ICC COMMUNIQUE TO UNEP 10TH SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL/GLOBAL MINISTERIAL ENVIRONMENT FORUM

Companies all over the world understand that economic growth must go hand in hand with environmental protection. There is no inherent contradiction between economic growth, trade liberalization, environmental protection and sustainable development. Economic growth and open trade provide the conditions in which protection of the environment can best be achieved. Working in partnership with governments, civil society, intergovernmental organisations and concerned citizens all over the world, ICC, as the most representative business organisation with members in 130 countries, is uniquely placed to voice business views and to help build consensus to effectively address environmental risks.

ICC has enjoyed a long and constructive relationship with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Since 1991, when ICC launched the Business Charter for Sustainable Development, a set of principles for environmental management which have helped thousands of companies worldwide establish an excellent foundation on which to build their own integrated environmental management systems, to 2005 when ICC and UNEP cooperated closely on the successful “African Business for Sustainable Development" session in Nairobi during the 23rd UNEP Governing Council the Global Ministerial Environment Forum.

While there are many areas and issues where business is making positive contributions and all six thematic areas of UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy are vital to business concerns, we would like to briefly highlight two where ICC has and looks to continue its strong engagement with UNEP.