(trimmed) Role of partnership for a more inclusive and sustainable digital future
Transcript
Summary
Rename Speakers
SPEAKER_01
(1.68 - 114.64)
So welcome everybody to this session where we are going to be building on a lot of what we have been discussing already, which is fantastic because this roundtable we'll be looking at issues of the shift of focus when it comes to E Trade and we're going to look at what really defines the partnership we were talking about when it comes to E Trade for all partners. So this is a forward looking session. We want to find out how we can best leverage the strengths of the E Trade for all partners in order to forge new and innovative ways of working together. So as you can see, these were issues that were broached earlier on and we're going to build them up now because we want to look at how best to effectively build on what's been achieved and then also outline priority actions and strategies to reinforce cooperation and achieve inclusive and sustainable development gains for those developing economies in the short medium and also the long term. So let me please introduce our wonderful panel here and we have some speakers joining us or one speaker joining us remotely, but on the stage. And do give a little wave when I mention your name so people can identify you. We have Jose Manuel Salazar Zirinax, who is the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Social Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. Welcome
SPEAKER_01
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remotely. We are joined by Carlos Maria Correa now. He is the Executive Director of the South Centre. We're also joined by Jovan Kurbalia who is the Executive Director of the Diplo Foundation. Hello there.
SPEAKER_01
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Edward Kwaka who is the Assistant Director General of Global Challenges and Partnership Sector at the World Intellectual Property Organization.
SPEAKER_01
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Hassan Nasser, who is the Chief of Cabinet of the dco.
SPEAKER_01
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And of course Rebecca Greenspan who is the Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. And on that note, I would like to invite Rebecca Greenspan to make a few opening remarks.
SPEAKER_02
(172.51 - 523.75)
Hello. Hello everybody. Thank you so much to all the panelists. So they were presented, so I won't go through all of you, but I am really honored to have you in this panel. Thank you so much much for being here with us. And thank you to all of you dear friends for accompanying us in this E Week. I am really pleased to welcome you all to this second E Trade for All Leadership roundtable whose focus is the role of partnerships in delivering an inclusive and sustainable digital future. As we discussed in the previous roundabout roundtable, the rapid pace of technological advancement presents unparalleled opportunities for growth and development. But at the same time it also poses significant challenges, particularly in ensuring equal access and benefits for all we know that the gaps, as we said before, are very large. The theme of our roundtable underscore the importance of collaborative efforts. We are here to explore how governments, private sector entities, international organizations, civil society and academia can work together more effectively to make the digital economy a space for everyone. The premise of this discussion is the recognition that the digital divide is not just a national issue. It is a global challenge that requires coordinated efforts across borders and stakeholders. Take data for example. Data emanates from households, consumers and citizens. This data is then collated and stored in databases and reside, depending on the country, in companies, state organisms or regulatory bodies. But the journey of data doesn't stop at storage. It is further processed and analyzed. This stage is where a select group of a few private companies comes into play. They employ sophisticated software to mine this data for valuable insights and intelligence. The development of such software, while commercially executed in typically has its roots in academic research in universities and institutions through programs that are well funded either by companies themselves, but also in not a small part by financial institutions, philanthropists and the state. In essence then, the digital economy is already a multi stakeholder affair and so much be its policy and so must be its policy and conversation. So your excellencies, we are holding this event at the heart of Geneva, a city that has become a global hub for the digital and development discourse. This session has a very strong representation of Geneva based organizations. Geneva is clearly positioned at the crossroads of international cooperation where ideas meet action. Today we also benefit from the presence of organizations based elsewhere. Here we are joined by leaders from almost all regions in the world. Your presence here today and throughout the week underscores the importance of regional perspectives in shaping global digital strategy. We recognize that the path to digital inclusivity is not uniform. It varies across geographies and it is imperative that we tailor our approaches to each unique context. And last but not least, we are meeting today under the common banner of E Trade for all our common home and family. None of us is as smart as all of us together. It's the unwritten motto of the E Trade for all community which recognizes that the task ahead is not just about harnessing technology. It's about connecting the dots between policy, practice, businesses and people. By joining the E Trade for all initiative, you you have all exemplified this collaborative spirit advocating for comprehensive cross cutting approaches to E commerce and digital trade. I am proud to say that the E Trade for all initiative is alive and kicking. Since it was launched at UNCTAT 14 in Nairobi in 2016, barely seven years ago, its membership has grown from four 14 to 35 members, as many as 28 of them are present here today in DC week. Let me share a few of the collective achievements that we should all be proud of in the E Trade community and that show the value of partnerships in the digital economy. Thanks to the E Trade for all initiative, we have been able to develop with the UN Capital Development Fund and UNDP, the Pacific Digital Economy Program which is now supported by Australia, the European Union and New Zealand. The Diplo Foundation, a long standing partner, is bringing you the AI reporting with a touch of human flavor still
SPEAKER_02
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that you will discover throughout the week. Diplo is also working with us to pioneer some youth consultation with my team and the UNCAT Youth Network. Thank you very much. With wipo, our two organizations have been fostering synergies for women digital entrepreneurs with IP targeted support in a tailored program in the context of the E Trade for Women initiative. Thanks to E Trade for all, we were able to develop with ECLAC and other regional commissions a core training course on E Commerce which is running online just as we speak. More than 300 policymakers from 28 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are deep diving into the key policy aspects of E Commerce for development. Finally, allow me here to also welcome the Digital Cooperation Organization, our newest partner to the initiative. We also count on you to help us achieve our highest goals. The list of course, does not stop. I could continue like this for almost every partner attending here today and throughout the week. I am only highlighting those who are here at this roundtable. Also, since time is of the essence, I am very eager to get this, this roundtable started. So Excellencies, thank you again very much for being with us. The task ahead us is huge. I said before, nothing will happen automatically. It will depend on what we do. For the digital economy to really be an opportunity for all, or for the digital economy to depend on the gaps that already divide the world. It depends on us and what we do. Thank you very much.
SPEAKER_01
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Thank you so much, Secretary General. And as you say so rightly, it is really down to us, to the people in the room, to those partner members of the E Trade for all. And you quite rightly pointed out, you know, the regional perspectives and how important it is to have those voices. So in that respect, I'd like to turn to Mr. Salazar Zirinax from ECLAC, because if we consider the challenges that Latin America and the Caribbean is facing, could you tell us how ECLAC is collaborating? Because that is the key word, how ECLAC is collaborating with member states and regional partners to ensure that digital advancements contribute significantly to economic and social development in the region. I'm sorry I can't see you, but I hello?
SPEAKER_03
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That's right. Thank you. Thank you very much. And it's an enormous pleasure to be here. We have in fact, been working tremendously, very strong with many partners on this, and I'll explain to you in a moment. But let me say that I'm very pleased to be here. UNCTAD let my by my longtime friend and fellow Costa Rican Rebecca Greenspan. Secondly, because UMTAD is an organization with which I have worked for many years, including editing a book when I was at the ILO here in Geneva in 2014 entitled Transforming Making Industrial Policy Work for Growth, Jobs and Development with Richard Kozul, who's still at umtad. And thirdly, because we have a common father figure and genetic code, which is Mr. Raul Previs. And both organizations have a long history of contributing to the theory and practice of economic development. But I am particularly pleased because of the theme of this meeting. The digital revolution is disrupting and transforming production processes and paradigms and business models. The the future is digital and the longer countries take to increase not only access, but the smart and massive uses of digital applications and opportunities, the more they will delay taking advantage of their normal benefits and the larger the possibilities and probabilities that they lag behind. And of course, with all the inequalities and so on, that is also the dark side of this, if you like. The challenge is that the pace of the digital and other technological revolutions is faster than we as human beings and our institutions seem to be able to understand and to adapt to. And the impacts range from huge potential for development to high risks, exacerbated inequalities, labor market and other disruptions. And therefore, the conversations of this week on shaping the future of the digital future are extremely important and certainly strong partnerships and collective efforts are essential. So how do we work and how can we further collaborate at eclac, at CEPAL with Member States and other partners? Well, let me start by telling you that in the digital transformation, we have been supporting governments in designing and implementing policies to harness the full potential of digital technologies. And this is something that we have been doing for at least two decades, if not more. We have a regional platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building, bringing together governments, international organizations and private stakeholders. Most of these activities are carried out under the umbrella of the Ministerial Conference on the Information Society and the Digital Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean. And this Digital Agenda and this conference, we call it for short, elac, ELAC for Latin America and the Caribbean. ELAC has developed a regional digital agenda during the last 16 years with meetings every two years. The last meeting, the 8th of ministers and authorities responsible for digital transformation, was held a year ago in Uruguay and the next one is scheduled for next year 2024. The agenda this agenda consolidates a shared vision about the role of digital technologies in developing,
SPEAKER_03
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defining and pursuing regional strategic objectives. This process has enabled various technical cooperation activities, has created a space for multi stakeholder policy dialogue, including a side forum with the private sector, which in fact we would like to strengthen in our work. ECLA has been collaborating with various partners. These partnerships have enabled many activities such as training, especially tailored for governments, supporting the assessment of the progress by each country, improving some of the indicators, which is a very crucial area about progress or lack of progress, evaluation of regulatory frameworks and other issues. Also, we have been working with other international organizations in projects to access critical information for development policies. For example, we built a freely accessible dashboard called the Latin American and Caribbean Marketplace plotter, the LacMay, which shows SMEs to explore key trends and characteristics of almost 3,000 online marketplaces in the region. We are going to very soon launch a new Digital Development Observatory, that is the name, which provides access to numerous indicators and abundant information about technology adoption across many sectors and the respective policies behind these developments. Despite all these efforts, the demands of our countries are enormous and there is an enormous amount of work to do. Of course, digital issues are becoming more complex and require closer cooperation at both the regional and international level.
SPEAKER_03
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Issues from cyber security, tax policy, data protection, consumer protection, regulation of new technologies, including of course, artificial intelligence. For this reason, new cooperation spaces such as the recently launch of the Digital alliance between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean, with which we are very, very strongly involved, and the E Trade for all partnership and others that based on this platform we could create are most welcome and have a very, very important role to play. And I think we're going to talk a little bit afterwards about governance because a lot of this also requires improvements in governance at the national level given the multidimensional nature of this challenge. You know, we come from a tradition of top down government vertical and what this technological revolution needs is a very different type of kind of coordination and governance. Thank you very much.
SPEAKER_01
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Thank you very much. And on that issue of governance, yes, you're absolutely right, we will be broaching that and I know that you will have some very insightful kind of contributions on that matter. But really, when we're talking about, you know, the future being digital, it has to be
SPEAKER_01
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a future that brings in everybody. And for that to happen, there has to be the possibility to ensure that everyone is equipped with with the digital skills necessary. So with that in mind, I would like to now speak to Carlos Maria Correa, who is the Executive director of the southcenter and he is joining us remotely. I don't know if he's going to pop up on the screen behind me, but hopefully he can hear me now. And what we'd like to know is how is the South Centre actually advocating for those skills and policies that do address the widening gaps in in digital access and skills? Because if that isn't done, how can we ever ensure that the benefits of the digital economy are distributed equitably among various countries, regions and communities?
SPEAKER_04
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Yes, can you hear me?
SPEAKER_01
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Hello, welcome. Nice to hear you.
SPEAKER_04
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All right, so thank you much for the invitation to participate at this important meeting. Your question is very relevant indeed. I'm very sorry I have not been able to be with you in person today, but of course, the southcenter as an integral mental organization is addressing development challenges which are posed by the digital economy. We work, as you know, in the area of international trade, investment, intellectual property and many other areas. In fact, there were programs that was adopted by the Board of the south center for 2023, 2025, incorporated explicitly the issue of digital transformation. The center produces policy oriented research in this regard, supports developing countries international negotiations and provides technical assistance and training. As it was mentioned already, digital economy has the potential to contribute a lot to development in many areas such as health, education, increasing productivity in some sectors, but also presents many challenges such as in terms of job creation, inequality, technological dependence and marginalization of the most vulnerable. We have published a number of analyses on these issues. Two of them, two of the most recent publications by the southcenter and in fact on digital education by the former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education and on digital, held by experts from the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South. This is a good example of partnership of the south center with other organizations. During this eweek we are organizing two sessions that will address several issues which are very relevant for developing countries. Address some of the issues that you have raised including digital health, governance of artificial intelligence, e commerce, artificial intelligence regulations and human rights. Our staff will also participate in other sessions addressing digital divide in Africa, the digital trade in Asia, digital infrastructure for sustainable development and the digital space accelerator. So we're very thankful for this invitation. I hope I have the opportunity to expand a little on what the South Sen is doing in these areas. Thank you very much.
SPEAKER_01
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Thank you very much for your contribution there. Now let's take a step into the future. And it's not even the future, it's the present, really. If we look at artificial intelligence, it's already part of our lives. But when it comes to the future of the digital economy and whether we can harness it for the greater good, that is really very much up in the air right now. So we do know that it's going to play a transformative role. Jovan Kabylia has been at the forefront of trying to harness AI for the greater good. And I can only imagine it can be quite a challenge at times. But how do you see international cooperation and diplomatic efforts in that space? You know, how are they being leveraged? Now? We've heard some of our speakers touch on this, but you know, in terms of ethical, regulatory and also the very important societies societal implications of AI.
SPEAKER_05
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Thank you, Isabelle. This is the really question which has been discussed in media and everywhere and I will answer it to with the two aspects. One is AI as a topic, governance topic, and the other is AI as a tool. And I will link you also to the topic of this session, which is a partnership. There is African saying that if you want to move fast, you move alone. If you want to move far, you move with others. And it would be basically the message of partnership around addressing these AI issues. And I have concrete example. This meeting is in a way historical meeting because this is the first meeting where you have detailed reports from every session and available within one hour after the end of the session. You can find it on the website and you can find it on other places with the key arguments that were advanced by our panelists, questions asked by you and supporting facts. Now, how did this tool, which is really fascinating tool, came into the being by human contacts, by discussion with the UNCTAD team and other colleagues. And yes, we move fast alone in the African saying, but then we brought gradually other colleagues on the board. Therefore you have suddenly breakthrough in the way how meetings are run and organized without being fanfare. We decided to do it in very, let's say Geneva Protestant style, functionally. But it is a historical breakthrough and it was done exactly in this way. Few people with whatever you call it, beer to beer or coffee to coffee or tea to tea network or peer to peer. If they say today getting together and say, hey, we can experiment with this how we can do. Then there was a practical problem. I run very small foundation, very agile startup organization and for us it's always complexity to engage in big processes, administrative processes which are sometimes the case of the UN organization. Therefore then the colleagues from UNCTAD called Omadiyya foundation and said let's do agile linkages and tripartite cooperation between us. This is the first point how this partnership can be developed. But on your question about the governance and topic, how we address, I would highlight three points.
SPEAKER_05
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First, we need a bottom up AI. If we don't develop bottom up AI, including this very meeting, we are generating knowledge today in discussions here, in corridors, in cafes. That knowledge belongs to us, to us personally, to unctad, to your organization and your countries. If we upload that knowledge into the big system, whatever they are, we are risking ultimately, which I sometimes call knowledge science slavery. Therefore, bottom up AI is a critical issue for the vitality of the humanity, for preservation on the human dignity, for preservation on democracy, market economy and trade at the end of the day.
SPEAKER_05
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Now we are often told that it's not possible to do open AI. Open source AI, not open a high, let me be precise, it is possible and we should preserve our data and our knowledge by using open source and high quality data. There are a few countries and I would highlight the Gulf region as very interesting place where the open source AI is developed in Saudi Arabia, in Emirates with Falcon project. Therefore it's a very interesting dynamics coming from the Middle east in that respect in this knowledge innovation. Therefore this is the first point, bottom up AI, preserving our knowledge, whether it is the knowledge of the small farmers in Zimbabwe or whatever place. This knowledge has been gathered over the centuries and it should not be centralized, it should be preserved and kept and owned by the farmer. I'm reading Zimbabwe, but it could be any country, country around. This is the first point.
SPEAKER_05
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Second point is that for governance of AI we need to use SDGs. In all events we have discussion is how to use AI to achieve SDGs, poverty reduction, gender equality and other issues. But SDGs are the most direct, concrete and specific codification of priorities of humanity. From poverty reduction, gender climate. You have, you have the list why we don't use SDGs as something that will guide developers of AI. You have indicators, you have specificities why we don't put SDGs to the desks of the AI developers which are developing AI platforms. This is somehow completely missed aspect of SDGs. And third point on AI governance, back to your question Isabelle, is what type of risks we are Managing we are often in media faced with extinction risk and it is a very dangerous argument. Yes, there are certain risks that AI will destroy us, but also risks like any other risk put somewhere far in the future. We have other risks. We have medium term risk which are monopolies of big companies and big setups, which is in my view huge risk. And we have short term risks, risks of the losing jobs, risks of the, of the, let's say, misinformation generated by AI and many, many issues that we are familiar with. Therefore, when we discuss AI, we have to put these three risks in perspective. What is long term risk? Let us discuss it through precautionary principle. We have a lot of instruments from climate change field. Let us discuss also monopolies as medium term risk and let us discuss short term risks. That would be the message for AI governance. We can speak about concrete institutions, bottom up AI as a way to solving and preserving our knowledge and protecting B using SDGs as guidelines for development of AI. And three, putting the risk into perspective, long term, medium and short term risks.
SPEAKER_01
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Thank you very much. And you know, when you talk about artificial intelligence, you feel you could just kind of actually pull the whole session around that issue because there is so much to discuss there. And there will be sessions focusing on AI, rest assured. But what's interesting is that your answer in Some respects answered Mr. Salazar's question about top down governance of AI when you were talking about a bottom up approach. So there are a lot of ideas here in the room. And when it comes to artificial intelligence as well, you know, we've got to think about intellectual property rights. You can't not open a newspaper these days without actually looking at topics like that. And when it comes to intellectual property rights, well, that's your domain and I'm not going to talk to you about AI just yet. But you know, what is wipo doing now to facilitate and strengthen the linkages between intellectual property rights and the digital landscape without stifling innovation, protecting digital assets, ensuring a fair balance between the creators, between the consumers and all the many other stakeholders that we have been evoking today and yesterday when it comes to the digital economy, including women. So it's quite a question there.
SPEAKER_06
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Thank you very much. Yes, that is quite a question. Let me start by thanking UNCTAD for inviting.
SPEAKER_06
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We say wipo rather than wipo.
SPEAKER_01
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Oh, I'm sorry.
SPEAKER_06
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No, no, no. For the simple reason. One of our previous directors General said WIPO sounds too much like a cleaning product. So we just say wipo. Thanks for inviting wipo to participate in this, especially because, well, we happen to be a partner of the E Trade for all initiative and this particular E week is again highlighting
SPEAKER_06
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various subjects that are of interest to us at wipo. So I'll come straight to your point. And by the way, let me also extend the regards of my boss, the Director General of wipo. He's very interested to know Angtadis running these programs specifically because of what we have done with unctad. Now, you talked about intellectual property, and I think we all know intellectual property is the fulcrum of a digital system. If we are talking about a digital system, we are talking about innovators, we are talking about creators, and we are talking about ensuring that their assets are effectively tapped to good use. So we all see the value of intellectual property. WIPO is out on a mission to show the intellectual property system needs to be a balanced system. So it's not just a matter of seeing to the interests of those who own the intellectual property, but we are also making sure we see to the interests of those who use it, the demanders as well as the owners. That way we have a balanced IP system. In terms of what we are doing specifically, we have several examples to mention, but Madam Moderator, one that comes to mind immediately. I can mention a scoping study that we started in January 2022. This is a study in which we focused on creative industries in four, four countries, two in Latin America, two in Asia. So this was Chile, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay. And what we did was we built capacity to use intellectual property tools so they could add value to better, just to build better networks in these four specific countries. We have since extended it to other countries and other continents. We now have it in a couple of African countries. We've gone to Asia Pacific as well. And that's what we are trying to do, to use intellectual property as a concrete tool to show what we can arrive at. I should say, in addition, we are promoting or we are publishing reports and studies, including one on a patent database we call patentscope. We also have in WIPO a global innovation index that ranks about 140 countries in terms of their innovation capabilities. Through one accident or the other, that Global Innovation Index, Switzerland, has been number one the last 10 years. And it's not because they are the host state of wipo, but it simply shows they have an innovation system that qualifies to merit recognition. So I think I'll stop here and of course I'll be happy to elaborate some more on this. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
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We shall be Definitely getting you to elaborate some more. Rest assured. Now let's turn to the most recent E Trade for all partner and that is the Digital Cooperation Organization. Now, it joined its In 2022, December 2022, so basically just a year ago in fact. And you're one of the only international organizations that has digital cooperation at its core, so your role is vital. So can you tell us a little bit how international collaboration from your perspective, can contribute to shaping a digital future that is inclusive and benefits everyone?
SPEAKER_07
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I do. Thank you very much for that question. And first of all, of course I would like to extend our thanks note to unctad, all the EWIC and all the partners of E Trade for all. It's a real pleasure to be here for the first time, as you said, we are a new organization
SPEAKER_07
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and I would like to elaborate on the comment of another panelist regarding going far or going fast. I think the digital economy today forced us to go fast and far. So we really need to make sure we can address the challenges coming to our way in a very agile way. And I think we can say that's the reason why. The DCO was founded in 2021, headquartered in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and bringing together 15 member states today from Asia, Africa, Middle east and Europe. The membership is still open and that's the sense of cooperation. So if I have to answer your question, how digital cooperation can help to build an inclusive and sustainable digital economy, the mission of the organization is to enable digital prosperity for all. So I think all words are important here and that's part of the mandate which is defined in the charter of the organization. So clearly at the core we try to bring together government. That's the first element. We need this leadership to be clearly designed with a clear direction. Prosperity for all aligned with SDGs, as mentioned before, recognizing the specificity of each each member state, recognizing the needs of each economy to develop and to reach digital maturity. The other element is the inclusivity of the partnership and the dialogue from the beginning. As part of the DCO discussions we have observers from the private sector. We have today 22 non government observers, private sector companies, civil society, academia, who are part of the discussion to design the solution that we want to develop to focus on three main areas of the digital economy. The question of data, how to build cross border data, how to get value out of data, the question of entrepreneurship, how to help startups to grow, how to help startups to find investment, how to help startup to go cross border, and the question of human centric Digital economy or digital ecosystem in terms of sustainability, ethics, compliance. For these three topics we are bringing together again a multi sectorial, multilateral and let's say multi level engagement. During this E week we will continue this multi stakeholders engagement. We have roundtable coming at the end of the week. During all the year the DCU will conduct what we call the Digital Space Accelerator where we really bring together stakeholders from different region outside the member country, outside the observer to identify solution based on the diagnostic that we have also co created together. So that's really the process. It's not of course the only solution, but that's what we are trying to do again to move fast and far together to build and to enable digital prosperity for all.
SPEAKER_01
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Thanks so much because I think, and that's a message that's coming through again and again is the importance of this multi level, multi stakeholder engagement when it comes to creating an inclusive digital space. Now we do have a video address from Murad Hwaba who is the officer in charge of the United Capital Development Fund. Now before we move into our second round of questions, I'd like to have this video address and that will almost provide us a hinge to get into our next round of conversation.
SPEAKER_08
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Secretary General Rebecca Greenspan, my dear friend. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, colleagues, friends all,
SPEAKER_08
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it is a great privilege for me to address you today at the E Trade for All Leadership Roundtable during E Commerce Week. I'm truly sorry that I am not with you, but duty in New York calls me. I am however, extremely interested not only in the debate, but also in the conclusions and recommendations coming out of this meeting.
SPEAKER_08
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We have long recognized in our efforts to meet the SDGs the importance of partnerships and today I want to focus on that. I would like to discuss partnerships with you not only in the digital era, which is essential for all, but also in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. That cannot be done single handedly by either governments or private sector or NGOs or the international organizations. They can only be achieved through a partnership. SDG 17 is essential.
SPEAKER_08
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What does that mean concretely and how do we advance partnerships in unctf?
SPEAKER_08
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First, I believe that we work with all governments, not only in least developed countries, but primarily in least developed countries, but we work with all governments to assess their readiness for the digital age in the inclusive digital economy. Scorecard, for instance, we have a policy tool designed to assist policy makers in assessing the inclusivity of their policies for their economy's digital transformation. The scorecard is used now in 25 countries and was Developed by UNCTF together with European Commission, gsma, undesa, undp, but of course with you in unctad. Each organization contributed its unique data sets, its expertise aiding in the development of the scorecard.
SPEAKER_08
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Another example we have is the Pacific Digital Economy Program.
SPEAKER_08
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We have done this together with UNCTAD and with UNTP and we are jointly implementing it to support growth of an inclusive digital economy in the Pacific region.
SPEAKER_08
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By doing this together as partners, we are able to combine our expertise on digital finance together with your extensive work you UNCTAD and deep knowledge in this area of E commerce. While the program benefits from the administrative support of undp,
SPEAKER_08
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supported by the governments of Australia, New Zealand and by the European Union, the program combines research, capacity building and technical assistance for all stakeholders in the digital economy, be they from the public sector or from the private sector.
SPEAKER_08
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So how does this affect the principal recipients, the Pacific Islanders? Recently the program conducted surveys on digital finance and the first reports have been published for Fiji and Samoa, with more to come for the other countries in the region.
SPEAKER_08
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The report for Fiji, for example, will inform a redesign of the national curriculum for financial education
SPEAKER_08
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and we're working on that with the Ministry of Education. It will include aspects such as cyber security, the use of social media, mobile banking and will equip Fijians from an early age with the necessary skills to engage responsibly in this digital economy.
SPEAKER_08
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Both of these examples, the earlier of the digital scorecard, the current one on the digital PDP program in the Pacific,
SPEAKER_08
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show how we collaborate and engage in partnerships, complementing each other's expertise, contributing to the development of digital economies that are truly inclusive. And that is why we are proud partners of the e tradeforall initiatives led by Agtad. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
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Thank you for that really important
SPEAKER_01
(2654.07 - 2695.5)
intervention there, again emphasizing this importance of multi stakeholder partnership. So let's delve into that a little bit now and we're going to define new ways forward. Now, sadly, we have half an hour left so our interventions are going to have to be snappy. So let me turn to you again because I want to focus on the Latam region and the Caribbean. So what strategic initiatives have you seen that work that navigate the future of the digital economy successfully? Because we've heard of a number of initiatives already, but ones that ensure economic growth, but very importantly social inclusion. Can you give us a couple of examples? No more.
SPEAKER_03
(2697.83 - 2792.68)
Yes, well, I'm afraid I cannot, you know, it's difficult. We have, you know, database, we have a lot of relationship with many, you know, partners and so on. I would Say, for instance, one decision that countries need to take is in many cases the governance is in charge of the Ministry of Science and Technology or an authority of digital transformation. However, other countries, the least of them actually have like a czar or a chief of digital transformation very close to the office of the president. I think those schemes have worked, you know, a little bit better to the extent that, you know, the chief of state, head of state also gives a lot of emphasis to this because they are able to convene the different ministries and the different agencies easier than one single ministry can do. So I would say that, you know, those are cases and that is an issue of governance that has to be seen. In terms of the connectivity of the digital infrastructure, there are many different approaches. There's no single approach to financing. Some countries have foundations, some countries have different schemes to do private public partnerships. But we know that still the gaps in Latin America and the Caribbean purely in terms of the connectivity infrastructure are major, are very large.
SPEAKER_03
(2794.92 - 2897.53)
And then I would say something not so much like a good experience, but I would like to take this opportunity to say that even if you have very strong infrastructure and connectivity, which is not really the case in most countries, you would have, in terms of the inequality challenge and the inequality of access, a big problem in terms of the lower income groups. And this is why we have proposed a basic, you know, this concept of, of a basic digital basket. The basic digital basket would be basically a subsidy. You can also mobilize private sector funds to be able to pay to the poorest households the cost of connectivity, the Internet service provider, and the tablet or computer for the equipment in the household. Because even if you're a poor household, you know, even if you have fiber optic at your doorstep, which is not the case in a large majority, a high proportion, you will not be able to buy the Internet service provider and you will not have the equipment. So this idea of Internet service provider as part, if you like, of social policy, as part of productive development policy, as part of modernization, as part of education policy, because this is access for technology, children as well in the houses and so on, and we think this is an absolutely key measure that we should, and as partners begin to, you know, consider and find ways of making a reality of financing and working with governments hand in hand on that. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(2897.61 - 2933.13)
Thank you very much. Because that is a really valuable measure and a very important point that you make, that even if you have a great digital infrastructure, that doesn't mean that digital development divides don't exist and that work does need to be done. Let's look at how these different groups now interplay with each other. Now we are hearing from Yoban Kabir and he was saying, well, he comes from a very small ngo, but what role do think tanks like yourselves, like other NGOs, big or small, how do they work in terms of shaping those policies that will provoke a fair and equitable digital future?
