZ of 4 December 2024

The economic cost of extreme weather events

A new study, commissioned by the International Chamber of Commerce and conducted by Oxera, offers an in-depth look at disaster-related economic losses.

Putting the circular economy into motion - From barriers to opportunities

ICC, in cooperation with EY, has identified key barriers that companies face when adopting circular business models and presents avenues for policymakers and businesses to overcome them and accelerate the transition to the circular economy.

11th Edition of ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code

ICC releases today a major update of its Advertising and Marketing Communications Code – the 11th edition of the code that has been the global backbone of advertising self-regulation for more than 85 years.

Le certificat Incoterms® 2020 d’ICC désormais disponible en français

Ce cours en ligne sur les Incoterms® 2020 conçu par ICC, créateur des règles Incoterms®, est déjà un best-seller.

ICC Switzerland is honoured to welcome 6 new members

ICC Working Paper on Protecting Protecting the cybersecurity of critical infrastructures and their supply chains

The ICC Global Digital Economy Commission has released a groundbreaking Working Paper on Protecting the cybersecurity of critical infrastructures and their supply chains.

Switzerland at the top of the ICC Court of Arbitration statistics 2023

The ICC International Court of Arbitration published its statistics for the year 2023:

Swiss Delegation in the ICC Commission of Arbitration and ADR: Membership Term 2024 - 2027

The ICC Swiss Commission on Arbitration and ADR will be partially renewed as from 1 July 2024.

ESG regulation and business implication

At our event yesterday in Zurich we were pleased to speak about “ESG regulation and business implication”.

Geopolitical fragmentation and impact on free Trade: Annual Assembly 2024

Yesterday, our Annual Assembly took place at Zurich Insurance in Zurich Campus. We were honoured to hear a keynote address on «Geopolitical fragmentation and impact on free Trade» from Peter Maurer, who shared his vast experience. The keynote was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Andrés Luther.

Meeting with Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin

Today, ICC Switzerland had the privilege of meeting with Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin which marked an important step in our ongoing dialogue with the Swiss government.

Study visit from Thailand

This week, ICC Switzerland had again the pleasure and privilege of receiving a high-profile delegation of Chief judges from Thailand.

ICC responds to MC13

ICC has issued a statement upon conclusion of the World Trade Organization's 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi.

Annual Assembly 2024 - Register now!

Luc Schnurrenberger new Member of the Board 

We are delighted to announce Luc Schnurrenberger as a new Member of the Board of ICC Switzerland.

Conclusion of the COP28 climate summit

In the closing statement of COP28 on 13 December, member states made a historic call to break their ties with fossil fuels. Delegates also pledged to significantly accelerate the expansion of renewable energy.

C4DTI Digital Conference and Awards

ICC Switzerland is delighted to support the C4DTI Digital Conference and Awards organised by ICC United Kingdom and the Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation taking place over two days from 17 – 18 April 2024.

ICC Marketing Code forbids greenwashing

The Swiss Fair-Trade Commission condemns misleading greenwashed advertising based on the ICC Marketing Code.

COP28

ICC, as the official UNFCCC focal point for business and industry, will be actively engaged in the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 which starts this week.

Visit of ICC Chair Maria Fernanda Garza in Zurich 

We were delighted and honoured to welcome yesterday the Chair of ICC in Zurich.

New Secretary General of ICC Switzerland as of 1^st January 2024

Announced at our Annual Meeting, our Secretary General, Thomas Pletscher, has decided to step down after 19 years in position.

How can we secure our global market access?

Chairman's Lunch with State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda

The WTO is fighting with stagnation in recent years, failing to advance global trade agreements. Meanwhile, sanctions have led to the formation of trade blocks and existing barriers hamper international commerce.

ICC Arbitration Conference

Damages in arbitration and their quantification 

At our ICC Arbitration Conference yesterday in Geneva, we were pleased to speak about damages in arbitration proceedings and their quantification.

Change in the chairmanship of ICC Switzerland

After 10 years in the Chair, Mr Thomas Wellauer, chairman of ICC Switzerland, has decided to step down and to pass the baton on. ICC Switzerland is pleased to announce that, following the proposal of economiesuisse, the Board of ICC Switzerland elected Yannick Hausmann from HSBC as his successor at its Board meeting of 14 August.

