ICC hosts global briefing with OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann

Led by ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO, the global briefing took place in consonance with ICC efforts to enhance relations with key regional and international organisations that seek greater private sector engagement to secure peace, prosperity and opportunity for all. ICC and OECD are currently discussing an action plan to build on longstanding collaborations in several key policy areas, from global taxation to trusted data flows.   

Mr Cormann, whose five-year term as OECD Secretary General commenced on 1 June 2021, said: “We believe that policies based on a commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law and market-based economic principles offer the best prospects for the highest and best possible living standards for individuals, the communities in which they live and their countries. We therefore want to see how our values and our principles advance all around the world to help offer those opportunities.” 

Addressing more than 175 business leaders and ICC representatives from 35 countries, Mr Cormann gave a breakdown of strategic, high-level priorities for the OECD. They included ongoing work to optimise the global recovery in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, providing and supporting global leadership on climate action to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, addressing policy issues relating to the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation and ensuring well-functioning global markets governed by a rules-based trading system.  

“There are many issues that can only be addressed effectively through global cooperation and global engagement and that is going to be a major focus for the OECD moving forward, just as it has been in the past,” Mr Cormann said. 

Mr Denton said that he looked forward to the opportunity to working more closely with the OECD to help grow the global economy, revitalise trade and advance sustainability. He also noted the distinctive added value of partnering with ICC, whose unrivalled network spans the Global North and Global South and includes a strong presence in countries currently engaged in accession talks with the OECD. 

“We want to help the OECD do what it does best and in a way that helps the global economy, he said. “Because of our breadth and our scale and our ability to work with the OECD to create standards, norms and policy frameworks, we are excited about the opportunity.”