The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) today announced that the application deadline for nominations for the 2010 World Business and Development Awards has been extended until 11:59 pm GMT on Thursday 15 July 2010.

Created in 2000, the Awards will recognise five private companies for their work in improving the lives of the world'’s most disadvantaged people and their contribution to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), —eight internationally-agreed goals that aim to reduce poverty and encourage sustainable development by 2015. Winning companies will be able to demonstrate how they have been able to achieve commercial success while encouraging long-term economic and social development in the communities they work in.

"Increasingly the private sector is a critical component for increasing aid effectiveness and achieving the Millennium Development Goals,"” said Jean Rozwadowski, Secretary General of ICC. The World Business and Development Awards are the first international business awards given on a biennial basis to recognize business for its role in alleviating poverty and fostering an enabling environment for enterprises of all sizes and sectors to grow, create jobs, and pursue technological innovation and cooperation.

With the deadline for MDGs achievement set for 2015, the UN system has devoted 2010 to building a renewed momentum for working toward them. In September, leaders from business and government will convene in New York for the special MDG Summit, hosted by the UN Secretary-General. The Summit aims to produce a global action agenda, specifying the roles and partnerships– including those of the private sector required to achieve the Goals.

Companies, institutions and associations of all types and sizes are invited to participate by nominating a project that documents business activities leading to progress in one or more of the MDGs.

Award winners will be presented with a framed certificate during an awards gala under the patronage of high-level dignitaries from business, government and civil society. Winners will be profiled in the publications and on the official websites of ICC, UNDP and its Business Call to Action, and IBLF.

An international judging panel made up of ICC Secretary General Jean Rozwadowski and IBLF'’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Graham Baxter as well as leaders of non-governmental organizations, business entities and international agencies will make the final selection.

Past winners of the World Business and Development Awards include both multinational and small- to medium-sized enterprises. In 2008, ten companies were recognized for their commitment to fight poverty and improve the lives of millions of poor people across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Winners included Safaricom for their M-PESA mobile banking platform that provides over eight million subscribers in Kenya with a access to banking services; SMART Communications for helping 40 million people gain access to communication and micro-enterprise opportunities through its mobile phone services in the Philippines; and Diageo for its efforts to build the local sorghum value chain in Nigeria and contribution to the development of approximately 27,000 jobs.

For information on previous winners, visit: http://www.iccwbo.org/WBA/id23810/index.html

WBDA: Established by the International Chamber of Commerce in 2000, the Awards recognize the contribution of the private sector to achieve the MDGs through their core business. The 2008 WBDA received an unprecedented 104 applications from 44 countries. The WBDA raise awareness, promote best practices, and encourage further action. Concrete examples are shared with governments and businesses on the advantages of joining forces for poverty alleviation. The WBDA encourage action at the country level and create a network of companies and entrepreneurs.

ICC is the voice of world business, championing the global economy as a force for economic growth, job creation and prosperity. ICC activities cover a broad spectrum, from arbitration and dispute resolution to making the case for open trade and the market economy system, business self-regulation, fighting corruption and combating commercial crime (www.iccwbo.org).

IBLF works with business, governments and civil society to enhance the contribution that companies can make to sustainable development. Founded by HRH The Prince of Wales, the IBLF is an independent, not-for-profit organization currently supported by over 100 of the world'’s leading businesses (www.IBLF.org).