The global economy is today at a crossroads, facing numerous interrelated challenges that are creating worldwide economic uncertainty and putting the multilateral trading system under intense pressure: obstacles to the Doha Round, increased demand for bilateral and regional trade agreements, financial market turmoil, a food crisis, an energy crisis, climate change, and increased counterfeiting and piracy.

In response, the Summit will address protectionism towards foreign investment; the role of the world’s biggest emerging economies; and whether globalization can be sustained without stronger international governance.  Participants will also discuss what is being done, and what more needs to be done, to stop the $600 billion annual drain on the global economy from counterfeiting and piracy.

The ICC Summit will be a historic opportunity for world business leaders to influence the global debate and create solutions to the critical issues of free trade.

Industrial and political leadership is needed to avoid going down the wrong path . It is at critical moments such as these that courageous decision-making is necessary to safeguard the long-term growth and stability of the global economy.

Marcus Wallenberg, Chairman of ICC, said: “It is time for business to voice a strong commitment to trade rules in a globalized world.  We must make politicians understand that bilateral arrangements do not meet the needs of companies sourcing and marketing globally. Doha must succeed. We are also determined to highlight the economic cost and consequences of illegal products based on the theft of intellectual property. Our goal for the Summit is to bring these issues closer to a solution.”    

Confirmed speakers and panelists include:

•           Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman of the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization
•      Nani Beccalli-Falco, President and CEO, GE International
•           Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sweden
•           Manfred Bischoff, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Daimler
•           Ewa Björling, Minister for Trade, Sweden
•           Sandro Calvani, Director, UNICRI
•           Jean-François Dehecq, President, Sanofi-Aventis
•           Johan Eliasch, Chairman, Head
•           Leonardo Ferragamo, Chairman, Altagamma
•           Victor Fung, Chairman, Li & Fung Group
•           Luiz Fernando Furlan, Former Minister of Development, Industry and Trade, Brazil
•           Nik Gowing, Main Presenter, BBC World
•           Alan Hassenfeld, Chairman, Hasbro
•           Rita Hayes, Senior Advisor, Hogan & Hartson
•           Pascal Lamy, Director-General, World Trade Organization
•           Sergio Marchionne, CEO, Fiat Group
•           Pradeep Mehta, Founder Secretary General, CUTS International
•           Fredrik Reinfeldt, Prime Minister of Sweden
•           Peter Dirk Siemsen, Senior Partner, Dannemann, Siemsen, Bigler & Ipanema
•           Peter Sutherland, Chairman of BP and Goldman Sachs International
•           Marcus Wallenberg, Chairman of ICC, SEB, Saab and Electrolux
•           Eden Woon, Managing Director, Toys LiFung

A news conference will be held at 12.15 on Thursday, 12 June

Grand Hôtel, S. Blasieholmshamnen, Stockholm, Sweden

RSVP is essential

To view the Summit programme, please  click here 

Members of the media who wish to attend the event must contact:

Maria Solis, ICC Communications & Media Relations Officer

Tel: +33 1 49 53 29 07  Email:  mss@iccwbo.org

Additional details are available at:  www.iccstockholm2008.se