Dubai Chambers and International Chamber of Commerce Launch Chamber Benchmarking Tool to Enhance Performance and Competitiveness of Global Chambers

News

Dubai Chambers and International Chamber of Commerce Launch Chamber Benchmarking Tool to Enhance Performance and Competitiveness of Global Chambers

2025-09-03 17:35 Last Updated At：17:50

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 3, 2025--

Dubai Chambers, in collaboration with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Chambers Federation (WCF), has launched the Chamber Benchmarking Tool, a first-of-its-kind platform enabling chambers of commerce to access best practices and benchmark their performance against global standards.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250903661712/en/

Unveiled during the 14th World Chambers Congress in Melbourne, Australia, the initiative was showcased to 1,200 chamber leaders and officials from over 100 countries. As the premier global gathering for chamber representatives, the event is a vital platform for exchanging expertise and strengthening international networks.

The tool is designed to transform the global chamber ecosystem by enhancing institutional performance and empowering chambers to deliver improved services, streamline processes, and achieve operational excellence. It assesses seven core roles and responsibilities: economic research and business intelligence; advocacy and policy representation; international trade and investment attraction; training and workforce support; networking and collaboration; advisory and support services; and legal and dispute resolution.

It also measures key dimensions of operational excellence including strategic alignment, process efficiency, partnerships, member satisfaction, governance, innovation, and financial impact.

H.E. Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, commented: “This initiative reflects Dubai’s position as a global hub for excellence and institutional innovation. It aligns with the emirate’s commitment to shaping a resilient and sustainable future for business communities worldwide by promoting cross-border collaboration, fostering knowledge-driven partnerships, and advancing agile, forward-looking solutions to navigate an evolving economic landscape.”

John W.H. Denton AO, Secretary General of the ICC, said: “The launch of the Chamber Benchmarking Tool marks a milestone in empowering chambers worldwide with the insights they need to thrive. We are grateful to Dubai Chambers for their leadership and expertise, which have been pivotal in bringing this vision to life.”

The tool provides a data-driven framework for self-assessment and comparative analysis, offering tailored recommendations, access to global case studies, and insights into emerging trends. Developed with guidance from a steering committee of international experts, its foundations were built on an in-depth study of 19 chambers worldwide.

About Dubai Chambers:

Dubai Chambers is a non-profit public entity that supports Dubai’s vision as a global player by empowering businesses, providing innovative value-added services, and unlocking access to influential networks.

*Source:AETOSWire

Thousands of nurses go on strike at several major New York City hospitals

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of nurses in three hospital systems in New York City went on strike Monday after negotiations through the weekend failed to yield breakthroughs in their contract disputes.

The strike was taking place at The Mount Sinai Hospital and two of its satellite campuses, with picket lines forming. The other affected hospitals are NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

About 15,000 nurses are involved in the strike, according to New York State Nurses Association.

“After months of bargaining, management refused to make meaningful progress on core issues that nurses have been fighting for: safe staffing for patients, healthcare benefits for nurses, and workplace violence protections,” the union said in a statement issued Monday. “Management at the richest hospitals in New York City are threatening to discontinue or radically cut nurses’ health benefits.”

The strike, which comes during a severe flu season, could potentially force the hospitals to transfer patients, cancel procedures or divert ambulances. It could also put a strain on city hospitals not involved in the contract dispute, as patients avoid the medical centers hit by the strike.

The hospitals involved have been hiring temporary nurses to try and fill the labor gap during the walkout, and said in a statement during negotiations that they would “do whatever is necessary to minimize disruptions.” Montefiore posted a message assuring patients that appointments would be kept.

“NYSNA’s leaders continue to double down on their $3.6 billion in reckless demands, including nearly 40% wage increases, and their troubling proposals like demanding that a nurse not be terminated if found to be compromised by drugs or alcohol while on the job," Montefiore spokesperson Joe Solmonese said Monday after the strike had started. "We remain resolute in our commitment to providing safe and seamless care, regardless of how long the strike may last.”

New York-Presbyterian accused the union of staging a strike to “create disruption,” but said in a statement that it has taken steps to ensure patients receive the care they need.

"We’re ready to keep negotiating a fair and reasonable contract that reflects our respect for our nurses and the critical role they play, and also recognizes the challenging realities of today’s healthcare environment,” the statement said.

The work stoppage is occurring at multiple hospitals simultaneously, but each medical center is negotiating with the union independently. Several other hospitals across the city and in its suburbs reached deals in recent days to avert a possible strike.

The nurses’ demands vary by hospital, but the major issues include staffing levels and workplace safety. The union says hospitals have given nurses unmanageable workloads.

Nurses also want better security measures in the workplace, citing incidents like a an incident last week, when a man with a sharp object barricaded himself in a Brooklyn hospital room and was then killed by police.

The union also wants limitations on hospitals’ use of artificial intelligence.

The nonprofit hospitals involved in the negotiations say they’ve been working to improve staffing levels, but say the union’s demands overall are too costly.

Nurses voted to authorize the strike last month.

Both New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani had expressed concern about the possibility of the strike. As the strike deadline neared, Mamdani urged both sides to keep negotiating and reach a deal that “both honors our nurses and keeps our hospitals open.”

“Our nurses kept this city alive through its hardest moments. Their value is not negotiable,” Mamdani said.

State Attorney General Letitia James voiced similar support, saying "nurses put their lives on the line every day to keep New Yorkers healthy. They should never be forced to choose between their own safety, their patients’ well-being, and a fair contract.”

The last major nursing strike in the city was only three years ago, in 2023. That work stoppage, at Mount Sinai and Montefiore, was short, lasting three days. It resulted in a deal raising pay 19% over three years at those hospitals.

It also led to promised staffing improvements, though the union and hospitals now disagree about how much progress has been made, or whether the hospitals are retreating from staffing guarantees.