22 June 2017

The latest iteration of the Global Cyber-security Index (GCI). Estonia ranks best in Europe…

Estonian cyber-security ranks best in Europe, fifth in the world Estonia's cyber-space estate has been ranked as having the best cyber-security in Europe, and the fifth best in the world. This recognition of cyber excellence for a country that is seen as being an innovator in internet-enabled government was announced at the World Summit on Information Society Forum 2017 on Thursday, where the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) introduced the latest iteration of its Global Cyber-security Index (GCI). To read the full article please click here About the Global Cyber-security Index (GCI) The 2017 publication of the GCI continues to show...
20 June 2017

Realising the potential of Africa’s youth

"UNCTAD is proud to partner with the Government of Rwanda to champion youth technology entrepreneurship across the continent", said UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi. "It is our duty to create opportunities for young people to shape their future and become innovators and successful African entrepreneurs," Dr. Kituyi said, adding that investing in youth will not only help build hope in Africa's future generations, but will also help implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The summit, themed "Realizing Africa's Youth Potential", will bring together more than 2,500 delegates, including Jack Ma, founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group and special advisor...
13 June 2017

eTrade for all recognized as a Champion at the WSIS Prizes 2017

WSIS Prizes honor outstanding projects that leverage the power of information and communication technology (ICT) to accelerate socio-economic development.     With over 1.1 million votes cast by the community of stakeholders in the World Summit of the Information Society (WSIS) process, and out of  345 ICT success stories from around the world, eTrade for All was among the first five most voted projects in the category ICT Applications: E-Business, making it a WSIS Prizes Champion. During the WSIS Prizes Ceremony on 13 June, UNCTAD, together with UNECE and UPU, received the Champion certificate from the hands of the ITU Secretary...
9 June 2017

As booming digital economy sprints past poor countries, UN report urges closing investment divide

7 June 2017 Even though digital multinational enterprises – Internet and e-commerce platforms such as Uber, Instagram and Facebook – witnessed “dramatic” growth over the past few years, more than 60 of the top 100 such ventures were concentrated in three countries (the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany), leaving much room to grow elsewhere, a new, ground-breaking United Nations report has revealed. According to the World Investment Report 2017: Investment and the Digital Economy, released today by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), only four companies in the top 100 were based developing nations.    ...
2 June 2017

UN highlights critical role of science, technology and innovation in achieving the SDGs

The United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development concluded its twentieth session on the evening of 12 May with countries reaffirming its role as the United Nations torch-bearer for science, technology and innovation for development. The United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (UN CSTD) acknowledged that many technological and development gaps still remain.  The gender gap was stressed in particular and countries highlighted existing digital and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics gender divides and recommended key policy options for countries and the international community to make progress in closing science and technology related gender gaps....

A new banking and bookkeeping digital solution available for e-Residency programme members

Last week, Holvi, a Finnish financial institution and e-Residency launched a partnership that will provide access to EU business banking to everyone in the world who has established a business through e-Residency. In addition, e-Residency will provide an e-commerce “business toolset”, that includes, among other things, digital invoicing and bookkeeping, and the ability to set up an online store in minutes to start selling products internationally. You can learn more here: https://about.holvi.com/e-residents/   The rollout is gradual, so at the moment it is only open to residents of the European Economic Area, but in a few weeks it will be available internationally...
30 May 2017

ITC Trade Compass: Innovating with young entrepreneurs

In this episode of Trade Compass, we think outside the box to explore innovative ideas, combining creativity and technology:http://bit.ly/2r40YOY - Hear from Dulith Herath, CEO of Sri Lanka's largest e-commerce company, who takes advantage of the sharing economy with his newest venture, Grasshoppers - Learn the concrete steps to take for even the smallest of businesses to get their products online - Meet three inspirational young entrepreneurs who create connections between seemingly unrelated ideas to launch new businesses Trade Compass is the video news programme of the International Trade Centre (ITC), the joint agency of the United Nations and the...
18 May 2017

Inclusive E-Commerce: UNCTAD E-Commerce Week Interviews

E-commerce offers growth potential for the postal industry – but certain barriers must be overcome. Hear from the experience of Mr. Bishar Abdirahman Hussein - Director General, Universal Postal Union (UPU) https://www.youtube.com/embed/ik2W4_TfKDg The growth of e-commerce markets for goods, services and information is closely linked to consumer trust. Consumers take an increasingly active part in these markets, which are growing in size and number of customers. Well-tailored consumer protections are essential for the further development of these markets to the benefit of consumers and businesses alike. Hear from the experience of Ms Amanda Long - Director-General, Consumer International https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUGiwGc0eHA For...
17 May 2017

eTrade for all WSIS Prizes 2017 Champion!

