A seat for business at the UN General Assembly

ICC has held Observer Status at the United Nations General Assembly since 2016 – the first and only private sector organisation admitted to date. We’ve used our seat to bring the voice of more than 45 million businesses into the room where global priorities are set.

Go directly to:

Become a member

The only private-sector observer.

The UN General Assembly granted ICC observer status by consensus in 2016, affirming that the world’s biggest challenges can’t be solved without business. Today, we use that seat to put the experience of the real economy behind global decisions, drawing on more than a century of making multilateral trade work in practice.

“A powerful signal that the UN recognises business as a vital partner.”
ICC, on the General Assembly’s decision, 13 December 2016

Resolution

A/RES/71/156

Adopted

13 December 2016

71^st UNGA session

In effect since

1 January 2017

Support

Consensus

No vote. 23 sponsoring states

When business works alongside government

The world’s biggest challenges are economic challenges too. Climate, development, health and trade all turn on investment, jobs and technology – the things business delivers.

Governments set the direction. Business helps turn ambition into action. And when policy and business work together, the economy can deliver.

Goals need growth to deliver them

No sustainable development without business.

The 2030 Agenda asks more of business than any global framework before it. Closing the financing gap, creating decent jobs and scaling clean technology all need business acting at scale.

Policy must work in practice

We bring real-economy expertise.

With business at the table, the United Nations get a direct line to evidence on how policy affects companies on the ground. That means fewer unintended consequences, faster implementation and policies that deliver real results.

Global decisions need every voice

A network spanning more than 170 countries.

Through our national committees and chambers, we carry the realities of local business – from small- and medium-sized enterprises to multinationals – straight to the global stage, giving more than 45 million companies a voice in global decision-making.

Bring your perspective to the UN

ICC’s observer status is only as strong as the network behind it. Through engagement via your national committee, you can help shape the business messages ICC brings to the United Nations General Assembly.

Become a member