SPEAKER_05
(2933.93 - 2945.29)
Sure. Well, Isabella, I think the purpose of the small organization in this ecosystem is to bring new issues to question and sometimes to be contrarians
SPEAKER_05
(2946.81 - 3122.51)
in our meetings. As you will see from this AI report, we agree on many things. We have three colors for the connections. One is gray for neutral agreement, one is green, agreeing strongly and red disagreeing. And when you see the for example mind map from yesterday discussions, the primary color is grey. We agree about everything, more or less. And I think the purpose of a small organization think tanks is to question in substantive way. For example, we are questioning about current approach on long termism and AI. But we know what is under the bonnet, we know how AI functions. It's not just questioning for the sake of questioning. I think this is the purpose of a, of a small organization to have the advantage comparing to big system of moving fast, tolerating sometimes risks and basically pushing the new ideas that may be later on adopted by big players. Let's say SDGs as guidelines for AI guardrail. Nobody's mentioning it, but we came after analysis and maybe some big systems will take it over. And that would be ideal win win solution because it will boost SDGs and it will be practical tool for AI guardrails. That's the purpose of small organizations. And I think there is a vital relevance of governments and international organization big systems systems to recognize the small systems, especially in developing countries. I just came from Africa, fantastic people, bottom up solutions. I visited Kenya and Ethiopia. Very agile, keen to learn, keen to move forward. Sometimes these people are not as practical and pragmatic to come to Geneva. You know, it requires some filling the forms, scholarships, paradigms, whatever. But I think we need to move and to find these people their energy and vitality of the national, continental and global systems and those part of the ecosystem. And I mentioned at the beginning the example of our cooperation with UNCTAD was exactly that. We're probably not like big organizations, you know, but people went out of their comfort zone and say, oh, let's work together, let us chat and we created something useful. Therefore that's that element which is badly needed in the global system. Because some of our narratives are tired, we have to accept it and we need to have the constant revisiting, questioning for somebody who can afford it. I can understand international organizations cannot afford it because they have member states negotiations. But one has to cultivate this system which will provide critical reflections and with substantiation, with facts, not just today is easy to criticize, but that's very important.
SPEAKER_01
(3122.91 - 3181.34)
And that's a really important point. Thank you. And I love your traffic light system of grey, green, red. And so the Diplo foundation and other small kind of organizations, bringing in that bit of red, that bit of questioning, that bit of argument to get people thinking and possibly looking ahead for future issues that have to be broached that might be uncomfortable, as you say. So let's turn now to the dco. I don't know where you place yourself in terms of this kind of gray, green, red traffic light system, although it's not really a traffic light system, it has to be said. But if we build on your successful experiences so far, tell us what role is the DCO placing in sustaining and expanding partnerships to ensure impact and would you. Where again where would you place yourself in terms of the green, red, grey?
SPEAKER_07
(3182.06 - 3374.27)
So I really believe that by creating this new organization, member states, funding member states wanted to put some red and green together to create a new dynamic, to really answer questions in terms of how do we sustain a digital economy which is really inclusive. So we have very good examples so far we have celebrated three years of existence, which is quite short, especially when it comes to socio economic programs. It takes time to really be measured and quantified. But in a short term, in terms of establishing partnership, we have very good achievements. And it probably due to the fact that we have kept the door open to all organization, civil society, private sector, other international organization, to really make sure that we are listening. The first outcome of this consultation and this open approach was the report we published last year, Bridging the Gap. And we will come back with other mechanisms like this to make sure we collect first a good understanding of what's happening in the digital economy globally, beyond the member states, beyond the members of the organization. So far, few elements that I would like to share. So we have been focusing on entrepreneurship. We have established under the championship of one of the member States, the Kingdom of Jordan, a stride association for entrepreneurs in the digital economy. That's one example. We bring together representative from the member states to understand what are the requirements from a government perspective. But we also bring entrepreneurs, investors, VCs in the same place to discuss what are the requirements to create a more conducive environment to allow these startups to grow in their country and beyond. So that will be the driver of the digital economy. From an entrepreneur entrepreneurship perspective when it comes to creating shared principle, I think these are the elements we need to build more and more and fast to make sure that the future of the digital economy is at least open and positive for all of us. As a new organization, we have been granted also the status of observer at the UN General assembly, which is for us kind of a recognition, but also we are this new kid on the block attending the meeting of this very well established institution. So what we have done in that perspective was to, with the member states, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bahrain and Jordan, we have launched a UN Group of friends on digital cooperation. So we have created this place in the existing institution to bring these red and green together. So it's not that we want to do something cooperation, completely different, but we want to make sure that we bring this voice, this probably different voice of a group of 15 countries who have a clear agenda for the digital economy, clear guiding principle to grow from an inclusive and sustainable way, leveraging what is existing and also creating new platforms such as the Stride association for Entrepreneur and other projects that I can discuss later if we have the time.
SPEAKER_01
(3374.92 - 3379.24)
Thank you very much. Sadly, I don't think we will have the time, but we can have those conversations offline.
SPEAKER_01
(3381.0 - 3442.7)
So let's just quickly get a little bit technical now. We all hate taxation. Well, I don't know about you, but I'm not particularly fond of getting my tax bill in. But digital taxation is extremely important, clearly, and it's very prominent in global discussions right now. So we're going to bring in the south side Centre right now with Carlos Maria Correa who is going to be joining us because the South Centre is contributing to shaping international frameworks that address the challenges linked to digital taxation and to ensure, again, which is so vital, that this digital taxation system is fair and balanced and also what must be extremely complex considers all the divergent interests and different levels of development in this space. So if I could bring you in, Carlos Maria Correa, that would be brilliant and you could just give us a very brief explanation of what's happening there.
SPEAKER_04
(3443.82 - 3583.86)
Yes, thank you very much for this important question. I will be very brief. In fact, the southcenter has been very active in this field. As you know, many companies are doing businesses in our countries through digital tools, but they are not paying taxes in our countries. And this is a major problem for developing countries who need these resources in order to develop infrastructure and for other projects. As you may know, negotiations have taken place under the auspices of the OECD on Taxation Digital Economy which led to the so called tutorial solution. And now a draft convention is open for will be open for signature in relation to the so called amount A. But there are alternatives to what the OECD has developed. In particular, one has been created by the UN tax committee. This is called Article 12B of the UN model task convention. So the Southcenter has been the first organization in fact that has made estimates about what developing countries can gain from these two alternatives, the OECD alternative and the UN Tax Committee alternative and has advised developing countries during the OECD negotiation and also has advised what option is the best. Last week in fact we held we co organized in Geneva an important conference with delegates from developing countries to consider which of these options is the best suited for developing countries and whether it is advisable or not to join the OECD Convention. The San center has also elaborated on the idea of a new UN Convention, United Nations Convention on International Task Cooperation. And I must recall that on 22nd November this year a historic resolution was adopted by the Second Committee of the UN General assembly that calls for establishing an ad hoc intergovernmental committee for drafting terms of reference for United Nations Framework Convention on International Task Cooperation. This is a historic achievement and of course the South Centre will continue to support developing countries in the negotiation of this conference which is of utmost importance for achieving the SDGs. Thank you very much.
SPEAKER_01
(3586.59 - 3610.19)
Thank you very much for joining us there. So let's now look at what WIPO is doing in terms of its priorities and international cooperation in the field obviously of intellectual property rights to ensure a just and equitable global digital landscape. Can you give us just a few examples
SPEAKER_01
(3611.91 - 3613.03)
in no more than two minutes?
SPEAKER_06
(3614.79 - 3754.53)
Thank you very much, Isabel. Yes, in no more than two minutes. Let me start by saying the digital landscape is truly global. So it's such that no one entity can expect to be able to achieve anything on its own. That's why we need the cooperation. In terms of specific examples, let me use our host Angtad to show what we are doing with Angtad. And this goes as far back as 1999 when in WIPO we established what we call the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy. This is a policy that enables cross border dispute resolution, facilitating e commerce. It's cost effective, it's time effective and it beats going to court to resolve disputes. It's been operating very successfully since then in respect of domain names. Another example, again with angtad, we in 2022, the Academy of WIPO partnered with Angtad's E Trade support for women digital business entrepreneurs and they still started a master class series on IP&E trade. This has been a very successful program. So Madam Moderator, since I still have a bit of time, let me give you a third example. This is prospective. This is prospective. Our Director General has decided and I'm referring to what the Deputy Secretary General of UNCDF told us about SDGs. Our director general has decided next year WIPO's World IP Day theme will be on IP and the SDGs. Every year we celebrate a theme. Next year it's on IP and SDGs. And the idea will be to show what the intellectual property system does to contribute to implementation of the SDGs. This won't be just SDG 17 on partnership, but 13 on climate change or four on education or three on global health. All the SDGs. That's the contribution the intellectual property system can bring to sustainability. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(3754.85 - 3772.73)
Thank you very much. And I'm glad you had that third point and we'll really look forward to that. Now the reason I was rushing everybody along is I was hoping maybe you might have a couple of questions here in the room. If you do have a question, do raise your hand or your country kind of label.
SPEAKER_01
(3774.33 - 3782.33)
And if we don't have any questions, then we shall be going to lunch on time because we do have a question there. Thank you very much from Jamaica.
SPEAKER_09
(3786.01 - 3872.49)
Well, thank you very much Madam Moderator. And it's not so much a question, but more so a comment for. First, let me just thank Untad for organizing this E Week. I think it's very important for us to have this discussion on issues pertaining to digital. One of the points that would have been mentioned is the need for a holistic approach when it comes to digitalization. And I mean speaking from Jamaica's perspective as a small and developing state, as you can appreciate, there are several challenges that we face and we definitely have to look at it from a cross cutting approach looking at, looking at digital skills, looking at infrastructure. So my comment would be just to encourage this further sort of partnership amongst international organizations and partners. I do know Dr. Kwako from WIPO and their work and also from the Diplo Foundation. And again just to encourage that as it relates to the E Trade for all platform, if there could be some possibly dynamism on the dashboard, whereas all the examples that would have been put forward today that member states are able to look at the dashboard and See what the different organizations are doing as it relates to digital and they're able to pull from it best practices, but also know the point of contact that they can reach out to. So for example, if there is interest by a particular country in looking at IP again and digitalization, they're able to revert to each of all platform and see what are ongoing projects and how they can tap into some of these opportunities. So I'll leave that there. But again, thank you, Madam Moderator, thank.
SPEAKER_01
(3872.49 - 3903.15)
You very much for that very valid and important comment. Do we have any other questions or interventions from the floor? In that case, I'm going to turn to our speakers now for their final thoughts. And these are the really important ones because I often find it's the things people say at the beginning of a panel that you really remember and particularly the ones at the end. So condense those please. Noting that we want to leave maybe at about five past if possible. And I will start with you, sir.
SPEAKER_03
(3906.27 - 3968.08)
Well, thank you. Thank you very much. Well, this is a vast challenge that lands on many policy areas. You know, from the point of view of Latin America and the Caribbean. What I want to say we're putting a lot of emphasis on the fact that Latin America and the Caribbean are in a low growth trap. Just let me give you this very eloquent figure. If you calculate, and we have done so, of course, the rate of growth, average rate of growth for Latin American countries from 2014 to this year. So we are in the month that we are ending this decade. In this decade the region has grown at only 0.8% per year. That is even less than the 2% per year in which Latin American and Caribbean and grew in the last decade of the 80s, less than half the growth of the last decade of the 80s. So this is why we're putting a lot of emphasis on the issue. This is due to very low investment, very low productivity rate almost flat. And then in this particular area,
SPEAKER_03
(3969.84 - 4021.53)
the issue of digital transformation is absolutely crucial. You know, extension services, you know, the Update and access SMEs and also the work on specific sectors. We have identified a list of around 14 sectors, many of them related with the energy transition, electrical mobility, but also services sectors like exports of modern services, which is all based on the digital revolution and a number of others which have tremendous potential for dynamizing growth. And the magic of it is that these are sectors that at the same time transform in a more sustainable and more inclusive direction. And the result would be, if you know, productive development policies in the region have broadband, if you like, in the sense of
SPEAKER_03
(4023.45 - 4053.35)
having a range of sectors would have the virtue of dynamite that dynamizing this role. So this is very much at the center of the ELAC digital transformation agenda. And we'll be very happy to strengthen partnerships and see how to focus and how to collaborate and do partnerships in many of these specific sectors. Very micro vision for which of course you need to mobilize resources and so on, in addition to all the transversal challenges that we have been discussing. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(4053.35 - 4064.75)
Thank you very much. So wonderful always to end with an invitation. Now, I don't know if Mr. Carlos Correa is still with us, but if he is, would you like to join us with your final thoughts?
SPEAKER_01
(4075.23 - 4098.14)
Maybe not while we're waiting for him then. And I may get a little. No, he's unplugged from us. Let me go to you then, Mr. Nasser, in terms of the DCO and maybe bringing in the E Trade for all platform. Not putting words in your mouth of course, but what would be your final thoughts?
SPEAKER_07
(4099.34 - 4172.06)
I think when it comes to the future of the digital economy, we have all been agree, we all agree on the same point. Partnership will be essential and the E Trade for all is a perfect example on how this partnership can work, bringing together the diversified ecosystem involved in digital economy. So you said the last comment is the one people will remember. So I want to use this also to do some promotion and to use the EWIC as it has to be designed to bring together people and to continue to create new ideas and explore how to address the challenges. So we will have at the end of the week, the DCO Digital Space Accelerator. We will talk about misinformation in the digital world, women empowerment, digital rights. So join the conversation. I think one of the things this platform today and this week provides us is this place to really design the partnership. We need to address challenges that sometimes we don't even understand exactly now to make sure that we move fast and far in terms of an inclusive and sustainable digital economy. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(4172.22 - 4178.54)
Thank you very much. And what about from your perspective, Edward Quacko?
SPEAKER_06
(4179.9 - 4237.85)
Thank you. Thank you. Let me simply say WIPO remains committed to working with not just Angtad, but indeed with all the other E Trade for all partners as well as other interested stakeholders, to ensure that we unlock the full potential of innovation and creativity for a more inclusive and sustainable digital future. And in line with that, the organization has a vision which we will make sure we uphold hold that vision is to help create a world where innovation and creativity from anywhere, not just from a few countries. Innovation and creativity from anywhere is supported by the intellectual property system for the good of everyone. And that's a collective responsibility that WIPO intends to pursue with full vigor in the coming years. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(4238.17 - 4247.53)
Thank you very much. And then we'll end with you, Jovan Kabilia, because maybe you can add a little bit of red to your final comment.
SPEAKER_05
(4248.25 - 4355.08)
Sure. Thank you. I will add four metaphors that we heard today. The first one is African seeing moving fast, moving slow that we have to do in our partnership fast with a few and far with many. There's the first metaphor. Second metaphor is that metaphor of camera. We have to zoom in and zoom out. And this is the major issue. You have to zoom in on specific issues which are concern of people and zoom out to have always a wider perspective. This is, I would say, the major challenge for policymakers. Third one is that we, we should avoid trying to boil the ocean. We should take something what we can do. Like we noticed that we leave this type of meetings with some sort of cognitive dissonance, 150 sessions, but you cannot grasp it somehow. And we said, let's do the report which can even graphically show that. Therefore, let's be aware of the ocean, but not try to boil the ocean. And the fourth is about semaphores and we need a bit of more colorful semaphore. And I invite you to join the report from this session, which will be available in approximately 40 minutes with all colors. We'll see how many colors you're going to have, but we need more red colors. The current situation in the world is not easy. There are many problems and we need a critical thinking as a generation and we have to do it yesterday. And that's, I would say, critical call and also call for you to join this reporting and the special thanks to you, Isabelle, for really this fascinating moderation. We are finishing exactly on time. Bravo.
SPEAKER_01
(4356.76 - 4403.4)
As I say, I'm a horrible timekeeper at home and I bring it to my work as well. So I think this has been a really important discussion and I would just like to add my bit of red as we close because there have been so many important issues that have been brought here and then one saying that's come back again and again fast with few people, far with many. I would just like to say, given where we are today when it comes to digital inclusion, I think maybe we need to take an extra step and see if we can also go fast and far with many. But with that, I'd like you please give a warm round of applause to our fantastic speakers. And if Carlos Maria can hear us, a big round of applause for him.
SPEAKER_06
(4409.32 - 4410.68)
And for our moderator.
SPEAKER_05
(4415.49 - 4415.81)
Okay.
SPEAKER_04
(4415.81 - 4416.21)
Thank you.
SPEAKER_10
(4416.29 - 4416.69)
Very good.
SPEAKER_01
(4417.25 - 4418.13)
Thank you so much.
SPEAKER_01
(4420.93 - 4440.01)
I used to be an anchor.
Save Transcript
Regenerate AI Summary
SPEAKER_01
Summary Sentence
Supporting Quotes
Opened the session, introduced the topic of E-Trade partnerships and their role in inclusive and sustainable development, and introduced the panelists.
So welcome everybody to this session where we are going to be building on a lot of what we have been discussing already, which is fantastic because this roundtable we'll be looking at issues of the shift of focus when it comes to E Trade and we're going to look at what really defines the partnership we were talking about when it comes to E Trade for all partners.
whose focus is the role of partnerships in delivering an inclusive and sustainable digital future.
So let me please introduce our wonderful panel here and we have some speakers joining us or one speaker joining us remotely, but on the stage.
Emphasizes the importance of ensuring equitable access to digital skills and resources for inclusive digital development, introducing Carlos Maria Correa to discuss the South Centre's advocacy efforts in this area.
But really, when we're talking about, you know, the future being digital, it has to be a future that brings in everybody.
And for that to happen, there has to be the possibility to ensure that everyone is equipped with with the digital skills necessary.
what we'd like to know is how is the South Centre actually advocating for those skills and policies that do address the widening gaps in in digital access and skills? Because if that isn't done, how can we ever ensure that the benefits of the digital economy are distributed equitably among various countries, regions and communities?
Introduced the topic of AI's transformative role in the digital economy and its societal implications, prompting Jovan Kabylia to discuss international cooperation and diplomatic efforts in harnessing AI for good, including ethical, regulatory, and societal considerations; later, inquired about WIPO's efforts to strengthen the linkages between intellectual property rights and the digital landscape without stifling innovation.
Now let's take a step into the future. And it's not even the future, it's the present, really. If we look at artificial intelligence, it's already part of our lives. But when it comes to the future of the digital economy and whether we can harness it for the greater good, that is really very much up in the air right now. So we do know that it's going to play a transformative role.
But how do you see international cooperation and diplomatic efforts in that space? You know, how are they being leveraged? Now? We've heard some of our speakers touch on this, but you know, in terms of ethical, regulatory and also the very important societies societal implications of AI.
And when it comes to artificial intelligence as well, you know, we've got to think about intellectual property rights. You can't not open a newspaper these days without actually looking at topics like that. And when it comes to intellectual property rights, well, that's your domain and I'm not going to talk to you about AI just yet. But you know, what is wipo doing now to facilitate and strengthen the linkages between intellectual property rights and the digital landscape without stifling innovation, protecting digital assets, ensuring a fair balance between the creators, between the consumers and all the many other stakeholders that we have been evoking today and yesterday when it comes to the digital economy, including women. So it's quite a question there.
Introduced the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), highlighting its role in international digital cooperation and its goal of an inclusive digital future. Posed a question about how international collaboration can contribute to this goal.
Now let's turn to the most recent E Trade for all partner and that is the Digital Cooperation Organization.
you're one of the only international organizations that has digital cooperation at its core, so your role is vital.
So can you tell us a little bit how international collaboration from your perspective, can contribute to shaping a digital future that is inclusive and benefits everyone?
Later, thanked SPEAKER_07 and SPEAKER_08 for their contributions, emphasizing the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement and partnerships.
Thanks so much because I think, and that's a message that's coming through again and again is the importance of this multi level, multi stakeholder engagement when it comes to creating an inclusive digital space.
Thank you for that really important intervention there, again emphasizing this importance of multi stakeholder partnership.
Finally, transitioned the discussion to focus on strategic initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean.
So let me turn to you again because I want to focus on the Latam region and the Caribbean.
So what strategic initiatives have you seen that work that navigate the future of the digital economy successfully?
Praised the previous speaker's 'traffic light' system for categorizing agreement and introduced the next speaker to discuss the DCO's role in partnerships and its position within the traffic light system.
And I love your traffic light system of grey, green, red.
So let's turn now to the dco.
although it's not really a traffic light system, it has to be said.
But if we build on your successful experiences so far, tell us what role is the DCO placing in sustaining and expanding partnerships to ensure impact and would you. Where again where would you place yourself in terms of the green, red, grey?
Introduced digital taxation as a key topic, highlighting its complexity and the South Centre's role in shaping fair and balanced international frameworks. Also introduced WIPO's priorities and international cooperation in intellectual property rights, and facilitated the discussion by managing time and taking questions.
But digital taxation is extremely important, clearly, and it's very prominent in global discussions right now.
So we're going to bring in the south side Centre right now with Carlos Maria Correa who is going to be joining us because the South Centre is contributing to shaping international frameworks that address the challenges linked to digital taxation and to ensure, again, which is so vital, that this digital taxation system is fair and balanced and also what must be extremely complex considers all the divergent interests and different levels of development in this space.
So let's now look at what WIPO is doing in terms of its priorities and international cooperation in the field obviously of intellectual property rights to ensure a just and equitable global digital landscape.
And if we don't have any questions, then we shall be going to lunch on time because we do have a question there.
Facilitated the discussion, invited closing remarks from several speakers, and offered concluding thoughts emphasizing the need for speed and breadth in digital inclusion initiatives.
Now, I don't know if Mr. Carlos Correa is still with us, but if he is, would you like to join us with your final thoughts?
Let me go to you then, Mr. Nasser, in terms of the DCO and maybe bringing in the E Trade for all platform.
And then we'll end with you, Jovan Kabilia, because maybe you can add a little bit of red to your final comment.
I would just like to add my bit of red as we close because there have been so many important issues that have been brought here and then one saying that's come back again and again fast with few people, far with many.
I think maybe we need to take an extra step and see if we can also go fast and far with many.
SPEAKER_02
Summary Sentence
Supporting Quotes
Emphasized the importance of partnerships in creating an inclusive digital future, highlighted the global nature of the digital divide, and provided examples of successful collaborations within the E-Trade for All initiative, including programs with the UN Capital Development Fund, UNDP, Diplo Foundation, WIPO, and ECLAC.
The theme of our roundtable underscore the importance of collaborative efforts.
The premise of this discussion is the recognition that the digital divide is not just a national issue. It is a global challenge that requires coordinated efforts across borders and stakeholders.
Thanks to the E Trade for all initiative, we have been able to develop with the UN Capital Development Fund and UNDP, the Pacific Digital Economy Program which is now supported by Australia, the European Union and New Zealand.
The Diplo Foundation, a long standing partner, is bringing you the AI reporting with a touch of human flavor still
With wipo, our two organizations have been fostering synergies for women digital entrepreneurs with IP targeted support in a tailored program in the context of the E Trade for Women initiative.
Finally, allow me here to also welcome the Digital Cooperation Organization, our newest partner to the initiative.
Thanks to E Trade for all, we were able to develop with ECLAC and other regional commissions a core training course on E Commerce which is running online just as we speak.
SPEAKER_03
Summary Sentence
Supporting Quotes
Highlights the importance of the digital revolution for development, emphasizing the need for countries to adopt digital technologies quickly to avoid lagging behind.
The digital revolution is disrupting and transforming production processes and paradigms and business models.
The future is digital and the longer countries take to increase not only access, but the smart and massive uses of digital applications and opportunities, the more they will delay taking advantage of their normal benefits and the larger the possibilities and probabilities that they lag behind.
Details ECLAC's two-decade-long work supporting governments in digital policy implementation, including the creation of a regional platform for knowledge exchange and the development of a regional digital agenda through the ELAC Ministerial Conference.
in the digital transformation, we have been supporting governments in designing and implementing policies to harness the full potential of digital technologies.
this is something that we have been doing for at least two decades, if not more.
We have a regional platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building, bringing together governments, international organizations and private stakeholders.
ELAC has developed a regional digital agenda during the last 16 years with meetings every two years.
Describes ECLAC's collaborations with various partners and initiatives like the Latin American and Caribbean Marketplace plotter (LacMay) and the upcoming Digital Development Observatory.
ECLA has been collaborating with various partners.
For example, we built a freely accessible dashboard called the Latin American and Caribbean Marketplace plotter, the LacMay
We are going to very soon launch a new Digital Development Observatory
Notes the increasing complexity of digital issues and the need for stronger regional and international cooperation, particularly in areas like cybersecurity, tax policy, and AI regulation, advocating for improved governance to address the multidimensional challenges.
digital issues are becoming more complex and require closer cooperation at both the regional and international level.
Issues from cyber security, tax policy, data protection, consumer protection, regulation of new technologies, including of course, artificial intelligence.
a lot of this also requires improvements in governance at the national level given the multidimensional nature of this challenge.
Discussed governance structures in Latin America and the Caribbean, suggesting that having a chief digital transformation officer close to the president's office can be more effective.
one decision that countries need to take is in many cases the governance is in charge of the Ministry of Science and Technology or an authority of digital transformation
other countries, the least of them actually have like a czar or a chief of digital transformation very close to the office of the president
those schemes have worked, you know, a little bit better to the extent that, you know, the chief of state, head of state also gives a lot of emphasis to this because they are able to convene the different ministries and the different agencies easier than one single ministry can do
Noted the significant gaps in digital infrastructure connectivity and the variety of approaches to financing its improvement.
In terms of the connectivity of the digital infrastructure, there are many different approaches
there's no single approach to financing
But we know that still the gaps in Latin America and the Caribbean purely in terms of the connectivity infrastructure are major, are very large
Highlighted the inequality of access to digital resources, even with strong infrastructure, proposing a 'basic digital basket' subsidy to ensure lower-income groups can afford internet service and equipment.
And then I would say something not so much like a good experience, but I would like to take this opportunity to say that even if you have very strong infrastructure and connectivity, which is not really the case in most countries, you would have, in terms of the inequality challenge and the inequality of access, a big problem in terms of the lower income groups.
And this is why we have proposed a basic, you know, this concept of, of a basic digital basket.
The basic digital basket would be basically a subsidy.
You can also mobilize private sector funds to be able to pay to the poorest households the cost of connectivity, the Internet service provider, and the tablet or computer for the equipment in the household.
Because even if you're a poor household, you know, even if you have fiber optic at your doorstep, which is not the case in a large majority, a high proportion, you will not be able to buy the Internet service provider and you will not have the equipment.
Highlighted the low growth trap in Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasizing the need to address low investment and productivity rates in the context of digitalization.
What I want to say we're putting a lot of emphasis on the fact that Latin America and the Caribbean are in a low growth trap.
This is due to very low investment, very low productivity rate almost flat.
Highlighted the importance of digital transformation for extension services, SMEs, and specific sectors (14 identified, many related to energy transition and services). Emphasized the potential for sustainable and inclusive growth through these sectors, advocating for productive development policies and resource mobilization.
the issue of digital transformation is absolutely crucial
extension services, you know, the Update and access SMEs and also the work on specific sectors. We have identified a list of around 14 sectors, many of them related with the energy transition, electrical mobility, but also services sectors like exports of modern services, which is all based on the digital revolution and a number of others which have tremendous potential for dynamizing growth.
these are sectors that at the same time transform in a more sustainable and more inclusive direction
productive development policies in the region have broadband
SPEAKER_04
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Describes the South Centre's work addressing the development challenges posed by the digital economy, including policy research, support for developing countries in international negotiations, and technical assistance and training.
the southcenter as an integral mental organization is addressing development challenges which are posed by the digital economy.
The center produces policy oriented research in this regard, supports developing countries international negotiations and provides technical assistance and training.
Highlights the Centre's focus on the potential benefits and challenges of the digital economy, mentioning recent publications on digital education and digital health, and their participation in various sessions during the e-week addressing issues such as digital health, AI governance, e-commerce, and the digital divide.
digital economy has the potential to contribute a lot to development in many areas such as health, education, increasing productivity in some sectors, but also presents many challenges such as in terms of job creation, inequality, technological dependence and marginalization of the most vulnerable.
Two of them, two of the most recent publications by the southcenter and in fact on digital education by the former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education and on digital, held by experts from the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South.
