Join the multi-stakeholder discussions on emerging e-commerce topics and trends in sessions organized by UNCTAD and Partners.

18 April 2016

E-Commerce in the Global Economy

09:00-10:45 - Room XXIII

Getting the Logical Infrastructure Right: Enabling Sustainable E-commerce Growth with Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)

organized by: Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre, Internet Society and Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers

09:00-10:45 - Room XXIV

Global Attitudes Towards Data Protection and Privacy on the Internet

organized by: Centre for International Governance Innovation and Ipsos

11:00-12:45 - Room XXIII

E-commerce Strategies for Rural Development

organized by: UNCTAD

11:00-12:45 - Room XXIV

G7 ICT Priorities: Technology, Innovation, and the Global Economy

organized by: ITI, JEITA, and DIGITALEUROPE

14:00-15:45 - Room XXIII

E-commerce and Digital Economy: Business as Usual?

organized by: WTO Secretariat

14:00-15:45 - Room XXIV

Cybersecurity and Cybercrime: New Tools

organized by: UNCTAD and World Bank

15:00-16:30 - Room XXII

Entrepreneurs Empowering Entrepreneurs through E-commerce and E-services

with keynote speech by the Vice President of Alibaba

16:00-18:00 - Room XXIII

Trade and Regulation in a Digital Economy

organized by: Government of Sweden

16:00-18:00 - Room XXIV

New International Framework for the Protection of Consumers Online

organized by: UNCTAD and OECD

19 April 2016

08:30-09:45 - Delegates Restaurant, 8th floor

World Economic Forum-UNCTAD Breakfast: Priorities for Public-Private Initiatives in Advancing Digital Trade

(By invitation only)

19-20 April 2016

Ad Hoc Expert Meeting on Data Protection and Privacy: Implications for Trade and Development

The increasing global relevance of activities and transactions online and the changing nature of the information economy, enhances the importance of coherence between data protection and privacy frameworks that can help foster innovation and trade while at the same time protect against unnecessary intrusions. Recent and expected regulatory changes in the field of data protection and privacy as well as diverging approaches in different parts of the world, call for renewed discussion on possible ways forward.

This ad hoc expert meeting will contribute to ensure global communication on the subject to understand emerging topics in data protection and privacy, new challenges and opportunities, as it relates to unlocking the potential for cross-border trade. Industry players and consumers, as well as governments and international organizations will present their perspectives and outline the latest developments, current practices and relevant frameworks.

The Ad Hoc expert meeting will commence with the presentation of the UNCTAD Study on Data Protection and International Data Flows. Representatives from public and private stakeholders will then take the floor to discuss thematic topics and present their experiences.

Conference speakers include representatives from the African Union Commission, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Commonwealth, the Computer and Communications Industry Association, Consumers International, the Council of Europe, DIGITALEUROPE, the East African Community Secretariat, the ECOWAS Commission, the European Commission, Facebook, the Global Commission on Internet Governance, the Information Technology Industry Council, the International Chamber of Commerce, the McKinsey Global Institute, the National Board of Trade of Sweden, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, UNCTAD, UNOHCHR, the United States Federal Trade Commission, the World Trade Organization, and government representatives from countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

21 April 2016

Aid for eTrade Consultation

E-commerce is spreading quickly around the world, and can be a powerful driver of economic growth, inclusive trade, and job-creation, including at the bottom of the pyramid. However, many e-commerce development challenges remain. Even in countries with good Internet and broadband connectivity, several obstacles keep consumers and companies from maximizing the economic opportunities opened by e-commerce. While some efforts to improve connectivity and unlock e-commerce potential are present, they typically employ a sectoral approach.

Against this background, UNCTAD is taking the lead in exploring possibilities for launching a new global Initiative entitled Aid for eTrade, aimed at unlocking the potential of e-commerce in developing countries.

To launch the initiative, a draft "Call for Action" has been prepared by representatives of governments, international organizations and private sector enterprises involved in e-commerce.

UNCTAD is inviting all stakeholders to review this draft "Call for Action" and contribute their experiences, views and priorities on the Aid for eTrade initiative.

Written comments are welcome and can be sent to [email protected] until 10 April 2016.

22 April 2016

Measuring eCommerce Day

This day is dedicated to showcasing efforts to improve the quality and availability of statistics on e-commerce and e-commerce readiness of countries. There is growing evidence that e-commerce has a significant impact on enterprise performance. There is also renewed interest in measuring e-commerce and its effects on development.

The first half day of the event is co-organized with NetCommSuisse and will feature the launch of the UNCTAD B2C E-commerce Index 2016, which assesses the readiness of more than 130 countries to engage in e-commerce. It will be followed by presentations of recent data on e-commerce trends and on digital readiness. Participants will be able to hear about pioneering experiences from organizations such as the European Commission, the Korea Association of Information and Telecommunication (KAIT) and the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) of Thailand.

The afternoon session, jointly organized by UNCTAD, WTO and UPU, will delve deeper into the challenge of measuring cross-border e-commerce. While few official sources currently gauge the contribution of e-commerce to exports and imports, there are opportunities to exploit existing surveys, administrative records and even private sector data. Participants will hear about the experiences of national statistical offices, Departments of Trade, Customs, and e-commerce companies. The day will conclude with a discussion of a possible framework to advance and improve the production of statistics on e-commerce in international trade.