The session will present and discuss key developments in the latest technologies, and their impacts on trade: from blockchain and other technologies applied to trade facilitation to artificial intelligence as a tool to help the World Trade Oragnization (WTO) achieve an e-commerce agreement. It contributes to the eTrade for All initiative through its focus on technologies and trade logistics.
The Intelligent Tech & Trade Initiative (ITTI) examines how cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain and augmented intelligence are allowing international trade transactions and negotiations to advance.
UNCTAD’s Trade and Logistics Branch partners with developing countries to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities in the areas of transport and trade facilitation and logistics, and related administrative, procedural and legal frameworks.
Two streams will guide the UNCTAD/ITTI session. The stream “trade logistics” will benefit from a presentation of Huawei on the linkages between ICTs, trade facilitation and industry insights. It highlights how ICT technologies and solutions contribute to the TFA implementation, improving administrative efficiency with the adoption of more transparent governance practices.
The stream “AI & trade negotiations” will discuss the possibilities of the WTO members to adopt an artificial intelligence tool in order to speed-up the conclusion of an e-commerce multilateral trade agreement. Which questions should the tool answer? What will be the benefits for trade negotiators and the multilateral system as whole? Will these answers help trade negotiations to advance towards a positive E-trade agreement for all?
The session will end with a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between ITTI and UNCTAD.
This is a lunch session, with sandwiches kindly sponsored by ITTI. It is co-organized by the UNCTAD Trade Logistics Branch and ITTI, in collaboration with the International Chamber of Commerce Brasil, the World Economic Forum (WEF), the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Huawei.
Speakers:
Mr. Gabriel Petrus, ITTI Executive Director
Ms. Aviva Zhang, Trade Facilitation & Market Access Issue Management, Global Government Affairs Dept., Huawei
H.E. Mr. Alvaro Cedeño Molinari, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the WTO
Mr. Wolfgang Lehmacher, Head of Supply Chain and Transport Industry, World Economic Forum
Mr. Vasco Crivelli Visconti, Executive Director, B2W Digital, Brazil
Moderator:
Mr. Jan Hoffmann, Chief Trade Logistics Branch, Division on Technology and Logistics, UNCTAD
