The ICC World Chambers Federation has unveiled a groundbreaking series of Regional Summits aimed at tackling global challenges through a regional perspective.
Building on the resounding success of the World Chambers Congress, the summits serve as platforms for chambers and businesses to collaborate and lead the response to challenges and opportunities.
WCF Chair Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said:
“Regional focus is vital to amplify the voice of the real economy and to ensure the work programme of our World Chambers Federation remains inclusive, regionally relevant and impactful. The WCF Regional Summits mark a significant milestone in our efforts to foster global collaboration and address challenges through a regional lens.”
ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton said:
“Inclusivity is our guiding principle for effective multilateralism. Our ICC regional summits will underscore the pressing need for enhanced global cooperation and governance while ensuring chambers and businesses, large and small, have a voice in the decision-making processes that shape international cooperation and economic development.”
The summits will enable knowledge sharing and capacity building around the four key pillars of the WCF work plan: Empowerment of women, enhanced access to global markets for MSMEs, digitalisation for MSMEs, and sustainability in business and climate action.
Open to WCF members and non-members alike, Regional Summits will be co-hosted with local chambers further extending ICC’s influence and global reach to positively impact the operations of smaller businesses that are the economic backbone of communities worldwide.
The inaugural WCF Regional Summit will be hosted by the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce and take place in Bogotá from May 8-10, 2024.
Executive President of the Bogotá Chamber Ovidio Claros said:
“We are thrilled to co-host this groundbreaking regional Summit. This inclusive event aims to unite chamber members, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs in fostering solutions for MSMEs to access new markets, ultimately contributing to a more prosperous future for all globally.”
A second WCF Regional Summit, to be hosted by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), is scheduled to take place from 23-25 October in Istanbul.
Chambers interested in hosting a WCF Regional Summit are encouraged to contact ICC WCF for more information.
