DHAKA, June 23, 2024 (BSS) - International industry leader Philippe Varin has been elected chair of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) - the voice of world business, representing over 45 million businesses.

Varin succeeds Maria Fernanda Garza - who becomes ICC's Honorary Chair - following a unanimous vote of the organisation's over 90 national committees at its Global Headquarters in Paris, said a press release here today.

Varin is an operating partner of the GVP Climate Investment Fund and Chair of the C'Possible partnership to enhance vocational education opportunities in France.

He served as Group Executive Vice President for Aluminum at Pechiney before becoming CEO of Corus in 2003, overseeing its acquisition by Tata in 2007.

He also chaired PSA Peugeot Citroen from 2009 to 2014 and subsequently, Areva and Orano until 2020.

Upon his election Varin said: "I am deeply conscious that the founding mission of the International Chamber of Commerce - to promote peace and prosperity through global trade - is of immense strategic importance and a challenge in a world that is increasingly characterised by conflicts and intense geo-economic competition."

Varin has set out a five pillar strategy for his two-year tenure as ICC Chair, encompassing: international trade, the rule of law, climate action, trade digitalisation and multilateral cooperation.

ICC World Council also elected three prominent business leaders in its Chairmanship: Harsh Pati Singhania (First-Vice Chair) from India, Shinta Kamdani (Vice Chair) from Indonesia and Patrick Obath from Kenya (Vice Chair).