Regional Digital Trade Integration for Inclusive and Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific

Digital trade is reshaping economic prospects across Asia and the Pacific, yet the regional governance architecture remains fragmented and incomplete. Existing instruments — including the CPTPP, RCEP, DEPA, ASEAN DEFA, and the WTO Agreement on Electronic Commerce concluded in December 2024 — address important dimensions of the challenge but leave significant gaps, particularly around data governance enforcement, AI governance, digital inclusion for smaller and developing economies, and the connectivity needs of Pacific Island states.

ESCAP has initiated a background study to examine whether a regional model digital economy agreement could help address these gaps. The study covers all 53 full and 9 associate ESCAP member states and is conducted by the Trade, Investment and Innovation Division.

for more information, please contact

Trade, Investment and Innovation Division +66 2 288-1234 [email protected]