Why has ICC launched BASIS?
ICC is playing an ever-expanding role representing the views of global business at world forums dealing with the information society, where policies and programs are being shaped on critical issues with wide-ranging impact on business. Such issues include Internet governance and using information and communications technologies (ICTs) to spur development. These outreach and advocacy activities at such a high level fall outside the normal mandate set for the Commission on E-business, IT and Telecoms (EBITT) and therefore require special funding. 

BASIS builds on the momentum and influence of ICC's work in the global discussions on ICTs and Internet governance. BASIS also continues the related outreach, advocacy and representation that fall outside the normal scope of an ICC commission's mandate.

What is the scope of BASIS activities?
Since 2001, ICC through the Coordinating Committee of Business Interlocutors (CCBI) has spearheaded business involvement at the UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS, Geneva 2003, Tunis 2005), work which was beyond the ambit of EBITT's responsibilities. WSIS was an important forum assembling representatives from government, business and civil society - a multistakeholder gathering vital to assure the long-term viability of global ICT ventures that cater to the needs of all participants. Following the WSIS Tunis Summit in November 2005, several processes were established to further the commitments made in Tunis and Geneva and to continue the efforts to construct an inclusive information society focused on the individual that also boosts development.
 

BASIS assures participation from business at upcoming meetings on topics important to safeguard business interests and further commercial development. These include the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) which extends multistakeholder dialogue, the UN Global Alliance on ICT for Development (GAID), which broadens collaboration and partnership opportunities on using ICTs to promote economic growth and social development, and the WSIS follow-up and implementation activities. This includes specific themed working groups, ranging from e-business to promoting investment in ICTs and entrepreneurship. BASIS is also involved with other UN fora, such as the Commission on Science and Technology (CSTD), which has been reorganized as a key UN body to coordinate follow-up of post-WSIS activities. 

Governance and working relationship with ICC's Commission on E-Business, IT & Telecoms (EBITT)

How is BASIS governed and how does it work with EBITT?

• BASIS includes all EBITT and CCBI members who want to participate in its activities. A sliding scale accommodates the needs of SMEs, associations, developing country associations, "sweat equity" by members, and in-kind contributions.
• BASIS sends updates to all EBITT members and ICC national committees.
• A database lists contributors from EBITT, CCBI/non-ICC members and ICC national committee representatives who wish to participate.
• BASIS activities are developed with members on this list.

What work falls outside the scope of BASIS?
BASIS does not develop policy positions on substantive issues. Policy positions are shaped within the EBITT commission, consistent with ICC consensus building and consultation practices.
 
What are the specific workaday tasks of BASIS?

• Work beyond the classical communcations by national governments made by national committees.
• Inform governments and international organizations involved in the post-WSIS activities and related forums about EBITT's work and positions, and business priorities.
• Coordinate and exchange information among BASIS members, especially regarding these forums, and with relevant authorities, like the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and numbers (ICANN) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
• Organize business presence and advocate business priorities at the first meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), a post-WSIS opportunity for multistakeholder dialogue, in October 2006.
• Prepare briefings and interventions for BASIS members to deliver at relevant fora.
• Organize and manage briefings and teleconferences for BASIS members.
• Represent business views at related events and preparatory meetings, consultations and informal meetings.
• Prepare specific position papers for governmental and intergovernmental organizations, or special occasions based on policy statements developed by EBITT.
• Meet with government officials to advocate business views on ICTs and the Internet.
• Raise media awareness of BASIS activities.

What did ICC achieve at WSIS meetings in Tunis and Geneva?

• Awareness was raised of the ICT and Internet initiatives of member companies and associations.
• A platform was established for member companies and associations.
• Channels of communication were opened between many ICC members, national committees, and their respective national governments to discuss ICT and Internet related matters.
• Links were established with international organizations and other stakeholders; ICC is now consulted and invited to speak, to contribute policy positions, and to publish articles at many conferences and important meetings which highlight members' positions.
• ICC and the umbrella group of business people it chaired, Coordinating Committee of Business Interlocutors (CCBI), established themselves as the global voice of business on ICT and Internet related issues. BASIS continues to build on this success.

What is the cost of opting out of post-WSIS participation?

• A global, cross-sectoral voice of business will be absent from international debates, multistakeholder fora.
• Global business priorities will be less represented on ICT and Internet related issues.
• An enabling framework to stimulate investment, entrepreneurship and innovation in the field of ICTs, which is a priority on the development agenda, will not be well represented and advocated.
• Governments, intergovernmental organizations and civil society groups may make decisions which do not properly take business interests into account.
• ICC and BASIS members will have to allocate their own resources to represent their interests.
• Under the leadership of other organizations, Internet-related development may take place without comprehensive business input.
• ITU and other international organizations may widen their mandate in a way that jeopardizes business interests.
• ICC will lose stature as the global voice of business on ICT matters.

What does ICC's Commission on E-business, IT and Telecoms (EBITT) do?

The EBITT Commission handles issues such as:

• Market liberalization and data retention. Requirements to save data and conditions of market access have a large impact on the bottom line for both users and providers of telecoms services and other sectors.
• Data protection and privacy. Ensuring that company and customer data is protected and flows across borders and from office to office, is fundamental to the smooth functioning of commerce and also has a major impact on operations and business costs.
• Network security and authentication. Information and networks are now assets just as vital to a business as its financial portfolio. Networks are now the operating lifeline of businesses from all sectors. Information that is not properly secured can result in a failure, a major business cost. Government policies and regulations must not hamper business operations.
• Internet and IT services. Businesses of all sizes and in most sectors rely on the Internet to support business operations, access new markets and attract new customers. Business has a critical interest in making sure there is a free flow of information on the Internet and that this information is made available in a secure and stable manner.

For more information on the Commission on E-business, IT and Telecoms (EBITT), please click here.

What services does EBITT provide for members?

• Develops policy positions.
• Publishes how-to guides on critical ICT matters of policy and best practices, for use by business as well as policy decision-makers.
• As any ICC commission EBITT communicates its positions and statements through ICC national networks (national committees and business contacts) to national governments.

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