ICC Named UN Observer – Big Business Gets A Seat At The UN Table

The International Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business organisation, today was granted observer status at the United Nations General Assembly, given business a direct voice in the UN system for the first time ever, the ICC announced.

“The decision – taken by 193 members of the UN General Assembly during its on-going 71st session in New York – is the first time that a business organisation has been admitted as an Observer at the UN General Assembly. The list of UN observers is highly restricted and features principally intergovernmental organisations,” the ICC said in a statement available here.

“The new role for ICC means that business will for the first time have direct voice in the UN system,” it said. “The decision paves the way for ICC to contribute directly to the work of the General Assembly and reflects the vital role the private sector will play in implementing the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

The ICC has significant activities related to intellectual property enforcement, research, and digital economy. It hosts BASCAP, the Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy.

“ICC’s new status could not have come at a more important time: not only does the United Nations 2030 Agenda place an unprecedented focus on the private sector to drive sustainable development; but there is also an urgent need to counter growing populist and protectionist forces within the global economy. ICC has indicated that its key areas of engagement with the United Nations will be trade, sustainable development, the global refugee crisis, and the digital economy,” the organisation said.

Today’s resolution to grant observer status to the ICC was submitted by France and was supported by 22 other member states, the Paris-based industry group said. It will take effect on 1 January 2017.