We can solve the challenges of Covid-19 – keeping the vulnerable safe and our economy alive – while also addressing many deep-seated inequalities and out-of-date systems, and establishing the capabilities to solve the bigger, longer-term challenges of climate change and sustainability. We have many more tools in the box than just lockdowns, quarantines and tiered restrictions. But we need a shift in mindset; a smarter approach, using all the information, expertise and resources available to us.
The 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the international framework to tackle all the big challenges we face today. In the context of the COVID-19 recovery, they are the only international framework of their kind where all governments are committed to deliver a greener, more inclusive and sustainable global economy. They represent an international roadmap to build back better, make trade work for everyone and tackle inequality.
On 10 September ICC convened 22 Chairs and CEOs representing companies from the US, Europe and Asia, for the first of our ICC Board Briefing Series to discuss WTO reform. Read the key takeaways from the event here, and sign up to ICC International Trade and Prosperity Week from 19th - 23rd October to hear more.
The digital transformation of the global economy has been underway for some time, but Covid-19 has created an opportunity to accelerate the process in a way that ensures no one gets left behind, and that every economy feels the benefits. It is a solution to many of the problems we are all facing.
On Saturday, WTO members were notified of the UK’s new status as an independent nation at the WTO with its own seat and voice at the table. What does this mean for business and what does it mean for the rest of the world?
With the Brexit debate effectively over for a generation, it’s time for the UK to re-focus, lift its sights and re-engage with the global trade agenda. Here are 7 quick wins to get the ball rolling.
After three and a half years or paralysis and three elections in five years, Brexit is now a certainty with the Conservatives now in government with a significant majority. It means the UK will be over the Brexit start line on 31 January 2020, eight months after the original deadline. Chris Southworth outlines some of the big questions going forwards.
Underlying the political challenges are a host of complex policy issues; the rapid advancement of technology, changing consumer behaviour, growing inequalities, changing demographics, the need to de-carbonise economies and tackle climate change and a trade war between the two largest economies. Click here for full article.
ICC United Kingdom brought together a mix of public and private sector players for the latest in its roundtable series, kindly hosted by law firm DLA Piper, to discuss why human trafficking and slavery persist in developing and developed countries alike, and how businesses and governments can scale up efforts to protect the most vulnerable individuals in society from exploitation.
Although there are efforts in Parliament to take a no deal option off the table it is by no means guaranteed and should be our focus as an international business community in discussions with the UK government. We have to accept that the disbenefits of a no deal to world trade are still poorly understood, particularly the impact on poorer communities and UK trading relationships.
While we all focus on the big vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal in Parliament next Tuesday, the rest of the world is preparing to discuss the world’s challenges at Davos on 22-25 January.
