Busy Season for World Chambers Federation
I recently attended the Fall General Council meeting of the World Chambers Federation, in Istanbul, Turkiye. The World Chambers Federation has grown significantly in 2024, now representing 3800 chambers worldwide. At the fall meeting, several new initiatives of interest to North American chambers were unveiled:
Several small business articles are provided to assist with international trade transactions. Articles including how to enter a new international market are available through One-Click. Other articles inclue tips for creating an international contract, including the proper clauses and Incoterms rules for a successful business relationship, and tips on how to solve and avoid company disputes are now available with this service.
This report presents findings of the ICC World Chambers Federation 2024 Global economic survey. It captures the perspectives of senior executives on key economic and climate issues, providing insights from over 200 chambers of commerce worldwide, representing economies that collectively account for 90% of global GDP.
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
September 2-4, 2025
Plans for the 14th World Chambers Congress are shaping up for Sept 2-4, 2025 in Melbourne Australia. Registration opens in January 2025. Voting has also opened in the competition to select a 2027 host for the bi-ennial Congress . The selection jury will complete its voting in December. An announcement will be made before year end, that the conference will be awarded to either San Juan, Puerto Rico or Toronto, Canada.
2025 World Chambers Competition
Here’s an opportunity to showcase one of your chamber’s most creative initiatives. Started in 2003 at the Quebec City World Chambers Congress, applications are now being accepted for the 2025 contest. The application process closes March 7, 2025.
There are four categories:
· Best chamber innovation project
· Best ‘out-of-the-box’ project
· Best green transition project
· Best collaboration of chambers, business and government project
· Best diversity and inclusion project, recognizing chambers that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within their projects.
The World Chambers Federation (WCF) 2022-25 Strategic Plan established women’s empowerment as one of four strategic pillars along with digital transformation, climate action and international trade. The terms of reference for the Women’s Council are outlined in the link above. Responsibilities of the Council include practical initiatives, tools and services to increase engagement of women in the World Chambers Federation. If you are interested in participating on this Council, please let me know. General Council members are invited to nominate a person from their country and one from another country. As Vice-chair for The Americas, I would be happy to nominate a Canadian and an American representative to match existing South and Central American representation on the Council.
In all, it has been a busy fall season for the World Chambers Federation’s General Council. Next meeting of the General Council occurs in Nairobi, Kenya, April 9-11, 2025.
