Much more than just a gathering for chambers, the Congress addresses some of the most significant global issues of our time. In convening the world’s most prominent leaders and brightest minds, we aim to help transform the future of business.
This opening session warmly welcomes participants to the Congress and the land on which it is held. It begins with an introduction by event moderator Alicia Loxley, who will set the tone for the Congress by highlighting the theme “Business, chambers, and governments: Partners for prosperity.” She will also explain the Congress Storyline and how participant insights will shape the Guide to Prosperity, encouraging active engagement throughout the event.
Following this, participants will be invited to connect with the land and its heritage through a Welcome to Country ceremony led by Murrundindi, Ngurungaeta (Head Man) and Elder of the Wurundjeri tribe. This traditional protocol honors the local culture and sets a respectful and inclusive foundation for the discussions ahead, particularly around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
What does bringing the Congress to Victoria mean to our Congress co-organisers and what are the unique aspects of the region? This fireside chat will discuss the unique opportunities Melbourne and the State of Victoria can offer as our Congress destination to ensure business, government, chambers work as partners for prosperity.
From trade turbulence to currency fluctuations, how can chambers, governments and businesses adapt to ensure resilience and prosperity? Join us for this insightful session which will analyse current and emerging disruptions and risks for global economic activity and entrepreneurship. Discover actionable strategies that distinguish the approaches of large companies from those of SMEs, providing valuable insights for all participants. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from industry leaders and gain practical knowledge to navigate the complexities of today’s global landscape.
Tea/coffee break with networking opportunities. Participants are invited to visit the Exhibition Area to connect with peers and explore exhibits.
Come and experience how simple and seamless it is to integrate positive impacts and powerful stakeholder engagements in your regular activities. Whether you are a leader of a company or a Chamber, you can see exactly how to shift the perspective about challenging matters such as ESG, Climate response, stakeholder accountability and engagement and start driving measurable change — right now. The talk also highlights how the Congress itself is also bringing the global and local impact creation as a part of this year’s event to drive real change.
In the wake of prevailing international trade disruptions, deploying the right ICC tools and services can help stabilise cross-border trade and unlock value in existing free trade agreements. This how-to-session will delve into the opportunities presented by ICC’s tools for chambers, SME empowerment services, trade digitalisation tools, alternative dispute resolution services, and more.
Featuring leaders from the International Chamber of Commerce, the ICC World Chambers Federation and the Victorian Chamber, our official opening begins with an opening ritual and will invite participants to contribute to a collective Guide to Prosperity.
Join ICC Secretary-General John W.H. Denton AO as he contributes to the Guide to Prosperity and takes us on a tour of the ICC world for insight into regional challenges and opportunities. Hear collaboration success stories showcasing how chambers, governments, and businesses can work together.
Networking and exhibition time. Participants are invited to visit the Exhibition Area and enjoy refreshments.
By invitation only
A strategic, closed-door round table of chamber presidents and CEOs, providing a unique platform for open dialogue on the role of chambers in navigating today’s complex global trading environment. Key insights from the discussion will be shared with the wider Congress audience during Day 2’s Chamber leadership: Driving prosperity through collaboration session.
Why is collaboration between governments and chambers crucial for driving prosperity?
A three-hour partner event.
In this dynamic session three world renowned leaders set the tone for the days ahead, exploring how the geopolitical landscape and global economy are set to impact and shape the future of business. A high-level panel discussion will follow the insights to diver deeper into challenges and opportunities for chamber and business leaders. The session will conclude with an interactive exchange to share reactions and spark the conversations that will shape the rest of our Congress programme.
Tea/coffee break with networking opportunities. Participants are invited to visit the Exhibition Area to connect with peers and explore exhibits.
Join this session to discover how governments, chambers and businesses can collaborate to create investment-friendly environments. We will be showcasing frameworks for fairness, transparency and trust-building to create stability.
At the end of our first day, join VCCI Chief Executive Paul Guerra for an overview of the day’s highlights and another chance to contribute to our Guide to Prosperity.
Networking continues with a chance to engage in B2B, C2C, B2G, C2G, and B2C in a casual setting.
Participants transfer to Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium.
The Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium provides a unique and enchanting setting for our official Congress Welcome Reception.
We’re ready to start the day and invite you to join us for a quick reminder of Day 1 highlights and a look at what’s still to come. We’ll also be taking this opportunity to review some of the contributions already collected for our Guide to Prosperity.
