Nicolás Uribe Rueda, president of the Bogota Chamber of Commerce and of the World Chambers of Commerce Federation, and Marie-Christine Oghly, vice-president of the organization, presented the plan that will benefit more than 1,200 Chambers of Commerce in the more than 100 countries where the non-governmental and apolitical forum of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is present.

Nicolás Uribe, president of the organization stated that "We have proposed to provide chambers of commerce with all the tools to support the world's smallest and most vulnerable companies, and to lay the foundations for the consolidation of a generation of companies that are more environmentally friendly, committed to the inclusion of women in leadership positions, at the forefront of all technological and digital tools, and with greater participation in international markets and global value chains". Marie Christine Oghly, vice-president of the World Chambers of Commerce Federation, stated that "for many years I have been working on the internationalization of small businesses and the empowerment of women's entrepreneurship, so from this role I will contribute on these fronts, giving in different countries part of what I have received".

The new leaders will work to strengthen the innovation model, a methodology implemented in Dubai that seeks to establish a culture of innovation within all chambers of commerce, allowing their services to be at the forefront of the particular needs of our entrepreneurs.

In terms of sustainability, the emphasis will be on decarbonization and climate action; and responsible business conduct, so that MSMEs can contribute to mitigating the climate crisis and respond to new market needs. Currently, 70% of consumers avoid buying a product if they do not like the company's behavior, according to Weber Shandwick. Finally, the Federation will develop a global digitization strategy for MSMEs with chambers around the world to provide them with technological support and assistance through, for example, the creation of guidelines for financial support programs and technology transfer. The latter will include diagnostic, self-assessment and guidance tools and learning materials.

The organization will facilitate MSMEs' access to data and technology by promoting the creation of experimentation laboratories, data centers, digital innovation centers and close work with academia. It will also pay special attention to the creation of a culture based on innovation and technology among chambers and the business sector.

World-class events to drive initiatives To strengthen women's empowerment in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, three events will be held this year. The first will be held in Bogota on August 9, and will be a space where nearly 240 women entrepreneurs and businesswomen will be provided with practical tools to consolidate their leadership positions. In addition, two virtual events will be held, covering different regions of the world, to promote greater female participation in the elections to the General Council of the World Chambers of Commerce Federation.

Major events of international stature will be held to contribute to the momentum of the actions. In the last week of October 2022, a major international congress will be held, bringing together all the chambers of the American continent to promote digitalization, innovation and environmental sustainability in the business world, with the participation of international exponents and organizations of the highest level.

In June 2023, together with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, the Federation will organize the 13th World Chambers Congress in Geneva, Switzerland. This space will serve to exchange best practices and find solutions to the common challenges faced by organizations. To strengthen women's empowerment in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, three events will be held this year. The first will be held in Bogota on August 9, and will be a space where nearly 240 women entrepreneurs and businesswomen will be provided with practical tools to consolidate their leadership positions. In addition, two virtual events will be held, covering different regions of the world, to promote greater female participation in the elections to the General Council of the World Chambers of Commerce Federation.

In addition, Marie-Christine Oghly, the Federation's vice-president and world president of Femmes Chefs d'Entreprises Mondiales (FCEM), an organization that promotes the participation of women in the business world on a global scale, will articulate the roles of the two organizations in order for women to have a greater and better participation in business and in leadership positions in the chambers. These activities and the work plan seek to reduce the economic opportunity gap between men and women, which according to the latest Global Gender Gap (GGG) measurement, is 42%.

ABOUT THE WORLD CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE FORUM (WCF)

The World Chambers Federation (WCF) is a non-governmental, non-political forum of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) which, through its extensive global network, enables the more than 1,200 chambers around the world to exchange experiences on matters of mutual interest. The Federation is the backbone of the chamber system, as it connects the ICC with SMEs around the world and provides them with the necessary tools to face the challenges and opportunities of this globalized and interconnected world.

On the other hand, the ICC is the world's largest business organization, representing more than 45 million companies in more than 100 countries. Its objective is to promote international trade and investment, as well as policies and measures aimed at facilitating the international operation of companies.