According to Thomas Wellauer, Chairman of ICC Switzerland and Group COO of Swiss Re, the “Self-Determination Initiative” (SDI) weakens Swiss companies abroad. 

An acceptance would be fatal for the Swiss export industry.

Thomas Wellauer, according to SDI supporters, the survival of Swiss democracy is at stake on 25 November. Would you agree? 

No. Direct democracy is firmly anchored in Switzerland, nobody questions that. The Swiss people can already vote today on all important foreign policy decisions. The Swiss People’s Party (PP) is concealing what is really at stake in this radical proposal: The success of Switzerland as an export nation. As the Swiss National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce, we want to ensure that our companies continue to enjoy good conditions for their activities abroad.

Zurich, 1st November 2018 13:30 - 17:00

Bär & Karrer, Brandschenkestrasse 90 in Zurich

ICC Switzerland has a co-organized a seminar on «Trust and Arbitration», on which occasion the new 2018 ICC Clause on Trust and Arbitration have been launched. The event took place on 1st November at Bär & Karrer in Zurich.

3rd Geneva Business Dialogue Roundtable Extraterritorialty

To stimulate and facilitate the exchange with international organisations and the respective diplomatic representations in Geneva, ICC Switzerland continues its Geneva Business Dialogue with a series of high-ranking roundtables. The third of such discussions, on the topic of extraterritoriality, took place on 1st October 2018.

The topic was based on an ICC issue paper on extraterritoriality which has been adapted in order to put the issue back on the table. Matthias Audit, Chairman of the Working Group, introduced the discussion with the negative Impact of Extraterritorial Application of National Legal Norms on International Business Transactions. His speech was followed by a panel with companies.

In the discussion, a multiplication of extraterritorial and protectionist measures worldwide were ascertained. It is no longer a single appearance. And this is why everyone will learn, since all are now on the receiving side. One member of the panel reminded us to look at history: usually national norms have multiplied first, afterwards bilateral agreements have been negotiated and as a last step a multilateral framework has been created. He is optimistic in view of a possible regulation of extraterritorial norms and is also of the opinion that a large part of the issue is not really Extraterritoriality, but rather a conflict between companies with a global reach due to economic globalization and states that are forcing their diverging views on those companies. It is inevitable that more extraterritorial norms will be issued. But he also thinks that this will lead companies, facing those laws, to push their countries to act on them. Those countries are hopefully going to adopt a more converging solution.

ICC Switzerland would like to thank Matthias Audit and the members of the panel: David Frick, Nestlé, Jean-Yves Art, Microsoft, Eric Seassaud, VINCI Construction Grands Projets and Nikolaus Schultz, ICC International, for the success of this event.

at Bär & Karrer, Brandschenkestrasse 90 in Zurich

ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR, ICC Switzerland and its Commission on Arbitration and ADR are organizing a seminar on «Trusts and Arbitration», on which occasion the new 2018 ICC Clause on Trust and Arbitration will be launched. The event will take place on 1st November at Bär & Karrer in Zurich.

Dr. hc. MICHAEL KOHN (1925 – 2018)

Dr. h.c. Michael Kohn, Chairman of the ICC Energy Commission 1980 – 1994 passed away in Zurich on September 7, 2018 at the age of 92 years.

The ICC held its first Energy Conference in Lisbon in 1980. One of the conclusions of the conference was that the ICC established an Energy Commission under the chairmanship of Michael Kohn (Switzerland). His long chairmanship lasted 14 years, until he stepped down in 1994. As Honorary Chairman, he then continued as an active member of the Commission for many years representing Switzerland.

During Michael Kohn´s chairmanship many energy and environment related ICC policy papers and statements were prepared and published at relevant fora, e.g. Policy Statement on the Uses of Nuclear Energy and Coal 1981, Study on Energy Conservation in Industry 1985, Policy Paper on Some Principles of Energy Consumer Taxation 1987, ICC Energy Commission Report Nuclear Energy After Chernobyl 1989 and ICC Business Charter for Sustainable Development 1990.
During Michael Kohn´s era cooperation relations were set up with the ICC Commission on Environment , the World Energy Council WEC and UNEP. Strong business delegations were organized for participation and lobbying in the process of sustainable development: e.g. Bergen Conference Action for a Common Future 1990, Second World Industry Conference on Environmental Management WICEM II in Rotterdam 1991, UN Conference on Environment and Development UNCED, Rio 1992 , UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, UN Convention on Biodiversity and UN Commission on Sustainable Development (Agenda 21).

Forum Genève, rue de Lausanne 11-19, Geneva

To stimulate and facilitate the exchange with international organisations and the respective diplomatic representations in Geneva, ICC Switzerland continues its Geneva Business Dialogue with a series of high-ranking roundtables. The third of such discussions, on the topic of extraterritoriality, will take place on 1st October 2018. This event takes place on the eve of the WTO Public Forum.

Panel discussion with participation from the audience

• Jean-Yves ART, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, Microsoft, Geneva
• Mathias AUDIT, Law Professor, Sorbonne Law School – Partner, Steering Legal, Paris
• David FRICK, Senior Vice President Nestlé S.A., Corporate Governance, Compliance and Corporate Services, Vevey
• Eric SEASSAUD, General Counsel, VINCI Construction Grands Projets, Paris

Moderated by: Nikolaus SCHULTZE, Director of Policy and Global Affairs, International Chamber of Commerce, Paris

The event is aimed at high-ranking representatives from the international organisations in Geneva, from the diplomatic representations in Geneva and from companies or business organisations in Switzerland and other countries. The audience will be limited to 50 participants to facilitate a fruitful discussion. If you are interested, please contact us at : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Program 3rd Geneva Business Dialogue

Registration 3rd Geneva Business Dialogue