What is the International Chamber of Commerce?

In 1919, shortly after the end of the First World War, the members of the business communities in Belgium, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States decided to create a non-profit association, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), to promote trade and investment and open up markets for goods and services and the free flow of capital at the international level. Ever since its creation the ICC’s headquarters have been in Paris, except for a brief period during the Second World War in 1939 when operations were transferred to neutral Sweden. Undoubtedly, the ICC is one of the largest and best-known international business organisations with member companies, associations and individuals in approximately 130 countries and representations (national committees and groups) in 92 countries. The organisation celebrated its 90th anniversary in Paris on 5 March 2009. During this event, the organisation stressed the importance of multilateral trading systems and dangers of the current rise in protectionism during a time of deep worldwide recession.