Annual Assembly 2023

Yesterday, our Annual Assembly took place at Credit Suisse St-Peter Forum in Zurich. 

GTR Commodities 2023 Conference

GTR Commodities, the premier gathering for the global commodity financing sector, will return to Geneva on September 28, 2023.

Visit the event website for more information.

ICC World Chambers Congress 2023

Last week, Geneva was the world capital for chambers of commerce and businesses as the ICC World Chambers Congress took place from 21 to 23 June 2023. We proudly look back on a successful event.

ICC Case Connect and the latest developments in sanction cases

These were the topics of our latest seminar on arbitration practice which took place yesterday in Zurich.

Study visit from the Office of the Judiciary of Thailand

Today, ICC Switzerland had the pleasure of receiving a delegation of around 30 judges from Thailand, who visited Zurich as part of a study tour to Switzerland and Austria.

ICC International Court of Arbitration

Centenary Launch

Fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly

End plastic pollution

ICC applauded the landmark decision at the resumed fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA5.2) to develop an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) to end plastic pollution.

New leadership of the ICC Swiss Commission on Arbitration and ADR as of 20 February 2023

Urs Weber-Stecher will resign as President of the ICC Swiss Commission of Arbitration and ADR as of 20 February 2023. Following the proposal of the Swiss Arbitration Nomination Committee, the Board of ICC Switzerland has elected Simon Gabriel as his successor. 

WCF 2023-2025 General Council

Vincent Subilia re-elected member of the General Council

ICC Chamber members from more than 100 countries were called to vote last November and elect their twenty preferred chamber leaders from forty-six candidates, to serve on the WCF General Council 2023-2025.  The World Chambers Federation (WCF) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has announced the results of elections for its General Council. Vincent Subilia, Director general of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services, has been re-elected.

Conclusion of the COP27 climate summit

6 - 18 November 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh

 In the closing plenary of #COP27, ICC delivered a statement on behalf of business and industry NGOs on the outcome of the two-week negotiations. Efforts have been made to keep 1.5 alive, but much more could have been done. Business remains squarely behind the #ParisAgreement.

Business and industry statement
Statement John Denton

MC12 – WHERE DO WE STAND? NEXT STEPS

Wednesday 2 November 2022 at the Forum de Genève

To stimulate and facilitate dialogue among international organisations and the respective diplomatic representations in Geneva, ICC Switzerland continued its Geneva Business Dialogues. We were pleased with the discussions on the topic of “MC12 – WHERE DO WE STAND? NEXT STEPS”. 

7th Geneva Business Dialogue Roundtable

Geneva, 2 November 2022

ICC Switzerland, in collaboration with ICC Headquarters and the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to invite you to the next Geneva Business Dialogue on the topic of the twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference – where do we stand? Next Steps.

Joint Visit to the Secretariat of Court ICC Switzerland and ICC Netherlands

The visit of the Swiss arbitrators to the Court of yesterday was a great success. This year we have organised it jointly with ICC Netherlands.

Between a joint lunch and dinner, which create an opportunity for exchange for the participants of both national Committees, the meeting allowed for our Swiss arbitrators to discuss general issues of procedures as well as specific issues. It was also a good opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the staff of the Court's Secretariat and the Swiss arbitration community as well as to meet personally with some counsel.

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.

MC12 ICC Statement

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.

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. 

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.

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.

World Intellecual Property Day 

IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future

26 April 2022, 16:00 - 18:00 CET

Innovation plays a crucial role in addressing local and global challenges, and young innovators are shaping this landscape with the power of their ideas and ambitions for the future, including the future of health. With adequate support and effective use of intellectual property (IP) rights, young innovators can mobilize change and help advance science, innovation and business for improved health outcomes.

With its focus on IP and Youth: Building a Better Future, this year’s World Intellectual Property Day provides a unique opportunity to bring young innovators and policy makers together to explore how youth innovation is generating solutions to some of the world’s greatest health challenges.

But what challenges do young innovators face and how do innovation ecosystems need to evolve to enable them to deliver their promising solutions?

An exciting line-up of award-winning young innovators will share their experiences and perspectives on these and other topical questions in two panels that promise wide-ranging and rich discussions.

Find more Information and Registration here

Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation Annual Report 2021

ICC is pleased to share the latest Annual Report with you!

It comes at a time when supply chain crises continue to make border reforms a pressing topic. The need to make trade simple, fast, and cost-effective has never been more urgent.  

Despite the many challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, our 2021 report details an unprecedented acceleration in Alliance initiatives during the year: 18 new projects from four the previous year, bringing the total to 30 in 29 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. The report also details a successful conclusion to others, with significant anticipated reduction of time and cost of trade.

Read the full report here

ICC Digital Trade Conference – Are We Ready to Trade Digitally?

ICC United Kingdom is delighted to invite you to their upcoming ICC Digital Trade Conference - Are we ready to trade digitally?, to take place virtually from 6^th – 8^th April 2022.

The conference will focus on preparing industry for mass adoption of open systems and internationally recognised interoperable digital standards. Sessions will concentrate on key sectors and look at systems, operations, processes and use of interoperable standards. Each session will help identify barriers and opportunities to the creation of a modern fully digitalised trade ecosystem. They will bring together international industry experts from corporates, institutions, and advisories, putting a spotlight on “best in class” digital adoption.

WEDNESDAY 6th April 

o 09:00 – 10:00 BST | Current State of Play

o 11:00 – 12:00 BST | Transforming the Warehousing Sector

o 14:00 – 15:00 BST | Modernising Trade Finance Practices, Building the Business Case

THURSDAY 7th April

o 09:00 – 10:00 BST | Digitalising commodity transactions

o 11:00 – 12:00 BST | Digitalising and standardising shipping and logistics trade systems

o 14:00 – 15:00 BST | Digital identification as a building block for future trade

FRIDAY 8th April

o 09:00 – 10:15 BST | The Future for Digital Trade

More Information and Registration

Standards Toolkit for Cross-border Paperless Trade

We are pleased to share with you a new toolkit developed by ICC and the World Trade Organization to help companies and government agencies adopt available standards to accelerate the digitalization of trade processes.

The “Standards Toolkit for Cross-border Paperless Trade” – developed as part of ICC’s Digital Standards initiative – provides the international trade community for the first time with a comprehensive overview of existing digital trade standards that can be used to facilitate trusted, real-time supply chain collaboration and real-time data exchange.

ICC & OECD Webinar

Competition Policy and Sustainability Cooperation Agreements

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are delighted to invite you to this upcoming webinar: Competition Policy and Sustainability Cooperation Agreements

ICC Banking Commission

Use of Sanctions Clauses in Trade Finance

Following the escalation of sanctions on Russian businesses, individuals and financial institutions over the past few days, ICC has taken the decision to reissue the previous ICC guidance on the use of sanctions clauses in documentary credits in consolidated form.

To reiterate our core guidance:

Sanctions law and regulations are generally mandatory, and thus may override the ICC rules applicable to that instrument. As such, the addition of a clause, stating the bank’s commitment to respect such sanctions law or regulation applicable to it by law may be unnecessary and lead to confusion.

2022 edition of the ICC Whistleblowing Guidelines

ICC has unveiled the newest contribution to its tools to help business stamp out corruption

Providing practical guidance to help enterprises establish and implement a Whistleblowing Management System, the guidelines are an update of the ICC Guidelines on Whistleblowing published in 2008, incorporating current experience and practice of ICC member enterprises across a wide range of sectors and jurisdictions worldwide. The 2022 edition also aligns with key international legal instruments as well as global standards and best practice such as the 2021 ISO 37002 Guidelines on Whistleblowing Management Systems and the 2019 European Directive on Whistleblower Protection, which is now being implemented by governments across Europe.

Ukraine Conflict 

ICC Statement on Russia

Following the Russian incursion into Ukraine on 24 February, the International Chamber of Commerce has issued the following statement on behalf of the global business community.

ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO said:

“As an organization founded to promote peace and prosperity by advancing international trade and the rule of law, we condemn Russia’s breach of international law in the strongest possible terms. We call on Russia to immediately cease military action, withdraw its forces from Ukraine and revert to diplomatic means."

ICC Commission Report

Leveraging Technology for Fair, Effective and Efficient International Arbitration Proceedings

Global Launch | Friday 18 February 2022 | 15h CET

The Report will be presented by Working Group Lead Stephanie Cohen, along with members of the Working Group.

New Appointments in ICC Global Intellectual Property Commission

ICC has announced six appointments to lead the work of its Global Intellectual Property (IP) Commission. The Steering Committee of the IP Commission has been joined by new vice-chairs, among them Myrtha Hurtado Rivas with Nestlé, Switzerland.

The new appointments will bring significant experience and leading voices in the business community to the Commission’s leadership, from a diverse range of industries, and with increased representation in key regions, with the creation of a new Regional Representative for Africa.

U.S. Sanctions on Companies

from Iran as Parties in ICC Arbitration Cases

ICC Switzerland has addressed the issue of sanctions and arbitration in a number of ways, including organizing a seminar with the leading arbitral institutions and the competent U.S. authority OFAC in 2015. Due to sanctions policies and compliance requirements, banks could not make payments to arbitral institutions and arbitrators if one or more parties had a connection to a sanctioned country. According to ICC Switzerland, this resulted in an unacceptable denial of access to justice, a fundamental right of all actors in the market. Finding a solution in the case of ICC dispute resolution is even more complicated, as various regulatory and supervisory authorities are involved.

New ICC Report

The Circular Economy and International Trade: Options for the World Trade Organization

This report explores the interface between trade and a transition to a more circular economy. In today’s highly integrated economy, international trade plays a critical role in facilitating this transition, by exploiting existing comparative advantages and allowing economies of scale. Goods and services already cross borders at virtually all stages of the circular value chain, from upstream design services to remanufactured goods and secondary raw materials. Yet trade policies are not always aligned with circularity objectives. Similarly, policies aimed at fostering a circular economy can have detrimental effects on trade even if unintended. As the role of trade and trade policy attracts more attention, understanding how it can effectively support a circular economy transition becomes critical for policy makers.

ICC Framework

for Responsible Environmental Marketing Communications

Background

There has been growing interest by the media, government, consumers, and other stakeholders about the impact of human activities on the environment and how to promote “sustainable” consumption and use.  As such, the past few years have seen a renewed interest in environmental marketing, particularly in the context of growing momentum on climate action globally, including collective efforts by governments and businesses to mitigate the threats of climate change and promote sustainable consumption. 

Global business tells governments at COP26: put a price on carbon, but do it the right way

Glasgow, 3 November 2021

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has today called on governments to “get smart” in how they use carbon pricing instruments to accelerate the transition to a net-zero economy at the lowest possible economic cost. 

At an informal dialogue with finance ministers at COP26, the global business organization will publish the findings of an extensive survey of companies’ experience operating under the 60 different carbon pricing regimes in force today throughout the world. 

Crisis with Credit Suisse and Nestlé case study

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Report on Business Actions to Mitigate Climate

ICC United Kingdom published a new report with over 50 case studies, including very relevant case studies by Credit Suisse and Nestlé, from more than 20 countries to demonstrate practical business actions to mitigate climatecrisis.

Find the complete report here for download.

The ICC-CCIG Series - Trade and Health

Tuesday, 26 October 2021 

17:00 - 19:30

CCIG, Boulevard du Théâtre 4, Genève

More Information, Programme and registration here.

The “ICC-CCIG Series” address major themes related to international trade with a dual purpose: updating Members on issues that are currently being discussed at the United Nations, World Trade Organization and other international organizations in Geneva ; and illustrate the way businesses, actors of world governance, civil society and researchers can successfully cooperate towards common global goals.

This event will discuss the key priority areas that Member States will be addressing at the upcoming World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC12), from 30 November to 3 December in Geneva. These include environmental sustainability, digital economy, trade and health. A sharp focus will be given to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and future health crises, and the way SMEs can contribute to a healthier global trading system. 

