BASIS builds upon the existing network and experience gained during the UN World Summit on the Information Society, Geneva 2003, Tunis 2005 (WSIS). BASIS continues to represent business at the post-WSIS global meetings related to Internet governance, ICTs and the information society, sharing business experiences and safeguarding business interests in promoting commercial, economic and social development.
BASIS works with governments, civil society, intergovernmental and Internet technical organizations and the public to ensure the necessary legal and policy frameworks are created so business can help to spread the benefits of the information society more widely across the world.
United Nations
BASIS is the most authoritative voice of world business at UN forums and UN agencies where development of the Internet and ICTs are key topics. ICC works with several UN agencies, including the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). In this role, ICC also functions as an important interlocutor and through ICC, these agencies are able to share their concerns with the global business community.
International forums and events
BASIS is active at many fora and events relating to the digital economy, enabling frameworks for ICTs, Internet governance and entrepreneurship. This includes the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and the WSIS action lines and follow-up process within the UN system, notably via the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD).
UN Commission on Trade and Development (CSTD)
One of the priority themes at this year’s UN
Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) held in Geneva (3-7 June 2013), was
the importance of broadband, IT and services delivered over the Internet for an
inclusive digital economy and Information society – in particular, the role of
ICT and the Internet to business, whose innovation has helped build an Internet
from which it is thrived. Joseph Alhadeff, the Chair of ICC Commission on the
Digital Economy, talks about the importance of true cooperation between all
parties – including the business community, whose lifeblood is Internet innovation
– to the future health of the Internet.
Click here to read the full article
National governments and Intergovernmental organizations
BASIS has direct access to governments in over 90 countries through ICC’s national affiliates. Through BASIS and the Commission on the Digital Economy, ICC coordinates and contributes to the work of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Council of Europe and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Media
BASIS raises awareness on how business can help and what conditions are needed for business to continue investing in technologies and infrastructures through ongoing media campaigns.