History
ICC
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) was founded in the aftermath of the First World War, when no global system of rules governed trade, investment, finance or commercial relations.
Without waiting for governments to fill the gap, ICC’s founders acted on their conviction that the private sector is best qualified to set global standards for business. They called themselves “merchants of peace”.
After the First World War ended, a group of European and American businessmen convened in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and decided to “continue in peace” the cooperation that the war had brought about between the Allies.
Etienne Clémentel, French Minister of Commerce since 1915, led the European delegation, which was composed of French, British, Belgian and Italian representatives. His initiative, along with the determination of the business leaders who were gathered in Atlantic City on 20–24 October 1919, led to the creation of the International Chamber of Commerce.
ICC Switzerland
Over the course of its history, Vorort (now known as economiesuisse) has been affiliated with several international organisations. In 1922, it formed and joined the Swiss National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (now ICC Switzerland) together with the Swiss Bankers’ Association and the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in France.
At the meeting of the World Council (General Assembly) of the International Chamber of Commerce on 26 May 1922, Switzerland was admitted as a new National Committee. Vorort and the Swiss Bankers Association were admitted as active members – with the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in France. The Swiss National Committee was then established.
A first meeting of the Swiss National Committee was scheduled for 7 July 1922. Vorort was assigned four delegates, the Swiss Bankers Association three, and the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in France one representative in the board of the Swiss National Committee. The Secretariat has been assigned to Vorort.
ICC Switzerland celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022. This was an opportunity to look back at the origins and the past of ICC and ICC Switzerland.
John Denton message to ICC Switzerland
Celebrations on 27th June 2022 with Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin
