E-commerce is key not only to mitigating economic slowdown, but also for speeding up economic recovery. There are growing concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic has raised the risk of digital inequalities. This enhances the importance of the involvement of developing and least developed countries (LDCs) in trade discussions and negotiations, reinforcing development-oriented priorities.
Nevertheless, recent research on the architecture of e-commerce governance shows that the e-commerce regime network is highly concentrated. Even when developing countries are part of e-commerce negotiations (such as in the context of the WTO Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on e-commerce), they contribute less with text proposals than their developed counterparts.
Against this backdrop, this session will discuss the ways in which we can enhance inclusiveness in e-commerce trade negotiations.
This discussion is organised by Diplo, the International Trade Centre (ITC), and CUTS International, Geneva, and is part of the International Institute for Sustainable Development’s (IISD) Trade + Sustainability Hub.
More information, and registration, can be found on the official page.
