UN General Assembly Grants Observer Status to ICC

• UN General Assembly Grants Observer Status to ICC

The United Nations General Assembly has granted observer status to the International Chamber of Commerce.

The decision, according to a statement by the chamber, was taken by 193 members of the UN General Assembly during its 71st session in New York.

The statement read in part, “It 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 new role for the ICC means that business will for the first time have direct voice in the UN system. The decision paves the way for the 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 Chairman, Sunil Mittal, was quoted as saying, “This is a huge recognition of the role that business can play in contributing to a better and peaceful world. There is only one route to meeting the many challenges that face our society-from climate change to mass migration-and that is for governments and civil societies to work hand-in-hand with the private sector.

“Granting observer status to the ICC sends a powerful signal that the UN recognises business as a vital partner. We stand ready to ensure that the private sector plays a full role in meeting the ambition of the 2030 agenda.”