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Maria Livanos Cattaui

Maria Livanos Cattaui has been Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) since 1996. As chief executive of the world business organisation, she is responsible for overseeing global policy formulation and representing the interests of world business to governments and international organisations. Prior to joining the ICC, she was Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Recent articles


The Women Vector

UN Resolution 1325 on women and peace-building presents a complex challenge for the international community. It identifies two distinct groups of women with a role to play in peace-building and reconstruction: those on the ground in areas of insecurity and those in global discussions on security issues, in positions of influence and who are peace-builders from the outside.

“Fighting violent conflict – an online conversation.” To join in the discussion on issues surrounding resolution 1325, see OpenDemocracy’s “women making a difference” blog

The test of practice: global progress in a world of sovereignty

Progress towards a richer and fairer world requires specific, diverse initiatives, practical experiment, and patient attention to detail – not high–sounding principles and more international organisations, says Maria Cattaui of the International Chamber of Commerce. In a wide–ranging interview with Anthony Barnett and Caspar Henderson, she argues that a “global compact” between business and the United Nations will be more effective than David Held’s proposed “global covenant”.

Making, and respecting, the rules

Maria Livanos Cattaui organised the annual Davos meeting for nineteen years. Now, as the head of the International Chamber of Commerce, she is one of the foremost advocates of globalisation. In a vigorous interview with openDemocracy, she sets out her distinctive, rules-based vision of the process, one that includes a strong role for government.

Business is part of the solution

There is more to Bonn, the WTO and the G8 than tear gas and cigar smoke. Their lesson, says the head of the International Chamber of Commerce, is that effective policy outcomes require the involvement of governments, business and NGOs alike.