In this milestone year for climate change negotiations, we’re addressing the world’s pressing climate and sustainability challenges. Our session will explore innovative solutions and bring you pre-COP30 insight directly from the International Chamber of Commerce, the official focal point for business in the COP process. We’ll showcase the critical role of collaboration between governments, chambers of commerce and businesses in unlocking new decarbonisation pathways and host small-group discussions to identify barriers, brainstorm strategies and share actionable ideas. Together, let’s be part of the solution and drive meaningful progress towards a sustainable future.
The wait is over with the first session of our World Chambers Competition showcasing finalists in our Best Green Transition Project category. Finalists will present their innovative projects aimed at promoting green transitions and sustainability. Don’t miss this inspiring session.
Tea/coffee break with networking opportunities. Participants are invited to visit the Exhibition Area to connect with peers and explore exhibits.
Stronger together in emergencies: How chambers of commerce can strengthen small business resilience is a new ICC guide meant to help chambers of commerce support all businesses – and in particular small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – in emergency preparedness, response and recovery. The guide provides recommendations, actions, case studies and tools to build SME resilience, ensure business continuity and address the critical business needs gap in existing disaster readiness programmes. A key recommendation of the guide is also for every chamber to establish an emergency preparedness plan for its building, staff, digital infrastructure and other critical assets to lead by example.
If you’re seeking inspiration to help your chamber address global issues, look no further than this session. Featuring chamber leaders from across the world, we’ll hear success stories of collaborative and innovative approaches to help build actionable and impactful strategies back home.
When it comes to sustainability reporting, many businesses, SMEs in particular, struggle with evolving regulations, fragmented standards and complex reporting requirements. In this session we’ll explore why reporting matters and how governments and chambers can ease the burden on business, facilitating progress towards a more sustainable future for all.
Chambers worldwide face rising expectations from their members and must continuously adapt to remain relevant, impactful, and competitive. This panel explores how chambers can unlock their full potential by embracing benchmarking as a strategic practice— identifying global best practices, closing performance gaps, and building a culture of continuous improvement. The session will spotlight the Chamber Benchmarking Tool, a new WCF initiative designed to empower chambers with the insights, data, and peer-driven knowledge they need to grow. By enabling chambers to assess their performance, compare against regional and global averages, and access a rich library of best practices, the tool fosters collaboration, innovation, and transformation across the global chamber network.
Every year, goods, worth billions of dollars, cross borders temporarily, for instance for trade fairs. However, clearing goods at Customs can be complicated, costly, and time-consuming.
Not to worry: help is at hand with ATA Carnet – the recognized international Customs document that works just like a world-wide passport for goods. Since its inception in 1960, thanks to the joint effort of WCO and ICC, the ATA Carnet procedure has become the gold standard for the temporary admission of goods abroad.
Join us at this year’s ATA Carnet session to see concrete examples of how Chambers and Customs work together to facilitate global events and international trade. You will hear what works already but above all, we will introduce you to the ATA Carnet’s digital future: fully digital and even easier.
Networking and exhibition time. Participants are invited to visit the Exhibition Area and enjoy refreshments.
As COP30 approaches, the urgency to accelerate the energy transition is at a tipping point. This session explores how innovative financing models, public-private partnerships, and chamber-driven initiatives can drive the investments needed to scale clean energy solutions.
Building on earlier discussions, this session delves into financial and policy mechanisms to meet ambitious decarbonization targets. Presenters will highlight opportunities for chambers to lead in bridging funding gaps and ensuring businesses of all sizes benefit from the energy transition.
One Click is an ecosystem of tools designed to provide straightforward, practical advice for small and medium business owners looking to expand their businesses internationally. It offers a comprehensive toolkit featuring tools and services for every step of the cross-border trade journey. This includes identifying trade opportunities, drafting contracts, executing cross-border transactions, and resolving disputes.
This session will explore how One Click solutions can effectively address common challenges faced by SMEs, as identified by chambers of commerce, and to provide actionable insights and tools for implementation.
Chambers of commerce must adapt to today’s evolving trade and technology landscape by providing innovative support for businesses navigating Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and compliance requirements. Join us to explore how AI and new chamber-led trade services can simplify FTA complexities and empower business growth. Learn from your peers as they share practical approaches and success stories that are shaping the future of trade facilitation.
Discover the projects that have made it to the finals of our World Chambers Competition, in our category for Best Chamber Innovation Project.
