This Intergovernmental Group of Experts aims to strengthen the work of UNCTAD on information and communications technologies, e-commerce and the digital economy for development, so as to enhance its ability to support developing countries to engage in and benefit from the evolving digital economy, and reduce the digital divide, for the creation of more inclusive knowledge societies.

The substantive agenda items for the 7th session are as follows:

• Building digital readiness: From assessments to implementation

  • What are the main challenges for developing countries, to engage in and benefit from e-commerce and the digital economy?
  • What are good practices and tools for the effective implementation of policy measures at the national level, to overcome the main challenges? What is the role of national Governments, agencies, United Nations resident coordinator offices and others in this process?
  • How can international cooperation help enable greater benefits from e-commerce and digital trade?
  • How can international partnerships and coordination for digital cooperation help accelerate progress on building readiness for e-commerce and the digital economy?
     

• Working group on measuring e-commerce and the digital economy

  The session will review the Chair’s summary of the 4th meeting of the Working Group held on 30 November and 1 December 2023 and will decise the topics for its 5th meeting.

Written contributions

To facilitate deliberations and the informal exchange of experiences and good practices on the topics to be discussed, member States and observers are requested to submit written contributions. 

Participation

This session is open to all member States of UNCTAD. Other organizations, including specialized agencies, intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations in the general and special categories, as well as academia and the private sector, may participate as observers.

Registration

Online registration is mandatory for all those wishing to attend the meeting and is required in order to be included in the list of participants.

Logistics

The session will be held with physical participation in room XIX of the Palais des Nations. Those who cannot attend the meeting in person will be able to listen to the live audio stream in the six official languages of the United Nations.

The link to listen live will be sent to registered participants, at the email address used for registration, one day in advance of the start of the session.