At a joint meeting with UNICEF Representative in Iran Dr. Will Parks in Tehran, Vice-President of ICCIMA Pedram Soltani recounted on history and performance of chambers of commerce in the world saying “in the past 40 years, in addition to supplying needs of the private sector and their members, chambers have also sought to fulfill social and cultural interests.”
The official referred to establishment of Abrar Charitable Society in ICCIMA adding the Chamber has put social and cultural development on agenda. He went on to enumerate major activities of Abrar Charitable Society including development of rural areas, supporting education of students in disadvantaged areas and participation in cultural and educational centers.
ICCIMA deputy head also touched upon construction of 100 schools in disadvantaged areas of the county in partnership with Iranian chambers of commerce and expressed optimism that the movement will boost activities by taking advantage of UNICEF’s experiences and assistance.
On priorities pursued by ICCIMA as regards social accountability, Pedram Soltani said the Chamber aims to align its activities with the global standard for social responsibility (ISO 26000) and a relevant commission has been established.
Given that Pedram Soltani, ICCIMA Vice-President, has been elected as member of the General Council at the World Chambers Federation (WCF) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), his proposal for shaping a committee of Sustainable Development Goals (GDGs 2030) has been warmly welcomed and received by members of the Council.
The World Chambers Federation (WCF) is composed of the WCF Chairmanship, the WCF Executive Committee and 20 members of the WCF General Council. The WCF General Council is the backbone of the global chamber community, uniting the network of local, regional, national, and bilateral chambers.
The renowned Iranian businessmen later said ICCIMA was planning to hold a conference on SDGs and the role of private sector in reaching the objectives. Soltani also suggested that MoUs for expansion of cooperation be inked between UNICEF and Abrar Society or ICCIMA.
Later at the meeting, Representative of United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in Iran Dr. Will Parks recounted on his 40-year experience of activities in Iraq and Iran as well as 40 other world countries and voiced optimism that UNICEF’s ties with the private sector, which had remained at a hiatus since 2009, will be resumed. “UNICEF seeks to attract cooperation of state and private sectors as well as other international institutions in order to accomplish its objectives in Iran,” he added.
Parks also highlighted the key role played by ICCIMA, as Iran’s largest private sector body, in shaping bonds between UNICEF and firms whose activities are somehow related to children; “these ties could facilitate UNICEF activities and provide them with greater legitimacy.”
The visiting official said UNICEF was willing to launch cooperation with Iran Chamber of Commerce in banking, hospitality, ICT and transport areas.
“Banks could facilitate fund raising carried for UNICEF as well as that the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry can assist the international organization by developing advertising applications.
On sixty years of UNICEF’s presence in Iran, Will Parks said “the organization's activities began with programs to fight diseases and teach children and is now conducting projects in four sectors of health, education, law and criminal policy as well as information providing.
UNICEF representative in Iran emphasized the need for collaborations with ICCIMA concluding that the Iranian Chamber could assist UNICEF in attracting investments.
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