Set yourself up for the day ahead with some networking facilitated by our dedicated matchmaking app.

Get the most out of your Congress experience by joining our orientation session. We will explain the main ingredients of the programme, which captures the connections between multilateralism, innovation and sustainability, as well as the need to act. Connect with fellow participants and join us as we explore the context in which our World Chambers Congress is taking place and the collective outcomes we are seeking to achieve.  

In a world of geopolitical and economic volatility, the belief that cross-border commerce and economic integration are conducive to peace and prosperity is being challenged. But opportunities abound for business and chambers everywhere to stand up for the global economy and make multilateralism work for everyone, everywhere. This introductory session serves as an overview of how multilateralism serves all parties of international commerce, MSMEs, chambers and international organisations.

Welcome to Geneva and the 13th World Chambers Congress. Join us to officially begin proceedings in our high-level opening ceremony featuring special guests and our Congress hosts the International Chamber of Commerce, World Chambers Federation and the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services.

Join us at the 13th World Chambers Congress for an insightful interview session featuring the esteemed CEO of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, the world’s No. 1 container shipping line. In this engaging discussion, we will delve into the transformative power of international trade in today’s interconnected world. During this session, the CEO of MSC will share his expertise, experiences, and strategic insights on the benefits of international trade. MSC has played a pivotal role in facilitating global trade, connecting businesses, and fostering economic growth across diverse regions thanks to its shipping lines, logistics and port terminals businesses.

This session will oversee how low-income countries can access global markets thanks to their raw materials supply. What frameworks are needed to make developing countries partners for co-creating prosperity and opportunity for people and our planet? How can your business leverage international trade in raw materials? And how can chamber activity support these goals?

Time to take a break and make connections. Check out our world-class exhibition area and brand new feature: the Business Circle.

All eyes are on our multilateral institutions to provide rulebooks for addressing global disruptions and making globalisation as inclusive as possible. How can chambers and businesses, as multilateral institutions, contribute to this ecosystem?

Today, across the world, millions of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) remain excluded from the benefits of international trade. Public private partnerships are empowering greater access for the many small businesses who lack the resources to navigate complex, opaque border processes. Join this session to learn how chambers, businesses and governments are working together to simplify, modernise and digitalise trade and make business work for everyone, everywhere, every day.

The global economic and business landscape is shifting… and it is shifting faster than ever before. With this in mind, we’re reserving a session to discuss the very latest issues emerging at the very time we meet. We’ve got our finger on the pulse of issues affecting people and planet and are committed to remaining agile in our programming to ensure we bring you the very latest insight.

Time for food for thought to take a break and make connections. Check out our world-class exhibition area and brand new feature: the Business Circle.

Check out these new tools and services for your MSME:

Innovative, agile and purpose driven, chambers worldwide are a driving force for supporting multilateralism through forward-thinking tools, programmes and partnerships. Join our World Chambers Competition finalists to learn about the pioneering activities impacting businesses and communities and vote for the projects you find most inspiring.

Best partnership project finalists:

• Cali Chamber of Commerce (Colombia) – Cámara a la Calle: Partnerships for Developing Placed Based Strategies in Low Income Communities
• Portuguese Chamber Of Commerce And Industry (Portugal) – Internationalizing Businesses With Tailor Made Support
• Istanbul Chamber of Industry (Turkey)- ISO MEIP: Istanbul Chamber of Industry – Vocational Education and Training (VET) Cooperation Project
• Auckland Business Chamber of Commerce (New Zealand) – First Steps: Mental Health and Wellbeing; a business leaders’ strength- a potential weakness

The objective of this session is to explore the role of arbitration in fostering peace and prosperity through the voluntary acceptance of agreed rules. The panelists will discuss the importance of consensual dispute resolution, the benefits of a rules-based global economy, and how arbitration can promote international transactions, including with states and state owned enterprises. The session aims to provide a big picture view of the role of arbitration in strengthening multilateralism and global governance.

Time to take a break and replenish after our morning sessions. Why not check out our world class exhibition area or take time to re-connect with chamber peers.

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Check out our brand new feature: the Business Circle:

As world food supplies become subject to geopolitics, food shortage becomes a growing risk. How to deal with food used as a means of exerting political pressure in a multilateral world?  To avert crisis and secure the global food system, the agri-food sector requires strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. How can MSMEs and chambers contribute to a cross-sectoral effort to secure global supply chains?

