The ICN’s 12th Annual Conference in 1000 Words or Less

CPI ICN Column edited by Maria Coppola (U.S. Federal Trade Commission)

More than 500 delegates, representing more than 80 competition agencies and other competition experts from around the world, met to discuss key competition issues at the 12th International Competition Network Annual Conference, which was held from April 24 until April 26, 2013 in Warsaw. Mr. Bronislaw Komorowski, the President of Poland, opened the conference.

At the conference, ICN members adopted new work product on economic analysis in merger review, analysis of exclusive dealing arrangements, international cooperation and information sharing in cartel enforcement, investigative processes in competition cases, and competition agency engagement with courts and judges.¹

More generally, the conference showcased the achievements of ICN working groups on advocacy, agency effectiveness, cartels, mergers, and unilateral conduct, as well as recent ICN work in the areas of enforcement cooperation and working with courts and judges.

Highlights from the conference include:

• Investigative tools and transparency were the topic of a panel discussion and report, with at least a few ICN members hopeful that this would be the groundwork for more prescriptive work.
• As part of ICN’s virtual university, new training modules on planning and conducting investigations, competition advocacy, and challenges for agencies in developing countries were presented.
• The Cartel Working Group presen