During this eweek we are organizing two sessions that will address several issues which are very relevant for developing countries.
Address some of the issues that you have raised including digital health, governance of artificial intelligence, e commerce, artificial intelligence regulations and human rights.
Discussed the South Centre's work on digital taxation, emphasizing the challenges faced by developing countries due to multinational companies not paying taxes locally. Highlighted the OECD's and UN Tax Committee's approaches, the South Centre's role in advising developing countries, and the importance of a potential new UN Convention on International Tax Cooperation.
As you know, many companies are doing businesses in our countries through digital tools, but they are not paying taxes in our countries.
And this is a major problem for developing countries who need these resources in order to develop infrastructure and for other projects.
And now a draft convention is open for will be open for signature in relation to the so called amount A.
But there are alternatives to what the OECD has developed.
This is called Article 12B of the UN model task convention.
So the Southcenter has been the first organization in fact that has made estimates about what developing countries can gain from these two alternatives, the OECD alternative and the UN Tax Committee alternative and has advised developing countries during the OECD negotiation and also has advised what option is the best.
The San center has also elaborated on the idea of a new UN Convention, United Nations Convention on International Task Cooperation.
This is a historic achievement and of course the South Centre will continue to support developing countries in the negotiation of this conference which is of utmost importance for achieving the SDGs.
Thanked the speakers.
But with that, I'd like you please give a warm round of applause to our fantastic speakers.
And if Carlos Maria can hear us, a big round of applause for him.
SPEAKER_05
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Discussed AI governance and AI as a tool, emphasizing the importance of partnerships ('if you want to move fast, you move alone; if you want to move far, you move with others').
There is African saying that if you want to move fast, you move alone. If you want to move far, you move with others.
Highlighted a successful partnership with UNCTAD to provide real-time meeting reports as a concrete example.
This meeting is in a way historical meeting because this is the first meeting where you have detailed reports from every session and available within one hour after the end of the session.
how did this tool, which is really fascinating tool, came into the being by human contacts, by discussion with the UNCTAD team and other colleagues.
then the colleagues from UNCTAD called Omadiyya foundation and said let's do agile linkages and tripartite cooperation between us.
Advocated for a 'bottom-up' approach to AI to prevent 'knowledge slavery,' promoting open-source AI and preserving local knowledge.
First, we need a bottom up AI.
If we upload that knowledge into the big system, whatever they are, we are risking ultimately, which I sometimes call knowledge science slavery.
Now we are often told that it's not possible to do open AI. Open source AI, not open a high, let me be precise, it is possible and we should preserve our data and our knowledge by using open source and high quality data.
Therefore this is the first point, bottom up AI, preserving our knowledge, whether it is the knowledge of the small farmers in Zimbabwe or whatever place. This knowledge has been gathered over the centuries and it should not be centralized, it should be preserved and kept and owned by the farmer.
Suggested using SDGs as guidelines for AI development and proposed a risk-based approach to AI governance, categorizing risks as long-term, medium-term (monopolies), and short-term (job losses, misinformation).
Second point is that for governance of AI we need to use SDGs.
But SDGs are the most direct, concrete and specific codification of priorities of humanity.
And third point on AI governance, back to your question Isabelle, is what type of risks we are Managing we are often in media faced with extinction risk and it is a very dangerous argument.
Yes, there are certain risks that AI will destroy us, but also risks like any other risk put somewhere far in the future. We have other risks. We have medium term risk which are monopolies of big companies and big setups, which is in my view huge risk. And we have short term risks, risks of the losing jobs, risks of the, of the, let's say, misinformation generated by AI and many, many issues that we are familiar with.
Emphasized the role of small organizations in challenging existing approaches, introducing new issues, and pushing for innovative solutions like using SDGs as AI guardrails. They highlighted the importance of recognizing and engaging with smaller organizations, particularly in developing countries, to bring fresh perspectives and energy to global systems.
I think the purpose of the small organization in this ecosystem is to bring new issues to question and sometimes to be contrarians in our meetings.
For example, we are questioning about current approach on long termism and AI.
Let's say SDGs as guidelines for AI guardrail. Nobody's mentioning it, but we came after analysis and maybe some big systems will take it over.
I think we need to move and to find these people their energy and vitality of the national, continental and global systems and those part of the ecosystem.
Sometimes these people are not as practical and pragmatic to come to Geneva.
But I think we need to move and to find these people their energy and vitality of the national, continental and global systems and those part of the ecosystem.
Offered four metaphors to summarize the discussion: moving fast with few and far with many; zooming in and out on specific issues; avoiding trying to solve everything at once; and needing more critical thinking (represented by 'red' in a report).
The first one is African seeing moving fast, moving slow that we have to do in our partnership fast with a few and far with many.
Second metaphor is that metaphor of camera. We have to zoom in and zoom out.
We should avoid trying to boil the ocean. We should take something what we can do.
And the fourth is about semaphores and we need a bit of more colorful semaphore. And I invite you to join the report from this session, which will be available in approximately 40 minutes with all colors. We'll see how many colors you're going to have, but we need more red colors.
There are many problems and we need a critical thinking as a generation and we have to do it yesterday.
SPEAKER_06
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Acknowledged WIPO's partnership with UNCTAD and the E-Trade for All initiative. Emphasized intellectual property's crucial role in the digital economy, advocating for a balanced IP system that considers both owners' and users' interests. Detailed WIPO's capacity-building initiatives in creative industries (scoping study in four countries, expanding to others), publication of reports and studies (including on patentscope), and the Global Innovation Index.
we happen to be a partner of the E Trade for all initiative
intellectual property is the fulcrum of a digital system
WIPO is out on a mission to show the intellectual property system needs to be a balanced system
So it's not just a matter of seeing to the interests of those who own the intellectual property, but we are also making sure we see to the interests of those who use it, the demanders as well as the owners
This is a study in which we focused on creative industries in four, four countries, two in Latin America, two in Asia
We have since extended it to other countries and other continents
we are promoting or we are publishing reports and studies, including one on a patent database we call patentscope
We also have in WIPO a global innovation index that ranks about 140 countries in terms of their innovation capabilities
Provided examples of WIPO's international cooperation in the digital landscape, including the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy and a partnership with UNCTAD on IP and e-trade for women entrepreneurs. Announced that WIPO's World IP Day 2024 theme will focus on IP and the SDGs.
In terms of specific examples, let me use our host Angtad to show what we are doing with Angtad.
And this goes as far back as 1999 when in WIPO we established what we call the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy.
Another example, again with angtad, we in 2022, the Academy of WIPO partnered with Angtad's E Trade support for women digital business entrepreneurs and they still started a master class series on IP&E trade.
Our director general has decided next year WIPO's World IP Day theme will be on IP and the SDGs.
Next year it's on IP and SDGs.
Expressed WIPO's commitment to working with partners to unlock the potential of innovation and creativity for a more inclusive and sustainable digital future, emphasizing their vision of supporting innovation globally.
WIPO remains committed to working with not just Angtad, but indeed with all the other E Trade for all partners as well as other interested stakeholders, to ensure that we unlock the full potential of innovation and creativity for a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.
the organization has a vision which we will make sure we uphold hold that vision is to help create a world where innovation and creativity from anywhere, not just from a few countries. Innovation and creativity from anywhere is supported by the intellectual property system for the good of everyone.
SPEAKER_07
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Explained the DCO's mission to enable digital prosperity for all, emphasizing its multi-stakeholder approach involving governments, private sector, civil society, and academia. Detailed the DCO's focus areas: data, entrepreneurship, and a human-centric digital ecosystem. Described the DCO's methods, including roundtables and the Digital Space Accelerator, to achieve its goals.
So if I have to answer your question, how digital cooperation can help to build an inclusive and sustainable digital economy, the mission of the organization is to enable digital prosperity for all.
So clearly at the core we try to bring together government.
The other element is the inclusivity of the partnership and the dialogue from the beginning.
As part of the DCO discussions we have observers from the private sector.
We have today 22 non government observers, private sector companies, civil society, academia, who are part of the discussion to design the solution that we want to develop to focus on three main areas of the digital economy.
The question of data, how to build cross border data, how to get value out of data, the question of entrepreneurship, how to help startups to grow, how to help startups to find investment, how to help startup to go cross border, and the question of human centric Digital economy or digital ecosystem in terms of sustainability, ethics, compliance.
During this E week we will continue this multi stakeholders engagement.
During all the year the DCU will conduct what we call the Digital Space Accelerator where we really bring together stakeholders from different region outside the member country, outside the observer to identify solution based on the diagnostic that we have also co created together.
Described the DCO's role in fostering inclusive digital economies through partnerships with various stakeholders. They highlighted achievements like the Stride association for entrepreneurs and the UN Group of Friends on digital cooperation, aiming to bridge different perspectives and promote sustainable growth.
So I really believe that by creating this new organization, member states, funding member states wanted to put some red and green together to create a new dynamic, to really answer questions in terms of how do we sustain a digital economy which is really inclusive.
we have established under the championship of one of the member States, the Kingdom of Jordan, a stride association for entrepreneurs in the digital economy.
So what we have done in that perspective was to, with the member states, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bahrain and Jordan, we have launched a UN Group of friends on digital cooperation.
Stressed the importance of partnerships in the digital economy, using the E Trade for all platform as an example. Promoted upcoming DCO Digital Space Accelerator events focusing on misinformation, women's empowerment, and digital rights.
I think when it comes to the future of the digital economy, we have all been agree, we all agree on the same point. Partnership will be essential and the E Trade for all is a perfect example on how this partnership can work, bringing together the diversified ecosystem involved in digital economy.
So we will have at the end of the week, the DCO Digital Space Accelerator. We will talk about misinformation in the digital world, women empowerment, digital rights. So join the conversation.
SPEAKER_08
Summary Sentence
Supporting Quotes
Highlighted the importance of partnerships in achieving the SDGs, particularly in the digital era. Provided examples of successful partnerships, including the development of a digital scorecard and the Pacific Digital Economy Program, emphasizing the collaborative effort and combined expertise involved. Showcased the impact of these partnerships on specific regions and populations, such as the redesign of Fiji's national curriculum for financial education.
We have long recognized in our efforts to meet the SDGs the importance of partnerships and today I want to focus on that.
That cannot be done single handedly by either governments or private sector or NGOs or the international organizations. They can only be achieved through a partnership.
Another example we have is the Pacific Digital Economy Program.
Each organization contributed its unique data sets, its expertise aiding in the development of the scorecard.
The report for Fiji, for example, will inform a redesign of the national curriculum for financial education
and we're working on that with the Ministry of Education.
SPEAKER_09
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Offered a comment rather than a question, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to digitalization in small developing states like Jamaica. Suggested enhancing the E-Trade for All platform's dashboard to showcase ongoing projects and facilitate knowledge sharing among member states.
Well, thank you very much Madam Moderator. And it's not so much a question, but more so a comment for.
One of the points that would have been mentioned is the need for a holistic approach when it comes to digitalization.
And I mean speaking from Jamaica's perspective as a small and developing state, as you can appreciate, there are several challenges that we face and we definitely have to look at it from a cross cutting approach looking at, looking at digital skills, looking at infrastructure.
if there could be some possibly dynamism on the dashboard, whereas all the examples that would have been put forward today that member states are able to look at the dashboard and See what the different organizations are doing as it relates to digital and they're able to pull from it best practices, but also know the point of contact that they can reach out to.
SPEAKER_10
Summary Sentence
Supporting Quotes
Expressed approval.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
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(trimmed) Unlocking digital trade for inclusive development
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SPEAKER_01
(0.88 - 116.73)
So a very, very warm welcome to everybody, a very warm welcome to our speakers here. Now this is a high level session where we are going to be focusing on how to ensure inclusion imperatives and development gains are central to global digital trade. Now, as we have been hearing yesterday, ensuring all economies get a fair share of digital trade is one of the most important goals of E Trade for all. And not coincidentally, all our speakers come from partner organizations of that platform. So today we are joined by the decision, the decision makers who are helping lead change, they're helping shape the future and influence policy directions and I can tell you it's a real privilege to be with them today. Now this is a multi stakeholder strategic session and we're going to reflect on lessons that have been learned, but also address what actions must be taken to spur the digital transformation in developing countries. And really very important at this point in time, shrink those digital divides in order to leverage inclusive, sustainable development. Now let's welcome our speakers and when I say your name, give a little wave just in case people don't know who you are. So I'm absolutely delighted that we're joined by Mia Seppo. Now Mia Seppo is the Assistant Director General for Jobs and Social Protection of the ilo. Welcome.
SPEAKER_01
(118.49 - 229.19)
Fantastic. Also to have Dorothy Tembo who is with us now. She is the Deputy Executive Director of the International Trade Center. Welcome to you. We're also joined by Anna Jubin Bret who is the Secretary General of the United Nations Commission of International Trade Law. That's known as ancitral from the wto. We're joined by Anna Jubambret who is the. Sorry, who is the Deputy Director General of the World Trade Organization. Absolutely great to have you with us. Thank you. We're also joined by Pradeep Mehta who is the Secretary General of cuts, which is and represents civil society. And thank you so much for being with us today. And he in some respects is our think tank voice. We're also joined by Paul Donohoe. Hello Paul. Who is Digital Policies and Trade Coordinator from the Universal Postal Union. And hello and good morning. We are joined by Koji Hashiyama who is the Chief Operating Officer of Economic Research from the Institute for ASEAN and East Asia. So we are going to be speaking, hearing from our speakers in just a few moments. But first of all, for our opening remarks, it is really my great pleasure to to invite a woman who has just whizzed around the world to be with you here today from COP28 and that is of course Rebecca Greenspan who is the Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. A very, very warm welcome to you. The floor is your.
SPEAKER_02
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Yeah.
SPEAKER_03
(240.4 - 240.88)
Hello.
SPEAKER_11
(240.47 - 241.09)
Hello ?
SPEAKER_04
(241.2 - 241.6)
Now?
SPEAKER_05
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Yes. Perfect. It works.
SPEAKER_01
(244.8 - 245.2)
So.
SPEAKER_05
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Distinguished speakers, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. It is with a profound honor and a sense of collective purpose that I welcome you to this First Eat Right for All roundtable of the UNCTAD ewic. In this session, we convene to discuss how to unlock the potential of digital trade for inclusive development. A task that demands not just insight and innovation, but an unwavering commitment to partnership and collaboration. Digitalization holds vast promises. Digital technologies are reshaping everything.
SPEAKER_05
(296.02 - 308.62)
Digitally deliverable services, for example, accounted for 55% of global services exports in 2022. That's amazing.
SPEAKER_03
(308.62 - 309.14)
Yes.
SPEAKER_05
(309.7 - 415.11)
In such a short time. But these figures hide significant disparities. And we know that for developed countries, this share was 60%. For developing economies, it was 45. But for the poorest and least digitalized economies, the least developed countries, it was just 17%. The readiness and ability to engage in digital trade vary substantially across countries, especially between developed economies and the least developed ones. Such disparities if unaddressed risk, exacerbating inequalities rather than bridging them. And this brings us to the core of our discussion today. How can digital trade be leveraged for more inclusive and sustainable development? One lesson we have learned in the past few years is the indispensable role of partnerships. As the saying goes, none of us is as smart as all of us. This wisdom resonates profoundly in our context. We need to join forces, pooling our collective intelligence and resources to find new solutions to deliver effective collaboration with countries that are falling behind. The task ahead is not just about harnessing technology. It's about connecting the dots between policy, practice, businesses and people.
SPEAKER_05
(416.95 - 611.49)
By joining the Trade for All Initiative, you have all exemplified this collaborative spirit, advocating for comprehensive, cross cutting approaches to E commerce and digital trade. Your efforts and specialized expertise are instrumental in shaping an environment where digitalization leads to inclusive outcomes. From enhancing digital readiness to addressing gender gaps in the digital economy, E Tradeforall underscores the power of working together. I am proud to say that the E Trade for all initiative is alive and kicking. Since it was launched in our Ministerial conference In Nairobi in 2016, its membership has grown from 14 to 35 members. And as many as 28e trade for all partner organizations are actively contributing to this ewic, many represented at the highest level. This is, I believe, a strong testimony to the value that partners attach to our collaboration as we Delve into our discussion. I'd like us to focus especially on what is needed to strengthen the capacity of developing countries, particularly the least developed, to better participate in, in and benefit from digital trade. This is directly relevant to our overall theme of shaping the future of the digital economy. How can we collectively help to enhance trust and security in the digital space, address critical issues like cybersecurity and privacy, and strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks? And how could international cooperation and capacity building support more inclusive outcomes or the concentration and power concentration in many of the sectors that we will be talking about? Precisely. I come, as you know, From Dubai, from COP28 and we said very strongly there, you know, trade has to be part of the solution for the developing countries. Trade and investment are key for any possibility of sustainable development. Yes. And they are linked. And the same happens in the digital economy. So we want to be part of the solution. And the solution has to take into account the diversity of situations that we are faced with. So, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, it is my hope that the insights and recommendations from this roundtable will not only shape the way forward for digital trade, but also reflect our shared commitment to a future where everyone benefits from the digital transformation. Thank you for your dedication and engagement. I really look forward to a discussion that is enriching as it is impactful. So thank you again very much for being with us. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(617.0 - 685.07)
Thank you so much, Secretary General, for those words and reminding us, as you all know already, that trade has to be part of the solution. And I can promise you that this discussion is going to be one full of insight, one which is going to help build those recommendations. Now, I'm going to pop down to the floor now so that I can see the people better who I'm talking to, because it's nicer to look at people when you're chatting to them in the eye. So welcome again and Mia Seppo. Now you are from the ilo and in the context of this growing platform economy, and it's growing at a frenetic pace, how does the ILO ensure and how is it trying to ensure today that the digital transformation safeguards the rights and well being of workers, promotes inclusive and decent opportunities. But of course, as you all know, and it's the Holy Grail in some respects, protects business interests as well.
SPEAKER_04
(687.71 - 725.9)
Thank you very much for that really relevant question and thanks to Rebecca for convening us for this critical conversation and a very good morning to all distinguished participants in the room. We are looking at impact of the digital transformations and the rise of digital labor platforms as one of these really huge transformations of the world of work. And indeed, from an ILO perspective, we are strongly recognizing and emphasizing the importance of regulating this space in a manner that recognizes the need for
SPEAKER_04
(727.66 - 915.65)
labor rights, fair working conditions, labor and social protection. But we also recognize that regulating the digital platforms is very complex and it involves review of existing legislation, laws and practices and these linkages also across multiple jurisdictions. And therefore international policy dialogue and coordination is essential. It's important to recognize that there's already new forms of regulation emerging, just to mention a few examples. You have collective bargaining agreements in Denmark, for example. You have cleaning workers recognized as employees in Brazil. You have health legal standards for platform workers. And you also have the discussions, the right to disconnect and to obtain decent price for platform work in the transportation and delivery sector in France. So these emerging collective bargaining examples are really important. You are also looking at efforts to regulate the space. And here, for example, US and UK have taken steps forward. ILO sees social dialogue involving workers, employers and governments as one of the key tools to ensure fair competition and decent work for all. And in that context, we are starting a process at the 113th International Labor Conference in 2025 with the possibility of adapting the first global normative instrument in this domain in 2026. Now, in terms of the trade side of this, you know, you referred Rebecca to the digital divide. And I think it's really important to recognize the importance of providing relevant support to micro, small and medium sized enterprises in, in order for them to be able to grasp the opportunities that the digital economy provides in terms of access to technologies, knowledge networking across a global market, but also recognizing that if we don't tackle the skills gaps, if we don't tackle the digital divide, we are looking at a very uneven playing field in terms of access to these opportunities. So in that sense, ILO is advocating for programs that provide support, targeted support to small and medium enterprises in terms of skilling, in terms of understanding the regulatory framework, in terms of peer learning. For example, through our partnership with Microsoft, we have a program that targeted 30,000 female entrepreneurs in 10 countries countries to help them access the digital market. And in that sense, you know, also looking at these opportunities as a pathway for formalization, a very key aspect for many countries in the global South.
SPEAKER_01
(916.93 - 945.9)
Thank you so much for those words. And we're going to stay with this idea of SMEs and we're just going to dig a bit deeper. Dorothy Tembo now, the ITC does support SMEs in terms of harnessing the benefits of digital trade and also obviously enhancing their competitiveness. But let's look at the challenges. We've been having some really honest conversations here. So let's look at some of the challenges. What are they and how is the ITC addressing them?
SPEAKER_02
(948.86 - 1001.91)
Sorry, thank you very much for that important question and may, may I start by also joining in thanking Secretary General for the kind invitation to be part of this important conversation this morning. In responding to your question, I wanted to preface my intervention by sharing two key issues. One, I think is perhaps what you have been hearing from yesterday and including this morning, which we have also established from our side, which is that, you know, it is quite clear to us that in turbulent times digital connectivity has come to the center of trade. I think this is the message that is being said by everyone and to us this can really be what makes the difference between success and failure of mismis these days.
SPEAKER_02
(1003.75 - 1007.51)
In order for us to ensure that we are indeed providing that support
SPEAKER_02
(1009.11 - 1059.11)
for them to be able to interact with the local markets. But more importantly, it's the export market that we are really looking at benefits from. This I think also have been alluded to which go beyond just the connectivity and being able to sell, but what it is that we can do in supporting these countries to ensure that we are accelerating and enhancing the inclusion side of it. In particular tackling the entrenched inequalities such as the gender inequality and indeed on the youth side of things. The second point which is equally important is that I wanted to highlight the fact that, you know, particularly post during COVID and post Covid from our side, we have seen a lot of government,
SPEAKER_02
(1061.04 - 1089.67)
private sector and indeed development organizations working together trying to ensure that we try and see how we can put. We have been putting in place a number of digital focused initiatives which are working well and I think it's a good starting point laying the foundation. But the reality remains that we have to step up and scale and make sure that this is really inclusive for all.
SPEAKER_02
(1091.35 - 1211.77)
So in terms of the specific question you have posed, I think there are many challenges that one would speak to, but probably I will focus my intervention perhaps on four key areas that we really wanted to share. Which will bring me back to the key points that I wanted to make before I I close my intervention. I think the first, we have almost four thematic issues that I wanted to address with respect to the challenges. First is the access to appropriate market opportunities. We have seen that as one of the main problems, lack of management skills and capabilities in a new market space. I Think that has been one of the fundamental issues we've had to deal with. How do we transition people that have been used to doing business in a very different way to understand that it's also possible using different channels of doing business. Third is the lack of information. This has really been one of the key issues. People don't know, what is this about? How can I take advantage of this? And how do we scale them to make sure that they are able to do so? And finally, it's the accessibility to the other support services that are around us. But there is also an elephant in the room which speaks to access to finance. Because if the businesses don't have access to finance to adjust themselves to be able to take advantage of this opportunity, it comes to zero, really. They cannot put in place the digital, digital infrastructure or indeed try to address themselves to the payment solutions and overcome some of the related barriers. So what is it that ITC is doing? Like we have been doing in our responses to all the issues that come across to us
SPEAKER_02
(1214.25 - 1233.28)
in relation to mismis, as we often refer to them. We look at addressing the full ecosystem. So you're looking at the policy side, you're looking at interventions at the micro, small and medium enterprise level. But we are also looking at ensuring that
SPEAKER_02
(1234.96 - 1323.8)
beyond that, you are also facilitating the trade and creating that enabling environment. But I wanted to underscore the fact that in terms of our, we have really been taking steps that have been responsive to the immediate needs. I think we were all caught up in Covid and there was an immediate need. What we tried to do at that point is to really focus our efforts on helping those that were already export ready and those that were probably just about to tip over to be export ready because we had to have minimal continuity of trade. So in the initial phase, this is precisely what we were doing making with the small firms, equipping them with the tools to be able to do trade online. But progressively we have grown this and we are now working with all sizes of the mismis. Basically, in essence, we have that proof of concept and therefore we can grow it to make it more inclusive. And here we have been doing work in Kenya, working with a broad spectrum of partnerships, not only in Kenya, but across from academia, indeed with others that are coming on board on access to information. I think this is something that we continue to work on, ensuring that we are imparting that information.
SPEAKER_02
(1325.81 - 1382.27)
I perhaps wanted to end by saying accessibility to training and information are just two pieces of the puzzle. What we have done is to scale this up and we have an initiative that we refer to which is Switch on as Switchon. It's a program that we are rolling out and that is currently ongoing in Zambia for the the past two years. But the intent is to really replicate this once we have established what this can do. What is the difference there? The difference is that we were addressing ourselves to specific interventions. But we realize it has to be the whole ecosystem that is addressed. And therefore we are taking an integrated approach in terms of the response which brings together different parts, partners starting from Alibaba, Cava and all the others that we are working with, including,
SPEAKER_02
(1384.03 - 1409.6)
including the initiative that brings us here today. So this is work that we are going to be building on. Our target is reaching out to 20,000 entrepreneurs by 2025. We are already in the thousands. But we cannot do this on our own partnerships underpinning this initiative. And perhaps I can speak to that a little bit later.
SPEAKER_01
(1410.72 - 1464.81)
Thank you so much for your intervention, Dorothy Tembo, and explaining that so clearly, may I just say we are short of time. So I think it's very important in this initial round that you are able to explain and give the background that the second round, I'm going to be a wicked timekeeper, so expect me to be a lot more strict now when we talk about all these issues, when we talk about digital divides, when we talk about access to E commerce, there is often one factor that holds people back and that is a lack of trust in systems. And so I know this is something that Ansitrout is tackling Madame Joumin Bray, and is trying to contribute to building that trust. But can you explain to us how you're doing that in terms of digital trade?
SPEAKER_06
(1467.45 - 1521.11)
Thank you very much. So I won't skip the necessary and also important. Thanks for having us here. We are one of the historical or first, first year partners of the E Trade for all. So it gives me a great pleasure to join all this distinguished panel and to be the lawyer in the room. So when we talk about building trust, there are two aspects in the digital economy that we've been tackling for many years. When E Commerce started appearing and E Commerce is not new, you had to identify who you were trading to what you were trading and establish some transactional rules to make sure that the transaction can be trusted now with and can produce its legal effects. And now, of course, with the digital.
SPEAKER_12
(1521.43 - 1522.63)
Economy this.
SPEAKER_06
(1523.59 - 1709.69)
This trust aspect is even more important because all the trading is taking place up there, so you don't see who you're trading with. You don't know who is behind the platform you're using, and you don't know what are the rights, the obligations and the liabilities of the different players in this digital world. The second aspect of the digital economy and that goes beyond the ways of trading, is also that in the digital economy, you're dealing and you're trading new commodities, new assets that are, I would say say, not really known from the legal nature and what they entail when you trade on them. And I'm talking here about assets like digital assets, cryptocurrencies like data, of course, because at the heart of this digital economy is all the building of artificial intelligence through data. So you need to access data if you want to have and develop artificial intelligence. But all of this is not a commodity that you've been used to trading. So you have to look very carefully at what it is. Do the old rules of trading potatoes or trading in gold, do they apply? Or do you need to have a framework that is more adapted and, you know, just to make a link with what Rebecca, very nicely put in terms of how trade can contribute to the climate battle that is our joint endeavor. Well, there is a new commodity which is called carbon credits. Nobody knows what they are from a legal point of view. Nobody knows how to trade them. And so I think that it's really being at the forefront of these new commodities, these new ways of trading using, for example, our text, some of them that are adapted for E commerce, those that are now stepping into digital trade, such as our digital identity and trust services model law, or the model on electronically transferable records which allows you complete paperless trade. So really, if I want to keep it short, I think there are two aspects to the legal framework that are absolutely essential and that we can only develop if we have those countries in our room where we work with member states who help us develop these rules and these laws and regulations, taking into account the specificities. So we are working, for example, on MSA specific frameworks, but we have MSMEs in the room, we have representatives of these very small companies. So here we need, if we want to bridge this digital legal divide, we need to have countries in the room that tell us this is the issue and this is what we need to tackle so that it can flow. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(1711.53 - 1748.82)
Thank you very much for that timely and important explanation of what unsetral is doing and how it really fits into, into this jigsaw of pieces that have to come together to unlock digital trade for developing countries. Mr. Pradeep Mehta, we're going to take a think tank Perspective and I know you represent the Global South. Can you tell us what would be the key policy recommendations that you would have to to make sure that the full potential of digital trade is unlocked?
