World Chambers Unite
Think Global; Act Local.
The International Chamber of Commerce World Chambers Federation helps business work for everyone, every day, everywhere.
Chambers play an integral role not only in helping local businesses succeed but also driving prosperity in their community. But it doesn’t stop there. Local chambers also have a much broader impact, shaping policies for their provincial and national chambers. In fact, through the generosity of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, local chambers are also united internationally as members of the World Chambers Federation (WCF).
The Federation is a world-wide network supported by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Membership consists of more than 1400 chambers of commerce from around the world. ICC’s mission is to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere, by promoting open international trade and investment systems that foster peace, prosperity and opportunity for all.
As the global chamber network, WCF is governed by a volunteer board of directors and is currently chaired by Rifat Hisarciklioglu President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) in Turkey. Rifat is supported by 7 vice-chairs representing The Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East North Africa and Oceania-Southeast Asia.
The focus of the World Chambers Federation is to build the capacity of chambers of commerce so that they can meet the growing demands of their respective memberships, particularly the needs of small and medium enterprises worldwide. Areas of focus for the 2023-2025 period include:
· Accelerating adoption of digital transformation within SMEs
· Encouraging more international trade
· Empowering more women’s leadership
· Taking tangible action on climate change
What are the World Chambers Federation’s key initiatives?
WCF is a volunteer network supported by local chambers and their national committees. Its strong impact is derived from its membership and the volunteer time invested by Chamber CEOs globally.
WCF Initiatives include:
· The Bi-ennial World Chambers Congress (WCC) – following a very successful 13th WCC in Geneva last year, the location of the 14th WCC will be in Melbourne Australia, September 2-4, 2025. The theme is “ESG Starts Here” and will be value-packed for chambers wanting to develop more initiatives in sustainable development aligned with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The 15th WCC will be held in the Americas region in 2027 and might be Canada. A decision will be made in November of this year. Canada last hosted the World Chambers Congress in Quebec City in 2003.
· Regional Summits – occur in non-biennial years, with the next one slated for Bogota Colombia May 8-10. I know that a number of Canadian chambers have advised their membership about the 700 strong B2B matchmaking forum that is part of the Summit themed: “Business Beyond Borders: MSMEs Going Global”.
· Chamber Challenge – this prestigious award competition, shines a light on some of the amazing initiatives carried out by chambers world-wide. The competition, held at the Congress celebrate the best chamber initiatives in digitization; gender equality; sustainability or other unique and unconventional chamber categories. Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, in Ontario, won the unconventional initiative award a few Congresses ago.
· CMI Playbook – this free-to-members guidebook, authored by the Dubai Chamber, provides step-by-step guidance on bringing innovative processes, products and thoughts to your chamber. It’s a great framework for sparking chamber innovation.
· WCF Newsletter – this monthly newsletter includes many articles profiling the successes of chambers around the world. Make sure you are on the distribution list by contacting the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
· Chambers Connect – is an online platform available to members to showcase high-impact local projects and initiatives. Learn more about Chambers Connect.
· Guidance and Introductions from ICC – Synergy derived through engagement with the International Chamber of Commerce on international trade issues and much more cannot be understated. The network of referrals and introductions can boost your chamber’s global trade and investment initiatives.
I encourage you to learn more about ICC and the World Chambers Federation by visiting their website www.iccwbo.org . Chamber executives looking for a competitive edge will find new ways to build capacity and identify tangible solutions to assist their members in trade, women’s leadership, sustainability and digital transformation. Executives are welcome to join WCF committees to help shape global impact on these initiatives. If you are interested in building your chamber’s international profile and your own confidence and influence in response to ever-changing geopolitical shifts, the World Chambers Federation is a great place to start.
How does one take membership in the World Chambers Federation?
WCF membership, in most parts of the world, including Canada, are paid by a national committee directly to the International Chamber of Commerce. Canada’s national committee then provides WCF membership as an added benefit to national membership.
In the U.S., the national committee is currently designated by ICC as USCIB – the United States Council on International Business. USCIB charges approximately $500 to local chambers to become a WCF member.
