eTrade for all Newsletter

Dear all,

Welcome to the February edition of our newsletter.

This month, we will continue to explore how digital technologies are reshaping the global economy, at an unprecedented pace. They are opening new possibilities for trade, innovation and productivity, but are also exposing persistent structural gaps between and within countries.

UNCTAD’s Least Developed Countries Report 2025 looks at a timely issue: can services become a new driver of structural transformation? While services now represent a growing share of economic activity in many least developed countries, the report underscores that services alone are not a shortcut to development. Their contribution depends on stronger links with productive sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture, as well as solid investments in infrastructure, digital connectivity and skills.

This month, UNCTAD also released its Indonesia eTrade Readiness Assessments looking at how one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies can translate this momentum into sustainable and inclusive growth. As e-commerce expands rapidly in Indonesia, with an increase of 10% from 2024 to 2025,  the report highlights the need for coordinated policies, more effective trade logistics, and wider digital inclusion to ensure that MSMEs and underserved communities can also fully participate in the digital economy.

Innovation is the focus of WIPO’s World Intellectual Property Report 2026, also released this month. The report draws on 250 years of historical data on technology use and five decades of patent scientific publication data to identify shifts that are reshaping global innovation dynamics and transforming economic opportunity.

At the global level, discussions on digital governance are also gaining momentum. The appointment of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, established by the UN General Assembly in August 2025, the contribution of the UN to global AI Summits, such as the recent AI Impact Summit, hosted by India, and the launch of new dialogues on AI governance reflect a growing effort to build a shared evidence base and support more inclusive participation in shaping the future of AI.
 
Last but not least, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has taken the time to complete our feedback survey. We’ve had a first look at the responses and are truly grateful for your candid feedback.

For those who have not yet had the chance, the survey will remain open for a few weeks more.

Enjoy the read!