SPEAKER_07
(1753.14 - 1776.73)
Thank you very much, moderator. I'd like to thank Rebecca and my colleagues at UNCTAD for inviting me to speak here. Being a member of the ETA for All initiative, we feel proud of this. And I'd just like to mention a little aside that we are also doing a daily reporting of the events here. Those who would like to look out. For now,
SPEAKER_07
(1779.05 - 1780.17)
the fact is that
SPEAKER_07
(1781.69 - 1789.21)
developing and implementing, let me underscore the word implementing inclusive trade, digital trade policies
SPEAKER_07
(1790.81 - 1973.84)
that consider the challenges for the developing world. We have a good model in India, the Digital India Initiative. And what has happened very recently in September when India held the G20 summit, the declaration also called upon India to provide support to the Global south on developing what we call a DPI digital public infrastructure on which India has progressed substantially. To give you an example, the digital payments which are happening in India today run into billions and probably the largest in the world. About 80 billion transaction in a day, as against even in a country like US, about 2 to 3 billion transaction in a day. So there is a highly developed system of digital public infrastructure in India which India is committed to share with us other developing countries, including developed countries as well. So I thought it is very important now. The second important point was in terms of cyber security, as was mentioned by speakers including Rebecca, that becomes now is becoming more and more critical. It's a sort of third form of terrorism. The kind of warfare which is happening through cyberspace is phenomenal and one cannot underestimate the kind of harm it can cause to the systems which operate, for example, and how it will impact the digital arena itself. Power outages, for example. And that leads to all computers coming to a standstill. What do you do then? You have nothing to do except, you know, just twiddle your thumbs and sit down. That by itself is a problem in a very large number of developing countries. The issue about power. Secondly, if you go down the street this way, we have what is called the International Telecommunications Union. That's another very, very major infrastructure input in order to be able to deliver, in order to have a good digital trade system or digital economy in the country itself. If you do not have the kind of fiber optic or other kinds of telecom intensity, then your digital communications lack. For example, what may take me 30 seconds to download in G Geneva, 30gb file may take me half an hour to download in Nairobi. See the Distance. Now the kind of loss in speed that you get is itself something. So there was. It is useful to have ITU people also in this conference because without a good telecommunication setup, you cannot achieve digital economy of any shape size.
SPEAKER_02
(1975.13 - 1975.37)
Now.
SPEAKER_07
(1977.45 - 1991.77)
One thing which is again remarkable to see is how South Korea has implemented the digital infrastructure, broadband infrastructure. This is another very critical input in terms of running a digital economy or a digital system.
SPEAKER_07
(1993.29 - 2020.81)
Then unless you have a good broadband, that again costs money. So there was a panel on roundtable yesterday of donors and I did not hear anybody talking about investment in infrastructure. They're talking in investment in software of the, of the country's systems. But what about the hardware? If you do not have a matching hardware, whatever you try to achieve through the software would not be successful at all.
SPEAKER_07
(2023.61 - 2063.86)
We fortunately have seen this problem happening including working in a very large segment of rural India. And in terms of digital divide, some of the issues that I've heard here are very interesting that we have group of rural women who have been able to access world markets through E commerce, but they were fortunate enough to get good broadband connection through smartphone itself. Just a smartphone. They don't know how to operate computer computers. But even smartphone has now become such an important issue that the prices have come down. So therefore that is another issue that has to look at. Do you want me to wind up?
SPEAKER_01
(2064.02 - 2065.66)
If you could wind up now, that'd be fine.
SPEAKER_07
(2065.66 - 2066.1)
Sorry.
SPEAKER_01
(2066.1 - 2067.82)
If you, if you could conclude that.
SPEAKER_07
(2067.82 - 2069.86)
Would be okay, I'll do that. Fine.
SPEAKER_01
(2076.82 - 2078.1)
But we will come back to you.
SPEAKER_07
(2078.18 - 2078.74)
Okay,
SPEAKER_07
(2080.75 - 2120.41)
now how can. Let me answer the second question that you raised. How can civil society and non governmental organization like CUTS contribute to shape, shaping affair and inclusive digital lead One is our capacity to research and advocate for an inclusive digital trade policies that prioritizes the interest of marginalized communities. And ladies and gentlemen, as I said, I mean we have hands on experience in doing this. So while at one level we are speaking in Geneva with good ivory tower research, on the other hand we do pick up information at the grassroots level in order to see as to how does it, you know, how does it sort of contextualize in the policy space.
SPEAKER_01
(2120.57 - 2178.57)
Thank you, we'll come back to that. Don't worry, we'll come back to that issue in just a few moments. But thank you so much for outlining what might seem obvious to some people. But the practical things that have to be basically organized before you can even get to digital inclusivity. So thank you so much for that intervention. I'd like to turn to you now, Madame Hellard because today, when we're looking at digital trade rules, let's take a multilateral level. Look what the WTO is doing. And can you tell us, please, how these multilateral level rules, digital rules, can contribute to really promoting this greater digital inclusion, particularly when it comes to developmental aspirations. You know, maybe even picking up on what Mr. Pradeep Mehta was saying.
SPEAKER_03
(2181.53 - 2518.72)
Well, thank you very much, Isabel, and, and thank you to my colleagues here at the podium. This is just such a great discussion and I think it shows that with so many different organizations, so many different approaches, that none of us can solve this alone and we all need to work together. I think that to answer your question about the role of the wto, multilateral rules, other types of approaches, I would say there really are two truths that we're looking at. The first is that digital trade is indisputably an engine of growth and an organization like the WTO needs to reflect that. The second, though, is that the digital divide is very real and it's very real in ways that Pradeep had described, and it's very real at the government level as well, both practical and government. As Anna noted, trade, digital trade is not like trade in potatoes, but digital trade facilitates trade in potatoes. And there's no way you can really trade nowadays unless you're involved in digital trade. And what's the beauty of that is how it affects all levels of development and can be such a strong engine for growth. So what is the WTO doing in terms of multilateral rules? Well, there are several things. One is, I think there's an understanding and a recognition among our members at the WTO that we should try to establish rules on digital trade. Are rules that exist, are old, they're antiquated, they don't fit the system. At the same time, there is a sense that we need to have a work program, we need to have technical assistance and capacity building to make sure that countries at all levels of development are able to take advantage of the, the benefits of digital trade. And so a lot of our work is keyed off of that. So of course, we partner with many of the organizations here at the table and many others as well to produce analysis to help policymakers target exactly what needs to be done. So that has to be an important part of the package. In fact, we will be issuing a study with some of our sister organizations later this week focusing on digital trade for development and opportunities and challenges. But this also has very real implications for us in terms of our day to day. We have a moratorium that's in place right now on the collection of customers duties on trade. And that moratorium is set to expire at our ministerial meeting in February. It's renewed from ministerial to ministerial. And so now members are tackling how this should be handled. We have many developed members and many developing members who believe that a moratorium on the collection of customs duties is essential to increasing digital trade and as a tool for development. Many developing countries, however, feel that the moratorium should be ended and that customs duties should be collected because it's a means of revenue. But we've also been undertaking studies, including with the imf that show that actually it doesn't collect all that very much revenue. Revenue if you were to impose duties on E commerce. And in fact there are other more efficient ways of collecting revenue. So that's just one example. We also, within our multilateral system are able in our founding documents to conduct plurilateral negotiations. So coalitions of the willing, so to speak. And we do have a negotiation that's one well underway now on E Commerce that's made up of members who want to be part of this negotiation. It's not multilateralized yet, but we hope that it soon will be. This is made up of developed and developing members who see E Commerce, this type of negotiation as a means to facilitate remote transactions, to be able to enable trade and development through E Commerce. We're also doing a lot of work through our technical assistance and capacity building arm at the wto and we work quite a lot with the ITC in this regard too to make sure that some of the issues that Pradeep was describing can be addressed on the ground. But the wto, we set rules or our members set rules. Rules. We engage in technical assistance and capacity building. We don't really fund these projects, but we partner with organizations, international organizations that do so. Again, it's part of this collaboration that we work in a particular framework, but we work with others as well. It's the only way we can address this issue.
SPEAKER_01
(2519.12 - 2564.21)
Thank you so much. And again, emphasizing how important collaboration is. And that's really what this panel is all about. Now I'd really like to look into something you were just mentioning, Angela, Ella, and that was the. I suppose what you're talking about, cross border trade levies, the challenges there. And I'm going to continue with this point, not necessarily with levies, but with Paul Donohoe because you know, the Universal Postal Union, you're leveraging the Global Postal Union to facilitate and enhance cross border trade. And there are sticking points as we were hearing. So how are you doing that?
SPEAKER_08
(2568.05 - 2649.24)
Thank you for that question. And yes, it's a very interesting topic for us and the UPU is profound proud to have joined the E TradeForAll initiative back in its inception in 2016. So for seven years we've been working with our partners around this table and other partners in E Trade for all on addressing some of these development issues. There's no doubt that digital trade has the potential to significantly boost inclusive and sustainable development. It opens up new markets and new opportunities, especially for medium and small enterprises and entrepreneurs in developing countries. As we've heard from Ms. Tambo, whilst there is great potential, the challenge is that many of these small businesses and enterprises are located in underserved parts of the country and the underserved and underrepresented face many hurdles to participate. It's not just technology as we've heard, there is also a huge human element to the digital economy and issues such as language and culture and local support services and skills are really some of the issues in these communities. And the UPU and the postal sector, which contains over 650,000 post offices in these communities,
SPEAKER_08
(2651.32 - 2710.98)
services this global population and plays a crucial role hereby facilitating inclusion from all parts of the community and supporting the payment and movement of goods which is resulting from these digital transactions that we've heard about. By ensuring reliable and affordable postal services, they help bridge the gap between digital marketplaces and the physical delivery, making the benefits of digital trust accessible to the broader audience. We heard yesterday in our day one session of an interesting experience from the Indonesian Post office where over 2.1 million SMEs are accessing e commerce services from over 5,000 post offices across the islands. There are 17,000 islands in the archipelago of Indonesia, so it's a very interesting environment for the digital economy and many of these are women led businesses
SPEAKER_08
(2712.5 - 2723.38)
and for cultural reasons they prefer to deal with women in their services as well. And so there's an excellent example of the cultural issues at the human level.
SPEAKER_08
(2724.9 - 2727.78)
For the human touch point of the digital economy
SPEAKER_08
(2729.7 - 2768.86)
to unlock the full potential of digital trade, a robust enabling environment environment is required and this includes reliable and secure digital infrastructure as we've heard, including clear regulatory frameworks for E commerce and policies that encourage innovation and investment as we've heard. So the postal sector supported by the UPU is pivotal in providing the physical infrastructure needed for the delivery of goods trading digitally. These post offices can also contribute to sustainable digital connectivity and digital service delivery by contributing to demand aggregation
SPEAKER_08
(2770.94 - 2840.46)
and post offices as digital hubs are an increasing trend in these communities where things like live video streaming, high speed connectivity, capacity building for local businesses, for the local population, in local language can support these. Additionally promoting digital literacy and ensuring cyber security are essential for these businesses. And the UPU is actively contributing to partnerships with our E Trade for all partners and between other private sector and international organisations to foster this environment for inclusive digital trade. We will actually be having tomorrow a trade post for we will explore some of the opportunities that the Post Office brings to inclusive trade and E Trade for women we're proud to have as a partner of that forum. And we'll also be recognising some significant contributions with trade post awards. So we'll be able to see concretely how the post is supporting inclusion in these communities through physical and digital services.
SPEAKER_01
(2841.5 - 2879.59)
Thank you very much. And what I think is interesting there is sometimes you don't have to reinvent the wheel. The post office is there, post services are there. There can always be a backbone to digital services, particularly in more remote regions. Mr. Koji Hashiyama now area is, you know, and I don't know if you all know this but it's one of the world's most influential think tanks and research institutions like ERIA do contribute really vital evidence based policy making insights in the field of digital trade and development. Can you share a few of those insights? Please.
SPEAKER_09
(2885.51 - 2894.79)
Thank you very much and first of all thank you very much for inviting us to this panel discussion and I'm very honored to join this and.
SPEAKER_07
(2897.03 - 2897.43)
Area.
SPEAKER_13
(2897.11 - 2897.35)
Area.
SPEAKER_09
(2897.83 - 2928.0)
Maybe that many of the audience don't know about Area. What is area? And yes yes Area is at the economic Research Institute and international organization and our main target is that ASEAN and East Asia and by the conducting the economic research research they saw then that we provided policy recommendation to the ASEAN and East Asia meeting as well as G20 or G7 meeting. So
SPEAKER_09
(2929.6 - 2941.68)
our role is contributing to accelerate discussion in this kind of international organization international meetings and also that as the moderators
SPEAKER_09
(2943.27 - 2974.11)
mentioned that our role is that also that provides evidence based policy recommendations. And so then through the conducting the academic research it is possible to analyze where they are lagging or what the causes are or what is their advantage and then that we analyze well and then making make evidence based policy recommendations. And in addition that under the current
SPEAKER_09
(2976.67 - 2983.39)
progress of the digital economy in ASEAN and East Asia so the policies of these countries
SPEAKER_09
(2986.43 - 3021.31)
that support more detail on the specific business activities are required. So then our activities is to more focusing on the to provide the more detailed and practical policy proposals to the every countries so that's why we establishing the center, new center for the Digital innovation and sustainable economies. And this, the role of this new center is to make
SPEAKER_09
(3023.98 - 3031.5)
platform for collaboration with policymaker and business sectors and then we will
SPEAKER_09
(3033.18 - 3071.87)
gather more opinion over voice from the business sectors and what is the barrier for progressing the digital innovation as well. And also we are also holding the, we are very focusing on how to strengthen the startups in asean because the startups of ASEAN will be the major player for the future ASEAN digital economies. So that's why we are holding the event or the matching or marketing or some others. And through this event
SPEAKER_09
(3074.05 - 3081.97)
we are aiming to establish startup ecosystem in ASEAN and East Asia. And through these activities we
SPEAKER_09
(3083.65 - 3096.77)
now would like to make a more business friendly evidence based policy proposal to the ASEAN and East Asia meeting. That's what I thank you very much.
SPEAKER_01
(3096.77 - 3162.59)
And very important work indeed providing evidence based reporting and support supporting startup ecosystems. So we've heard from all of our speakers now and if I look at the time, we've just got half an hour left and there are seven of you speaking and I'd love to go to the floor and get some questions. So in our next round of questions I'm going to be looking at the time and asking you to keep to two minutes if you possibly can and if you are going over I'll probably make some. But I would like to go to you Angela Ella, because I'd like. And in this round we're going to be a bit more future focused and we're going to look at best practices and could you share some of the reflections of the work you have done and you know, giving us practical guidelines in connection with digital trade, particularly maybe in the work in Africa, the World bank, the work you've done with the World bank on that all important handbook on measuring digital trade because you need to measure.
SPEAKER_03
(3166.11 - 3190.55)
Well thank you for the question Isabel, and I'll be very quick in keeping with your rules. So with respect to Africa, we have just issued a joint policy note with the World bank that is an effort to look at exactly these issues that you describe as a what can we do as a practical matter.
SPEAKER_03
(3192.23 - 3212.96)
So I think the first things are to focus on the connectivity infrastructure, types of things like that that are very practical, but also not just the hardware but the regulatory framework and what exists in terms of facilitating trade and regulating trade in a way that
SPEAKER_03
(3215.36 - 3309.99)
with respect to digital trade makes sure that the structure is in place. So the facts, certain facts I would point to questions like privacy, questions like liability for what you post post online or what is involved in particular digital transactions. All of these are very important. I would also point to skills, so making sure that when we talk about facilitating digital trade, particularly with developing members, that we're also talking about building skills. So the first aspect of this problem is to identify all of the issues and all the various components of the issues. And then where the WTO comes in is to try to provide the technical support and capacity building. So that has to be part of it in order to help try to solve the particular problem. So in this particular joint policy note that we've done with the World bank, there are three steps. So the first is identifying the issues. The second is a pilot program working with seven members in Africa, seven of our WTO members, to see how we can address these particular issues, how in a very practical way. And then our final third phase is to expand beyond these seven to see what kind of real practical effect we can have.
SPEAKER_01
(3311.11 - 3361.0)
Thank you very much. And what I'm really enjoying is the very practical hands on approach of what we are learning about today. I'd like to turn to you, Dorothy Tembo, and can you tell us a little bit in I suppose, what ways can international cooperation, because ultimately this is what it's all about. It's about partnership. How can that international cooperation and capacity building support, as we were hearing just now from Angela Ellard, how can that support more inclusive and sustainable outcomes for digital trade? And we heard from Paul Donohoe about women, more inclusive trade when it comes to women.
SPEAKER_02
(3364.77 - 3548.28)
Thank you very much for that question. And I think DDG Eland summed it up very well in saying that the level of ambition we have is really one that is huge. The issues that we have to deal with are ones that spread across different sectors, segments of stakeholders and government administration, as well as others that are involved in this process. And therefore from where I sit, partnership is really a must have in all this because not a single one of us at this table, as she said, can deal with the issues that we have to address. If we really have to attend that level of ambition, leveraging resources, but both from a financial perspective, from an expertise, is one that is going to be critical going forward, building on what we have been doing up to this point. But I just wanted to add one dimension which perhaps we slightly spoken to, but maybe not so much emphasized, which is that for us providing technical assistance, we are going directly to what has been referred to, requested of us and perhaps limited in terms of the scope of the mandate we have. But we heard earlier, I think From Pradeep that, okay, you can do all that you have to do with respect to training. What happens on the infrastructure side if that is not in place, which is why I perhaps would come back to what I was saying earlier on, which is an integrated approach that deals with issues that we can address as partners on E Trade for all, but also going beyond that at the country level, how do we get the government institutions and the other institutions to actually understand what it is that has to be addressed for us to be able to have the level of outreach we are looking for, the inclusiveness that we are looking for and understand that that inclusiveness might bring us to a point where we also have to bring in people that don't necessarily sit with us on a daily basis and understand the language that we are speaking. How do we provide solutions that they can work with and include them in such a process? So from our perspective, I did speak to the collaboration we have with cava, and I will not go into detail the work that we did in Nigeria, but we also have been working with GSMA to co chair a joint working group under the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development. But these are just a few of the partnerships that we have been pursuing. Suffice to say that everybody at this table, almost we have been engaged with and very much look forward to working with others that may not be working with us at present.
SPEAKER_01
(3549.4 - 3589.96)
Thank you very much. Because as you say, this work is articulated around you actors, but Also the other 44 members, if I remember rightly, of E Trade partners. So, Madame Gerard Brech, let's continue then with this idea of partnership. But let's take a legal partnership look at it, you know, because the legal practicalities are essential. How can and can it, in fact, can UNSEE trials support more inclusive and more sustainable outcomes for digital trade? Can it do so for women? Because we've been hearing about the issue of women. Does it have limitations?
SPEAKER_06
(3593.24 - 3598.23)
Thank you very much. Yes, thank you. That's a great question you're asking. Because
SPEAKER_06
(3599.75 - 3627.52)
inherently the law is for everyone. It applies across the board and it doesn't single out particular actors or particular sectors. And especially when you work on harmonizing, you have to take into account that the policy priorities are not necessarily necessarily easy to harmonize into a model law on, say, digital trade.
SPEAKER_06
(3629.04 - 3646.81)
So basically, we do not single out, and we do not in our legal frameworks that we produce, we do not pay particular attention to women entrepreneurs or to men entrepreneurs.
SPEAKER_02
(3647.76 - 3648.0)
But.
SPEAKER_06
(3650.96 - 3678.81)
The way to approach it and the way we address it is through our dedicated frameworks. And work for MSMEs. So when we work and when we prepare more guidance documents so that are not hard law, but more guidance on how to favor certain types of activities or, or certain types of issues, there we can look into the specific issues that
SPEAKER_06
(3681.61 - 3803.98)
women are confronted with. And I would like to reiterate what my colleagues have said already on this panel talking about an elephant in the room. It's true that in our view there are really two elephants when we talk about women entrepreneurs and MSMEs. And in this digital trade sector, the first one is how to encourage to move from the informal part of the economy into the formal part of the economy. Because until you really exist formally, the government can't do anything for you. You're just a non entity. You're working, yes, you're doing your business, but you cannot benefit from any of the policies and even the law that the government is putting in place. And the second one very clearly to me is access to credit. Because you know, I was last week in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Ghana. And in both countries they have wonderfully clever wizards that develop these tools, these apps, these, this, these structures for digital transformation, trade. And you know, comes a certain time they all move to the United States because they are welcome, they are funded, they have sustainability in their business as a perspective. And so I think that's really an issue where it's really important to focus having of course, all things considered, having the right legal framework in place when you want to really focus on women and women entrepreneurs is to look into the way they can access credit. And there are, there are ways ranging from family funding to crowdfunding to the spectrum of secure transactions. All of this exists, but it needs to be plugged into the digital framework discussion when you want to particularly address women. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(3804.06 - 3835.82)
Thank you very much. So work still to be done there. But really interesting the points that you make there in terms of formalizing, particularly work women do and then stopping the brain drain, which I think is vital in some respects. What you were talking about was broaching on logistical issues. So I'm going to go to Paul Donohoe here now to look at some of those logistical issues when it comes to postal services and the gaps they can fill in terms of developing countries developing E commerce.
SPEAKER_08
(3839.34 - 3899.24)
Yes, this is a very critical challenge and as I mentioned before then, the UPU is working with member governments to try and address these gaps and these challenges. But I think I want to pick up on what has been said already and partnerships are vital to be able to address these issues and we have to break the silos and leverage the expertise that we all have within this environment where we're talking, but also to encourage governments also to take a whole of government approach to addressing these challenges and developing the the digital economy and bringing the benefits that it can for inclusion of all of society. And that's where I think E Trade for all has been a marvelous platform to at least help facilitate that dialogue within the community that we represent.
SPEAKER_08
(3900.92 - 3956.02)
And in concrete terms, the collaboration on the assessments that E TradeForAll is doing to assess the challenges and assess the logistical challenges, the addressing challenges that exist in many countries and provide guidance on government's intervention in those areas I think is a very concrete step forward. And I wish to congratulate UNCTAD for facilitating this collaboration. As part of these E Trade for all assessments from the UPU side, we are also working with for example the African Union on roadmaps for digitalization of postal services and enhancing the logistics environment in African countries to help modernize postal services and assist them in delivering this all important connectivity for communities.
SPEAKER_01
(3956.82 - 3983.96)
Thank you very much. I'm going to come to you Mr. Pradeep Mehta, very briefly, if you could, could you just tell us from your experience again, we're staying with these practical measures, concrete measures, how civil society and non governmental organizations like CUTS can really contribute in terms of enabling this fair and sustainable digital environment.
SPEAKER_07
(3986.29 - 3986.69)
Thank you.
SPEAKER_07
(3988.69 - 4003.57)
Let me pick up some strands of conversation which we have heard so far and see as to how I can present a more cogent picture out of a project which we've been running for a long time and very successfully
SPEAKER_07
(4005.25 - 4011.73)
in order to reduce a digital divide. One is spoke about postal workers
SPEAKER_07
(4013.24 - 4026.92)
in India we have about 500,000 post offices of which 300,000 are run by what I call extra departmental agents. They are not employees of the postal department and they work as gig workers.
SPEAKER_07
(4029.48 - 4037.24)
I mean they work as gig workers. What has happened is there is a facility which is available and many of them are women as well.
SPEAKER_07
(4039.01 - 4065.69)
So we have trained them to be computer savvy over time they run e kiosks, very large number of services in India. Death and birth certificate, passport, etc. Russian card and so on and so forth are today all available online. You can make an application online. So there's a huge advancement and that is what we are trying to do is to build up this over I think about
SPEAKER_07
(4067.61 - 4087.69)
5,000 villages. I mean that's all what we can handle, but that's a good model for anybody to see. As to how do you combine Many of these things and we work in collaboration with all the institutions which are here on the table, including area. We're doing policy research with them. With upu, we are on the consultative committee. With amtad, of course,
SPEAKER_07
(4090.06 - 4098.62)
I don't have words to explain. With WTO we work very closely. I'm on the WTO, DG's NGO advisory body as well.
SPEAKER_07
(4100.7 - 4113.82)
With ILO we do a lot of work. We did an event at World Investment forum with the ILO's participation in on ESG and worker satisfaction, you know, worker welfare, something which is totally ignored
SPEAKER_07
(4115.35 - 4173.44)
with itc. Dorothy is again a very old friend. We work a lot with ITC on trade facilitation, among other things, and with Anajobha on the investment investor state disputes. We are a large organization in that sense. So therefore we work on a rainbow of issues. But having come back to the digital economy, what I would like to say is it requires persistence like any other thing. These are not sprint races, they are marathon races. So one has to have patience in order to see to that things. And when you are dealing on digital divide with. With. With semiliterate population, then you have to have much more patience in order to see to. And sometimes you'll be surprised as to what they can come out with, you know, which even you would not have thought of. I mean, don't underestimate the common sense of the common people. This is again a very important learning that we have discovered over a long time.
SPEAKER_01
(4173.76 - 4178.48)
I'm going to have to stop you there if I may, if we just stay with that idea of don't underestimate.
SPEAKER_07
(4178.56 - 4199.92)
No, no one thing. No one thing. I just wanted to add, what I did not add an important thing was many of our rural workers are also banking correspondents, you know, so. And India has one of the most banked population in the world. It reaches out nearly 90% of the population. Population. Thank you. And digital is a way forward.
SPEAKER_01
(4200.24 - 4231.23)
Thank you very much. So sorry to interrupt you there, but I would like to get some questions from the floor. But first of all, just a quick question to Miyasepo because we're taking a future focused look here and I sometimes wonder if artificial intelligence is taking it almost step too far when it comes to developing countries or whether they can jump on board now, particularly when it comes to worker rights. How is the ILO stepping into that future and making sure workers rights, particularly in developing countries will be protected?
SPEAKER_04
(4233.47 - 4460.8)
Thank you for the question. I think what we all recognize is that AI will have huge implications for the organization of work in both the Global south and in the Global North. So ILO is doing a lot of work to do analysis and deepen the understanding of what will these transformations mean and how can we ensure a manner of incorporating AI in the world of work that ensures productivity, that enhances innovation while upholding workers rights, preventing discriminatory practices and also promoting just transitions. And coming, you know, this event comes at the same time as the cop 28. So when we talk about transitions, we talk about care in terms of aging societies, digital and green. And this of course has different implications in different countries. I think the area of understanding these far reaching implications is an area of collaboration in terms of the analysis and the research that many of the institutions who are speaking in this panel do. So Ilo did the study in 2023 and I think everybody expected us to come up with a big stark warning in terms of the impact on jobs. And it actually showed that the fear of job substitution might be a little bit overemphasized. We see an opportunity to augment through the latest way of AI, which of course is linked then to skilling. When it comes to augmentation and the effects of automation. The impact at the moment is expected to be 5.5% of total employment in the Global north and 0.4% for low income countries. So therefore very different policy responses are needed. IRO is expecting that that AI will impact on the quality of jobs in terms of work intensity and autonomy and hopefully give more opportunity for engaging work without limiting workers agency and voice. So when you then look at the power balance, we are looking at ensuring that workers affected by labor market adjustments can operate in an environment where there is respect for existing norms and rights and where we use national systems for labor and social protection and skills training systems. I think it's important, and it was said by one of the previous speakers that the regulation of AI so far has not sufficiently taken into account the effect on working conditions. And in that sense, of course, from an ILO perspective, we very much encourage countries to use existing mechanisms for social dialogue and tripartite consultations, bringing in the voice of workers, employers, businesses and government to ensure that the policies and the regulations that we design support an orderly, fit, fair and consultative transition. And I just want to. There was a reference to the human touch point by one of the previous speakers. That human touch point is the workers and that human touch point is the micro and small economic units. And I think this is really where the kind of things come to a crash when it. When we look at this inclusivity and fairness. And I think that's why this discussion that Tungtad is facilitating is so important.
SPEAKER_01
(4461.44 - 4475.76)
Thank you very much for those important points. Now we've got about five minutes maximum for a few questions from the audience. Maybe we can grab a couple of questions at once. Please go ahead. And who is your question for? And who are you?
SPEAKER_02
(4475.84 - 4481.6)
Thank you. My name is Hassan Al Kilani, Ministry of Economy, uae.
SPEAKER_02
(4483.91 - 4485.99)
Welcome back from Dubai, Rebecca.
SPEAKER_02
(4487.91 - 4488.95)
Very different weather.
SPEAKER_02
(4492.15 - 4502.95)
The common basically point I've heard here was the digital trade. So can we proudly say digital trade is taking over
SPEAKER_02
(4505.11 - 4510.96)
instead of E commerce? This is number one. Number two, if this is the case.
