UNCTAD e-Commerce week 2018
In the run up to this year’s UNCTAD e-Commerce week, which takes place in Geneva between 16 – 20 April, we caught up with Sabrina Ielmoli, Programme Management Officer at UNCTAD. Read on to learn more about this year’s hot topics, speakers and what to expect from Consumers International’s involvement at the event.
What is e-commerce week and what’s its purpose?
The UNCTAD e-Commerce Week, now in its fourth edition, is today the leading forum for high-level policy makers, entrepreneurs, international organizations, development banks, academics and civil society to discuss the development opportunities and challenges associated with the evolving digital economy.
At UNCTAD we are strongly convinced that multi-stakeholder dialogue is essential to help policymakers explore holistic approaches for leveraging new technologies to boost jobs, trade and growth in the new digital world.
The 2017 E-Commerce Week was attended by 1,000 representatives, from governments, international organizations, the private sector and civil society from 99 countries, with 170 speakers and moderators. More than 30 sessions addressing policy-relevant topics were organized in collaboration between UNCTAD and another 30 partners.
The 2018 edition will offer the same opportunities for fruitful policy exchanges, lessons-learning and good-practices sharing, high-level encounters, public-private conversations and networking opportunities.
What are the hot topics on the agenda this year?
Narrowing digital gaps between and within developed and developing countries is high on UNCTAD’s mandate for sustainable development.
Under the theme “Development Dimensions of Digital Platforms”, the E-Commerce Week 2018 will explore the growing role of digital platforms and concrete steps to harnessing these evolving technologies for sustainable development.
Highlights include the High-level Dialogue on the Development Dimension of Digital Platforms and two Ministerial Roundtables, with thought leaders and CEOs. The week will also feature the second session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on E-commerce and the Digital Economy as well as many sessions organized by and with eTrade for all partners covering a wide spectrum of topics.
Consumer International is indeed one of the members of the eTrade for all initiative, a collective effort by 27 partners from the public sector and civil society that share the same vision of supporting developing countries on their journey to e-commerce, while championing successful initiatives. Through the eTrade For All platform, beneficiaries can connect with potential partners, learn about trends and best practices, access up-to-date e-commerce data and be informed about upcoming events on e-commerce.
Consumers International is having a big presence this year - speaking on a number of panels and sessions. What do you think the consumer angle adds to the event?
Consumers are at the heart of the efforts for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. For consumers to unleash their transformative power, they need to be empowered in the digital marketplace. The 2017 UNCTAD CIGI-IPSOS Global Survey on Internet Security and Trust shows that one of the major obstacles for the expansion of cross-border e-commerce is the lack of consumer trust. Only when consumer interests are factored in the every stage of the design and development of the digital economy will it be possible to achieve an inclusive and sustainable development for all. This means raising national and international consumer protection standards as regards to online business and product information, product safety, online payments, data privacy, dispute resolution and redress and international cooperation. Consumers International is playing a leading role at the international level in building a digital world consumers can trust, supporting UNCTAD's E-Commerce Week and UNCTAD Intergovernmental Groups of Experts on E-commerce and the Digital Economy; and on Consumer Protection Law and Policy, as well as the G20 Consumer Summits.
Discover more about the eCommerce Week 2018 here: unctad.org/e-week2018
Watch the promotional video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irFsMITfcg4