Leadership roundtable: Unlocking digital trade for inclusive development

This eTrade for all leadership roundtable will focus on the development impacts of trade in the digital age. It will feature an inclusive dialogue with the leaders of eTrade for all partner organizations to connect the dots on what is needed to make digitalization support inclusive and development gains from trade.

Digitalization holds vast promises and new opportunities in trade and the potential to support resilience in times of disruption. It can boost trade growth with the introduction of new technologies and better processes and contribute to job creation. Cross-border trade is becoming increasingly “digital”, and this trend will likely continue. Yet, the levels of readiness and growth of countries and regions to trade digitally vary greatly. Digitally deliverable services accounted for 55% of global services exports in 2022, having declined from a peak of 63% during the COVID-19 pandemic. For developed economies this share was 60%; for developing economies it was 45%; and for the poorest and least digitalized economies, the LDCs, it was just 17%. So, doubling the share of LDCs in world trade – as stipulated in Sustainable Development Goal target 17.11 – will be even more difficult unless the ability of countries to participate in and benefit from digital trade is strengthened.
Developing countries, especially the LDCs, which generally have the lowest levels of availability, quality and affordability of digital technologies and digital skills, risk falling further behind.

Trust and security in the digital space also need to be enhanced. Many digital business opportunities are generated by the collection and use of data stemming from interactions among businesses and customers or between governments and citizens. Digital technologies could offer new opportunities if well harnessed, and if concerns for hazards like cybersecurity, cybercrime and privacy breaches are addressed. Ensuring more inclusive and sustainable outcomes from digitalization in trade requires concerted international cooperation and enhanced capacity building in policy formulation and implementation.

eTrade for all partners are playing a key role in both advocating and helping to create a favourable environment for comprehensive, cross-cutting, and holistic approaches, to ensure that the digitalization of trade translates into inclusive and sustainable gains.

eTrade for all partners have been instrumental in the implementation of UNCTAD’s eTrade Readiness assistance in the past 5 years, enhancing the ability of least developed and developing countries to better harness the many complex issues around e-commerce, including those discussed within global and regional fora.

Likewise, partners have engaged in several joint activities, in the framework of the UNCTAD-led eTrade for Women initiative, to address gender gaps in the digital economy and promote a more inclusive digital policy dialogue.

Partners also engaged in joint research activities, such as the report on the impact of COVID-19 in e-commerce across developing regions, as well as in training and awareness raising activities. Other examples of collaboration include the Pacific Digital Economy Programme.

The eTrade for all initiative strives to offer a privileged space for partners to exchange good practices, identify opportunities for enhanced cooperation both at the expert and at the leadership level, and avoid duplication of efforts.

This session will therefore offer a rare opportunity for eTrade for all leaders to discuss the multifaceted dimensions of digital transformation, to reflect on lessons learned and to explore new opportunities for leveraging digital trade for sustainable development. It will also explore how to enhance mutual cooperation and opportunities for the sake of inclusive and sustainable development.

Guiding questions:

How can digital trade contribute better to inclusive and sustainable development gains?
How can we strengthen the ability of developing countries, especially the least developed countries, to participate in and benefit from digital trade?
What measures can be taken to enhance the enabling environment in the digital space to unlock the full potential of digital trade?
In what ways can international cooperation and capacity-building support more inclusive and sustainable outcomes from digital trade, including for women, and how can eTrade for all partners contribute to these efforts?

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