SPEAKER_01
(4510.96 - 4520.2)
Just one question, we're never going to get time for two. That will have to be your favorite one is digital trade taking over from E Commerce. And I think this gentleman, you have a question too.
SPEAKER_07
(4523.48 - 4544.21)
Thank you very much for convening this panel, this important panel. Well, I will speak on behalf of 134 states states because today we are not representing Cuba here, but we are representing the G77, as you know, in the chapter of New York and I.
SPEAKER_04
(4544.21 - 4547.69)
Will do it in Spanish to make.
SPEAKER_07
(4549.45 - 4559.7)
Because we are also heading the group of friends of the Spanish of UN so we are not going to be forgiven if we speak English today. So.
SPEAKER_10
(4562.98 - 4563.86)
We have seen
SPEAKER_10
(4566.1 - 4567.78)
and noted with great concern
SPEAKER_10
(4570.18 - 4575.94)
and on the panel being able to see this that there is a huge digital gap. Today
SPEAKER_10
(4577.54 - 4609.15)
we're talking about trying to meet the 2030 goals and it has been clear that that within the UN system that won't be possible. It won't be possible for us to meet the development goals for 2030. That's especially the case after an awful pandemic which has set us back a great deal in terms of sustainable development goals. For instance, today I have seen that the panel has heard many questions about the Internet infrastructure, fiber optics, digital trade.
SPEAKER_10
(4611.24 - 4653.41)
But today around the world, more than 360, only 360 million people have computers. Half of the world's population today doesn't even know what a computer is and that half of the population has never even seen a smartphone. Nevertheless, when you look at these data and compare them with digital penetration, for instance, there's a study which I'd like to draw on, stating that 82% of electronic trade takes place in developed countries. The remaining 17% or so which takes place in developing nations
SPEAKER_10
(4655.81 - 4661.01)
mostly happens in Brazil, India, China, Indonesia, Turkey and Russia.
SPEAKER_10
(4662.92 - 4703.49)
So this is the digital gap we have today, the digital divide. It is gargantuan and we have to work together without ensuring that we don't overlap in our mandates because there are many mandates. I'm looking towards the moderator. I know we don't have much time. Perhaps during another panel we'll hear from other panelists. But it's clear today that we need a global digital compact. We need that because the mechanisms we have to address the huge divide between developed and developing countries is a necessity. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(4704.85 - 4712.41)
Thank you very much. So as that was more of a comment than a question, I think we have time for one more question and I shall go to you. Minister NAOMI.
SPEAKER_04
(4728.0 - 4734.28)
I had two questions, but I'll just ask one. The other one was about, I think.
SPEAKER_05
(4734.28 - 4746.75)
My colleague from Cuba has covered it, about the gap between our poor and affluent communities when it comes to
SPEAKER_05
(4748.27 - 4749.39)
digital economy.
SPEAKER_04
(4750.59 - 4759.63)
But the one I will ask, I want to ask my sister sepo. Workers are workers no matter where they are.
SPEAKER_05
(4760.19 - 4763.8)
But have you thought about what kind.
SPEAKER_04
(4763.8 - 4777.64)
Of, kind of a worker are we now going to have when we have a digital economy? And then what kind of labor rules? Because most of them are going to be more sedentary,
SPEAKER_04
(4779.64 - 4785.4)
sort of behind the desk. And there are a lot of health.
SPEAKER_05
(4785.48 - 4795.97)
Issues because of just focusing on around a computer and gadgets. So what labor rules are we developing.
SPEAKER_04
(4796.21 - 4797.73)
To protect such workers?
SPEAKER_02
(4798.29 - 4798.85)
Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(4800.45 - 4806.69)
Thank you very much. Well, I'll let Miyasepo jump straight in there and answer that question while it's still fresh in your mind.
SPEAKER_04
(4807.81 - 4911.57)
Thank you for the very pertinent question from Zimbabwe. I think many of us are sitting, you know, thinking of our lower backs and what have you. So a very pertinent question indeed. So ILO is getting into a process of looking at the first global instrument in this domain, and that starts at the 113th International Labor Conference in 2025, hopefully concluding in 2026. And this conversation between workers, employers and governments will look at a lot of the definitional issues. And as you rightly pointed out, the changes are fundamental in terms of how labor is organized, including definitional issues of contractual status and workers. So that conversation will take place in the tripartite governance mechanism that ILO provides when it comes to worker well being. And of course, there is a lot of lessons learned from COVID including terms of worker well being. The occupational safety and health is now one of the fundamental principles and rights at work, which is one of the key advocacy areas for ILO with partners. And a lot of the work that we are doing with our member states in terms of processes of ratification and implementation. And this process of looking at a global instrument will also look at the Those huge impacts in terms of how work is being transformed and that expectation of what is likely to be automated or augmented and what the future world of work will look like. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(4915.57 - 4928.05)
Mr. Mets promised me he has a comment that will be 20 seconds long. Because I'd really love to get full final comments from everybody at the end. So if you could start thinking about those. I'm going to get you to summarize your final thoughts in 30 seconds because we've really run out of time.
SPEAKER_01
(4929.97 - 4931.93)
The floor is yours, Professor Mehta. 20 seconds.
SPEAKER_07
(4931.93 - 4955.86)
Right. In terms of collaboration, I just wanted to share with you which is relevant to E Commerce as well is competition policy, which was mentioned this afternoon. In partnership with UNCTAD and W2, we're organizing an event on what is called the world competition day. 5th December is the world Competition. This is being held in the afternoon at the WTO premises. You're welcome. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(4956.02 - 4969.78)
Thank you very much for that invitation. Okay, so let's get to our question there from Hassan Alkilani. So that was whether digital trade is taking over from E commerce. And I'm sorry, but can you make your answer brief?
SPEAKER_06
(4971.14 - 4973.86)
I will make it super brief. Yes, 100%.
SPEAKER_06
(4977.12 - 5014.81)
To just explain two fundamentals of digital trade. The way of trading platforms, the platform economy. The second fundamental is what is being traded. Digital goods, digital assets. So that for me is very clear that, and I said it yesterday, that digital E commerce was commerce for my generation, but the ones that are now coming into being active and driving the economy are definitely digital. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(5015.77 - 5036.67)
Two fantastic questions. Thank you very much. It's time for your final thoughts now. And as I said, I'm putting you on the spot because I'd like you to keep them to 30 to 45 seconds long. And you know that there's an AI algorithm that's going to be taking these and basically synthesizing them, although you'll have synthesized them already. So let me begin with you, Dorothy Tembo.
SPEAKER_02
(5039.39 - 5060.66)
30 seconds. Partnerships matter from making sure that mismis have access to right information to support informed decision making and services for taking part in digital trade, and to finding innovative ways to close the digital gender gap. In particular,
SPEAKER_02
(5062.66 - 5085.15)
it's important that we ensure that we have customized solutions with specific targets in mind, a lot of information given on who can and who cannot be a part of this. But I believe that their solutions have. We can consolidate this and make sure that they too are part of the inclusion process. Thanks.
SPEAKER_01
(5085.87 - 5090.91)
Fantastic. Thank you so much, Madame Joubambret. I'm going to turn to you.
SPEAKER_06
(5093.07 - 5109.55)
Well, if you want 30 seconds, I will do less. I will say that I totally agree with my colleague who just spoke. Yes, indeed. Partnerships are extremely important because we don't come with the same value added, but altogether we can add a lot of value. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(5110.99 - 5113.47)
Beautifully put, Mia Seppo.
SPEAKER_04
(5114.75 - 5150.68)
So we are looking at hoping that the digital world and digital trade will be a world which is more equal. How can that happen? That can happen by ensuring equal access of opportunities to everybody for workers in terms of skills with dealing, decent working conditions and labor and social protection. And for small and medium enterprises by ensuring access to opportunities, bridging the digital divide and ensuring that they can actually harness the potential for both productivity and innovation.
SPEAKER_01
(5152.36 - 5157.96)
Extremely succinct and full of meaning. Thank you very much, Paul Donohoe. I shall go to you now.
SPEAKER_08
(5160.47 - 5187.68)
So final words, I think digital trade, we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that that's both digital and human and physical. I think that complementary initiatives in physical infrastructure and digital infrastructure need to be a priority. And finally come to the Trade Post Forum tomorrow at 11:30 and you'll hear more practical examples of how the post is working to achieve that.
SPEAKER_01
(5188.24 - 5192.88)
Two invitations and we love invitations. Thank you so much. Koji Hashiyama.
SPEAKER_09
(5194.88 - 5209.12)
Thank you very much for promoting the E trade. I'd like to think that two key points that one is of course inclusiveness and then that especially that for
SPEAKER_09
(5211.19 - 5237.72)
gender issues that's what's also important because our research also showed that through the COVID 19 that gender divide, this divide was extended more and more and the other one that has rural degradation should be not within the specific region but also that connected outside region. So the global activities that was important. And another key issue that's changing mindset. That's what's very important. Thank you very much.
SPEAKER_01
(5238.84 - 5244.12)
Thank you so much. Angela Paolini, please.
SPEAKER_03
(5246.6 - 5325.95)
Thank you. Well, I think it's clear from this discussion that we need rules and we also the other part of the equation is we need to address the practical effects of how, of E trade, of digital trade, of E commerce, all of the various permutations and there's a lot at stake because digital trade is more than just about trade in digital products. It covers every single aspect of trade. But I think that makes it a great opportunity. It's a great opportunity for empowerment perhaps to help us fix some of the mistakes of trade in the past to be more inclusive, to include women MSMEs communities all over the world, whether it's in developed members that have tremendous pockets of poverty and also Our least developed countries who need so much, that this is really the advent of digital trade provides such an opportunity if we get it right. But we can get it right only if we work in partnerships. So that's organizations like ours, it's national governments working together, it's the private sector being directly involved, and of course, civil society as well. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(5326.35 - 5328.75)
Thank you so much. Pradeep Mehta.
SPEAKER_07
(5330.59 - 5341.08)
Let me respond to the points raised by the gentleman from Cuba and lady from Zimbabwe. Madam. Madam, hello.
SPEAKER_07
(5342.6 - 5387.45)
Hello. I'm responding to the point which you addressed, which I don't think has been addressed by others. I mean, we worked in the developing countries in a long way. It is the development which is the problem. In order to reach that break the digital divide, how do you. So your governments have to prioritize the spending? And look, these are enabling tools. You know, digitization is an enabling tool, and that will help people to overcome their poverty, you know, have extra income, so on. So the prioritization is important. This is what you have to tell your own governments to do in order to ensure that this is what India has done and very successfully. Every village is now connected digitally. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(5388.25 - 5394.12)
Thank you very much. And our final concluding words will go to Rebecca Greenspan, obviously the Secretary General of unctad.
SPEAKER_05
(5396.36 - 5402.52)
Thank you. Let me just say this. Nothing will happen automatically if we want to close the gaps.
SPEAKER_05
(5404.92 - 5441.64)
It will require policy. It will require investment, it will require resources, it will require rules. It will require good governance at the global level, too. Yes. Not one country will be able to do it alone, and not one organization will be able to do it alone. And so it has to be a decision and there has to be a political will to get it right, so the gaps won't deepen and the opportunities will be spread for everybody.
SPEAKER_04
(5442.37 - 5442.77)
Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(5443.01 - 5452.61)
Thank you very much. And with those concluding words, please give our speakers a big round of applause. And as they have so well pointed out, partnership matters.
Save Transcript
Regenerate AI Summary
SPEAKER_01
Summary Sentence
Supporting Quotes
Introduced the session's focus on inclusive digital trade, highlighted the importance of fair share for all economies, and welcomed the speakers from partner organizations.
Now this is a high level session where we are going to be focusing on how to ensure inclusion imperatives and development gains are central to global digital trade.
ensuring all economies get a fair share of digital trade is one of the most important goals of E Trade for all.
all our speakers come from partner organizations of that platform.
Introduced Rebecca Greenspan for opening remarks.
But first of all, for our opening remarks, it is really my great pleasure to to invite a woman who has just whizzed around the world to be with you here today from COP28 and that is of course Rebecca Greenspan who is the Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
Introduced Dorothy Tembo from ITC to discuss the challenges SMEs face in harnessing the benefits of digital trade and how ITC is addressing them.
Dorothy Tembo now, the ITC does support SMEs in terms of harnessing the benefits of digital trade and also obviously enhancing their competitiveness.
But let's look at the challenges.
What are they and how is the ITC addressing them?
Thanked Dorothy Tembo for her explanation and emphasized the importance of trust in digital systems, asking Ansitrout how they are building that trust.
Thank you so much for your intervention, Dorothy Tembo, and explaining that so clearly
there is often one factor that holds people back and that is a lack of trust in systems.
But can you explain to us how you're doing that in terms of digital trade?
Moderated the discussion, asked speakers to conclude their remarks, and posed questions about digital trade rules and digital inclusion.
If you could wind up now, that'd be fine.
Thank you, we'll come back to that.
And can you tell us, please, how these multilateral level rules, digital rules, can contribute to really promoting this greater digital inclusion, particularly when it comes to developmental aspirations.
Asked Dorothy Tembo about how international cooperation and capacity building can support more inclusive and sustainable outcomes for digital trade.
I'd like to turn to you, Dorothy Tembo, and can you tell us a little bit in I suppose, what ways can international cooperation, because ultimately this is what it's all about. It's about partnership. How can that international cooperation and capacity building support, as we were hearing just now from Angela Ellard, how can that support more inclusive and sustainable outcomes for digital trade?
Introduced speakers and transitioned between topics, focusing on partnership, legal practicalities, and logistical issues in digital trade.
Because as you say, this work is articulated around you actors, but Also the other 44 members, if I remember rightly, of E Trade partners.
So, Madame Gerard Brech, let's continue then with this idea of partnership.
So I'm going to go to Paul Donohoe here now to look at some of those logistical issues when it comes to postal services and the gaps they can fill in terms of developing countries developing E commerce.
Posed questions to speakers regarding UNCITRAL's role, women's inclusion, and postal services' impact.
But let's take a legal partnership look at it, you know, because the legal practicalities are essential. How can and can it, in fact, can UNSEE trials support more inclusive and more sustainable outcomes for digital trade? Can it do so for women?
So I'm going to go to Paul Donohoe here now to look at some of those logistical issues when it comes to postal services and the gaps they can fill in terms of developing countries developing E commerce.
Moderated the discussion, interrupted SPEAKER_07 to allow time for questions, and posed a question to SPEAKER_04 about the ILO's role in protecting worker rights in developing countries in the context of AI.
I'm going to have to stop you there if I may, if we just stay with that idea of don't underestimate.
So sorry to interrupt you there, but I would like to get some questions from the floor.
How is the ILO stepping into that future and making sure workers rights, particularly in developing countries will be protected?
Moderated the session, acknowledged comments and questions, and managed time constraints, prompting speakers for concise final thoughts.
Thank you very much.
So as that was more of a comment than a question, I think we have time for one more question and I shall go to you.
I'm going to get you to summarize your final thoughts in 30 seconds because we've really run out of time.
Introduced Pradeep Mehta, thanked speakers, introduced Rebecca Greenspan, and acknowledged the importance of partnership.
Thank you so much. Pradeep Mehta.
Thank you very much.
And our final concluding words will go to Rebecca Greenspan, obviously the Secretary General of unctad.
And as they have so well pointed out, partnership matters.
SPEAKER_05
Summary Sentence
Supporting Quotes
Welcomed attendees and emphasized the importance of unlocking digital trade for inclusive development through partnership and collaboration.
It is with a profound honor and a sense of collective purpose that I welcome you to this First Eat Right for All roundtable of the UNCTAD ewic.
In this session, we convene to discuss how to unlock the potential of digital trade for inclusive development.
A task that demands not just insight and innovation, but an unwavering commitment to partnership and collaboration.
Highlighted disparities in digital trade engagement between developed and developing countries, and stressed the need to strengthen developing countries' capacity to participate in and benefit from digital trade.
But these figures hide significant disparities.
The readiness and ability to engage in digital trade vary substantially across countries, especially between developed economies and the least developed ones.
I'd like us to focus especially on what is needed to strengthen the capacity of developing countries, particularly the least developed, to better participate in, in and benefit from digital trade.
Mentioned the importance of trade as part of the solution for developing countries and the need to consider the diversity of situations.
Precisely. I come, as you know, From Dubai, from COP28 and we said very strongly there, you know, trade has to be part of the solution for the developing countries.
And the solution has to take into account the diversity of situations that we are faced with.
Mentioned the digital gap between poor and affluent communities.
My colleague from Cuba has covered it, about the gap between our poor and affluent communities when it comes to
digital economy.
Stated that closing gaps requires policy, investment, resources, rules, and good governance at the global level, emphasizing that no single country or organization can achieve it alone and that political will is essential.
Nothing will happen automatically if we want to close the gaps.
It will require policy. It will require investment, it will require resources, it will require rules.
Not one country will be able to do it alone, and not one organization will be able to do it alone.
And so it has to be a decision and there has to be a political will to get it right, so the gaps won't deepen and the opportunities will be spread for everybody.
SPEAKER_04
Summary Sentence
Supporting Quotes
Acknowledged the relevance of the question about the growing platform economy and the ILO's role in safeguarding workers' rights and well-being.
Thank you very much for that really relevant question
how does the ILO ensure and how is it trying to ensure today that the digital transformation safeguards the rights and well being of workers
Recognized the importance of regulating the digital labor platform space.
from an ILO perspective, we are strongly recognizing and emphasizing the importance of regulating this space
Discussed labor rights, fair working conditions, and social protection in the digital platform economy, emphasizing the complexity of regulation across jurisdictions and the need for international policy coordination.
labor rights, fair working conditions, labor and social protection.
regulating the digital platforms is very complex and it involves review of existing legislation, laws and practices and these linkages also across multiple jurisdictions.
international policy dialogue and coordination is essential.
Highlighted emerging regulatory examples like collective bargaining agreements and legal standards for platform workers.
You have collective bargaining agreements in Denmark, for example.
You have cleaning workers recognized as employees in Brazil.
You have health legal standards for platform workers.
Mentioned the ILO's initiative to develop a global normative instrument in this domain.
we are starting a process at the 113th International Labor Conference in 2025 with the possibility of adapting the first global normative instrument in this domain in 2026.
Stressed the importance of supporting SMEs to leverage digital economy opportunities, addressing skills gaps and the digital divide.
it's really important to recognize the importance of providing relevant support to micro, small and medium sized enterprises in, in order for them to be able to grasp the opportunities that the digital economy provides
if we don't tackle the skills gaps, if we don't tackle the digital divide, we are looking at a very uneven playing field in terms of access to these opportunities.
Noted ILO's programs, such as the partnership with Microsoft, to support female entrepreneurs in accessing the digital market and formalization.
For example, through our partnership with Microsoft, we have a program that targeted 30,000 female entrepreneurs in 10 countries countries to help them access the digital market.
also looking at these opportunities as a pathway for formalization, a very key aspect for many countries in the global South.
Answered a question about the ILO's work on AI, emphasizing the need to balance productivity and innovation with worker rights and just transitions.
So ILO is doing a lot of work to do analysis and deepen the understanding of what will these transformations mean and how can we ensure a manner of incorporating AI in the world of work that ensures productivity, that enhances innovation while upholding workers rights, preventing discriminatory practices and also promoting just transitions.
Mentioned an ILO study suggesting that the fear of job substitution due to AI might be overemphasized, with AI potentially augmenting jobs.
Ilo did the study in 2023 and I think everybody expected us to come up with a big stark warning in terms of the impact on jobs.
And it actually showed that the fear of job substitution might be a little bit overemphasized.
We see an opportunity to augment through the latest way of AI, which of course is linked then to skilling.
Highlighted the importance of social dialogue and tripartite consultations in regulating AI and ensuring fair transitions, emphasizing the human touch point of workers and micro/small economic units.
And in that sense, of course, from an ILO perspective, we very much encourage countries to use existing mechanisms for social dialogue and tripartite consultations, bringing in the voice of workers, employers, businesses and government to ensure that the policies and the regulations that we design support an orderly, fit, fair and consultative transition.
There was a reference to the human touch point by one of the previous speakers. That human touch point is the workers and that human touch point is the micro and small economic units.
Expressed hope for a more equal digital world through equal access to opportunities for workers (skills, decent conditions, social protection) and SMEs (access, bridging the divide, productivity, innovation).
So we are looking at hoping that the digital world and digital trade will be a world which is more equal.
That can happen by ensuring equal access of opportunities to everybody for workers in terms of skills with dealing, decent working conditions and labor and social protection.
And for small and medium enterprises by ensuring access to opportunities, bridging the digital divide and ensuring that they can actually harness the potential for both productivity and innovation.
Thanked the speaker.
Thank you.
SPEAKER_02
Summary Sentence
Supporting Quotes
Thanked the Secretary General for the invitation and emphasized the importance of digital connectivity in turbulent times for SMEs' success.
thank you very much for that important question and may, may I start by also joining in thanking Secretary General for the kind invitation to be part of this important conversation this morning.
it is quite clear to us that in turbulent times digital connectivity has come to the center of trade.
to us this can really be what makes the difference between success and failure of mismis these days.
Highlighted the need to address inequalities like gender and youth inclusion.
what it is that we can do in supporting these countries to ensure that we are accelerating and enhancing the inclusion side of it.
In particular tackling the entrenched inequalities such as the gender inequality and indeed on the youth side of things.
Noted increased collaboration between government, private sector, and development organizations in digital initiatives.
we have seen a lot of government, private sector and indeed development organizations working together trying to ensure that we try and see how we can put.
Identified challenges including access to market opportunities, lack of management skills, lack of information, and accessibility to support services, particularly finance.
First is the access to appropriate market opportunities.
lack of management skills and capabilities in a new market space.
Third is the lack of information.
And finally, it's the accessibility to the other support services that are around us.
But there is also an elephant in the room which speaks to access to finance.
Described ITC's approach to addressing the full ecosystem, including policy, SME-level interventions, and trade facilitation.
We look at addressing the full ecosystem.
So you're looking at the policy side, you're looking at interventions at the micro, small and medium enterprise level.
But we are also looking at ensuring that beyond that, you are also facilitating the trade and creating that enabling environment.
Mentioned ITC's focus on helping export-ready firms during COVID and its expansion to work with all sizes of SMEs.
What we tried to do at that point is to really focus our efforts on helping those that were already export ready and those that were probably just about to tip over to be export ready because we had to have minimal continuity of trade.
But progressively we have grown this and we are now working with all sizes of the mismis.
Introduced the 'Switch on' program in Zambia as an integrated approach involving various partners like Alibaba and Cava.
What we have done is to scale this up and we have an initiative that we refer to which is Switch on as Switchon.
It's a program that we are rolling out and that is currently ongoing in Zambia for the the past two years.
And therefore we are taking an integrated approach in terms of the response which brings together different parts, partners starting from Alibaba, Cava and all the others that we are working with, including
Outlined the initiative's goal to reach 20,000 entrepreneurs by 2025, emphasizing the importance of partnerships.
Our target is reaching out to 20,000 entrepreneurs by 2025.
But we cannot do this on our own partnerships underpinning this initiative.
Emphasized the need for partnerships across sectors, stakeholders, and government to achieve ambitious goals in digital trade.
partnership is really a must have in all this because not a single one of us at this table, as she said, can deal with the issues that we have to address.
Highlighted the importance of leveraging financial resources and expertise.
leveraging resources, but both from a financial perspective, from an expertise, is one that is going to be critical going forward, building on what we have been doing up to this point.
Stressed the need for an integrated approach that addresses infrastructure and government understanding to achieve inclusiveness and outreach.
which is why I perhaps would come back to what I was saying earlier on, which is an integrated approach that deals with issues that we can address as partners on E Trade for all, but also going beyond that at the country level, how do we get the government institutions and the other institutions to actually understand what it is that has to be addressed for us to be able to have the level of outreach we are looking for, the inclusiveness that we are looking for
Mentioned collaborations with organizations like Cava and GSMA.
So from our perspective, I did speak to the collaboration we have with cava, and I will not go into detail the work that we did in Nigeria, but we also have been working with GSMA to co chair a joint working group under the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development.
Asked whether digital trade is taking over from e-commerce.
So can we proudly say digital trade is taking over
instead of E commerce?
Stressed the importance of partnerships for providing access to information and services for MSMEs in digital trade and closing the digital gender gap with customized solutions.
Partnerships matter from making sure that mismis have access to right information to support informed decision making and services for taking part in digital trade, and to finding innovative ways to close the digital gender gap.
In particular, it's important that we ensure that we have customized solutions with specific targets in mind
SPEAKER_06
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Supporting Quotes
Discussed building trust in the digital economy by addressing identification, transactional rules, and the legal aspects of new digital commodities like cryptocurrencies and data.
When E Commerce started appearing and E Commerce is not new, you had to identify who you were trading to what you were trading and establish some transactional rules to make sure that the transaction can be trusted now with and can produce its legal effects.
I'm talking here about assets like digital assets, cryptocurrencies like data, of course, because at the heart of this digital economy is all the building of artificial intelligence through data.
Highlighted the need for adapted legal frameworks and collaboration with member states to address specific issues and bridge the digital legal divide.
Do the old rules of trading potatoes or trading in gold, do they apply? Or do you need to have a framework that is more adapted
we can only develop if we have those countries in our room where we work with member states who help us develop these rules and these laws and regulations, taking into account the specificities.
if we want to bridge this digital legal divide, we need to have countries in the room that tell us this is the issue and this is what we need to tackle so that it can flow.
Explained that legal frameworks are generally applicable and don't single out specific actors.
inherently the law is for everyone. It applies across the board and it doesn't single out particular actors or particular sectors.
Addressed the importance of formalizing businesses and improving access to credit for women entrepreneurs in the digital trade sector.
It's true that in our view there are really two elephants when we talk about women entrepreneurs and MSMEs. And in this digital trade sector, the first one is how to encourage to move from the informal part of the economy into the formal part of the economy.
And the second one very clearly to me is access to credit.
Highlighted the issue of talent drain to other countries due to lack of funding and sustainability.
And you know, comes a certain time they all move to the United States because they are welcome, they are funded, they have sustainability in their business as a perspective.
Affirmed that digital trade is replacing e-commerce, citing platform economies and digital goods/assets as key fundamentals, and emphasized the importance of partnerships.
Yes, 100%.
To just explain two fundamentals of digital trade. The way of trading platforms, the platform economy. The second fundamental is what is being traded. Digital goods, digital assets.
Yes, indeed. Partnerships are extremely important because we don't come with the same value added, but altogether we can add a lot of value.
SPEAKER_12
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Economy this.
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SPEAKER_07
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Emphasized the importance of implementing inclusive digital trade policies, highlighted India's Digital India Initiative and commitment to supporting the Global South with digital public infrastructure (DPI).
developing and implementing, let me underscore the word implementing inclusive trade, digital trade policies that consider the challenges for the developing world.
We have a good model in India, the Digital India Initiative.
the declaration also called upon India to provide support to the Global south on developing what we call a DPI digital public infrastructure on which India has progressed substantially.
Raised concerns about cybersecurity as a form of terrorism and the critical role of telecommunications infrastructure (ITU) and broadband infrastructure in enabling digital economies, advocating for investment in hardware alongside software.
cyber security, as was mentioned by speakers including Rebecca, that becomes now is becoming more and more critical. It's a sort of third form of terrorism.
we have what is called the International Telecommunications Union. That's another very, very major infrastructure input in order to be able to deliver, in order to have a good digital trade system or digital economy in the country itself.
unless you have a good broadband, that again costs money.
If you do not have a matching hardware, whatever you try to achieve through the software would not be successful at all.
Discussed addressing the digital divide in rural India through smartphones and e-commerce, highlighting the importance of research and advocacy for inclusive digital trade policies that prioritize marginalized communities.
We fortunately have seen this problem happening including working in a very large segment of rural India.
we have group of rural women who have been able to access world markets through E commerce, but they were fortunate enough to get good broadband connection through smartphone itself.
How can civil society and non governmental organization like CUTS contribute to shape, shaping affair and inclusive digital lead One is our capacity to research and advocate for an inclusive digital trade policies that prioritizes the interest of marginalized communities.
Identified the speaker as being from Area.
Area.
Will explain how civil society can contribute to a fair digital environment.
Let me pick up some strands of conversation which we have heard so far and see as to how I can present a more cogent picture out of a project which we've been running for a long time and very successfully
Described India's efforts to bridge the digital divide using postal workers, particularly women, as e-kiosk operators providing various online services in rural areas.
in order to reduce a digital divide.
in India we have about 500,000 post offices of which 300,000 are run by what I call extra departmental agents.