Tea/coffee break with networking opportunities. Participants are invited to visit the Exhibition Area to connect with peers and explore exhibits.
Efforts to reduce corruption in “higher risk” countries show meagre results – as criminal prosecution can often be bought off – with bribes! Corruption reduces “trust” – thus weaken chambers. Corruption reduces potential investments and new business opportunities
The new “Commercial Approach to Corruption-Avoidance” shows presently corrupt individuals, how to make more business and more profits (in the longer term), at strongly reduced risk – if they avoid corruption.
Chambers can be key promotors of this idea – at the same time – building trust in the chamber, generating increased income, strengthening their power & reputation. Powerful chambers attract more members.
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the global business landscape, and Chambers must take the lead in this transformation. AI adoption has shifted from a potential competitive advantage to a survival mechanism. In order to serve their members in this journey, Chambers should first integrate AI into their own operations. By exploring strategies for embedding AI into their own operations and fundamentally revolutionizing service delivery to business communities, Chambers can experience first-hand what works. With the WCF’s pivotal role in guiding this global shift, the message is clear: The future is taking shape today and Chambers must be the architects of that future – not passive spectators.
There is no doubt about the enormous potential of AI to enhance efficiency and productivity for businesses everywhere. However, managing the potential risks such as regulations on information access, data biases, and AI platform access inequality remains a topic of debate. Join us for this session as we delve into these concerns and hear potential solutions from our esteemed panellists.
Join our inspiring session of finalists of the 2025 World Chambers Competition to present their impactful projects in our category for Best Collaboration of Chambers, Business and Government Project.
Our keynote speaker takes to the stage to inspire our vision to address today’s most pressing challenges through enhanced the session ties together themes of innovation, climate action, and global partnerships.
VCCI Chief Executive Paul Guerra wraps up the day’s activities, connecting the discussions of the day to the themes we will tackle tomorrow.
Informal networking opportunities with sponsor activation. Participants can engage in B2B, C2C, B2G, C2G, and B2C networking in a casual setting.
Are you ready to take your business connections global? Don’t miss the JCI in Business (JIB) – International Business Matching Session at the 14th World Congress of Chambers (14WCC) run by JCI! This dynamic 120-minute session is designed to connect entrepreneurs, business professionals, and industry leaders from around the world in a structured, high-impact networking experience.
This business matching session offers curated, pre-assigned discussion tables, and a focused agenda to ensure every participant walks away with meaningful connections and actionable insights. Whether you’re seeking new partnerships, investment opportunities, or simply want to expand your global network and knowledge, this session is your gateway to international business growth.
Highlights include:
This session is open to all business owners, professionals, and entrepreneurs attend the Congress. Spaces are limited and pre-registration is required.
Register now to secure your spot: https://jci-go.link/JIB14WCC
Let’s pioneer leadership and unite business—globally. Join us and turn conversations into collaborations!
Let’s get the day going with a reminder of yesterday’s highlights and a look at what’s coming up on today’s agenda. We’ll also take a look at the latest updates to our Guide to Prosperity looking at some of your stand out contributions.
Don’t miss this high-energy session showcasing the personal stories of leaders , highlighting how they overcame challenges to redefine norms in their respective organizations and communities around the world. We’re celebrating the diverse leadership styles that drive resilience, innovation and adaptability in today’s complex, unpredictable and ultra-connected world.
Time for more inspiring projects from the finals of our World Chambers Competition. In this session we’ll hear presentation from the chamber finalists in our category for Best Diversity and Inclusion Project.
Tea/coffee break with networking opportunities. Participants are invited to visit the Exhibition Area to connect with peers and explore exhibits.
This session will demonstrate how businesses around the world can claim their own part of the Internet by operating a top-level domain – the part of a web address that comes after the last dot. We’ll share compelling case studies about how businesses are investing in and building on this part of Internet real estate to enhance online presence, protect their brand, and improve digital security for customers and partners. Find out how your organization can benefit. Learn how you can participate in ICANN’s New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program.
Stethoscopes at the ready as we set out to explore the intersection of innovation and health, focusing on how biotechnology, AI and medical device advancements are reshaping the future of health care. Highlighting the implications and opportunities for businesses, governments and chambers, we’ll be examining how these technologies are set to impact longevity, enhance personalized care, and drive transformative healthcare solutions.
