Delegates from over 100 countries set to attend 9th World Chambers Congress

Representing their entrepreneur members and local communities, some of the largest confirmed delegations include the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI), Saudi Arabia’s Asharqia Chamber, the Federation of Belgian Chambers, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Norway’s Stavanger Chamber of Commerce, UAE’s Sharjah and Dubai Chambers, as well as chambers of commerce from Australia, Japan, Korea and Turkey.

More than 30 confirmed least developed countries (LDC) will join their peers in Torino, including representatives from Burundi, Ethiopia, Guinea, Liberia, Madagascar, Senegal, Tuvalu, Uganda and Zambia, and many others to experience a unique opportunity to enhance their management and service capabilities, and discuss best practices and ideas.

“The presence of LDC chambers at the Congress will enrich the cultural and professional exchange at the event while creating an experience that will stimulate and foster LDC development in the long-term,” said World Chambers Federation (WCF) Director Anthony Parkes.

This year’s Congress has attracted participation of local, national and international companies and institutions that support the implementation, growth and success of this global chamber gathering. Most of them share the same core objectives and vision of many of the delegates, making their presence at the Congress, an enriching experience for all.

Jose Paulo Dornelles Cairoli, President of the Brazilian Confederation of Trade and Business Associations (CABC) and a Congress sponsor, said: “CACB’s goal in Torino is to intensify networking with chambers of commerce and other partners in order to support SME’s around the world. Also, we seek to present successful experiences and spread our International Cooperation Programmes, intended to support local development as well as present our international services.”

Programme and speakers

From IBM to the International Organization of Migration; from the World Trade Organization to Eurochambres; Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Nigeria, Russia and the US join chambers and organizations from many more countries at the Congress. Internationally renowned speakers will take the lead on the sessions and workshops using their expertise, professionalism and knowledge in their specific field of work to bring delegates up-to-date on the latest business issues.

Join Yonov Frederick Agah (WTO), Arancha Gonzales (ITC) and Sunil Bharti Mittal to discuss trade in the 21st century; meet Amy M. Nice (US Chamber of Commerce), Demetrios G. Papademetriou (MPI) and Ambassador Swing (IOM) to exchange ideas on global mobility; interact with Danilo Benvenuti (Asia Pulp and Paper Group), Maroš Šefčovič (European Commission – Energy Union) and Ambassador Quinn (World Food Prize Foundation) to learn more about sustainability efforts and challenges.

Anthony Parkes, World Chambers Federation (WCF) Director, said: “The presence of LDC chambers at the Congress will enrich the cultural and professional exchange at the event while creating an experience that will stimulate and foster LDC development in the long-term.”

All plenary session and workshop topics will capture the diverse needs of the chamber community including opportunities for small- and medium-sized business such as the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda workshop where international speakers like Georg Kell (Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact), Louise Kantrow (ICC Permanent Representative to the United Nations) and Gyan Chandra Acharya (High Representative for Least Developed, Landlocked Developing, Small Island States, United Nations) will discuss the key lessons learnt from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) together with the need for bringing business input, national and local contexts to the agenda in order to define the future global development framework.

Other programme highlights will include declarations from the global chamber community on their role and responsibilities in society, and their defending of the rights of entrepreneurs.

World Chambers Competition

How chambers are innovating and remaining relevant to SMEs will be showcased during the final rounds of the World Chambers Competition. Winners will be announced during the Congress Gala Dinner to be held on 12 June in the Venaria Reale, an impressive baroque palace recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to achieving international recognition and acknowledgement from the chamber and business community worldwide, Competition winners will also receive a cash prize thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and M.K Sanghi Group.

All chambers of commerce and business leaders are encouraged to join their peers in Torino, Italy to experience this unique business and professional exchange. Onsite registrations are available to anyone who misses online registration, open until 1 June.

Find out more about the Congress by visiting the website.

Follow the 9th World Chambers Congress sessions live on Twitter at @WorldChambers and #9WCC.