So we have trained them to be computer savvy over time they run e kiosks, very large number of services in India.
Highlighted the importance of patience and understanding when working with semi-literate populations and emphasized the value of their common sense.
But having come back to the digital economy, what I would like to say is it requires persistence like any other thing.
And when you are dealing on digital divide with. With. With semiliterate population, then you have to have much more patience in order to see to.
I mean, don't underestimate the common sense of the common people.
Mentioned the collaboration with various institutions like UPU, WTO, ILO, ITC, and UNCTAD on a range of issues, including trade facilitation, worker welfare, and investment disputes.
And we work in collaboration with all the institutions which are here on the table, including area.
With upu, we are on the consultative committee.
With itc. Dorothy is again a very old friend. We work a lot with ITC on trade facilitation, among other things, and with Anajobha on the investment investor state disputes.
Noted that many rural workers are also banking correspondents, contributing to India's high banking penetration.
many of our rural workers are also banking correspondents, you know, so.
And India has one of the most banked population in the world.
It reaches out nearly 90% of the population.
Shared information about an upcoming event on competition policy in partnership with UNCTAD and WTO on World Competition Day.
In partnership with UNCTAD and W2, we're organizing an event on what is called the world competition day.
5th December is the world Competition. This is being held in the afternoon at the WTO premises.
Addressed points from Cuba and Zimbabwe, emphasizing development as the core issue and the need for governments to prioritize spending on digitization as an enabling tool to overcome poverty, citing India's success as an example.
Let me respond to the points raised by the gentleman from Cuba and lady from Zimbabwe.
It is the development which is the problem.
So your governments have to prioritize the spending?
You know, digitization is an enabling tool, and that will help people to overcome their poverty, you know, have extra income, so on.
This is what India has done and very successfully. Every village is now connected digitally.
SPEAKER_03
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Emphasized the importance of collaboration and the role of the WTO in establishing rules on digital trade, providing technical assistance and capacity building, and addressing the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions.
This is just such a great discussion and I think it shows that with so many different organizations, so many different approaches, that none of us can solve this alone and we all need to work together.
One is, I think there's an understanding and a recognition among our members at the WTO that we should try to establish rules on digital trade.
We have a moratorium that's in place right now on the collection of customers duties on trade.
Shared that the WTO and World Bank issued a joint policy note focusing on practical steps for digital trade in Africa.
So with respect to Africa, we have just issued a joint policy note with the World bank that is an effort to look at exactly these issues that you describe as a what can we do as a practical matter.
Emphasized the importance of connectivity infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and addressing issues like privacy and liability.
So I think the first things are to focus on the connectivity infrastructure, types of things like that that are very practical, but also not just the hardware but the regulatory framework
certain facts I would point to questions like privacy, questions like liability for what you post post online or what is involved in particular digital transactions.
Highlighted the need for skills building and technical support.
I would also point to skills, so making sure that when we talk about facilitating digital trade, particularly with developing members, that we're also talking about building skills.
And then where the WTO comes in is to try to provide the technical support and capacity building.
Outlined a three-step approach: identifying issues, a pilot program with seven African members, and expansion beyond those seven.
So in this particular joint policy note that we've done with the World bank, there are three steps. So the first is identifying the issues. The second is a pilot program working with seven members in Africa, seven of our WTO members, to see how we can address these particular issues, how in a very practical way. And then our final third phase is to expand beyond these seven to see what kind of real practical effect we can have.
Stressed the need for rules and addressing the practical effects of digital trade to ensure inclusivity for women, MSMEs, and communities worldwide, emphasizing the importance of partnerships.
Well, I think it's clear from this discussion that we need rules and we also the other part of the equation is we need to address the practical effects of how, of E trade, of digital trade, of E commerce, all of the various permutations and there's a lot at stake because digital trade is more than just about trade in digital products.
It's a great opportunity for empowerment perhaps to help us fix some of the mistakes of trade in the past to be more inclusive, to include women MSMEs communities all over the world, whether it's in developed members that have tremendous pockets of poverty and also Our least developed countries who need so much, that this is really the advent of digital trade provides such an opportunity if we get it right.
But we can get it right only if we work in partnerships.
SPEAKER_08
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Supporting Quotes
Discussed the Universal Postal Union's involvement in the ETradeForAll initiative and its efforts to facilitate cross-border trade, particularly for small businesses in underserved communities, highlighting the importance of addressing human elements like language, culture, and local support services.
the UPU is profound proud to have joined the E TradeForAll initiative back in its inception in 2016.
It opens up new markets and new opportunities, especially for medium and small enterprises and entrepreneurs in developing countries.
there is also a huge human element to the digital economy and issues such as language and culture and local support services and skills are really some of the issues in these communities.
Highlighted the crucial role of postal services in facilitating digital inclusion and trade, especially for SMEs and women-led businesses in regions like Indonesia.
services this global population and plays a crucial role hereby facilitating inclusion from all parts of the community and supporting the payment and movement of goods which is resulting from these digital transactions that we've heard about.
We heard yesterday in our day one session of an interesting experience from the Indonesian Post office where over 2.1 million SMEs are accessing e commerce services from over 5,000 post offices across the islands.
Emphasized the need for a robust enabling environment, including digital infrastructure, clear regulations, and policies that encourage innovation and investment.
to unlock the full potential of digital trade, a robust enabling environment environment is required and this includes reliable and secure digital infrastructure as we've heard, including clear regulatory frameworks for E commerce and policies that encourage innovation and investment as we've heard.
Mentioned the UPU's support in providing physical infrastructure, promoting digital connectivity, and fostering digital literacy and cybersecurity.
So the postal sector supported by the UPU is pivotal in providing the physical infrastructure needed for the delivery of goods trading digitally.
Additionally promoting digital literacy and ensuring cyber security are essential for these businesses.
Announced an upcoming trade post forum to explore opportunities for inclusive trade and recognize contributions in this area.
We will actually be having tomorrow a trade post for we will explore some of the opportunities that the Post Office brings to inclusive trade and E Trade for women we're proud to have as a partner of that forum.
And we'll also be recognising some significant contributions with trade post awards.
Affirmed the critical challenge of logistical issues and the UPU's work with governments to address them.
Yes, this is a very critical challenge and as I mentioned before then, the UPU is working with member governments to try and address these gaps and these challenges.
Emphasized the importance of partnerships and a whole-of-government approach.
partnerships are vital to be able to address these issues and we have to break the silos and leverage the expertise that we all have within this environment where we're talking, but also to encourage governments also to take a whole of government approach to addressing these challenges and developing the the digital economy and bringing the benefits that it can for inclusion of all of society.
Highlighted the collaboration on assessments and roadmaps for digitalization of postal services in Africa.
In concrete terms, the collaboration on the assessments that E TradeForAll is doing to assess the challenges and assess the logistical challenges, the addressing challenges that exist in many countries and provide guidance on government's intervention in those areas I think is a very concrete step forward.
As part of these E Trade for all assessments from the UPU side, we are also working with for example the African Union on roadmaps for digitalization of postal services and enhancing the logistics environment in African countries to help modernize postal services and assist them in delivering this all important connectivity for communities.
Emphasized the importance of physical and digital infrastructure and invited attendees to the Trade Post Forum.
I think that complementary initiatives in physical infrastructure and digital infrastructure need to be a priority.
And finally come to the Trade Post Forum tomorrow at 11:30 and you'll hear more practical examples of how the post is working to achieve that.
SPEAKER_09
Summary Sentence
Supporting Quotes
Thanked the organizers for the invitation and introduced ERIA as an international organization focused on ASEAN and East Asia.
Thank you very much and first of all thank you very much for inviting us to this panel discussion and I'm very honored to join this and.
Area is at the economic Research Institute and international organization and our main target is that ASEAN and East Asia
Explained that ERIA conducts economic research to provide policy recommendations to international meetings like ASEAN, G20, and G7.
by the conducting the economic research research they saw then that we provided policy recommendation to the ASEAN and East Asia meeting as well as G20 or G7 meeting.
Highlighted ERIA's role in providing evidence-based policy recommendations to address lagging areas and identify advantages.
our role is that also that provides evidence based policy recommendations.
And so then through the conducting the academic research it is possible to analyze where they are lagging or what the causes are or what is their advantage and then that we analyze well and then making make evidence based policy recommendations.
Mentioned the establishment of a new center for Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economies to provide detailed and practical policy proposals.
our activities is to more focusing on the to provide the more detailed and practical policy proposals to the every countries so that's why we establishing the center, new center for the Digital innovation and sustainable economies.
Emphasized ERIA's focus on strengthening startups in ASEAN and establishing a startup ecosystem through events and collaboration.
we are very focusing on how to strengthen the startups in asean because the startups of ASEAN will be the major player for the future ASEAN digital economies.
And through these activities we now would like to make a more business friendly evidence based policy proposal to the ASEAN and East Asia meeting.
Highlighted inclusiveness, gender equality, addressing rural degradation, and changing mindsets as key points for promoting e-trade.
I'd like to think that two key points that one is of course inclusiveness and then that especially that for
gender issues that's what's also important because our research also showed that through the COVID 19 that gender divide, this divide was extended more and more and the other one that has rural degradation should be not within the specific region but also that connected outside region.
And another key issue that's changing mindset.
SPEAKER_13
Summary Sentence
Supporting Quotes
Identified the speaker as being from Area.
Area.
SPEAKER_10
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Expressed concern about the large digital gap and the unlikelihood of meeting the 2030 development goals, especially after the pandemic.
we're talking about trying to meet the 2030 goals and it has been clear that that within the UN system that won't be possible.
It won't be possible for us to meet the development goals for 2030.
That's especially the case after an awful pandemic which has set us back a great deal in terms of sustainable development goals.
Highlighted the lack of access to computers and smartphones for a significant portion of the world's population and noted that most electronic trade occurs in developed countries.
But today around the world, more than 360, only 360 million people have computers.
Half of the world's population today doesn't even know what a computer is and that half of the population has never even seen a smartphone.
stating that 82% of electronic trade takes place in developed countries.
Highlighted the significant digital divide, particularly in Brazil, India, China, Indonesia, Turkey, and Russia, emphasizing the need for a global digital compact to address the gap between developed and developing countries.
mostly happens in Brazil, India, China, Indonesia, Turkey and Russia.
So this is the digital gap we have today, the digital divide.
But it's clear today that we need a global digital compact.
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Role of partnership for a more inclusive and sustainable digital future
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Rename Speakers
SPEAKER_01
(54.18 - 54.66)
Thank you.
SPEAKER_02
(54.9 - 58.34)
Thank you for coming. Like. Great.
SPEAKER_02
(66.66 - 67.86)
Thank you. Thank you very much.
SPEAKER_10
(67.94 - 68.34)
Thank you.
SPEAKER_10
(71.06 - 72.34)
That was going.
SPEAKER_01
(76.75 - 76.99)
See,
SPEAKER_01
(78.51 - 79.63)
such an inspiration.
SPEAKER_03
(79.87 - 80.27)
No.
SPEAKER_02
(89.15 - 90.47)
Yes. Yes.
SPEAKER_03
(90.47 - 90.83)
We.
SPEAKER_02
(90.83 - 95.95)
We proposed the agenda. Yes. I tell you the memorandum we are going to sign.
SPEAKER_04
(96.51 - 96.99)
Yes.
SPEAKER_11
(96.59 - 96.99)
Yes.
SPEAKER_02
(97.71 - 99.47)
MA is here. Yes.
SPEAKER_02
(127.73 - 128.13)
With your.
SPEAKER_12
(128.69 - 128.93)
From.
SPEAKER_05
(140.93 - 143.65)
So yeah. We will award them tomorrow.
SPEAKER_02
(144.61 - 148.21)
Take a photo for. Take a photo and then.
SPEAKER_03
(148.21 - 148.69)
And then.
SPEAKER_02
(149.89 - 151.57)
Can you do vertical as well please?
SPEAKER_02
(155.02 - 156.54)
Sorry. That's okay.
SPEAKER_13
(157.1 - 157.34)
20.
SPEAKER_02
(163.66 - 164.7)
Thank you so much.
SPEAKER_14
(164.71 - 167.95)
이 점차점차.
SPEAKER_01
(170.94 - 171.82)
Thank you so much.
SPEAKER_02
(172.38 - 174.3)
Thank you. Thank you presentation.
SPEAKER_01
(174.3 - 175.26)
Thank you for sharing.
SPEAKER_02
(176.46 - 177.1)
Thank you.
SPEAKER_05
(178.87 - 179.63)
I think of Peter.
SPEAKER_02
(179.63 - 180.07)
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02
(187.03 - 188.47)
Hello, how are you?
SPEAKER_15
(188.48 - 191.48)
오징어튀김.
SPEAKER_02
(196.79 - 200.39)
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you for being here.
SPEAKER_02
(213.52 - 214.72)
You don't have to change.
SPEAKER_16
(217.43 - 219.27)
That is very, very difficult.
SPEAKER_02
(219.92 - 221.84)
Nothing will happen automatically.
SPEAKER_06
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I fully agree.
SPEAKER_05
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I fully agree.
SPEAKER_03
(225.76 - 227.36)
Unfortunately the world is going.
SPEAKER_17
(225.92 - 226.96)
Unfortunately, the body.
SPEAKER_02
(229.62 - 229.78)
To.
SPEAKER_18
(229.79 - 231.13)
Dziękuję.
SPEAKER_02
(238.33 - 239.29)
Glad to see you too.
SPEAKER_19
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Develop.
SPEAKER_02
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Especially the money.
SPEAKER_06
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Yeah, I heard it. They have a lot of money.
SPEAKER_20
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Thank you.
SPEAKER_02
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Thank you.
SPEAKER_02
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How are you? I saw you in the distance. Fantastic. So good to see you. Thank you for being here. Yes, thank you. We miss you.
SPEAKER_02
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Come back now. Good.
SPEAKER_03
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I used to used to the cemetery of State.
SPEAKER_02
(286.28 - 289.8)
Nice to meet you. We are very close to Cambodia. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02
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I'm back in camp now but I'm here. Oh, that's great. That's great. And thank you very much for coming.
SPEAKER_01
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This is.
SPEAKER_04
(300.68 - 301.48)
It's very important.
SPEAKER_02
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The voice of campus is very important. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01
(304.84 - 309.81)
Thank you for having us organize session with us yesterday. We did was good.
SPEAKER_02
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Yes, yes.
SPEAKER_01
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I heard.
SPEAKER_02
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I couldn't yesterday because it was this trade day in Dubai in the cold. The first time that trade had that crazy day.
SPEAKER_01
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Yes, yes.
SPEAKER_03
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Never before.
SPEAKER_02
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Yes, it's very important. That's what I said. But we were not heard.
SPEAKER_02
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But so good. So good to see you.
SPEAKER_01
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But Gary back was great. Very animated during the opening.
SPEAKER_02
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I love it. How can you know? I had to compensate. Not here. So I moved.
SPEAKER_01
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Very great personality.
SPEAKER_05
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Yeah.
SPEAKER_01
(355.02 - 355.66)
Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
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Start our session in about 10 seconds. So if everyone could sit down that would be fantastic.
SPEAKER_21
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It,
SPEAKER_03
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It.
SPEAKER_21
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okay?
SPEAKER_01
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No problem.
SPEAKER_01
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So welcome ladies and gentlemen.
SPEAKER_01
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Sorry to rush everybody but if I could get you to take your seats. And I think that's me.
SPEAKER_01
(522.69 - 635.65)
So welcome everybody to this session where we are going to be building on a lot of what we have been discussing already. Which is fantastic because this roundtable will be looking at issues of the shift of focus when it comes to E Trade. And we're going to look at what really defines the partnership we were talking about when it comes to E Trade for all partners. So this is a forward looking session. We want to find out how we can best leverage the strengths of the E Trade for all partners in order to forge new and innovative ways of working together. So as you can see, these were issues that were broached earlier on and we're going to build them up now because we want to look at how best to effectively build on what's been achieved and then also outline priority actions and strategies to reinforce cooperation and and achieve inclusive and sustainable development gains for those developing economies in the short medium and also the long term. So let me please introduce our wonderful panel here and we have some speakers joining us or one speaker joining us remotely, but on the stage and do give a little wave when I mention your name so people can identify you. We have Jose Manuel Salazar Zirinax who is the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. Welcome
SPEAKER_01
(638.29 - 666.64)
remotely. We are joined by Carlos Maria Correa now he is the Executive Director of the the South Centre. We're also joined by Jovan Kurbalia who is Executive Director of the Diplo Foundation. Hello there. Edward Kwaka who is the Assistant Director General of Global Challenges and Partnership Sector at the World Intellectual Property Organization.
SPEAKER_01
(668.32 - 673.22)
Hassan Nasser who is the Chief of Cabinet of the dco
SPEAKER_01
(675.3 - 688.82)
and of course Rebecca Greenspan who is the Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. And on that note, I would like to invite Rebecca Greenspan to make a few opening remarks.
SPEAKER_02
(693.46 - 1165.94)
Hello. Hello everybody. Thank you so much to to all the panelists. So they were presented, so I won't go through all of you, but I am really honored to have you in this panel. Thank you so much for being here with us and thank you to all of you dear friends for accompanying us in this E Week. I am really pleased to welcome you all to this second E Trade for All Leadership roundtable whose focus is the role of partnerships in delivering an inclusive and sustainable digital future. As we discussed in the previous roundtable, the rapid pace of technological advancement presents unparalleled opportunities for growth and development. But at the same time it also poses significant challenges, particularly in ensuring equal access and benefits for all. We know that the gaps, as we said before, are very large. The theme of our roundtable underscores the importance of collaborative efforts. We are here to explore how governments, private sector entities, international organizations, civil society and academia can work together more effectively to make the digital economy as part space for everyone. The premise of this discussion is the recognition that the digital divide is not just a national issue. It is a global challenge that requires coordinated efforts across borders and stakeholders. Take data for example. Data emanates from households, consumers and citizens. This data is then collated and and stored in databases and reside, depending on the country, in companies, state organisms or regulatory bodies. But the journey of data doesn't stop at storage. It is further processed and analyzed. This stage is where a select group of a few private companies comes into play. They employ sophisticated software to mine this data for valuable insights and intelligence. The development of such software, while commercially executed, typically has its roots in academic research in universities and institutions through programs that are well funded either by companies themselves, but also in not a small part by financial institutions, philanthropies and the state. In essence then, the digital economy is already a multi stakeholder affair and so much be its policy and so must be its policy and conversation. So your Excellencies, we are holding this event at the heart of Geneva, a city that has become a global hub for the digital and development discourse. This session has a very strong representation of Geneva based organizations. Geneva is clearly positioned at the crossroads of international cooperation where ideas meet action. Today we also benefit from the presence of organizations based elsewhere. Here we are joined by leaders from almost all regions in the world. Your presence here today and throughout the week underscore the importance of regional perspectives in shaping global digital strategies. We recognize that the path to digital inclusivity is not uniform, it varies across geographies and it is imperative that we tailor our approaches to each unique context. And last but not least, we are meeting today under the common banner of EAT Trade for all our common home and family. None of us is as smart as all of us together is the unwritten motto of the E Trade for all community which recognizes that the task ahead is not just about harnessing technology, it's about connecting the dots between policy, practice, businesses and people. By joining the e TradeForAll initiative, you have all exemplified this collaborative spirit advocating for comprehensive, cross cutting approaches to E commerce and digital trade. I am proud to say that the E Trade for All Initiative is alive and kicking. Since it was launched at NCTAT 14 in Nairobi in 2016 barely seven years ago, its membership has grown from 14 to 35 members. As many as 28 of them are present here today in DC Week. Let me share a few of the collective achievements that we should all be proud of in the E trade community and that show the value of partnerships in the digital economy. Thanks to the Trade for All initiative we have been able to develop with the UN Capital Development Fund and undp the Pacific Digital Economy Program, which is now supported by Australia, the European Union and New Zealand. The Diplo Foundation, a long standing partner, is bringing you the AI reporting with a touch of human flavors still, that you will discover throughout the week. Diplo is also working with us to pioneer some youth consultation with my team and the UNCAT Youth Network. Thank you very much. With wipo, our two organizations have been fostering synergies for women digital entrepreneurs with IP targeted support and a tailored program in the context of the E Trade for Women initiative. Thanks to E TradeForAll, we were able to develop with ECLAC and other regional commissions, a core training course on E Commerce, which is running online just as we speak. More than 300 policymakers from 28 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are deep diving into the key policy aspects of of E Commerce for development. Finally, allow me here to also welcome the Digital Cooperation Organization, our newest partner to the initiative. We also count on you to help us achieve our highest goals. The list, of course, does not stop. I could continue like this for almost every partner attending here today and throughout the week. I am only highlighting those who are here at this roundtable. Also, since time is of the essence, I am very eager to get this roundtable started. So, Excellencies, thank you again very much for being with us. The task ahead us is huge. I said before, nothing will happen automatically. It will depend on what we do. For the digital economy to really be an opportunity for all, or for the digital economy to deepen on the gaps that already divide the world. It depends on us and what we do. Thank you very much.
SPEAKER_01
(1167.7 - 1217.6)
Thank you so much, Secretary General. And as you say so rightly, it is really down to us, to the people in the room, to those partner members of E Trade for all. And you quite rightly pointed out, you know, the regional perspectives and how important it is to have those voices. So in that respect, I'd like to turn to Mr. Salazar Zirinax from ECLAC, because, you know, if we consider the challenges that Latin America and the Caribbean is facing, could you tell us how ECLAC is collaborating? Because that is the key word, how ECLAC is collaborating with member states and regional partners to ensure that digital advancements contribute significantly to economic and social development in the region. I'm sorry, I can't see you, but I. Hello.
SPEAKER_05
(1217.92 - 1431.42)
That's right. Thank you. Thank you very much. And it's an enormous pleasure to be here. We have, in fact, been working tremendously, very strong with many partners on this, and I'll explain to you in a moment. But let me say that I'm very pleased to be here at umtad, led by my longtime friend and fellow Costa Rican, Rebecca GreenSpan. Secondly, because UNCTAD is an organization with which I have worked for many years, including editing a book when I was at the ILO here in Geneva in 2014 entitled Transforming Making Industrial Policy Work for Growth, Jobs and Development with Richard Kozul, who is still at umtad, and thirdly, because we have a common father figure and genetic code, which is Mr. Raul Previs, and both organizations have a long history of contributing to the theory and practice of economic development. But I am particularly pleased because of the theme of this meeting. The digital revolution is disrupting and transforming production processes and paradigms and business models. The future is digital and the longer countries take to increase not only access but the smart and massive uses of digital applications and opportunities, the more they will delay taking advantage of their normal benefits and the larger the possibilities and probabilities that they lag behind. And of course with all the inequalities and so on, that is also the negative, the dark side of this, if you like. The challenge is that the pace of the digital and other technological revolutions is faster that we as human beings and our institutions seem to be able to understand and to adapt to and the impacts range from huge potential for development to high risks exacerbated inequalities, labor market and other disruptions. And therefore the conversations of this week on shaping the future of the digital future are extremely important and certainly strong partnerships and collective efforts are essential. So how do we work and how can we further collaborate at eclac, at cepal, at with Member States and other partners? Well, let me start by telling you that in the digital transformation we have been supporting governments in designing and implementing policies to harness the full potential of digital technologies, and this is something that we have been doing for at least two decades, if not more. We have a regional platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building, bringing together governments, international organizations and private stakeholders. Most of these activities are carried out under the umbrella of the Ministerial Conference on the Information Society and the Digital Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean and this digital agenda and this conference, we call it for short, elac, ELAC for Latin America and the Caribbean. ELAC has developed a regional digital agenda during the last 16 years, with meetings every two years. The last meeting, the 8th of Ministers and authorities responsible for digital Transformation, was held a year ago in Uruguay and the next one is scheduled for next year 2024. This agenda consolidates a shared vision about the role of digital technologies in developing,
SPEAKER_05
(1432.94 - 1532.67)
defining and pursuing regional strategic objectives. This process has enabled various technical cooperation activities, has created a space for multi stakeholder policy dialogue, including a side forum with the private sector, which in fact we would like to strengthen in our work. ECLA has been collaborating with various partners. These partnerships have enabled many activities such as training, especially tailored for governments, supporting the assessment of the progress by each country, improving some of the indicators, which is a very crucial area about progress or lack of progress, evaluation of regulatory frameworks and other issues. Also, we have been working with other international organizations in projects to access critical information for development policies. For example, we built a freely accessible dashboard called the Latin American and Caribbean Marketplace Explorer, the LACMA, which shows SMEs to explore key trends and characteristics of almost 3,000 online marketplaces in the region. We are going to very soon launch a new Digital Development Observatory. That is the name which provides access to numerous indicators and abundant information about technology adoption across many sectors and the respective policies behind these developments. Despite all these efforts, the demands of our countries are enormous and there is an enormous amount of work work to do. Of course, digital issues are becoming more complex and require closer cooperation at both the regional and international level.
SPEAKER_05
(1534.27 - 1593.84)
Issues from cyber security, tax policy, data protection, consumer protection, regulation of new technologies, including of course, artificial intelligence. For this reason, new corporation spaces, such as the recently launched of the Digital alliance between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean, with which we are very, very strongly involved, and the E Trade for all partnership and others that based on this platform we could create, are most welcome and have a very, very important role to play. And I think we're going to talk a little bit afterwards about governance because a lot of this also requires improvements in governance at the national level, given the multidimensional nature of this challenge. You know, we come from a tradition of top down government vertical and what this technological revolution needs is a very different type of kind of coordination and governance. Thank you very much.
SPEAKER_01
(1595.76 - 1663.79)
Thank you very much. And on that issue of governance, yes, you're absolutely right, we will be broaching that and I know that you will have some very insightful kind of contributions on that matter. But really when we're talking about the future being digital, it has to be a future that brings in everybody and for that to happen, there has to be the possibility to ensure that everyone is equipped with the digital skills necessary. So with that in mind, I would like to now speak to Carlos Maria Correa, who is the executive director of the south center and he is joining us remotely. I don't know if he's going to pop up on the screen behind me, but hopefully he can hear me now. And what we'd like to know is how is the South Centre actually advocating for those skills and policies that do address the widening gaps in digital access and skills? Because if that isn't done, how can we ever ensure that the benefits of the digital economy are distributed equitably among various countries, regions and communities?
SPEAKER_06
(1668.67 - 1670.15)
Yes, I'm. Can you hear me?
SPEAKER_01
(1670.15 - 1671.71)
Hello, welcome. Nice to hear you.
SPEAKER_06
(1672.67 - 1808.55)
All right, so thank you much for the invitation to participate at this important meeting. Your question is very relevant indeed. I'm very sorry I have not been able to to be with you in person today. But of course the south center as an integral mental organization is addressing development challenges which are posed by the digital economy. We work, as you know, in the area of international trade, investment, intellectual property and many other areas. In fact, there were program that was adopted by the board of the Southcenter for 20232025 incorporated explicitly the issue of digital transformation. The center produces policy oriented research in this regard, supports developing countries international negotiations and provides technical assistance and training. As it was mentioned already, the digital economy has the potential to contribute a lot to development in many areas such as health, education, increasing productivity in some sectors, but also presents many challenges such as in terms of job creation, inequality, technological dependence and marginalization of the most vulnerable. We have published a number of analyses on these issues. Two of them, two of the most recent publications by the southcenter and in fact on digital education by the former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to Education and on digital health by experts from the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South. This is a good example of partnership of the South Centre with other organizations. During this E Week we are organizing two sessions that will address several issues which are very relevant for developing countries, address some of the issues that you have raised including digital health, governance of artificial intelligence, E commerce, artificial intelligence regulations and human rights. Our staff will also participate in other sessions addressing digital divide in Africa, the Digital trade in Asia, Digital Infrastructure for Sustainable Development and the Digital Space Accelerator. So we're very thankful for this invitation. I hope I have the opportunity to expand a little on what the South Send is doing in these areas. Thank you very much.
SPEAKER_01
(1809.83 - 1864.84)
Thank you very much for your contribution there. Now let's take a step into the future. And it's not even the future, it's the present really. If we look at artificial intelligence, it's already part of our lives. But when it comes to the future of the digital economy and whether we can harness it for the greater good, that is really very much up in the air right now. So we do know that it's going to play a transformative role. Jovan Kabilia has been at the forefront of trying to harness AI for the greater good. And I can only imagine it can be quite a challenge at times. But how do you see international cooperation and diplomatic efforts in that space? How are they being leveraged? Now we've heard some of our speakers touch on this, but in terms of ethical, regulatory and also the very important societal implications of AI.