International organisations, governments and civil society cannot address global issues and successfully implement the SDGs working alone. The expertise, experience and innovative solutions of all stakeholders, including small business, entrepreneurs, governments and NGOs are needed. Chambers worldwide are playing a pivotal role in pioneering partnerships that are key to supporting a multilateral model that needs to work for generations to come. We’re shining a spotlight on just some projects making a real impact.

Political stability is a necessary precondition for business activities. At the same time, trade can contribute to creating political stability. Let us hear from two representatives from Ukraine on the economic conditions in their war-torn country.

Based on our findings from our opening session, it’s time to turn words into commitment to ensure a brighter future for the leaders of tomorrow. It is incumbent on us to pave the way for the next generation so what actions are we going to take to ensure multilateralism is fit for purpose in the 21st century?

Together we’ll look back on the most salient moments of day one to summarise key learnings and insights. We’ll also be taking questions from participants.

Time to unwind from the day’s activities and connect with your Congress hosts and fellow participants, set up exclusively for #13WCC participants.

Set yourself up for the day ahead with some networking facilitated by our dedicated matchmaking app.

Let’s check in this morning for a reminder of our progress and commitments so far. We’re also looking ahead to the day’s activities and discussions to set up for success. Participants receive a rapid overview of the programme for the day and their role in it.

Did you know that Switzerland ranked among the most entrepreneurial and innovative economies in the world? Join this session to listen to two entrepreneurs tell their stories underlining the vital role of innovation and how chambers have led them to their business success.

Innovation culture is a workplace environment that encourages creativity and unconventional thinking. What are the tools, attitudes, and leadership decisions that create a culture of ongoing innovation in organisations?

The CMI enables chambers to become resilient and forward looking by harnessing power of data and designing services that meet customers’ needs. Come and listen to this category’s finalists to understand how they have worked with the CMI framework.

Best Chamber Model Innovation project finalists:

• Ankara Chamber Of Commerce (Turkey) – ATONET MEMBER SERVICE PLATFORM PROJECT
• Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce (USA) – Tampa Bay Chamber Minority Business Accelerator Program
• Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USA) – Contract Radar – Artificial intelligence for all business
• China Council for the Promotion of International Trade – China Chamber of Commerce (China) – Promoting Utilization Rate of RCEP and other FTAs: Chamber of Commerce plays a crucial role by conducting theoretical research and encouraging practical exploration

Time to take a break and replenish after our morning sessions. Why not check out our world class exhibition area or take time to re-connect with chamber peers?

11:10-11:20: Fongit

Fongit is Switzerland’s premier innovation hub. Fongit specialise in deep tech, high impact innovation. Fongit currently supports over 150 startups and projects in Geneva.

Time for food for thought to take a break and make connections. Check out our world-class exhibition area and brand new feature: the Business Circle.

Check out these new tools and services for your MSME:

Time to take a break and replenish after our morning sessions. Why not check out our world class exhibition area or take time to re-connect with chamber peers?

Check out our world-class exhibition area and brand new feature: the Business Circle.

Check out theis new tool and service for your MSME:

15:35 – 15:40: FIATA – FIATA, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, is a non-governmental, membership-based organisation representing freight forwarders in some 150 countries. FIATA’s membership is composed of 109 Association Members and over 5,500 Individual Members, overall representing an industry of 40,000 freight forwarding and logistics firms worldwide. FIATA is a reference source on international policies and regulations governing the freight forwarding and logistics industry. FIATA works at the international level to represent service providers who operate in trade logistics and supply chain management.

– Presented by Stéphane Graber

Big data, open data, metadata, data warehousing, data mining, general data protection regulation… the increasingly data-driven nature of the economy poses challenges for businesses and policymakers alike. How do businesses use cross-border data flows to innovate their businesses? How do chambers assist this cross-border data flow?

What is the relationship between innovation and intellectual property (IP)? How often does IP infringement lead to bankruptcy for SMEs? How can IP help an entrepreneur succeed? and what is the role of chambers? These are some of the questions to be discussed in this session including speakers from industry, international organizations, and chambers of commerce.

The four finalists in this category have developed unique and pioneering projects in an activity not typically associated with their everyday mission and objectives, while increasing job creation to enhance local economies.

