The digital transformation is reshaping the global economy, redefining how goods and services are produced, traded, and consumed. Digitally delivered services are now among the fastest-growing components of international trade. Yet many developing and least developed countries remain excluded from this transformation due to infrastructure gaps, limited digital skills, and insufficient data.
Reliable, disaggregated, and timely statistics on trade in services—especially digital services—are essential for designing evidence-based policies that can drive inclusive growth, fair competition, and consumer protection. Current statistical systems, however, often fall short in capturing the complexity of digital trade. This session will examine how to close these gaps to ensure that all economies can benefit from digital trade opportunities.
The session will begin with a fireside chat featuring keynote addresses by Mr. Pedro Moreno, Deputy Secretary-General of UNCTAD and Ms. Johanna Hill Deputy Director General of the WTO, followed by a panel discussion with experts and policymakers. The debate will be interactive, encouraging participants to share perspectives on the opportunities and challenges posed by digital trade.
Key Focus Areas
- What do we know—and not know—about trade in services in the digital economy?
- What regulatory and policy frameworks are needed to safeguard competition and consumer protection in trade in services and the digital economy?
- How can international cooperation support inclusive digital trade?
This plenary session will bring together:
- Policymakers and government officials engaged in trade and digital economy agendas
- Trade and competition authorities
- Researchers and academics in trade, law, and digital policy
- Business leaders and digital economy stakeholders
- Civil society and consumer protection advocates
Expected Outcomes:
- Greater awareness of the central role of data in shaping inclusive digital trade policies.
- Identification of key data gaps and methodological challenges in measuring services trade.
- Practical policy recommendations for balancing trade, competition, and consumer protection in the digital era.
- Stronger momentum for international cooperation on capacity-building and regulatory alignment.
Moderator:
- H.E. Mr. Muhammadou M.O. Kah, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative, Mission of the Gambia
Keynote Addresses:
- Mr. Pedro Manuel Moreno, Deputy Secretary-General, UNCTAD
- Ms. Johanna Hill, Deputy Director-General, WTO
Panel Discussion:
- H.E. Ms. Kadra Ahmed Hassan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative, Mission of Djibouti in Geneva (TBC)
- Mr. Carlos Jacques Vieira Gomes, Administrative Tribunal, Economic Council for Economic Defense (CADE – Competition Authority), Brazil
- Professor Mira Burri, Chair for International Economic and Internet Law, University of Lucerne, Switzerland