SPEAKER_03
(1866.92 - 2018.65)
Thank you, Isabel. This is the really question which has been discussed in media and everywhere and I will answer it with two aspects. One is AI as a topic, governance topic, and the other is AI as a tool. And I will link you also to the topic of this session, which is a partnership. There is African saying that if you want to move fast, you move alone. If you want to move far, you move with others. And it would be basically the message of partnership around addressing these AI issues. And I have concrete example. This meeting is in a way historical meeting because this is the first meeting where you have detailed reports from every session available within one hour after the end of the session. You can find it on the website and you can find it on other places with the key arguments there that were advanced by us panelists, questions asked by you and supporting facts. Now, how did this tool, which is really fascinating tool, came into the being by human contact, by discussion with the UNCTAD team, Tormbjorn and other colleagues. And yes, we move fast alone in the African saying, but then we brought gradually other colleagues on the board. Therefore you have suddenly breakthrough in the way how meetings are run and organized without being fanfare. We decided to do it in very, let's say Geneva Protestant style functionally. But it is a historical breakthrough and it was done exactly in this way. Few people with whatever you call it, beer to beer or coffee to coffee or tea to tea network or peer to peer. If they say today getting together and say hey, we can experiment with this, how we can do. Then there was a practical problem. I run very small foundation, very agile startup organization. And for us it's always complexity to engage in big processes, administrative processes, which are sometimes the case of the UN organization. Therefore, then the colleagues from UNCTAD called Omadiyeh foundation and said let's do agile linkages and tripartite cooperation between with us. This is the first point how this partnership can be developed. But on your question about the governance and topic, how we address, I would highlight three points.
SPEAKER_03
(2020.33 - 2066.83)
First, we need a bottom up AI. If we don't develop bottom UP AI, including this very meeting. We are generating knowledge today in discussions here, in corridors, in cafes. That knowledge belongs to us, to us personally, to unctad, to your organization and your countries. If we upload that knowledge into the big system, whatever they are, we are risking ultimately, which I sometimes call knowledge slavery. Therefore, bottom up AI is a critical issue for the vitality of the humanity, for preservation on the human dignity, for preservation on democracy, market economy and trade at the end of the day.
SPEAKER_03
(2068.59 - 2128.45)
Now we are often told that it's not possible to do OpenAI open source AI, not open a high. Let me be precise, it is possible and we should preserve our data and our knowledge by using open source and high quality data. There are a few countries and I would highlight the Gulf region is very interesting place where the open source AI is developed in Saudi Arabia, in Emirates with Falcon project. Therefore it's a very interesting dynamics coming from the Middle east in that respect, in this knowledge innovation. Therefore, this is the first point, bottom up AI preserving our knowledge, whether it is the knowledge of the small farmers in Zimbabwe or whatever place. This knowledge has been gathered over the centuries and it should not be centralized, it should be preserved and kept and owned by the farmer. I'm reading Zimbabwe, but it could be any country, country around. This is the first point.
SPEAKER_03
(2130.29 - 2255.61)
Second point is that for governance of AI we need to use SDGs. In all events we have discussion is how to use SS AI to achieve SDGs, poverty reduction, gender equality and other issues. But SDGs are the most direct, concrete and specific codification of priorities of humanity from poverty reduction, gender, climate. You have, you have the list why we don't use SDGs as something that will guide developers of AI. You have indicators, you have specificities. Why we don't put SDGs to the desks of the AI developers which are developing AI platforms. This is somehow completely missed aspect of SDGs. And third point on AI governance, back to your question, Isabelle, is what type of risks we are managing. We are often in media faced with extinction risk and it is a very dangerous argument. Yes, there are certain risks that AI will destroy us, but also risks like any other risk put somewhere far in the future. We have other risk, we have medium term risk which are monopolies of big companies and big setups, which is in my view huge risk. And we have short term risks, risks of the losing jobs, risks of the, let's say, misinformation generated by AI and many, many issues that, that we are familiar with. Therefore, when we discuss AI, we have to put these three risks in perspective, what is long term risk? Let us discuss it through precautionary principle. We have a lot of instruments from climate change field. Let us discuss also monopolies as medium terms risk and let us discuss short term risks. Therefore that would be the message for AI governance. We can speak about concrete institutions, bottom up AI as a way to solving and preserving our knowledge and, and protecting B using SDGs as guidelines for development of AI. And three, putting the risk into perspective, long term, medium and short term risks.
SPEAKER_01
(2257.29 - 2337.92)
Thank you very much. And you know, when you talk about artificial intelligence, you feel you could just kind of actually pull the whole session around that issue because there is so much to discuss there and there will be sessions focusing on AI, rest assured. But what's interesting is that your answer in some respects answered Mr. Salazarinac's question about top down governance of AI when you're talking about a bottom up approach. So there are a lot of ideas here in the room. And when it comes to artificial intelligence as well, you know, we've got to think about intellectual property rights. You can't not open a newspaper these days without actually looking at topics like that. And when it comes to intelligence, intellectual property rights, well that's your domain and I'm not going to talk to you about AI just yet. But you know, what is WIPO doing now to facilitate and strengthen the linkages between intellectual property rights and the digital landscape without stifling innovation, protecting digital assets, ensuring a fair balance between, between the creators, between the consumers and all the many other stakeholders that we have been evoking today and yesterday when it comes to the digital economy, including women. So it's quite a question there.
SPEAKER_04
(2340.16 - 2349.73)
Thank you very much. Yes, that is quite a question. Let me start by thanking UNCTAD for inviting we say WIPO rather than wipo.
SPEAKER_03
(2349.8 - 2351.04)
Oh, I'm sorry, no, no, no.
SPEAKER_04
(2351.04 - 2377.51)
For the simple reason. One of our previous directors General said WIPO sounds too much like a cleaning product. So we just say wipo. Thanks for inviting WIPO to participate in this, especially because, well, we happen to be a partner of the E Trade for all initiative and this particular E Week is again highlighting
SPEAKER_04
(2379.35 - 2573.59)
various subjects that are of interest to us at wipo. So I'll come straight to your point. And by the way, let me also extend the regards of my boss, the Director General of wipo. He's very interested to know ANGCTAD is running these programs specifically because of what we have done with angctad. Now you talked about intellectual property and I think we all know intellectual property is the Fulcrum of a digital system. If we are talking about a digital system, we are talking about innovators, we are talking about creators, and we are talking about ensuring that their assets are effectively tapped to good use. So we all see the the value of intellectual property. Wipo is out on a mission to show the intellectual property system needs to be a balanced system. So it's not just a matter of seeing to the interests of those who own the intellectual property, but we are also making sure we see to the interests of those who use it, the demanders as well as the owners. That way we have a balanced IP system. In terms of what we are doing specifically, we have several examples to mention, but Madam Moderator, one that comes to mind immediately. I can mention a scoping study that we started in January 2022. This is a study in which we focused on creative industries in four countries, two in Latin America, two in Asia. So this was Chile, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay. And what we did was we built capacity to use intellectual property tools so they could add value to better or just to build better networks in these four specific countries. We have since extended it to other countries and other continents. We now have it in a couple of African countries. We've gone to Asia Pacific as well. And that's what we are trying to do, to use intellectual property as a concrete tool to show what we can arrive at. I should say, in addition, we are promoting or we are publishing reports and studies, including one on a patent database we call Patent School Scope. We also have in WIPO a global innovation index that ranks about 140 countries in terms of their innovation capabilities through one accident or the other. That's Global Innovation Index. Switzerland has been number one the last 10 years. And it's not because they are the host state of wipo, but it simply shows they have an innovation system that qualifies to merit recognition. So I think I'll stop here and of course I'll be happy to elaborate some more on this. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(2574.63 - 2614.32)
We shall be definitely getting you to elaborate some more, rest assured. Now let's turn to the most recent E Trade for all partner and that is the Digital Cooperation Organization. Now it joined 2022, December 2022. So basically just a year ago in fact. And you're one of the only international organizations that has digital cooperation at its core, so your role is vital. So can you tell us a little bit how international collaboration from your perspective can contribute to shaping a digital future that is inclusive and benefits everyone?
SPEAKER_07
(2616.56 - 2632.8)
I do, thank you very much. For that question. And first of all, of course I would like to extend our thanks note to unctad, all the EWIC and all the partners of E Trade for all. It's a real pleasure to be here for the first time. As you said, we are a new organization
SPEAKER_07
(2634.48 - 2837.57)
and I would like to elaborate on the comment of another panelist regarding going far or going fast. I think the digital economy today forced us to go fast and far. So we really need to make sure we can address the challenges coming to our way in a very agile way. And I think we can say that's the reason why. The DCO was founded in 2021, headquartered in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and bringing together 15 member states today from Asia, Africa, Middle east and Europe. The membership is still open and that's the sense of cooperation. So if I have to answer your question, how digital cooperation can help to build an inclusive and sustainable digital economy. The mission of the organization is to enable digital prosperity for all. So I think all words are important here and that's part of the mandate which is defined in the charter of the organization. So clearly at the core we try to bring together government. That's the first element. We need this leadership to be clearly designed with a clear direction prosperity for all aligned with SDGs as mentioned before, recognizing the specificity of each member state, recognizing the needs of each economy to develop and to reach digital maturity. The other element is the inclusivity of the partnership and the dialogue from the beginning. As part of the DCO discussions we have observers from the private sector. We have today 22 non government observers, private sector companies, civil society, academia who are part of the discussion to design the solution that we want to develop to focus on three main areas of the digital economy. The question of data, how to build cross border data, how to get value out of data, the question of entrepreneurship, how to help startups to grow, how to help startups to find investment, how to help startup to go cross border and the question of human centric digital economy or digital ecosystem in terms of sustainability, ethics, compliance. For these three topics we are bringing together again a multi sectorial, multilateral and let's say multi level engagement. During this E week we will continue this multi stakeholders engagement. We have roundtable coming at the end of the week. During all the year the DCU will conduct what we call the digital Space accelerator where we really bring together stakeholders from different region outside the member country, outside the observer to identify solution based on the diagnostic that we have also co created together. So that's really the process, it's not of course the only solution, but that's what we are trying to do again to move fast and far together to build and to enable digital prosperity for all.
SPEAKER_01
(2841.25 - 2872.95)
Thanks so much. Because I think, and that's a message that's coming through again and again is the importance of this multi level, multi step stakeholder engagement when it comes to creating an inclusive digital space. Now we do have a video address from Murad Hwaba, who is the officer in charge of the United Capital Development Fund. Now, before we move into our second round of questions, I'd like to have this video address and that will almost provide us a hinge to get into our next round of conversation.
SPEAKER_08
(2876.88 - 2886.8)
Secretary General Rebecca Greenspan, my dear friend, your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, colleagues, friends all,
SPEAKER_08
(2888.32 - 2914.18)
it is a great privilege for me to address you today at the E Trade for All Leadership Roundtable during E Commerce Week. I'm truly sorry that I am not with you, but Duty in New York calls me. I am, however, extremely interested not only in the debate, but also in the conclusions and recommendations coming out of this meeting.
SPEAKER_08
(2919.78 - 2954.84)
We have long recognized in our efforts to meet the SDGs the importance of partnerships and today I want to focus on that. I would like to discuss partnerships with you not only in the digital era, which is essential for all, but also in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. That cannot be done single handedly by either governments or private sector or NGOs or the international organizations. They can only be achieved through through a partnership. SDG 17 is essential.
SPEAKER_08
(2957.32 - 2962.84)
What does that mean concretely and how do we advance partnerships in unctf?
SPEAKER_08
(2964.76 - 3022.35)
First, I believe that we work with all governments not only in least developed countries, but primarily in least developed countries, but we work with all governments to assess their readiness for the digital age in the inclusive digital economy. Scorecard, for instance, we have a policy tool designed to assist policy makers in assessing the inclusivity of their policies for their economy's digital transformation. The scorecard is used now in 25 countries and was developed by UNCTF to together with European Commission, gsma, undesa, undp, but of course with you in unctad. Each organization contributed its unique data sets, its expertise aiding in the development of the scorecard.
SPEAKER_08
(3024.75 - 3029.31)
Another example we have is the Pacific Digital Economy Program.
SPEAKER_08
(3031.01 - 3042.29)
We have done this together with UNCTAD and with untp, and we are jointly implementing it to support growth of an inclusive digital economy in the Pacific region.
SPEAKER_08
(3043.97 - 3064.3)
By doing this together as partners, we are able to combine our expertise on digital finance. Together with your extensive work Yuang Tan and deep knowledge in this area of E commerce. While the program benefits from the administrative support of undp,
SPEAKER_08
(3065.9 - 3083.17)
supported by the governments of Australia, New Zealand and by the European Union, the program combines research, capacity building and technical assistance for all stakeholders in the digital economy, be they from the public sector or from the private sector.
SPEAKER_08
(3085.17 - 3104.21)
So how does this affect the principal recipients, the Pacific Islanders? Recently, the program conducted surveys on digital finance and the first reports have been published for Fiji and Samoa, with more to come for the other countries in the region.
SPEAKER_08
(3105.89 - 3130.68)
The report for Fiji, for example, will inform a redesign of the national curriculum for financial education and we're working on that with the Ministry of Education. It will include aspects such as cyber security, the use of social media, mobile banking, and will equip Fijians from an early age with the necessary skills to engage responsibly in this digital economy.
SPEAKER_08
(3135.81 - 3147.01)
Both of these examples, the earlier of the digital scorecard, the current one on the digital PDP program in the Pacific,
SPEAKER_08
(3148.61 - 3167.52)
show how we collaborate and engage in partnerships, complementing each other's expertise, contributing to the development of digital economies that are truly inclusive. And that is why we are proud partners of the E TradeForAll initiatives led by Agtad. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(3170.64 - 3173.2)
Thank you for that really important
SPEAKER_01
(3175.04 - 3216.55)
intervention there, again emphasising this importance of multi stakeholder partnership. So let's delve into that a little bit now and we're going to define new ways forward. Now, sadly, we have half an hour left, so our interventions are going to have to be snappy. So let me turn to you again because I want to focus on the Latam region and the Caribbean. So what strategic initiatives have you seen that work that navigate the future of the digital economy successfully? Because we've heard of a number of initiatives already, but ones that ensure economic growth, but very importantly, social inclusion. Can you give us a couple of examples? No more.
SPEAKER_05
(3218.63 - 3313.68)
Yes, well, I'm afraid I cannot, you know, it's difficult. We have, you know, database, we have a lot of relationship with many, you know, partners and so on. I would say, for instance, one decision that countries need to take is in many cases the governance is in charge of the Ministry of Science and Technology or an authority of digital transformation. However, other countries, the least of them, actually have like a czar or a Chief of Digital Transformation very close to the office of the President. I think those schemes have worked a little bit better to the extent that, you know, the Chief of State, the Head of State also gives a lot of emphasis to this because they are able to convene the different ministries and the different agencies easier than one single ministry can do. So I would say that, you know, those are cases and that is an issue of governance that has to be seen. In terms of the connectivity of the digital infrastructure, there are many different approaches. There's no single approach to financing. Some countries have foundations, some countries have different schemes to do private public partnerships. But we know that still the gaps in Latin America and the Caribbean purely in terms of the connectivity infrastructure are major, are very large.
SPEAKER_05
(3315.92 - 3418.47)
And then I would say something not so much like a good experience, but I would like to take this opportunity to say that even if you have very strong infrastructure and connectivity, which is not really the case in most countries, you would have, in terms of the inequality challenge and the inequality of access, a big problem in terms of the lower income groups. And this is why we have propose a basic, you know, this concept of a basic digital basket. The basic digital basket would be basically a subsidy. You can also mobilize, you know, private sector funds to be able to pay to the poorest households the cost of connectivity, the Internet service provider and the tablet or computer for the equipment in the household. Because even, you know, if you're a poor household, you know, even if you have fiber optic at your doorstep, which is not the case in a large majority, a high proportion, you will not be able to buy the Internet service provider and you will not have the equipment. So this idea of Internet service provider, we, you know, as part, if you like, of social policy, as part of productive development policy, as of part parts of modernization, as part of education policy, because this is access for children as well in the houses and so on. And we think this is an absolutely key measure that we should, and as partners begin to, you know, consider and find ways of making a reality of financing and working with governments hand in hand on that. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(3418.63 - 3454.09)
Thank you very much. Because that is a really valuable measure and a very important point that you make that even if you have a great digital infrastructure, that doesn't mean that digital divides don't exist and that work does need to be done. Let's look at how these different groups now interplay with each other. Now we are hearing from Yoban Kabir and he was saying, well, he comes from a very small ngo, but what role do think tanks like yourselves, like other NGOs, big or small, how do they work in terms of shift shaping those policies that will provoke a fair and equitable digital future?
SPEAKER_03
(3454.89 - 3466.25)
Sure. Well, Isabella, I think the purpose of the small organization in this ecosystem is to bring new issues to question and Sometimes to be contrarians
SPEAKER_03
(3467.85 - 3642.01)
in our meetings. As you will see from this AI report, we agree on many things. We have three colors for the connections. One is gray for neutral agreement, one is green agreeing strongly and red disagreeing. And when you see the for example mind map from yesterday discussions, the primary color is gray. We agree about everything, more or less. And I think the purpose of a small organization think tanks is to question in substance. For example, if you are questioning about current approach on long termism and AI. But we know what is under the bonnet, we know how AI functions. It's not just questioning for the sake of questioning. I think this is the purpose of a, of a small organization to have the advantage comparing to big system of moving fast, tolerating sometimes risks and basically pushing the new ideas that may be later on adopted by big players. Let's say SDGs as a guidelines for AI guardrail. Nobody's mentioning it, but we gave up the analysis and maybe some big systems will take it over. And that would be ideal win win solution because it will boost SDGS and it will be practical tool for AI guardrails. That's the purpose of small organizations. And I think there is a vital relevance of governments and international organization big systems to recognize these small systems, especially in developing countries. I just came from Africa, fantastic people, bottom up solutions. I visited Kenya and Ethiopia. Very agile, keen to learn, keen to move forward. Sometimes these people are not as practical and pragmatic to come to Geneva. You know, it requires some filling the forms, score scholarships, paradigms, whatever. But I think we need to move and to find these people their energy and vitality of the national, continental and global systems and those part of the ecosystem. And I mentioned at the beginning the example of our cooperation with UNCTAD was exactly that we're probably not like big organizations, you know, but people went out of their comfort zone and say, oh, let's work together, let us chat and we created something useful. Therefore that's that element which is, which is badly needed in the global system because some of our narratives are tired. We have to accept it and we need to have the constant revisiting, questioning for somebody who can afford it. I can understand international organizations cannot afford it because, because they have member states negotiations. But one has to cultivate this system which will provide critical reflections with substantiation, with facts. Not just today is easy to criticize.
SPEAKER_01
(3642.01 - 3702.33)
But that's very important and that's a really important point. Thank you. And I love your traffic light system of grey, green, red. And so the Diplo foundation and other small kind of organizations, bringing in that bit of red, that bit of questioning, that bit of ask argument to get people thinking and possibly looking ahead for future issues that have to be broached that might be uncomfortable, as you say. So let's turn now to the dco. I don't know where you place yourself in terms of this kind of gray, green, red traffic light system, although it's not really a traffic light system. It has to be set. But if we build on your success experiences so far, tell us, what role is the DCO placing in sustaining and expanding partnerships to ensure impact and would you. Where again, where would you place yourself in terms of the green, red, grey?
SPEAKER_07
(3703.05 - 3895.21)
So I really believe that by creating these, this new organization, Member states, funding member states wanted to put some red and green together to create a new dynamic to really answer questions in terms of how do we sustain a digital economy, which is really inclusive. So we have very good examples. So far. We have celebrated three years of existence, which is quite short, especially when it comes to socioeconomic programs. It takes time to really be measured and quantified. But in the short term, in terms of establishing partnership, we have very good achievements. And it's probably due to the fact that we have kept the door open to all organization, civil society, private sector, other international organization, to really make sure that we are listening. The first outcome of this consultation and this open approach was the report we published last year, Bridging the Gap. And we will come back with other mechanisms like this to make sure we collect first a good understanding of what's happening in the digital economy globally, beyond the member states, beyond the members of the organization. So far, few elements that I would like to share. So we have been focusing on entrepreneurship. We have established under the championship of one of the member states, the Kingdom of Jordan, a stride association for entrepreneurs in the digital economy. That's one example. We bring together representatives from the member states to understand what are the requirements from a government perspective. But we also bring entrepreneurs, investors, VCs in the same place to discuss what are the requirements to create a more conducive environment to allow these startups to, to grow in their country and beyond. So that will be the driver of the digital economy from an entrepreneurship perspective. When it comes to creating shared principle. I think these are the elements we need to build more and more and fast to make sure that the future of the digital economy is at least open and positive for all of us. As a new organization, we have been granted also the status of observer at the UN General assembly, which is for us kind of a recognition, but also we are this new kid on the block attending the meeting of this very well established institution. So what we have done in that perspective was to, with the member states, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bahrain and Jordan, we have launched a UN Group of Friends on digital cooperation. So we have created this place in the existing institution to bring these red and green together. So it's not that we want to do something completely different, but we want to make sure that we bring this voice, this probably different voice of a group of 15 countries who have a clear agenda for the digital economy, clear guiding principle to grow from an inclusive and sustainable way, leveraging what is existing and also creating new platforms such as the Stride association for Entrepreneur and other projects that I can discuss later if we have the time.
SPEAKER_01
(3895.77 - 3900.25)
Thank you very much. Sadly, I don't think we will have the time, but we can have those conversations offline.
SPEAKER_01
(3902.01 - 3963.74)
So let's just quickly get a little bit technical now. We all hate taxation. Well, I don't know about you, but I'm not particularly fond of getting my tax bill in. But digital taxation is extremely important, clearly and it's very prominent in global discussions right now. So we're going to bring in the South Centre right now with Carlos Maria Correa who is going to be joining us because the South Centre is contributing to shaping international frameworks that address the challenges linked to digital taxation and to ensure again, which is so vital, that this digital taxation system is fair and balanced and also what must be extremely complex considers all the divergent interests and different levels of development in this space. So if I could bring you in, Carlos Maria Correa, that would be brilliant and you could just give us a very brief explanation of what's happening there.
SPEAKER_06
(3965.03 - 4104.89)
Yes, thank you very much for this important question. I will be very brief. In fact, the southcenter has been very active in this field. As you know, many companies are doing businesses in our countries through digital tools, but they are not paying taxes in our countries. And this is a major problem for developing countries who need these resources in order to develop infrastructure and for other projects. As you may know, negotiations have taken place and under the auspices of the OECD on taxation digital economy, which led to the so called Tupida solution. And now a draft convention is open for signature, will be open for signature in relation to the so called amount A. But there are alternatives to what the OCD has developed. In particular, one has been created by the UN Tax Committee. This is called the Article 12B of the UN Model Task Convention. So the Southcentric has been the first organization, in fact that has made estimates about what developing countries can gain from these two alternatives, the OECD alternative and the UN Tax Committee alternative and has advised developing countries during the OECD negotiation and also has advised what option is the best. Last week, in fact we held with we co organized in Geneva an important conference with delegates from developing countries to consider which of these options is suited for developing countries and whether it is advisable or not to join the OECD Convention. The San center has also elaborated on the idea of a new UN Convention, United Nations Convention on International Task Cooperation. And I must recall that on 22nd November this year a historic resolution was adopted by the Second Committee of the UN General assembly that calls for establishing an ad hoc intergovernmental committee for drafting terms of reference for United Nations Framework Convention on International Task Cooperation. This is a historic achievement and of course the south center will continue to support developing countries in the negotiation of this conference which is of utmost importance for achieving the SDGs. Thank you very much.
SPEAKER_01
(4107.45 - 4131.16)
Thank you very much for joining us there. So let's now look at what WIPO is doing in terms of its priorities and international cooperation in the field, obviously of intellectual property rights to ensure a just and equitable global digital landscape. Can you give us just a few examples
SPEAKER_01
(4132.68 - 4133.96)
in no more than two minutes?
SPEAKER_04
(4135.8 - 4136.68)
Thank you very much.
SPEAKER_06
(4136.68 - 4137.32)
Isabel.
SPEAKER_04
(4137.4 - 4193.78)
Yes, in no more than two minutes. Let me start by saying the digital landscape is truly global. So it's such that no one entity can expect to be able to achieve anything on its own. That's why we need the cooperation in terms of space specific examples. Let me use our host UNCTAD to show what we are doing with UNCTAD. And this goes as far back as 1999 when in WIPO we established what we call the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy. This is a policy that enables cross border dispute resolution, facilitating e commerce. It's cost effective, it's time effective and it beats going to court to resolve disputes. It's been operating very successfully since then in respect of domain names. Another example, again with ANGCTAD.
SPEAKER_04
(4196.02 - 4275.57)
In 2022 the Academy of WIPO partnered with ANGTAD's E Trade Support for Women Digital Business Entrepreneurs and they started a master class series on IP&E trade. This has been a very successful program. So Madam Moderator, since I still have a bit of time, let me give you a third example. This is prospective. This is prospective. Our Director General has decided and I'm referring to what the Deputy said Secretary General of UNCDF told us about SDGs. Our director general has decided next year WIPO's World IP Day theme will be on IP and the SDGs. Every year we celebrate a theme. Next year it's on IP and SDGs. And the idea will be to show what the intellectual property system does to contribute to implementation of the SDGs. This won't be just SDG 17 on partnerships, but 13 on climate change or four on education or three on global health. All the SDGs. That's the contribution the intellectual property system can bring to sustainability. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(4275.89 - 4293.77)
Thank you very much and I'm glad you had that third point and we'll really look forward to that. Now the reason I was rushing everybody along is I was hoping maybe you might have a a couple of questions here in the room. If you do have a question, do raise your hand or your country kind of label.
SPEAKER_01
(4295.29 - 4303.37)
And if we don't have any questions then we shall be going to lunch on time because we do have a question there. Thank you very much from Jamaica.
SPEAKER_09
(4307.05 - 4392.16)
Well, thank you very much Madam Moderator. And it's not so much a question, but more so a comment. First, let me just thank UNCTAD for organizing this E Week. I think it's very important for us to have this discussion on issues pertaining to digital. One of the points that would have been mentioned is the need for a holistic approach when it comes to digitalization. And I mean speaking from Jamaica's perspective as a small and developing state, as you can appreciate there are several challenges that we face and we definitely have to look at it from a cross cutting approach, looking at digital skills, looking at infrastructure. So my comment would be just to encourage this further sort of partnership amongst international organizations and partners. I do know Dr. Kwako from WIPO and their work and also from the Diplo Foundation. And again just to encourage that as it relates to the E trade for all platform, if there could be some possibly dynamism on the dashboard, whereas all the examples that would have been put forward forward today that member states are able to look at the dashboard and see what the different organizations are doing as it relates to digital and they're able to pull from it best practices but also know the point of contact that they can reach out to. So for example, if there is interest by a particular country looking at IP again and digitalization they're able to revert to the each of all platform and see what are ongoing projects and how they can tap into some of these opportunities. So I'll leave that there. But again, thank you, Madam Moderator.
SPEAKER_01
(4393.2 - 4424.15)
Thank you very much for that very valid and important comment. Do we have any other questions or interventions from the floor? In that case, I'm going to turn to our speakers now for their final thoughts. And these are the really important ones because I often find it's the things people say at the beginning of a panel that you really remember, and particularly the ones at the end. So condense those, please, noting that we want to leave maybe at about five past, if possible. And I will start with you, sir.
SPEAKER_05
(4427.35 - 4489.09)
Well, thank you. Thank you very much. Well, this is a vast challenge that lands on many policy areas, you know, from the point of view of Latin America and the Caribbean. But I want to say we're putting a lot of emphasis on the fact that Latin America and the Caribbean are in a low growth trap. Just let me give you this very eloquent figure. If you calculate, and we have done so, of course, the rate of growth, average rate of growth for Latin American countries from 2014 to this year. So we are in the month that we are ending this decade. In this decade, the region has grown at only 0.8% per year. That is even less than the 2% per year in which Latin American and Caribbean grew in the last decade of the 80s, less than half the growth of the last decade of the 80s. So this is why we're putting a lot of emphasis on the issue. This is due to very low investment, very low productivity rate almost flat. And then in this particular area.
SPEAKER_06
(4490.85 - 4491.13)
The.
