BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:unctad.org BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6a4d6f88a34ea DTSTART:20251021T130000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20251021T160000Z LOCATION:Geneva\, Switzerland SUMMARY:UNCTAD 16 Digital for development forum CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:Follow liveEnsuring that digitalization brings benefits for all is among the top policy challenges\, according to UNCTAD. The rapid pace of technological change is transforming economies worldwide in unprecedent ed ways\, creating new opportunities\, as well as challenges. Current tren ds suggest that value capture is benefiting the few rather than the many. The Digital for Development Forum will put the spotlight on two key develo pment dimensions of technological change.Discussions at the first session will build on new evidence from UNCTAD research on women digital entrepren eurs in the Global South that shows that most of them face systemic barrie rs\, including limited access to finance\, digital skills and leadership o pportunities. Deliberate policy action is needed to address these issues. Leading experts and pioneering women entrepreneurs\, including from the eT rade for Women initiative\, will highlight how public policies\, business strategies and partnerships can support digital entrepreneurship\, close d igital gender divides and ensure more inclusive and sustainable growth.Dis cussions at the second session will turn attention to the interface betwee n digitalization and regional integration\, the twin drivers of economic g rowth and resilience. Most e-commerce remains domestic and there is consid erable scope for more digital trade. UNCTAD has supported many member coun tries in strengthening digital readiness and advancing regional integratio n\, including through collaboration with member States\, regional organiza tions and development banks. This session will bring together perspectives from different parts of the world to highlight achievements\, showcase su ccessful models and draw lessons from each region'\;s journey in harne ssing digital technologies for regional economic integration.ProgrammeOpen ing remarks:Pedro Manuel Moreno\, Deputy Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)Panel 1: From barriers to breakthroughs - women entre preneurs shaping the digital ageQuestions:How can Governments and institut ions address barriers in order for women entrepreneurs to fully participat e in the digital economy and in digital leadership and access funding?What strategies are needed to enable women entrepreneurs to scale their digita l businesses regionally or internationally?What lessons can be learned fro m women-led businesses that have successfully navigated systemic barriers in their digital transformation?How can Governments incentivize private se ctor investment that supports women in the digital economy?What can the in ternational community do to close the gender digital divide at scale?Speak ers:Mr. James Baxter\, Ambassador of Australia to the WTO TBCHelge Elisabe th Zeitler\, Director for UN and EU Affairs\, at the German Ministry for E conomic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)Vena Arielle Ahouansou\, Founder and CEO of Kea Medicals in Benin\, and UNCTAD'\;s eTrade for Women Adv ocate for Francophone AfricaAngeline Tham\, Founder and CEO of Angkas in t he Philippines\, and UNCTAD'\;s eTrade for Women Advocate for Southeas t AsiaAlisa Sydow\, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at ESCP Busine ss School in London\, founder of NampelkaModerator:Isabelle Kumar\, Award winning journalistPanel 2: Leveraging the digital transformation for regio nal integration - from policy to practiceQuestions:What are key enablers a nd barriers to building inclusive and resilient digital economies\, that s upport regional integration?What lessons can be drawn from the experience of regional organizations in supporting inclusive regional digital ecosyst ems?Which particular challenges do small island developing States face?How can financial institutions support regional digital transformation?How ca n international organizations such as UNCTAD help strengthen digital readi ness\, regulatory frameworks and institutional capacity across regions?Spe akers:Carla Natalie Barnett\, Secretary-General\, CARICOMMere Falemaka\, P ermanent Representative to the Permanent Delegation of the Pacific Islands Forum to the World Trade OrganizationLansana Gberie\, Ambassador\, Perman ent Mission of Sierra Leone to the United Nations in GenevaRajiv Babooram\ , Adviser and Head\, Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda\, Commonwealth Secre tariatGiulia Ajmone Marsan\, Head of Startups and Digital Inclusion\, ERIA Moderator:Sven Callebaut\, Senior adviser on trade\, digital trade and e-c ommerce in Asia and the Pacific<\;h3>\;Follow live<\;/h3>\;<\;di v class="\;ratio ratio-16x9 mb-3\n\nView meeting on unctad.org\nhttps: //unctad.org/unctad16/digital-for-development-forum DTSTAMP:20260707T212840Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR