International Chamber of Commerce celebrate 100 years

ICC Sri Lanka Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody (second from right) chairs the meeting 

The ICC, founded in Paris, France, in 1919, completes 100 years this year. The organisation’s international secretariat was also established in Paris, and its International Court of Arbitration was formed in 1923. 

The International Chamber of Commerce is the largest, most diverse business organisation in the world. The ICC has over six million member companies from more than 100 countries and broad business interests. 

The ICC›s vast networks of committees and experts belong to all sectors and keep members fully informed of all issues that affect their industries. 

ICC Paris maintains contact with the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and other intergovernmental agencies. Unilever Global CEO Paul Polman was elected in 2019, to take over from Sunil Bharti Mittal as ICC Chair. Polman is a renowned champion of sustainable development.

To celebrate the 100-year anniversary in 2019, ICC will hold five regional events, each focusing on a major trend or disruption in the global economy.

The five themes will be:

1. The digital revolution

2. Inclusive, sustainable growth

3. The future of food systems

4. Innovation, creativity and intellectual property

5. Future enterprises: fostering a start-up ecosystem.

The regional events are intended to highlight ICC’s thought leadership in these fields and will be used to deepen ICC’s reach in key geographies: Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, Broader Middle East North Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas.

ICC Sri Lanka Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody noted: “As the voice of the private sector on the world stage, ICC is now looking to enhance the Chamber’s international presence with the objective of enabling business to secure peace, prosperity and opportunity for all.”

In Sri Lanka, the ICC national committee has been in existence for over 60 years. The Chamber engages with the business community to promote good business practices and acts as a voice for the business community on policy advocacy. 

ICC Sri Lanka also is responsible for issuing the international guarantee chain of ATA Carnets – the Customs document allowing the duty-free and tax-free temporary import of goods.