SPEAKER_05
(4491.13 - 4492.96)
Issue of digital transformation is absolutely,
SPEAKER_05
(4494.79 - 4542.48)
you know, extension services, you know, the uptake and access of SMEs and also the work on specific sectors. We have identified a list of around 14 sectors, many of them related with the energy transition, electrical mobility, but also services sectors like, you know, exports of modern services, which is all based on the digital revolution and a number of others which have tremendous potential for dynamizing growth. And the magic of it is that these are sectors that at the same time transform in a more sustainable and more inclusive direction. And the result would be if, you know, productive development policies in the region have broadband, if you like, in the sense of,
SPEAKER_05
(4544.4 - 4574.32)
you know, having a range of sectors would have the virtue of dynamizing these roles. So this is very much at the center of the ELAC digital transformation agenda. And we'll be very happy to strengthen partnerships and see how to focus on, how to collaborate and do partnerships in many of these specific sectors, very micro vision for which of course, you need to mobilize resources and so on. In addition to all the transversal challenges that we have been discussing. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(4574.32 - 4585.68)
Thank you very much. So wonderful. Always to end with an invitation. Now, I don't know if Mr. Carlos Correa is still with us, but if he is, would you like to join us with your final thoughts?
SPEAKER_01
(4596.41 - 4619.21)
Maybe not while we're waiting for him then. And I may get a little. No, he's unplugged from us. Let me go to you then, Mr. Nasser, in terms of the DCO and maybe bringing in the E trade for all platform. Not putting words in your mouth, of course, but what would be your final thoughts?
SPEAKER_07
(4620.33 - 4693.09)
I think when it comes to the future of the digital economy, we have all been agree, we all agree on the same point. Partnership will be essential. And the iterate for all is a perfect example on how this partnership can work, bringing together the diversified ecosystem involved in digital economy. So you said the last comment is the one people will remember. So I want to use this also to do some promotion and to use the EWIC as it has to be designed to bring together people and to continue to create new ideas and explore how to address the challenges. So we will have at the end of the week, the DCO Digital Space Accelerator. We will talk about misinformation in the digital world, women empowerment, digital rights. So join the conversation. I think one of the things this platform today and this week provides us is this place to really design the partnership. We need to address challenges that sometimes we don't even understand. Exactly now, to make sure that we move fast and far in terms of an inclusive and sustainable digital economy. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(4693.25 - 4698.85)
Thank you very much. And what about from your perspective, Edward?
SPEAKER_22
(4698.93 - 4701.1)
Quackra. Thank.
SPEAKER_04
(4701.1 - 4758.89)
Thank you. Thank you. Let me simply say WIPO remains committed to working with not just Angtad, but indeed with all the other E Trade for all partners as well as other interested stakeholders to ensure that we unlock the full potential of innovation and creativity for a more inclusive and sustainable digital future. And in line with that, the organization has a vision which we will make sure we uphold. That vision is to help create a world where innovation and creativity from anywhere, not just from a few countries. Innovation and creativity from anywhere is supported by the intellectual property system for the good of everyone. And that's a collective responsibility that WIPO intends to pursue with full vigor in the coming years. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01
(4759.13 - 4768.57)
Thank you very much. And then we'll end with you, Jovan Kabila, because maybe you can add a little bit of red to your final comment.
SPEAKER_03
(4769.29 - 4876.08)
Sure. Thank you. I will add four metaphors that we heard Today the first one is African saying, moving fast, moving slow, that we have to do in our partnership. Fast with a few and far with many. There's the first metaphor. Second metaphor is that metaphor of camera. We have to zoom in and zoom out. And this is the major issue. You have to zoom in on specific issues which are concern of people and zoom out to have always. This is I would say, the major challenge for policymakers. Third one is that we should avoid trying to boil the ocean. We should take something what we can do. Like we noticed that we leave this type of meetings with some sort of cognitive dissonance, 150 sessions, but you cannot grasp it somehow. And we said, let's do the report which can even graphically show that. Therefore let's be aware of the ocean, but not try to boil the ocean. And the fourth is about semaphores. And we need a bit of more colorful semaphore. And I invite you to join the reports from this session which will be available in approximately 40 minutes with all colors. We'll see how many colors you're going to have, but we need more red colors. The. The current situation in the world is not easy. There are many problems and we need a critical thinking as a generation and we have to do it yesterday. And that's I would say critical call and also call for you to join this reporting. And a special thanks to you Isabelle, for really this fascinating moderation. We are finishing exactly on time. Bravo.
SPEAKER_01
(4877.76 - 4924.39)
As I say, I'm a horrible timekeeper at home and I bring it to my work of as well. So I think this has been a really important discussion and I would just like to add my bit of red as we close because there have been so many important issues that have been brought here and then one saying that's come back again and again fast with few people, far with many. I would just like to say, given where we are today when it comes to digital inclusion, I think maybe we need to take extra step and see if we can also go fast and far with many. But with that, I'd like you please give a warm round of applause to our fantastic speakers. And if Carlos Maria can hear us, a big round of applause for him.
SPEAKER_04
(4930.31 - 4931.67)
And for our moderator.
SPEAKER_02
(4932.89 - 4933.21)
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01
(4936.73 - 4939.13)
Thank you. Thank you so much.
SPEAKER_02
(4941.93 - 4958.35)
I used to be an anchor.
SPEAKER_01
(4958.5 - 4958.74)
It.
Save Transcript
Regenerate AI Summary
SPEAKER_01
Summary Sentence
Supporting Quotes
Thanked the audience for attending the session on E-Trade, outlined the session's focus on leveraging partnerships for innovative ways of working together, and introduced the panel members.
So welcome everybody to this session where we are going to be building on a lot of what we have been discussing already.
Which is fantastic because this roundtable will be looking at issues of the shift of focus when it comes to E Trade.
We want to find out how we can best leverage the strengths of the E Trade for all partners in order to forge new and innovative ways of working together.
Introduced Mr. Salazar Zirinax from ECLAC to discuss ECLAC's collaboration with member states in Latin America and the Caribbean to ensure digital advancements contribute to economic and social development.
So in that respect, I'd like to turn to Mr. Salazar Zirinax from ECLAC, because, you know, if we consider the challenges that Latin America and the Caribbean is facing, could you tell us how ECLAC is collaborating with member states and regional partners to ensure that digital advancements contribute significantly to economic and social development in the region.
Then introduced Carlos Maria Correa from the South Centre to discuss how the South Centre is advocating for skills and policies to address the widening gaps in digital access and skills.
So with that in mind, I would like to now speak to Carlos Maria Correa, who is the executive director of the south center and he is joining us remotely.
And what we'd like to know is how is the South Centre actually advocating for those skills and policies that do address the widening gaps in digital access and skills?
Introduced the topic of AI and its role in the digital economy, emphasizing the need for international cooperation and addressing ethical, regulatory, and societal implications.
If we look at artificial intelligence, it's already part of our lives.
So we do know that it's going to play a transformative role.
Now we've heard some of our speakers touch on this, but in terms of ethical, regulatory and also the very important societal implications of AI.
Posed a question to Jovan Kabilia about leveraging international cooperation and diplomatic efforts in the AI space.
But how do you see international cooperation and diplomatic efforts in that space? How are they being leveraged?
Later, transitioned to intellectual property rights and questioned what WIPO is doing to strengthen the linkages between intellectual property rights and the digital landscape while balancing the interests of creators, consumers, and other stakeholders.
But you know, what is WIPO doing now to facilitate and strengthen the linkages between intellectual property rights and the digital landscape without stifling innovation, protecting digital assets, ensuring a fair balance between, between the creators, between the consumers and all the many other stakeholders that we have been evoking today and yesterday when it comes to the digital economy, including women.
Introduced the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) as a key partner, highlighting its focus on digital cooperation.
Now let's turn to the most recent E Trade for all partner and that is the Digital Cooperation Organization.
Asked about how international collaboration can contribute to an inclusive digital future.
So can you tell us a little bit how international collaboration from your perspective can contribute to shaping a digital future that is inclusive and benefits everyone?
Thanked speakers and emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement.
Thanks so much.
Because I think, and that's a message that's coming through again and again is the importance of this multi level, multi step stakeholder engagement when it comes to creating an inclusive digital space.
Introduced a video address from Murad Hwaba.
Now we do have a video address from Murad Hwaba, who is the officer in charge of the United Capital Development Fund.
Asked about strategic initiatives in the Latam region and the Caribbean that ensure economic growth and social inclusion.
So let me turn to you again because I want to focus on the Latam region and the Caribbean.
So what strategic initiatives have you seen that work that navigate the future of the digital economy successfully? Because we've heard of a number of initiatives already, but ones that ensure economic growth, but very importantly, social inclusion.
Acknowledged the importance of SPEAKER_05's point about digital divides despite infrastructure, then transitioned to discussing the roles of think tanks and NGOs in shaping equitable digital policies, and later asked the DCO about their role in sustaining partnerships and their position on a 'traffic light system' of agreement.
Because that is a really valuable measure and a very important point that you make that even if you have a great digital infrastructure, that doesn't mean that digital divides don't exist and that work does need to be done.
Let's look at how these different groups now interplay with each other.
So let's turn now to the dco.
Moderated the session, introduced speakers, managed time, and solicited questions from the audience.
Thank you very much.
So let's just quickly get a little bit technical now.
Do we have any other questions or interventions from the floor?
Summarized the importance of digital taxation and intellectual property rights in the global digital landscape.
But digital taxation is extremely important, clearly and it's very prominent in global discussions right now.
So let's now look at what WIPO is doing in terms of its priorities and international cooperation in the field, obviously of intellectual property rights to ensure a just and equitable global digital landscape.
Thanked speakers for their contributions.
Thank you very much for joining us there.
Thank you very much and I'm glad you had that third point and we'll really look forward to that.
Thank you very much for that very valid and important comment.
Thanked the speakers, invited final thoughts from Mr. Carlos Correa and Mr. Nasser, and then Edward and Jovan Kabila.
Thank you very much.
Now, I don't know if Mr. Carlos Correa is still with us, but if he is, would you like to join us with your final thoughts?
Let me go to you then, Mr. Nasser, in terms of the DCO and maybe bringing in the E trade for all platform.
And what about from your perspective, Edward?
And then we'll end with you, Jovan Kabila, because maybe you can add a little bit of red to your final comment.
Added a final comment about digital inclusion, suggesting to go fast and far with many.
I would just like to say, given where we are today when it comes to digital inclusion, I think maybe we need to take extra step and see if we can also go fast and far with many.
SPEAKER_02
Summary Sentence
Supporting Quotes
Thanked the panelists and attendees for participating in the E Week and the roundtable, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing the digital divide, highlighted the multi-stakeholder nature of the digital economy, and shared examples of collective achievements within the E Trade for All initiative.
Thank you so much to to all the panelists.
I am really pleased to welcome you all to this second E Trade for All Leadership roundtable whose focus is the role of partnerships in delivering an inclusive and sustainable digital future.
The theme of our roundtable underscores the importance of collaborative efforts.
In essence then, the digital economy is already a multi stakeholder affair and so much be its policy and so must be its policy and conversation.
Mentioned previously being an anchor.
I used to be an anchor.
SPEAKER_03
Summary Sentence
Supporting Quotes
Expressed agreement and shared brief thoughts on various topics.
No.
We.
And then.
Addressed the question about AI with two aspects: AI as a governance topic and AI as a tool, linking it to the importance of partnership.
One is AI as a topic, governance topic, and the other is AI as a tool.
And I will link you also to the topic of this session, which is a partnership.
Highlighted a meeting where detailed reports from every session were available within one hour after the end of the session as an example of AI as a tool.
This meeting is in a way historical meeting because this is the first meeting where you have detailed reports from every session available within one hour after the end of the session.
Emphasized the need for bottom-up AI to preserve knowledge and human dignity, advocating for open-source AI and high-quality data.
First, we need a bottom up AI.
Therefore, bottom up AI is a critical issue for the vitality of the humanity, for preservation on the human dignity, for preservation on democracy, market economy and trade at the end of the day.
Now we are often told that it's not possible to do OpenAI open source AI, not open a high. Let me be precise, it is possible and we should preserve our data and our knowledge by using open source and high quality data.
Proposed using SDGs as guidelines for AI developers and categorizing AI risks into long-term, medium-term, and short-term risks.
Second point is that for governance of AI we need to use SDGs.
Therefore, when we discuss AI, we have to put these three risks in perspective, what is long term risk? Let us discuss it through precautionary principle. We have a lot of instruments from climate change field. Let us discuss also monopolies as medium terms risk and let us discuss short term risks.
Explained the role of small organizations like theirs in questioning established ideas and bringing new issues to the forefront, even if contrarian, using a 'traffic light system' to illustrate agreement levels.
Well, Isabella, I think the purpose of the small organization in this ecosystem is to bring new issues to question and Sometimes to be contrarians
As you will see from this AI report, we agree on many things. We have three colors for the connections. One is gray for neutral agreement, one is green agreeing strongly and red disagreeing.
They emphasized the importance of recognizing and integrating the energy and bottom-up solutions from developing countries into the global system, citing a successful cooperation with UNCTAD as an example.
And I think there is a vital relevance of governments and international organization big systems to recognize these small systems, especially in developing countries.
I just came from Africa, fantastic people, bottom up solutions.
And I mentioned at the beginning the example of our cooperation with UNCTAD was exactly that we're probably not like big organizations, you know, but people went out of their comfort zone and say, oh, let's work together, let us chat and we created something useful.
Shared four metaphors: moving fast with a few and far with many, zooming in and out on specific issues, avoiding trying to boil the ocean, and needing more colorful semaphores.
I will add four metaphors that we heard Today the first one is African saying, moving fast, moving slow, that we have to do in our partnership. Fast with a few and far with many.
Second metaphor is that metaphor of camera. We have to zoom in and zoom out.
Third one is that we should avoid trying to boil the ocean.
And the fourth is about semaphores. And we need a bit of more colorful semaphore.
Invited participation in the report from the session and called for critical thinking to address current global problems.
And I invite you to join the reports from this session which will be available in approximately 40 minutes with all colors.
The current situation in the world is not easy. There are many problems and we need a critical thinking as a generation and we have to do it yesterday.
SPEAKER_04
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Affirmed agreement and emphasized the importance of a point.
Yes.
It's very important.
Thanked UNCTAD for the invitation and extended regards from the Director General of WIPO.
Thank you very much.
Let me start by thanking UNCTAD for inviting we say WIPO rather than wipo.
And by the way, let me also extend the regards of my boss, the Director General of wipo.
Emphasized that intellectual property is the fulcrum of a digital system and that WIPO is working to ensure a balanced IP system that considers both the interests of IP owners and users.
Now you talked about intellectual property and I think we all know intellectual property is the Fulcrum of a digital system.
Wipo is out on a mission to show the intellectual property system needs to be a balanced system.
So it's not just a matter of seeing to the interests of those who own the intellectual property, but we are also making sure we see to the interests of those who use it, the demanders as well as the owners.
Mentioned a scoping study focused on creative industries in four countries to build capacity in using intellectual property tools.
I can mention a scoping study that we started in January 2022. This is a study in which we focused on creative industries in four countries, two in Latin America, two in Asia.
And what we did was we built capacity to use intellectual property tools so they could add value to better or just to build better networks in these four specific countries.
Highlighted reports and studies, including a patent database called Patent School Scope and the Global Innovation Index, which ranks countries based on their innovation capabilities.
I should say, in addition, we are promoting or we are publishing reports and studies, including one on a patent database we call Patent School Scope.
We also have in WIPO a global innovation index that ranks about 140 countries in terms of their innovation capabilities through one accident or the other.
Provided examples of WIPO's international cooperation efforts, including the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy and the partnership with UNCTAD's E Trade Support for Women Digital Business Entrepreneurs.
Let me use our host UNCTAD to show what we are doing with UNCTAD.
This is a policy that enables cross border dispute resolution, facilitating e commerce.
In 2022 the Academy of WIPO partnered with ANGTAD's E Trade Support for Women Digital Business Entrepreneurs and they started a master class series on IP&E trade.
Announced WIPO's World IP Day theme for next year will be on IP and the SDGs.
Our director general has decided next year WIPO's World IP Day theme will be on IP and the SDGs.
And the idea will be to show what the intellectual property system does to contribute to implementation of the SDGs.
Reiterated WIPO's commitment to working with partners to unlock innovation and creativity for a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.
Let me simply say WIPO remains committed to working with not just Angtad, but indeed with all the other E Trade for all partners as well as other interested stakeholders to ensure that we unlock the full potential of innovation and creativity for a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.
Highlighted WIPO's vision to support innovation and creativity from anywhere for the good of everyone.
That vision is to help create a world where innovation and creativity from anywhere, not just from a few countries. Innovation and creativity from anywhere is supported by the intellectual property system for the good of everyone.
SPEAKER_05
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Expressed agreement and made a brief comment.
So yeah.
I fully agree.
Expressed pleasure to be at UNCTAD and highlighted the importance of the digital revolution, its potential benefits, and the risks of lagging behind.
And it's an enormous pleasure to be here.
The digital revolution is disrupting and transforming production processes and paradigms and business models.
The future is digital and the longer countries take to increase not only access but the smart and massive uses of digital applications and opportunities, the more they will delay taking advantage of their normal benefits and the larger the possibilities and probabilities that they lag behind.
Explained ECLAC's work in supporting governments in digital transformation, including a regional platform for knowledge exchange and the ELAC digital agenda.
Well, let me start by telling you that in the digital transformation we have been supporting governments in designing and implementing policies to harness the full potential of digital technologies, and this is something that we have been doing for at least two decades, if not more.
We have a regional platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building, bringing together governments, international organizations and private stakeholders.
Most of these activities are carried out under the umbrella of the Ministerial Conference on the Information Society and the Digital Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean and this digital agenda and this conference, we call it for short, elac, ELAC for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Mentioned collaborations with partners, the LACMA dashboard, and the upcoming Digital Development Observatory.
ECLA has been collaborating with various partners.
For example, we built a freely accessible dashboard called the Latin American and Caribbean Marketplace Explorer, the LACMA, which shows SMEs to explore key trends and characteristics of almost 3,000 online marketplaces in the region.
We are going to very soon launch a new Digital Development Observatory.
Emphasized the need for cooperation on issues like cybersecurity, tax policy, and data protection, welcoming initiatives like the EU-LAC Digital Alliance and the E Trade for all partnership.
Issues from cyber security, tax policy, data protection, consumer protection, regulation of new technologies, including of course, artificial intelligence.
For this reason, new corporation spaces, such as the recently launched of the Digital alliance between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean, with which we are very, very strongly involved, and the E Trade for all partnership and others that based on this platform we could create, are most welcome and have a very, very important role to play.
Highlighted the need for improvements in governance at the national level.
And I think we're going to talk a little bit afterwards about governance because a lot of this also requires improvements in governance at the national level, given the multidimensional nature of this challenge.
Discussed governance structures, noting that countries with a Chief of Digital Transformation close to the President's office tend to be more effective.
I would say, for instance, one decision that countries need to take is in many cases the governance is in charge of the Ministry of Science and Technology or an authority of digital transformation.
However, other countries, the least of them, actually have like a czar or a Chief of Digital Transformation very close to the office of the President.
I think those schemes have worked a little bit better to the extent that, you know, the Chief of State, the Head of State also gives a lot of emphasis to this because they are able to convene the different ministries and the different agencies easier than one single ministry can do.
Acknowledged various approaches to financing digital infrastructure but highlighted the significant connectivity gaps in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In terms of the connectivity of the digital infrastructure, there are many different approaches.
But we know that still the gaps in Latin America and the Caribbean purely in terms of the connectivity infrastructure are major, are very large.
Advocated for a 'basic digital basket' to address inequality of access, suggesting subsidies and private sector funds to cover connectivity costs and equipment for lower-income households, framing it as essential for social, productive development, modernization, and education policies.
And this is why we have propose a basic, you know, this concept of a basic digital basket.
The basic digital basket would be basically a subsidy.
So this idea of Internet service provider, we, you know, as part, if you like, of social policy, as part of productive development policy, as of part parts of modernization, as part of education policy, because this is access for children as well in the houses and so on.
Emphasized the low growth trap in Latin America and the Caribbean, citing a very low average growth rate from 2014 to the present, even lower than the growth rate in the 1980s.
But I want to say we're putting a lot of emphasis on the fact that Latin America and the Caribbean are in a low growth trap.
In this decade, the region has grown at only 0.8% per year.
That is even less than the 2% per year in which Latin American and Caribbean grew in the last decade of the 80s, less than half the growth of the last decade of the 80s.
Attributed this to low investment and productivity.
This is due to very low investment, very low productivity rate almost flat.
And then in this particular area.
Discussed digital transformation, extension services, SME uptake and access, and work in 14 sectors related to energy transition and modern services.
Issue of digital transformation is absolutely,
you know, extension services, you know, the uptake and access of SMEs and also the work on specific sectors.
Highlighted the potential for dynamizing growth in a sustainable and inclusive direction through productive development policies and partnerships.
And the magic of it is that these are sectors that at the same time transform in a more sustainable and more inclusive direction.
And we'll be very happy to strengthen partnerships and see how to focus on, how to collaborate and do partnerships in many of these specific sectors, very micro vision for which of course, you need to mobilize resources and so on.
SPEAKER_06
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Expressed full agreement and shared a brief comment.
I fully agree.
Yeah, I heard it.
Thanked the host for the invitation and explained that the South Centre addresses development challenges posed by the digital economy through policy-oriented research, support for international negotiations, and technical assistance.
Thank you much for the invitation to participate at this important meeting.
But of course the south center as an integral mental organization is addressing development challenges which are posed by the digital economy.
The center produces policy oriented research in this regard, supports developing countries international negotiations and provides technical assistance and training.
Mentioned the South Centre's program for 2023-2025, which explicitly incorporates digital transformation.
In fact, there were program that was adopted by the board of the Southcenter for 20232025 incorporated explicitly the issue of digital transformation.
Highlighted the potential benefits and challenges of the digital economy, referencing publications on digital education and health.
As it was mentioned already, the digital economy has the potential to contribute a lot to development in many areas such as health, education, increasing productivity in some sectors, but also presents many challenges such as in terms of job creation, inequality, technological dependence and marginalization of the most vulnerable.
Two of them, two of the most recent publications by the southcenter and in fact on digital education by the former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to Education and on digital health by experts from the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South.
Noted the South Centre's involvement in various sessions during E Week, addressing topics like digital health, AI governance, e-commerce, and human rights.
During this E Week we are organizing two sessions that will address several issues which are very relevant for developing countries, address some of the issues that you have raised including digital health, governance of artificial intelligence, E commerce, artificial intelligence regulations and human rights.
Explained the South Centre's work on digital taxation, including its analysis of OECD and UN Tax Committee proposals.
In fact, the southcenter has been very active in this field.
So the Southcentric has been the first organization, in fact that has made estimates about what developing countries can gain from these two alternatives, the OECD alternative and the UN Tax Committee alternative and has advised developing countries during the OECD negotiation and also has advised what option is the best.
Highlighted the importance of digital taxation for developing countries and mentioned the UN's resolution on international tax cooperation.
And this is a major problem for developing countries who need these resources in order to develop infrastructure and for other projects.
And I must recall that on 22nd November this year a historic resolution was adopted by the Second Committee of the UN General assembly that calls for establishing an ad hoc intergovernmental committee for drafting terms of reference for United Nations Framework Convention on International Task Cooperation.
The.
The.
SPEAKER_10
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Expressed gratitude and made a brief comment.
Thank you.
That was going.
SPEAKER_12
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Stated 'From'.
From.
SPEAKER_13
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Stated '20'.
20.
SPEAKER_16
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Commented on the difficulty of something.
That is very, very difficult.
SPEAKER_19
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Stated 'Develop'.
Develop.
SPEAKER_20
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Expressed gratitude.
Thank you.
SPEAKER_21
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Made a brief statement and asked a question.
It,
okay?
SPEAKER_07
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Expressed gratitude to UNCTAD and E Trade for All partners.
And first of all, of course I would like to extend our thanks note to unctad, all the EWIC and all the partners of E Trade for all.
Emphasized the need to move fast and far in the digital economy.
I think the digital economy today forced us to go fast and far.
Introduced the DCO, its mission to enable digital prosperity for all, and its focus on government leadership, inclusivity, and alignment with SDGs.
The DCO was founded in 2021, headquartered in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and bringing together 15 member states today from Asia, Africa, Middle east and Europe.
The mission of the organization is to enable digital prosperity for all.
So clearly at the core we try to bring together government.
Highlighted the DCO's work on data, entrepreneurship, and human-centric digital ecosystems, involving multi-sectoral engagement and the Digital Space Accelerator.
The question of data, how to build cross border data, how to get value out of data, the question of entrepreneurship, how to help startups to grow, how to help startups to find investment, how to help startup to go cross border and the question of human centric digital economy or digital ecosystem in terms of sustainability, ethics, compliance.
During this E week we will continue this multi stakeholders engagement.
During all the year the DCU will conduct what we call the digital Space accelerator where we really bring together stakeholders from different region outside the member country, outside the observer to identify solution based on the diagnostic that we have also co created together.
Described the DCO's role in fostering an inclusive digital economy through open partnerships with various stakeholders, citing their report 'Bridging the Gap' as an outcome of this approach.
So I really believe that by creating these, this new organization, Member states, funding member states wanted to put some red and green together to create a new dynamic to really answer questions in terms of how do we sustain a digital economy, which is really inclusive.
And it's probably due to the fact that we have kept the door open to all organization, civil society, private sector, other international organization, to really make sure that we are listening.
The first outcome of this consultation and this open approach was the report we published last year, Bridging the Gap.
They highlighted initiatives like the Stride association for entrepreneurs and the UN Group of Friends on digital cooperation as examples of their efforts to create conducive environments and bring different voices together within existing institutions.
We have established under the championship of one of the member states, the Kingdom of Jordan, a stride association for entrepreneurs in the digital economy.
So we have created this place in the existing institution to bring these red and green together.
Emphasized the importance of partnership for the future of the digital economy, citing the E-trade for all platform as an example.
I think when it comes to the future of the digital economy, we have all been agree, we all agree on the same point. Partnership will be essential.
And the iterate for all is a perfect example on how this partnership can work, bringing together the diversified ecosystem involved in digital economy.
Promoted the DCO Digital Space Accelerator and other events focused on misinformation, women empowerment, and digital rights.
So we will have at the end of the week, the DCO Digital Space Accelerator.
We will talk about misinformation in the digital world, women empowerment, digital rights.
SPEAKER_08
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Expressed regret for not attending in person and emphasized the importance of partnerships for achieving the SDGs, particularly SDG 17.
I'm truly sorry that I am not with you, but Duty in New York calls me.
We have long recognized in our efforts to meet the SDGs the importance of partnerships and today I want to focus on that.
SDG 17 is essential.
Discussed UNCDF's work with governments to assess digital readiness using the Inclusive Digital Economy Scorecard.
First, I believe that we work with all governments not only in least developed countries, but primarily in least developed countries, but we work with all governments to assess their readiness for the digital age in the inclusive digital economy.
Scorecard, for instance, we have a policy tool designed to assist policy makers in assessing the inclusivity of their policies for their economy's digital transformation.
Highlighted the Pacific Digital Economy Program, a collaboration with UNCTAD and UNDP, supporting inclusive digital economy growth in the Pacific region.
Another example we have is the Pacific Digital Economy Program.
We have done this together with UNCTAD and with untp, and we are jointly implementing it to support growth of an inclusive digital economy in the Pacific region.
Showcased how these partnerships combine expertise and contribute to inclusive digital economies.
By doing this together as partners, we are able to combine our expertise on digital finance.
show how we collaborate and engage in partnerships, complementing each other's expertise, contributing to the development of digital economies that are truly inclusive.
SPEAKER_09
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Thanked UNCTAD for organizing E Week and emphasized the need for a holistic approach to digitalization, particularly for small and developing states like Jamaica.
First, let me just thank UNCTAD for organizing this E Week.
One of the points that would have been mentioned is the need for a holistic approach when it comes to digitalization.
And I mean speaking from Jamaica's perspective as a small and developing state, as you can appreciate there are several challenges that we face and we definitely have to look at it from a cross cutting approach, looking at digital skills, looking at infrastructure.
Encouraged further partnership among international organizations and suggested improvements to the E trade for all platform dashboard.
So my comment would be just to encourage this further sort of partnership amongst international organizations and partners.
And again just to encourage that as it relates to the E trade for all platform, if there could be some possibly dynamism on the dashboard, whereas all the examples that would have been put forward forward today that member states are able to look at the dashboard and see what the different organizations are doing as it relates to digital and they're able to pull from it best practices but also know the point of contact that they can reach out to.
SPEAKER_22
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Quackra. Thank.
Quackra. Thank.
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