What ICC Members Can Expect from ICC Netherlands in 2026

A message from the Director General of ICC Netherlands Laure Jacquier

As we step into 2026, I want to begin with a simple but important message: ICC Netherlands will continue to work with our partners in the spirit of close cooperation. Nothing we do happens in isolation. ICC, at every level, is a platform for collaboration – both globally and locally – and our strength lies precisely in that collective network.

We work closely with partners such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, ICC Global and UN Global Compact while at the same time building strong local partnerships here in the Netherlands.

Our philosophy is clear: progress only happens when we work together. That belief will guide everything ICC Netherlands does in 2026. In a world marked by geopolitical tension, economic fragmentation and regulatory uncertainty, my optimism comes from one place: when businesses engage, participate and work together, they can still create stability, predictability and progress.

Guided by this conviction, ICC Netherlands will focus on five strategic priorities in 2026, each designed to help our members strengthen trust, resilience and cooperation in international business.

1. Defending multilateralism and international trade

In today’s geopolitical context, the defence of multilateralism and rules-based international trade is not an abstract principle: it is a business necessity. The competitiveness of the Netherlands and the European Union depends on open, predictable trade rules. For Dutch companies operating globally, predictability versus volatility is no longer a theoretical debate – it directly affects day-to-day activities, from supply chain management to growth and investment. Geopolitical developments are not ‘emerging risks’ anymore: they’re the new reality. If you want to gain a deeper insight into the importance of embedding resilience into your company's operating methods, then our interview with Tim Bosch (co-founder of the Birdwatcher Group) is a must-read. 

The WTO system is under pressure, but there is no viable alternative. Rather than walking away from multilateralism, ICC is calling for a coordinated effort by all ICC national committees to modernise and reform the WTO so that it reflects today’s trade realities. This must also include a stronger reflection of the role of emerging economies.

A key priority for ICC Netherlands in 2026 is ensuring that the voice of business is heard ahead of the next WTO Ministerial Conference. In the Netherlands, we contribute to this through public-private dialogue. At the end of January, ICC Netherlands will host a WTO roundtable open to all ICC NL members. This is not a closed-door exercise; it is a structured, safe space for companies to openly share concerns, best practices and real-life experiences, and to feed that input into international discussions.

My message is simple: if businesses do not show up, multilateralism will not defend itself. If you want reform to happen, you have to participate.

This same logic applies to the development of international trade tools. In 2026, the Incoterms® reform process will officially start, aiming towards Incoterms® 2030. It is essential that these globally used rules reflect real business needs. ICC Netherlands will actively encourage members to contribute.

The same is true for potential revisions of UCP 600 and ISBP, where ICC is currently gathering feedback from practitioners. ICC Netherlands encourages its members to participate in the live surveys and consultations. If businesses do not engage, these standards risk being shaped by an unbalanced set of voices.

2. Business integrity as a foundation for trade

Trade cannot function without trust. That is why business integrity remains a core priority for ICC Netherlands in 2026.

This year marks an important milestone: 10 years of the Week of Integrity, an initiative founded by ICC Netherlands to raise awareness and create a trusted space for dialogue between the private and public sectors. The Week of Integrity is open not only to ICC members, but also to non-members. Why? Because integrity is not exclusive. Everyone should be working on it.

This year’s overarching theme is Leading with Integrity in a Digital World. It’s a crucial subject: while digitalisation increases efficiency, it also brings new risks. Corruption, misconduct and integrity failures have real economic and reputational consequences: for companies and society as a whole.

The Week of Integrity takes place each year in the last week of October. The first partner meeting and workshops will take place on 6 February, focusing on embedding integrity into leadership and decision-making.

Besides the Week of Integrity, ICC Netherlands will also continue facilitating cross-sector exchanges between businesses, banks and legal professionals. The most significant point here is the cross-sector perspective: this is one of the biggest strengths of ICC Netherlands. We bring together a diverse array of sectors to communicate and share their ideas.

Building on the roundtables initiated last year, an upcoming session will focus on indirect sanctions – how sanctions imposed by third countries affect Dutch trade in practice, and how businesses experience this on the ground.

Through the Business Integrity Commission, ICC Netherlands will define its 2026 agenda during its first members-only meeting at the end of January. This ensures that our priorities remain aligned with the concrete challenges Dutch companies face.

3. Dispute resolution: bridging business and legal practice

Effective dispute resolution is necessary to build trust, continuity and resilience in international business. In 2026, ICC Netherlands will continue to focus on building bridges between business and legal professionals.