Best unconventional project finalists:

• Dubai Chambers (UAE) – Intelligent Certificate of Origin
• Business NSW (Australia) – Business NSW Critical Response Business Hub – Northern Rivers NSW, Australia
• Alexandria Chamber of Commerce (Egypt) – THE SOLAR CHAMBER: Harvesting the Sun for its members
• Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (Austria) – “Commercial Approach to Anti-Corruption”

Time to unwind from the day’s activities until we catch up tomorrow.

Set yourself up for the day ahead with some networking facilitated by our dedicated matchmaking app.

Check in for a reminder of what took place on Day 2, before focusing on the day ahead.

Discover the hidden dangers of environmental crimes and their impact on your business. With INTERPOL’s expertise, gain insights on how to protect your company from reputational, operational, and financial risks. Uncover the truth and secure a sustainable future for your business.

Effective supply chain management can help businesses build a competitive advantage, avoid reputational damage and advance global sustainability goals. Decent work and economic growth, together with responsible consumption and production are key features for sustainable development. But when managing their relationships with suppliers, do businesses know how to eliminate unsustainable activities to strengthen positive development for an ethical supply chain?

The energy transition promises to deliver on the UN Sustainable Development goals and a brighter future for all. But set against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions, economic insecurity and social injustice how can chambers and smaller businesses drive the energy transition and turn the challenges into opportunities?

Time to take a break and replenish after our morning sessions. Why not check out our world class exhibition area or take time to re-connect with chamber peers?

Check out our world-class exhibition area and brand new feature: the Business Circle.

Check out these new tools and services for your MSME:

10:35 – 10:40: GIST Impact – Today, we are the go-to provider for high-quality impact data and intelligence, and are proud to call some of the world’s largest investors and companies our clients and partners.

– Presented by Anupama V S.

This session will put the spotlight on chambers that have implemented successful gender balance initiatives, showing positive outcomes for the sustainable development of chambers and/or their local communities.

Best gender equality project finalists:

• The Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Georgia) – A Joint Action for Women’s Economic Empowerment in Georgia
• Chamber of Commerce of Bolzano-Bozen (Italy) – More women in the board of directors (MoWe Board)
• Victorian Chamber Of Commerce And Industry (Australia) – Chamber Change
• Gaziantep Chamber Of Commerce (Turkey) – Strengthen The Capacity of Women Entrepreneurs and Women-Led Cooperatives

Attracting and maintaining talent is key to company growth and competitiveness. Can we detect talent at an early age and develop it towards an increasingly demanding labor market and do smaller companies know what to offer young employees in return for their skills, creativity, energy? If you think a competitive salary is the only consideration for attracting and keeping talent, it’s time to check the facts. The Covid pandemic in addition to shifting workplace cultures and values is changing the recruitment and career development environment. So let’s shed some light on the measures companies can take to recruit and keep their best performers.

Time for food for thought to take a break and make connections. Check out our world-class exhibition area and brand new feature: the Business Circle.

Check out these tools and services for your MSME:

How do we start thinking about a future in which environmental, social and economic considerations are balanced in the pursuit of development and a better quality of life? A different type of leadership is required, based on three essential tenets: effective communication, authenticity and cross-cultural competency. More than ever, sound leadership is to focus on inspiring followers.  For the first time, numerous international institutions are led by women. Let’s hear from four of these influential women how they work with these new leadership paradigms.

By reflecting on the commitments made in the Geneva Manifesto, we wish to inspire action and encourage ongoing collaboration towards a more prosperous and equitable future for all. Join us as we discuss progress, challenges, and opportunities towards reinforcing multilateralism, rules-based trade, and effective international cooperation.

Join Michel Barnier, renowned diplomat and Former French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, as he discusses the pivotal role of multilateralism in achieving peace and prosperity. Gain unique insights into the challenges and opportunities of navigating complex international negotiations, including his experience as the chief negotiator Brexit process. Discover how to foster collaboration, dialogue, and consensus-building for a better and sustainable future. Don’t miss this engaging session with Barnier, a leading advocate for multilateralism, as he shares his vision for a world driven by cooperative global efforts. 

Wishing participants farewell and thank you, Geneva Chamber will officially pass the baton to the next 14th World Chambers Congress co-organiser in the Asia-Pacific region.

Time to kick back and celebrate the work we have undertaken together during three Congress days. Chamber innovation will still be in focus though as we honour the inspiring finalists and winners of our World Chambers Competition.