UNCTAD eWeek 2023: Shaping the Future of the Digital Economy

To adapt to a changing digital landscape, the eCommerce Week becomes UNCTAD eWeek as of its 2023 edition.

Organized by UNCTAD in collaboration with eTrade for all partners, the UNCTAD eWeek 2023 will be held from 4 to 8 December 2023 in Geneva, at the CICG (International Conference Center of Geneva) under the theme ‘Shaping the future of the digital economy’.

COME SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE DIGITAL ECONOMY!

The UNCTAD eWeek will offer a unique opportunity for constructive and inclusive dialogue to generate insights and actions that can feed into global efforts, and in particular the ongoing work of the UN Global Digital Compact process, leading up to the 2024 Summit of the Future.

Register Here

Be a part of our eWeek community and sign up for this unique event to:

• Share your perspective and let your voice be heard
• Discover a whole-of-society approach to the future of the digital economy, based on partnerships and cooperation
• Connect with other participants and shape future projects

REINFORCING THE DEVELOPMENT DIMENSION OF DIGITALIZATION

Digitalization is one of the most influential mega-trends that will not only affect development outcomes in the short and medium term, but also determine the future we live in. It is now firmly engrained in the wider discourse on development, including in the context of Agenda 2030, the Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda and preparations for the Summit of the Future.

E-commerce and the digital economy play an essential part in this context, further accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic and interrelated economic crises. If well governed, the digital economy and data can enable countries to leapfrog, spur economic growth, enhance inclusivity by reducing geographical and physical barriers, foster innovation and enable a better use of resources to address global development challenges. However, such positive outcomes are far from certain. Digital and data divides are widening, increasing the risk of greater inequalities between and within countries. The growing importance of the digital economy is also raising concerns related to privacy and other human rights, environmental sustainability and cybercrime.

Against this background, the international community needs to find ways to close the digital divides and create frameworks that enable the digital economy to generate inclusive, equitable and sustainable development.

This edition, themed Shaping the future of the digital economy, will offer a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to weigh in and share their perspectives on this challenge.
 

PAVING THE WAY FOR A BETTER DIGITAL FUTURE

During the UNCTAD eWeek, Ministers, senior government officials, CEOs and other business leaders, international organizations, development banks, academia and civil society will come together to address 3 key questions:

• What does the future we want for the digital economy look like?
• What is required to make that future come true?
• How can digital partnerships and enhanced cooperation contribute to more inclusive and sustainable outcomes?

Greater efforts are needed at all levels and by all stakeholders to turn digital opportunities into development gains.
Only through enhanced cooperation and tighter partnerships will it be possible to pave the way for a safe, trusted and inclusive digitalization that helps economies recover any lost ground in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

THE UNCTAD eWeek: A UNIQUE EVENT

The UNCTAD eWeek will explore key policy areas that must be addressed to build an inclusive and sustainable digitalization at the national, regional and global levels with the involvement of all relevant stakeholders: eTrade for all partners, member States, the private sector and civil society. Emphasis will be given to:

• Innovation: to offer a unique and fresh perspective to the discussion on the future of the digital economy
• The identification of scalable good practices and possible policy avenues
• Concrete actions and actionable steps to help shape an inclusive and sustainable future of the digital economy.

Throughout the week, the eTrade for all initiative will be leveraged to foster comprehensive, cross-cutting and multistakeholder discussions and debates.

The event will be held in person in Geneva, Switzerland, with remote participation possible. A fully virtual conference center will also be accessible throughout the week for online sessions.

Participation to the UNCTAD eWeek is free of charge and open to all but registration is mandatory to participate in the event.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

You want to be part of the UNCTAD eWeek sponsors and support our event? Get in touch with us: [email protected]