Too often, disputes are approached from parallel perspectives. In-house counsel deal with commercial realities; external lawyers focus on legal frameworks. There is room for better alignment; I think the communication between these two disciplines can really be improved. This is where ICC can add value.

We are organising a number of targeted roundtable sessions on topics selected jointly with our legal and business members. In addition, ICC Netherlands will host the Joint Arbitration Day in Amsterdam, bringing together professionals from the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany to exchange best practices.

Our Dispute Resolution Forum, hosted this year by Houthoff, will remain a key moment for dialogue, while we continue to promote alternative dispute resolution and its practical benefits for Dutch businesses.

We are also committed to engaging young professionals. Giving the next generation a voice within our arbitration work is not optional. New perspectives bring new ideas, and they strengthen the future of dispute resolution in the Netherlands.

4. Sustainability, finance and inclusive leadership

Sustainability, inclusion and economic resilience go hand in hand. ICC Netherlands works closely with ICC Global on the ICC Principles for Sustainable Trade Finance (PSTF), which have already been adopted by two major Dutch banks. Through the Sustainability Commission, we will identify which topics matter most to Dutch businesses in 2026, with circularity playing a central role.

One issue I care deeply about is green-hushing. We all know about the dangers of greenwashing, but the phenomenon of green-hushing deserves equal attention. If companies become afraid to communicate about their sustainability efforts, we risk creating the impression that sustainability no longer matters. That silence also travels down the supply chain. If suppliers do not hear about sustainability efforts, they may stop their own. Those who are intrinsically motivated must speak up.

Participation matters here too. If we want sustainability to remain central to business, we must talk about it.

Inclusive leadership remains equally important. Despite progress, a significant gender gap persists in Dutch business leadership. On this subject, I am particularly proud of the WISE – Women in Strategic Engagement programme. WISE is a leadership development programme offered by ICC Netherlands that focuses on impact, relationships and real-world leadership challenges. WISE is designed to complement (not compete with) high-end executive programmes, offering practical tools and networks. After a very successful first cohort last year, we will launch a new cohort on 12 March this year.

On the finance side, ICC Netherlands continues to work with Banking and Sustainability Commissions. The fact is that the countries that need investment the most often face the greatest barriers due to risk ratings and regulatory constraints. The goal is simple: to create the biggest possible impact at a global scale.

5. Digitalisation of trade documents

Finally, digitalisation of trade documentation remains a priority – and a frustration. Digital trade is a critical enabler of modern trade, yet the Netherlands is still lagging behind. Legal barriers continue to slow progress, even as other countries move faster and see immediate benefits.

The Netherlands is not fully legally aligned with international requirements for digital trade documents, leading to higher costs, delays and risks such as loss or fraud. ICC Netherlands will continue to push for legal reform, while also taking practical steps.

In 2026, we will reactivate the Digitalisation Working Group, make the topic more accessible through clear communication, and actively involve businesses in sharing real-life experiences.

A key project will be ICC Netherlands’ participation in the ICC Digital Standards Initiative (DSI) – Global Digital Trade Sandbox. This initiative provides a safe environment for companies to test digital trade solutions through pilots and proof-of-concept transactions, bringing together companies, banks, platforms, regulators and national committees.

For ICC Netherlands, this is a concrete way to help Dutch companies move from ambition to implementation.

For countries like France and the UK, the impact of digitalisation has been immediate and visible: fewer errors, less fraud, faster processing. But progress requires businesses to speak up – to share real-life problems with paper documents, customs delays and inefficiencies. We have a strong working group on digitalisation, but we need more business voices. Once again, participation is the key.

Looking ahead

Am I optimistic about 2026? Absolutely.

Not because the world is simple – but because I believe deeply in what happens when businesses engage, collaborate and take responsibility.

ICC Netherlands will continue to be a platform where those voices come together, locally and globally, to strengthen trade, integrity, sustainability and innovation.

And we will do it the only way it truly works: by showing up, by participating, and by doing it together.

Want to get involved?

ICC Netherlands is driven by its members. If your organisation is working on topics that connect with ICC’s priorities – from international trade and dispute resolution to integrity, sustainability, digitalisation or geopolitics – we would love to hear from you. We regularly feature member voices through interviews, articles and events, and we are always keen to share practical experiences from the business community. Get in touch if you would like to contribute or be part of the conversation.