28 January 2016
UNCTAD, ICC Set Plans for SDGs Implementation
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The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) laid out plans for new collaborative efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

iccUNCTAD22 January 2016: The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) laid out plans for new collaborative efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

During a meeting held on 22 January 2016, at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, the organizations decided on collaboration to: support countries wishing to ratify and implement the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement, which aims to reduce “red tape” and the cost of cross-border trade; promote dialogue at their joint Investment Advisory Council and at the World Investment Forum on the potential of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the achievement of the SDGs; capitalize on the development potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs); raise awareness among governments about the significance of non-tariff barriers to trade and foster transparency; and strengthen consumer protection and safeguard competition law.

Mukhisa Kituyi, UNCTAD Secretary-General, said the private sector will play a “significant role” in fulfilling the SDGs, noting that ICC is the largest representative business organization in the world. John Danilovich, ICC Secretary General, said ICC’s engagement with UNCTAD is “a clear and visible demonstration of the private sector’s commitment” to the Goals. [UNCTAD Press Release]

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