International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Website: http://www.iccwbo.org/
Category: Business
Year of Foundation: 1920
Location of Foundation: Paris, France
Location of Headquarters: Paris, France
Brief Description: The International Chamber of Commerce describes itself as 'the voice of world business championing the global economy as a force for economic growth, job creation and prosperity' (source: www.iccwbo.org; accessed 11 January 2010)
Founding Rationales:
At the constitutive congress of the International Chamber of Commerce, J. H. Fahey, President of the Permanent Organization Committee, described the objectives of the International Chamber of Commerce as: 'to facilitate commercial relations among nations; to ensure the coordination of business in all international questions concerning commerce and industry; to contribute towards the progress and maintenance of peace through the development of cordial relations among the citizens of all countries, and through promotion of the cooperation of businessmen and organizations concerned with the development of commerce and industry.'
The organization committee suggested that the initial objectives of the International Chamber of Commerce should be: '(a) to create a general secretariat to centralise all of the information of an economic and social nature, all information on needs and on the actual and eventual production in all countries; (b) to suggest to governments laws and commercial regulations to facilitate the development of economic relations; (c) to educate opinion by publishing economic bulletins and reports by experts and technical commissions; (d) to put at the disposal of government services the reports prepared by these experts.'
Source: translated from 'Chambre de Commerce Internationale. Congrès Constitutif. Paris. 23-30 Juin 1920', pp. 27, 5
Evolution of Membership (Organizations):
Sources: HIO; YIA; EAIO