Sunil Mittal to represent International Chamber of Commerce at UN heads of state meet

NEW DELHI: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal will highlight the importance of further opening up global trade and facilitating free movement of people at the UN Annual Heads of State lunch meeting on Tuesday to be attended by US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, among other global leaders.

"It’s a great honour for ICC to be a part of such high-level deliberations at the UN, and I extend my sincere gratitude to the UN Secretary General for this rare recognition. ICC remains committed to promote the cause of responsible business and will continue to contribute as a global citizen to achieve the sustainable development goals identified by the UN," Mittal said in a statement.

The United Nations General Assembly invited the ICC to become the first non-government entity to be accorded a permanent seat as an observer. ICC received this status in December 2016 during Mittal’s first year as chairman.

"UN Secretary General António Guterres invoked a significant exception to past practice while inviting Mittal to the Annual HOS Meet, which is strictly reserved for governments," ICC said in a statement.

Mittal will also address various UN fora during the next few days to emphasise the benefits of digital trade and technology-led innovations to promote equitable global growth.