What strategies work for fostering a culture of continuous learning and seamless technological integration within organisations? With AI set to significantly shape the future of employment, determining which jobs will be prevail and which may be automated, what are the human skills and traits that will remain in demand and how can governments, chambers and business cooperate to ensure they feature in educational curricula? Key topics will include lifelong learning, critical thinking, technological integration, cross-sector collaboration, and fostering creativity. Join us to discuss lifelong learning initiatives, critical thinking, technological integration, cross-sector collaboration and creative thinking.
Dispute Resolution Services
We are living in a time of the biggest transfer of wealth and family businesses in human history. As one generation that has worked hard in building family businesses hands it over to the next generation there are inherent challenges as well as opportunities.
The next generation are living through a period of significant climate impacts and social upheaval. However the next generation are good sons and daughters and respect the family dynamic and feel responsibility to continue the family business.
The central question that this session wishes to explore is: How do you responsibly take over the family business while at the same time apply entrepreneurial thinking particularly in creating social and environmental impact?
Our World Chambers Competition finals conclude with this final session presenting projects in our category for Best Out-of-the-Box Project. Finalists will present their unique and pioneering projects that are not typically associated with their everyday mission and objectives.
What happens when sport, strategy, and scale collide? This dynamic closing session features the encounter between a former Olympic champion and the organiser of the most iconic event in the world, the Olympic Games, representing two sides of the current Olympic medal. Looking at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, from infrastructure and logistics to tourism, trade, and long-term economic ripple effects, we will hear what it takes to stage the Olympics and what businesses of all sizes can learn from it.
From macro to micro. At the same time, we will learn how Olympic athletes can turn their sports career into a source of prosperity for themselves and the people around them.
The dialogue will explore how the Games can act as both a catalyst and a mirror for global business trends, innovation, and community development. A powerful finale that blends inspiration with practical insights — don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at the Olympics through a commercial lens.
ICC Secretary John W.H. Denton AO and VCCI Chief Executive Paul Guerra will share their personal and professional Congress takeaways, reflecting on key contributions to our co-created Guide to Prosperity and providing insight into what is planned next for these collected testimonials.
Participants have free time for other business or tourist activities.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of recognition and celebration to conclude our time in Melbourne. Discover the winners of the 2025 World Chambers Competition and experience the excitement of our historic handover to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, official co-host of the 15th World Chambers Congress in Toronto in 2027.
Murrundindi
Denizli Chamber of Industry
Handelskammer Hamburg
Eskisehir Chamber of Industry
Business Chamber Queensland
Kutubuddin Ahmed
Hon. Jacinta Allan MP
Anousheh Ansari
Whitney Y. Baird
Anindya Bakrie
Amanda Barlow
Mark Birrell AM
Mykhailo Bno-Airiian
Francois- Xavier Bonnaillie
Linzi Boyd
Gayla Brock Woodland
Maximillian Burger-Scheidlin
Rhett Buttle
Gennadiy Chyzhykov
Davide Cichero
Maria Monica Conde
Mathias Cormann
Declan Daly
John W.H. Denton AO
Layla Derraz
Vladimír Dlouhý
Marcelo Elizondo
Karim Fatehi
Catherine Foster
Governor of Victoria – Margaret Gardner AC
Lyall Gorman
Paul Guerra
Sally Guyer
Shevaun Haviland
Malte Heyne
Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu
Iva Hristova
Engr. Jani Ibrahim
Gabriel Idahosa
Tamader Al Thani
Sarp Kalkan
Shinta Widjaja Kamdani
Adrian Kloeden
Kaveen Kumar Kumaravel
Damian Kwok
Bronwyn Le Grice
Gary Litman
Norman Loayza
Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah
Ullas Marar
Steven Marshall
Andrew McKellar
Peter McMullin
Francoise Merit
Nonkululeko Nyembezi
Marie-Chrisitne Oghly
Charlotte Parkhill
Chanelle Pearson
Kieren Perkins OAM
Giorgi Pertaia
Palesa Phili
Ataur Rahman
Nicholas Reece
Tom Robinson
Yazeed Salah
Masami Sato
Gönül Serbest
Keisuke Shimoyamada
Steven Skala AO
Catherine Stephens
Elvin Teo
Stuart Thomson
Daniel Tisch
Philippe Varin
Giorgi Vekua
Nola Watson
Mimmie Watts
Arron Wood AM
Paul Wrighting
Sun Xiao
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