The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has announced the expansion of its Advanced Arbitration Academy program to Western Europe, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. The one-year program aims to develop arbitrators across jurisdictions through eight mandatory in-person workshops covering arbitration processes from tribunal constitution to award scrutiny. Each regional academy will accept approximately 40 candidates through competitive selection, with priority given to regional applicants. The program will be led by appointed co-chairs including Chiann Bao, Matthew Secomb, and May Tai for Asia; Christian Albanesi, Sandra González Vila, and Maria Claudia Procopiak for Latin America; Beata Gessel-Kalinowska Vel Kalisz, Galina Zukova, and Luminita Popa for Central and Eastern Europe; and Niuscha Bassiri, Michael Bühler, and Tina Cicchetti for Western Europe.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), in collaboration with its international members, have released modified guidelines and recommendations for governments and decision-makers on formulating effective carbon pricing tools and devices. In its ongoing efforts since 2021, the ICC tackles issues such as carbon leakage; fostering global connections to enhance international collaboration whilst highlighting the importance of adopting a uniform methodology to facilitate cross-border commerce and investment.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has issued guidance clarifying that its existing trade finance rules continue to apply amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. It notes that the guidance recalls relevant provisions on document delays, force majeure affecting banks’ operations and alternative or electronic presentation of documents under ICC frameworks including UCP 600, URDG 758, URC 522, ISP98 and their electronic supplements, and emphasises that geopolitical developments do not alter the application of ICC rules governing documentary trade instruments. The ICC notes that the guidance is intended to provide practical clarification only and does not modify or replace existing ICC rules.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has announced the launch of ICC Case Connect powered by Opus 2, a digital case management platform for arbitration proceedings. The platform, serving over 10,000 party representatives and 8,000 arbitrators, introduces enhanced efiling capabilities, secure document management, dedicated user portals, and integrated financial processes. The system aims to streamline arbitration workflows through a cloud-based environment, enabling real-time collaboration between parties, tribunals and the ICC Secretariat.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has launched new Principles for Sustainable Trade Finance (PSTF) in collaboration with industry experts, financial institutions, corporates and Boston Consulting Group. The PSTF aim to establish clear guidelines for sustainable trade finance products. The ICC has initiated an open consultation period, inviting stakeholders to review and provide feedback on the document.

The Industry Competence Committee (ICC) has launched a consultation on its guidance, ‘Setting Expectations for Competence Management’. The guidance outlines what organisations should do to meet competence management requirements under Part 2A of the Building Regulations 2010, SI 2010/2214, and the Higher-Risk Buildings (Management of Safety Risks etc) (England) Regulations 2023, SI 2023/907. It is aimed at organisations involved in design, building work and building management. Building on previous industry feedback from May 2025, the document sets out common elements and principles for competence management. Following publication of the guidance, the ICC intends to develop case studies and examples to support practical application. The consultation closes on 6 November 2025.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has announced a global survey on international arbitration, conducted in partnership with EY. The survey seeks input from a diverse range of experts, including private practitioners, arbitrators, in-house counsels and government officials. Participants are invited to share their insights on various aspects of international arbitration, such as valued features, existing gaps, pricing structures and emerging trends. This initiative aims to gather comprehensive data from industry professionals to inform future developments in the field of international arbitration. The survey closes on 15 January 2025.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has launched the ICC Digital Trade Navigator, a learning and capability-building platform developed by the ICC Digital Standards Initiative (DSI) to help organisations prepare for digital trade adoption. The platform supports businesses moving from paper-based to digital trade processes through standards-aligned learning modules, a curated resource hub and an expert forum where users can seek guidance from mentors. It is designed for organisations involved in cross-border trade, trade documentation, compliance, finance, customs and supply chain activities and aims to help users understand digital trade foundations, standards and readiness requirements, build internal capabilities and prepare for future digital trade implementation and pilot initiatives.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has launched the latest edition of the ICC Handbook on Transport and the Incoterms® 2020 Rules, a publication designed to provide practical support and clarification for those employed by the transport sector who deal with transactions involving the Incoterms rules. The handbook is designed to clear up issues involving the ‘interrelation of contracts of carriage and contracts for the B2B sale of goods’ and to aid readers with comprehending the ‘complex steps of today’s logistics chains’. Additionally, the ICC has collated best practices from bankers to launch the International Standard Demand Guarantee Practice (IDSGP). The publication includes 215 international standard practices which instruct relevant parties on how rules and principles in the Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees (URDG 758) should be applied.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has made a commitment to support Ukraine's economic recovery. In a statement from Kyiv, the ICC has vowed to sustain Ukraine's economic reconstruction and development process. To achieve this, the ICC will offer its expert case management services at reduced rates to Ukraine. The ICC's reduced-rate services will focus on supporting Ukraine's reconstruction projects, aiming to improve access to justice in the country.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has announced that the revised ICC Arbitration Rules will enter into force on 1 June 2026, removing mandatory Terms of Reference in standard ICC arbitration proceedings. The change reflects the ICC’s emphasis on procedural efficiency, flexibility and a party‑driven approach to case management. Historically, Terms of Reference confirmed the parties’ consent to arbitrate, recorded key procedural agreements and defined the dispute’s scope. The mandatory Case Management Conference (CMC) must be held within 30 days of file transmission and serves as the cut-off point for introducing new claims without tribunal authorisation. Time limits for final awards are now determined by the President of the ICC Court, based on the procedural timetable or a reasoned request from the arbitral tribunal. This replaces the previous default time limit of six months from the last signature of the Terms of Reference.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has published the 11th edition of its Advertising and Marketing Communications Code, which addresses challenges such as sustainability, AI and influencer marketing, emphasises the importance of diversity and of avoiding objectification stereotypes, and provides clarifications in areas such as marketing aimed at children and teenagers. The ICC has also called upon advertisers and marketers to champion robust ethical standards to facilitate trust among consumers and policymakers.