ICC news
ICC supports private sector mobilisation for Gaza reconstruction
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is supporting efforts to mobilise private sector investment for Gaza’s post-war construction, through its participation this week in high-level talks at Wilton Park in the United Kingdom. The conference focused on developing investment frameworks building on the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit, aimed at charting a path toward sustainable peace and recovery in the region.
Co-hosted by the UK Government, the Palestinian Authority, and the Government of Egypt, the Wilton Park conference convened senior representatives from governments, international financial institutions, businesses, and civil society to coordinate planning efforts for Gaza’s recovery. Attendees included officials from the EU, Germany, Jordan, Norway, and the Netherlands, as well as representatives from the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the United Nations.
ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO said:
“ICC’s participation in this dialogue reflects our commitment to leveraging business as a force for peace and reconstruction in conflict-affected regions. Through our global network, we can mobilise the investment, expertise, and partnerships needed to support Gaza’s recovery.”
Lessons from Ukraine and beyond
ICC’s participation was grounded in its broader engagement with fragile and conflict-affected regions, notably Ukraine. Drawing on its work with the Ukraine Donor Platform, the SME Resilience Alliance for Ukraine, and the Ukraine Recovery Conference format, ICC presented practical models for unlocking private capital and resilient economic ecosystems.
A key focus was the role of international arbitration and effective dispute resolution mechanisms in de-risking private investment. ICC showcased its dispute resolution initiative for Ukraine and explored prospects for expanding this model to Palestine, as these mechanisms are essential to enhance access to justice and ensure stability and predictability.
ICC also presented at the Wilton Park event its work through the ICC Working Group on Export Finance for Reconstruction of Conflict-Affected Areas, launched at the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference. The initiative brings together private sector firms, export credit agencies, and multilateral development banks to enable the export of capital-intensive goods needed for debris clearing and infrastructure rebuilding.
Supporting the local private sector
ICC highlighted the need to empower Gaza’s local private sector through targeted capacity-building for Chambers of Commerce and SMEs, enabling them to engage in cross-border trade.
Recommendations from the Wilton Park dialogue will feed into the Cairo International Conference on Recovery, Reconstruction and Development of Gaza, scheduled to take place this November.
ICC’s engagement at Wilton Park is part of its ongoing collaboration with Palestine Emerging, a private sector-led international coalition working on Gaza’s reconstruction and the economic recovery of the West Bank. As part of this collaboration, the Federation of Palestinian Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture has joined the ICC World Chambers Federation, enhancing Palestinian businesses’ participation in international trade.
ICC remains committed to supporting a sustainable, inclusive, and private sector-led recovery for Palestine, one that unlocks the region’s economic potential and fosters long-term peace, prosperity, and opportunity for all.
