eTrade for all Newsletter

Dear all,

Welcome to the first 2026 edition of our newsletter!

From 19 to 23 January, the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum took place against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties and accelerating technological changes. Held under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue”, it brought together 3000 leaders from 130 countries.

Artificial intelligence, digital trade and technological governance featured prominently in the agenda, underscoring the need for urgent policy choices to shape growth, security and inclusion.

Discussions acknowledged widening gaps in digital capacity and governance:  while some economies are moving AI from pilot to production, others risk falling further behind.

This divergence is already visible in the data: chief economists expect near-term AI-driven productivity gains in advanced economies, while many developing regions may see benefits only several years from now.

Also, a new report from the ITU reinforces a core message: without accessibility built in from the start, digital transformation will not be inclusive or people-centred.

On the digital trade side, new analysis from UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) shows that services now account for 27% of global trade, with digitally deliverable services making up 56% of services exports – but only 16% in least developed countries. Closing the digital divide – through infrastructure, skills and regulation – will be critical if developing countries are to benefit from the fastest-growing segment of global trade.

Last but not least, take a look at our global policy processes updates and the possibility of contributing to the Open consultation process  in the run up to  the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum, scheduled from 6 to 10 July 2026.

We invite you to explore the curated sessions on those topics in the dedicated sections here below, but before you do we kindly invite you to share your feedback through our survey.

Your input is essential to us. Thank you for your time!