Discover SME360X

Why Measure Impact on Nature?

Every small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) has an impact – both positive and negative – on nature and the environment. Measuring that impact enables SMEs to:

- Gain a competitive advantage

- Manage business risk

- Grow their business brand

- Enhance access to capital and affordable insurance

- Improve efficiency and reduce costs

This is where SME360X can help.

RESETTING THE GLOBAL ECONOMY - is approaching!

ICC ITPW 2021 brings together over 1,000 attendees from across the world and is the flagship conference of the year that encompasses all major policy priorities to specifically address “how” companies, organisations and governments are implementing solutions that deliver more inclusive, sustainable, and greener outcomes to build back better.

11+ WEBINARS | 5 DAYS | 50+ SPEAKERS

Supported by over 27 ICC offices worldwide, each day has its own theme:

DAY 1 – Trade Priorities, Trends and Analysis

DAY 2 – Climate Action & Sustainable Growth

DAY 3 – Digital Trade

DAY 4 – Tackling the Trade Finance Gap & Cybersecurity

DAY 5 – ICC Global Alliance Day – webinars hosted by the ICC global community

• Hosted via a new online platform, those that register will be able to:

• Access the full 5 days’ worth of content

• Personalise their agenda

• Network with attendees, speakers & sponsors

• Schedule one-to-one meetings and calls

REASONS TO ATTEND:

International audience and speakers bringing insights from across the world

Opportunity to network in advance of the event using our new virtual platform - make global connections

Select the webinars most relevant to you and watch content on demand

More Information and Registration here.

The Board of ICC Switzerland has elected Vincent Subilia, Member of the board.

As Director General of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce (CCIG), Vincent Subilia strives for a lively and diversified business community in Geneva. In so doing, he promotes the approx. 2’500 corporate Members which make the CCIG community. He also represents the CCIG within numerous regional, national and international institutions, including the General Council of the World Chamber’s Federation, as elected Swiss representative. Vincent has also acted as President of the Swiss Chambers’ Arbitration Institution.

We warmly welcome him and are looking forward to the closer collaboration and joined work.

ICC Switzerland Annual Assembly 2021

At our Annual Assembly yesterday, we had a look on this year's activities and looked ahead what next year will have to offer. Our guest of honour, Daniela Stoffel, State Secretary for International Finance, joined us and gave us a first-hand information on the important changes in the Global Tax System particularly with the digitalization of the economy and the global minimum tax. Thank You to Daniela Stoffel for the amazing Keynote Speech!

ICC Switzerland Annual Assembly 2021

Zurich, 14 September 2021, 17:15

New Global Tax System — Revolution or just Evolution?

Keynote speaker: Daniela Stoffel, State Secretary for International Finance  

Venue: Hotel Savoy Baur en Ville, Poststrasse 12, Zurich

On behalf of our Chairman Thomas Wellauer, we are pleased to invite you to our Annual Assembly 2021 at Hotel Savoy Baur en Ville in Zurich on Tuesday 14 September 2021.

We are delighted to invite you to attend the ICC International Trade & Prosperity Week – RESETTING THE GLOBAL ECONOMY, 18^th – 22^nd October virtual event.

ICC ITPW 2021 brings together over 1,000 attendees from across the world and is the flagship conference of the year that encompasses all major policy priorities to specifically address “how” companies, organisations and governments are implementing solutions that deliver more inclusive, sustainable, and greener outcomes to build back better.