Out of 345 nominated ICT success stories from around the world for the Online Voting Phase (30 March – 30 April), following a comprehensive review by the Expert Group of 467 submitted projects submitted by the WSIS Stakeholder community, eTrade for all was among those first five most voted in the category ICT Applications: E-Business. Therefore, the eTradeForAll initiative has been chosen as a champion in WSIS Prizes 2017 category 8, action line C7 ebusiness. WSIS Prize 2017 Winners will be announced to the public during the WSIS Prize 2017 Ceremony at the WSIS Forum 2017 on 13 June 2017.
16 May 2017

Global survey reveals that most people are ill equipped to deal with ransomware

Friday’s ransomware attack, which affected 200,000 computer systems in 150 countries and crippled hospitals across the United Kingdom, is a frightening reminder of how much damage can be done by this type of malicious cyberattack. A new global survey of Internet users in 23 countries and Hong Kong (China) reveals that most people are ill equipped to deal with ransomware. “It is simply unacceptable that people do not get the care they need because of cybercriminals attacking hospitals. We have a shared responsibility to collaboratively get this under control,” says Kathy Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Internet...
12 May 2017

UNCTAD, business, governments & civil society work together to develop the best strategies for inclusive e-commerce

Mukhisa Kituyi and Jack Ma through the lens of a youth representative. Under the theme of "Towards Inclusive E-Commerce", over 900 people from 99 countries met in Geneva from April 24-28. Attendees represented government, international organizations, the private sector and civil society. Participants acknowledged that there are many challenges to overcome, including infrastructure, cybercrime, lack of trust in the internet and online shopping and enabling the inclusion of women, youth, rural businesses, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and more. Gathering leading minds from business, government, youth, the international community and civil society, the UNCTAD E-Commerce Week explored practical strategies to tackle...
10 May 2017

WITSA A Proud Partner of the Newly Launched eTrade for All Online Platform

WITSA A Proud Partner of the Newly Launched eTrade for All Online Platform Chairman and Secretary General participate in first gathering of stakeholders of the global initiative  Geneva, April 28, 2017: WITSA Chairman, Yvonne Chiu and Secretary General, Dr. Jim Poisant welcomed the launch of the eTrade for All Online Platform, a key milestone for the initiative, which was launched at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Ministerial Conference #14 in Nairobi in July 2016. Ms. Chiu and Dr. Poisant, in Geneva, attended the third annual edition of the UNCTAD E-Commerce Week, with the theme "Towards Inclusive...

E-Commerce Serving Mostly Rich Economies; UNCTAD Launches Online Platform For Inclusivity

Electronic commerce is booming but mostly for high income economies, speakers said at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which is holding a weeklong event on digital trade. Technical assistance is needed for developing countries to hop on the e-commerce train, they said, as UNCTAD launched a platform designed to help developing countries navigate the arcane of electronic trade. On 25 April, UNCTAD launched its “eTrade for all Online Platform” during one of the sessions of its “E-Commerce Week.” Finland, Sweden, South Korea and the United Kingdom financially contributed to the project. Several developing country ministers praised...

UN and e-Residency join forces to empower entrepreneurs in the developing world

The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has gathered global policy makers and leading entrepreneurs in Geneva for e-Commerce Week. They’ll hear how Estonia’s e-Residency programme has joined forces with UNCTAD for its groundbreaking initiative, e-Trade For All, which can help unlock global growth by giving more people the power to start a business online. “We have to build a world that is more transparent, a world that is more inclusive, a world that cares about others and empowers others.” — Jack Ma Jack Ma worked as a teacher before starting his first online business and didn’t acquire his first computer...
4 May 2017

UNCTAD e-commerce Week 2017: Putting people at the heart of the digital economy

Consumers International Blog (Switzerland), 26 April 2017 To mark UNCTAD e-commerce week (24-28 April 2017), Consumers International’s Director General Amanda Long outlines the need for a fairer and more inclusive digital economy that is built on consumer protection and trust. It goes without saying that people are at the heart of digital transformation. People as consumers, as citizens, as families, friends and employees, as students or as business owners. For many people, e-commerce is the gateway to the digital world and the wealth of social and economic opportunities it provides. It is where we buy and compare products, transfer our...

Friends of E-commerce for Development Launch Roadmap for International Trade and Development Policy

The ministers from Friends of E-commerce for Development (FED) members, namely Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, acknowledged E-Commerce as a tool to drive growth, narrow the digital divide and generate digital solutions for Developing and Least Developed Countries (LDCs). "We are proud to host this ministerial meeting and welcome your efforts at advancing the discussion on the link between e-commerce, trade and development', said UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi. Dr. Kituyi added that it was imperative to find together ways to bridge the digital divide, notably by helping developing countries to overcome remaining barriers...
18 April 2017

WSIS Prizes 2017

WSIS Prizes is a unique international contest developed in response to requests from the WSIS stakeholders to create an effective mechanism to evaluate and recognize individuals, governments, civil society, local, regional and international agencies, research institutions and private-sector companies for outstanding success in implementing development oriented strategies that leverage the power of ICTs as an enabler of the development. The WSIS Prizes contest is an integral part of the WSIS stocktaking process; set up in 2004 to assist WSIS implementation and follow-up. The contest was held for the first time in 2012, and rapidly gained attention and popularity within the...

Measuring the environment for e-commerce: A new tool

In order to promote e-commerce for development, policymakers and analysts increasingly want to know what the conditions are in their countries to support online business activity, and how their countries stack up against others. To this end, the multi-stakeholder eTrade for All initiative, an initiative launched in 2016 at the UNCTAD Ministerial Conference in Nairobi to improve the ability of developing countries and countries with economies in transition to engage in and benefit from e-commerce, has developed a new tool for assessing the e-trade environment at the country level. This tool was developed jointly by UNCTAD and the World Bank...