Jean-Ren
Fourtou elected new ICC Chairman
 |
| Jean-Ren Fourtou
- "now, more than
ever, ICC is not just useful, but necessary" |
Paris,
19 November 2002 - Leading
French businessman, Jean-Ren
Fourtou was today elected Chairman of ICC: the world business organization.
Mr Fourtou, the Chairman
and CEO of Vivendi Universal, will serve for two years at the head of ICC (International
Chamber of Commerce). He assumes the office of ICC Chairman from January 1,
2003.
With more than 8,000
member companies in over 140 countries, ICC is the largest, most representative
private sector association in the world.
Accepting his new post at
ICC's annual World Council meeting before a gathering of some 80 international
business leaders, Mr Fourtou said he looked forward to raising awareness of
the vital work ICC does for the world business community.
"Obviously I have a
few other things on my agenda at the moment," he said, referring to his
Vivendi commitments. "But I was determined to accept this great honour
and take on the leadership of this great organization because I firmly believe
that now, more than ever, ICC is not just useful, but necessary.
"With globalization,
the conduct of international business has become more and more complex and the
world business community finds itself under the pressure of new forces, including
a worldwide media and NGOs.
"Public affairs have become strategic for business and most CEOS have to
spend more and more time dealing with these kinds of subjects.
"It is in this context
that ICC's main role - as the voice of business and the advocate of an open
international trade and investment system - has never been more important.
"Like ICC's founders,
who called themselves the merchants of peace, I believe that international trade
is an important factor not only for economic growth and job creation, but also
as a means of promoting better understanding between nations."
Headquartered in Paris,
ICC employs a permanent staff of some 120 professionals - formulating international
business policy, presiding over the world's premier court of arbitration and
helping to represent the interests of companies to national governments and
intergovernmental organizations, including the United Nations, the World Trade
Organization and the G8.
Mr Fourtou, who is also
the Honorary Chair of Aventis SA, said he would strengthen ICC's three main
roles, namely as "the voice of international business", the creator
of voluntary rules for the conduct of international business and as a provider
of services to international business - such as the ICC International Court
of Arbitration.
For further information
contact ICC Director of Communications, Click here to send a mail (in Paris) tel: +33 6 20 47 32 52.