11+ WEBINARS | 5 DAYS | 50+ SPEAKERS

Supported by over 27 ICC offices worldwide, each day has its own theme:

DAY 1 – Trade Priorities, Trends and Analysis

DAY 2 – Climate Action & Sustainable Growth

DAY 3 – Digital Trade

DAY 4 – Tackling the Trade Finance Gap & Cybersecurity

DAY 5 – ICC Global Alliance Day – webinars hosted by the ICC global community

• Hosted via a new online platform, those that register will be able to:

• Access the full 5 days’ worth of content

• Personalise their agenda

• Network with attendees, speakers & sponsors

• Schedule one-to-one meetings and calls

REASONS TO ATTEND:

International audience and speakers bringing insights from across the world

Opportunity to network in advance of the event using our new virtual platform - make global connections

Select the webinars most relevant to you and watch content on demand

Register here

Paris/Zurich, 1 July 2021 - Claudia Salomon has begun her term as President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration – Three Swiss have been elected members of the Court

Ms Salomon, who takes the reins from former ICC Court President Alexis Mourre, was formally elected on 11 June by ICC’s supreme governing body, the World Council. Her election marks a milestone in the ICC Court’s almost 100-year history as the first woman to become President of the world’s preferred arbitral institution.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is organizing the International Forum "The Future of International Supply Chains - Sustainable, Digital, Smart" from June to October 2021.

At the Forum we will take a look at the benefits and challenges of international supply chains.

The “ICC-CCIG Series” address major themes related to international trade with a dual purpose: updating Members on issues that are currently being discussed at the United Nations, World Trade Organization and other international organizations in Geneva; and illustrate the way businesses, actors of world governance, civil society and researchers can successfully cooperate towards common global goals.

The second event of the series is dedicated to business and human rights. ICC continuously promotes best practices to its members – domestic and international companies of all sizes and sectors– aimed at enhancing their internal management of human rights and other corporate responsibility areas. The event is held in connection with the 10^th anniversary of the unanimous endorsement by the Human Rights Council of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), which is celebrated in June 2021.

More information on the programme as well as registration can be found here.

We are pleased to announce a webinar on Thursday 6 May, 17:00, on trade and environmental sustainability. This webinar will launch a series of events co-organised by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the CCIG. It fits into the series of Geneva Business Dialogues organised by ICC Switzerland which the objective is to strengthen global prosperity and development through trade and investment.

More information as well as the possibility to register you find here. 

Model-WTO has carried out their 2021 conference over the past week with great success. Over 50 participants from 5 different continents came together virtually, spending a fruitful and informative week.

The Model-WTO international conference provides a unique opportunity for future decision makers to experience first hand the technicalities of the multilateral trading system, which ICC Switzerland is delighted to support!

13/04/2021

London and Kuala Lumpur

The Gulf of Guinea accounted for nearly half (43%) of all reported piracy incidents in the first three months of 2021, according to the latest figures from the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

IMB’s latest global piracy report records 38 incidents since the start of 2021 – compared with 47 incidents during the same period last year. In the first three months of 2021, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) reported 33 vessels boarded, two attempted attacks, two vessels fired upon, and one vessel hijacked.

Despite a drop in the number of reported piracy incidents for Q1 2021, violence against crew is on the rise in comparison to previous years. Since the start of 2021, 40 crew have been kidnapped compared to 22 crew in Q1 2020. A crew member was also killed in Q1 2021.

Gulf of Guinea

The Gulf of Guinea continues to be particularly dangerous for seafarers with 43% of all reported piracy incidents occurring in the region. In addition, the region accounted for all 40 kidnapped crew incidents, as well as the sole crew fatality, according to IMB.

“Pirates operating within the Gulf of Guinea are well-equipped to attack further away from shorelines and are unafraid to take violent action against innocent crews” warns IMB Director Michael Howlett. “It’s critical that seafarers remain cautious and vigilant when travelling in nearby waters and report all incidents to the Regional Authorities and the IMB PRC. Only improved knowledge sharing channels and increased collaboration between maritime response authorities will reduce the risk to seafarers in the region.”

The furthest recorded kidnapping occurred on 11 March 2021 when pirates kidnapped 15 crew from a Maltese flagged Chemical Tanker, 212nm south of Cotonou, Benin. In another incident, a fishing vessel hijacked on 8 February 2021 was used by pirates as a mother vessel to facilitate other attacks.

The IMB PRC commends the Coastal response agencies and independent international navies tasked in the Region for actively responding to reported incidents and encourages their continued efforts in making the GoG waters safer for the seafarers.

