Chamber leaders share expectations for 12th World Chambers Congress in Dubai

The World Chambers Congress in Dubai will showcase new innovative models, advanced technologies and best practices that chambers can adopt as they map out new strategies to enhance their competitiveness and preparedness in the post-Covid era and beyond.

These are expectations from chamber leaders who are gathering for the 12th edition of the congress, which takes place November 23-25, 2021 at Madinat Jumeirah. The high-level event, the largest of its kind is co-organised by Dubai Chamber and the ICC-World Chambers Federation under the theme Generation Next: Chambers 4.0, bringing together over 1,000 participants from more than 100 countries.

“12th ICC World Chambers Congress will showcase the role of open trade and investment in building back better, with particular focus on the potential of technology and data to transform business models to enable a brighter future for people and planet,” said John Denton, secretary-general of ICC, adding that the ICC leverages private-sector expertise and innovation to deliver practical solutions to interconnected challenges.

“The 12WCC in Dubai will be a congress like no other, as the first event of its kind to be held in the Covid-era. Prospects for collaboration at the event are expected to be focused around issues around sustainability, logistics, technology and entrepreneurship, with an eye on post-pandemic growth in the new normal. This congress is not just about knowledge sharing. It is designed to offer delegates tangible solutions and tools to help them self-evaluate and work smarter and address new challenges,” said Hamad Buamim, president and CEO of Dubai Chamber and Chair of ICC-World Chambers Federation.

Nicolás Uribe Rueda, president, Bogota Chamber of Commerce (Colombia) and WCF regional vice-chair for Latin America, said this edition of the congress will demonstrate how technology is shaping the global trading system and rethinking the way we do business, presenting itself as an opportunity for chambers to innovate in the face of new challenges.

“The congress will serve as a platform to promote the active role that Chambers of Commerce worldwide are playing in the economic recovery process of their respective regions,” he said.

Vincent Subilia, director-general of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce (CCIG), said: “As a renowned international business hub, Dubai has, by nature, the spirit that animates World Chambers Congresses. Also, the forward-thinking demonstrated by Dubai on issues such as diversification and sustainability will undoubtedly serve as a real-life illustration of the topics debated during the Congress. WCC being held as the same time as Expo Dubai certainly brings additional food for thought.”