
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’. This event will offer a unique platform for key stakeholders to discuss potential ways to ensure that the evolving digital economy becomes truly more inclusive, leaving no one behind and no one offline.
Throughout the week, the eTrade for all initiative will be leveraged to foster comprehensive, cross-cutting and multistakeholder debates.
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. The growing importance of the digital economy is also raising concerns related to privacy and other human rights, environmental sustainability and cybercrime.
Paving the way for a better digital future
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.
During this edition, 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).
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. Emphasis will be given to:
Innovation
Good practices
actionable steps
Call for session proposals
You want to organize a session during the eWeek? To qualify, all proposals must be submitted via our online form. Deadline: 23 June 2023
Sponsorship opportunities
You want to be part of the UNCTAD eWeek sponsors and support our event?
Join us!
The event will be held in person, with remote participation possible. A 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 (to be open soon) is mandatory to participate in the event.