New Arbitration Rules Webinar

24. March 2021, 16:30 - 17:30 CET

On 1^st December 2020, ICC Court of Arbitration launched its revised Rules of Arbitration (“2021 ICC Rules”), which entered into force on 1 January 2021.

We have the pleasure to invite you to an information and roundtable event on 24 March 2021, which will provide you with a brief overview of the relevant revision points and an in-depth practical insight into some key aspects of the revision topics.

Please feel free to forward this invitation to colleagues. Non-members are also welcome to participate.

Registration here

Please regsiter until 17 March 2021 at the latest.

Impact of export controls on Covid-19 vaccine supplies and the economic case for vaccine equity

Dear Commission President,

As the institutional representative and global voice of over 45 million businesses, I am writing to express the global business community’s concern at proposals – which we understand have been tabled by the Commission this week – to impose controls on the export of COVID-19 vaccines manufactured in the European Union.

While we, of course, appreciate that the draft regulation is ultimately well intentioned, I hope that you may be willing – together with your college of Commissioners – to reflect on the negative consequences of trade restrictions on the supply of vaccines for EU citizens when viewed in a broader context.    

In this connection, I would like to emphasise two important frames of reference. First, from discussions with businesses with experience operating within vaccine supply chains, we understand that the introduction of export restrictions risks creating artificial chokepoints in the manufacturing and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines – arguably undermining the core intent of the proposals to speed vaccine rollout across the EU.  

As you will be aware, vaccine supply chains are inherently global in nature – indeed, some inputs required for approved COVID-19 vaccinations can only be sourced in a handful of countries. In this context, our immediate fear is that the proposed EU export controls risk triggering retaliatory actions by third countries that could very rapidly erode essential supply chains. 

Study shows vaccine nationalism could cost rich countries US$4.5 trillion

• Comprehensive economic modelling shows advanced economies stand to lose USD trillions through vaccine nationalism – more than previously thought

• Economic benefits of funding multilateral efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccines dwarf the costs

• Advanced economies with international linkages have the most to gain from global collaboration on vaccine access and distribution

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General WHO:

“I believe the world faces a catastrophic moral failure in equal access to the tools to combat the pandemic. This research shows a potentially catastrophic economic failure. The progress made by the ACT Accelerator shows solidarity in beating this virus.

The longer we wait to provide vaccines, tests, and treatments to all countries, the faster the virus will take hold, the potential for more variants will emerge, the greater the chance today’s vaccines could become ineffective, and the harder it will be for all countries to recover.

Truly, no-one is safe until everyone is safe.” 

Read the full ICC press release in English, French and German.  The full study is availbale here. 

New Arbitration Rules Webinar

16 December 2020, 16:00 p.m.

In collaboration with ICC France and ICC Belgium, ICC Switzerland offers a Webinar in French about the new Arbitration Rules stepping into place on 1 January 2021.

Find more information here.

The Webinar is free of charge, safe the date now and register here!

29. November 2020

By Thomas Pletscher, Secretary General, ICC Switzerland

Personal appreciation of timing and effect

Today and after a harsh and emotional campaign on both sides, Switzerland voted on a popular initiative to amend the Constitution in order to strengthen responsible business conduct (RBI) in the field of human rights and environmental standards. The proposal was rejected in a tight vote (50.7% yes by people) and with a clear majority of the Cantons being against. Any amendment of the Constitution has to be approved by the people as well as the Cantons.

The RBI would had requested strict due dilligence along the whole supply chain and a direct liability in Switzerland for mother companies for damages caused by themselves as well as subsidiaries and economically dependent suppliers abroad. Concrete conditions an details would have been defined in an implentation law to be elaborated after a positive vote. This would have taken some more years due to the legislative process.

The Parliament has already approved a counter proposal (CP). This CP obliges Companies to strict due diligence in relation to human rights, environmental standards and anti-coruption. Special respect has to be given to raw material and child labor. The CP can be compared with the laws in France, Netherlands or United Kingdom as well with proposed rules in the EU. Liability rules are not changed. Some claims are already possible under existing law (but have never been tested), notably when «headquarters are directly involved in violations». Court pactice will show whether due dilligence and reporting obligations will change the perception of «being directly involved».