UNCTAD eWeek 2023: Shaping the future of the digital economy

UNCTAD eWeek 2023, organized in collaboration with eTrade for all partners, took place in Geneva and online from 4 to 8 December 2023.

Held under the theme "Shaping the future of the digital economy", it mobilized global support for a more inclusive and sustainable digital economy, aligning with global initiatives like the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN Global Digital Compact and the UN Secretary-General's “Our Common Agenda”.

With 150 sessions organized by eTrade for all partners, member states, the private sector and civil society, that brought together more than 3,500 participants from 159 nations, including 40 least developed countries, to discuss how to turn digital opportunities into shared and sustainable progress, this edition of the eWeek was the largest to date.

Outcome document: The Geneva Vision on the Future of the Digital Economy

"The Geneva Vision on the Future of the Digital Economy" is the official outcome document of eWeek 2023. It provides context for the organization of the event, presents an overview of the high-level sessions that took place during the week and offers a snapshot of the eWeek’s key facts and numbers.

Highlights of the week

Key features of eWeek 2023 included:

• High-level discussions that addressed critical issues needing urgent attention, such as governing digital platforms and artificial intelligence (AI), greening the digital economy, boosting women's digital entrepreneurship and fast-tracking the digital readiness of developing countries.
• The launch of over 10 reports and publications, including eTrade Readiness Assessments, inter-agency studies like The Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report and the Digital Trade and Development Report.
• An “In Conversation With” series of in-depth discussions with three inspiring women: Mitchell Baker, CEO of Mozilla Corporation; Birame Sock, Founder of Kwely; and Michele Jawando, Senior Vice President of Omidyar Network.

eWeek 2023 in numbers

The event’s reach and diversity were notable.

• Over 60 sessions were held online or in a hybrid format through the eWeek virtual conference centre to ensure inclusivity, allowing interested stakeholders who could not travel to Geneva to actively participate in the discussions.
• A 48-52 gender balance among participants and equal representation of the main sectors was achieved: One fourth of the participants were from governments, one fifth from the private sector, one fifth from intergovernmental organizations, and one fifth from civil society and academia.
• The week featured more than 720 speakers and moderators from all parts of the globe and sides of the stakeholder spectrum.

News

Protecting competition in digital markets: Policy options for developing countries

19 Dec 2023

Governments of developing nations worldwide are examining measures to curb anti-competitive practices in digital markets without stifling innovation.

Australia commits $3 million for UNCTAD’s work on e-commerce and the digital economy

8 Dec 2023

The funds will enhance the organization’s technical cooperation, capacity-building and multistakeholder coordination, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.

UNCTAD eWeek charts a sustainable and inclusive path for the digital economy

8 Dec 2023

More than 3,500 participants from 159 countries outlined actions needed to transform digital opportunities into shared and eco-friendly progress.

In an AI-driven digital economy, how can developing countries keep up?

8 Dec 2023

UNCTAD eWeek renews the global call to guide artificial intelligence so it unifies rather than divides, helping to create an inclusive and human-centred digital future.

Curbing the digital economy’s growing environmental footprint

7 Dec 2023

Digital technologies offer climate solutions but carry environmental costs. A more sustainable digital transition is key to securing a better future for the planet.

Accelerating the digital economy in developing countries

7 Dec 2023

UNCTAD eWeek 2023 issues a rallying call to help developing countries unlock their potential in the digital economy for a more inclusive future.

Digital trade fuels Asia-Pacific’s growth, but progress is uneven

6 Dec 2023

In a new report, UN agencies call for stronger policy coordination and capacity-building to ensure digital trade leads to inclusive development in the region.

UNCTAD eWeek 2023 kicks off to shape a better digital future for all

4 Dec 2023

The week-long event will tackle pressing digitalization challenges to ensure the digital transformation leads to shared progress and sustainable growth.

UNCTAD eWeek 2023 to mobilize global support for a more inclusive digital economy

15 Nov 2023

More than 3,000 stakeholders from 130 countries will examine how to turn digital opportunities into shared development gains and close existing divides for a sustainable future.

Registration for UNCTAD eWeek 2023 now open

24 Jul 2023

The global event offers a unique platform for governments, businesses, civil society and international organizations to work together to shape a better digital future for all.

More News

Photos

See eWeek 2023 photo albums

UNCTAD eCommerce Week was renamed eWeek to encompass all aspects of the evolving global digital landscape.

Organized with eTrade for all partners and held under the theme "Shaping the future of the digital economy", eWeek 2023 will mobilize global support for a more inclusive and sustainable digital economy. Read the press release.

E-commerce and the data-driven digital economy offer immense opportunities to boost innovation and growth, cut trade barriers and accelerate social and economic development. But digital and data divides are growing and threaten to deepen other inequalities within and between countries.

The expanding digital economy is also raising concerns about privacy and other human rights, environmental sustainability and cybercrime.

Leaders from governments, businesses, international organizations, development banks, academia and civil society, and more than 3,000 other stakeholders from 130 countries will convene to address three key questions:

• How do we want the future digital economy to look?
• What’s required to turn this vision into a reality?
• How can we harness digital partnerships and enhance cooperation to turn digital opportunities into shared development outcomes?

Over 150 high-level and thematic sessions will be held in-person, online and in a hybrid format.

They'll explore key topics including platform governance, the development impact of artificial intelligence (AI), eco-friendly digital practices, empowering women through digital entrepreneurship and accelerating digital readiness in developing countries.

Join eWeek to share your perspective, connect with professionals from across the globe, help shape future digital projects and support global initiatives like the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN Global Digital Compact and the UN Secretary-General's “Our Common Agenda”.

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