ITC @ UNCTAD eWeek 2023: Shaping the future of the digital economy

Monday, 4 December 2023

• 13:00 – 14:00 Turbocharging Digital Transformation in Emerging Markets: Unleashing the Power of AI in Agritech – Online session
  AI transforms agriculture, empowering farmers with advanced tools that boost efficiency, refine strategies, and reduce the carbon footprint. However, in emerging markets, challenges like limited access, costs, and data security hinder AI integration. Solutions require tailored approaches, supportive policies, and strong innovation ecosystems.
  
  Panel:
  • Mr. Martin Labbé, Tech Sector Development Coordinator at International Trade Centre
  • Dr. J. (Sjaak) Wolfert, Sr. Scientist/Theme Ambassador Digital Innovation in Agri-Food, Wageningen University & Research
  • Mr. Benjamin Kwasi Addom, Adviser, Agriculture & Fisheries Trade Policy, Commonwealth Secretariat
  • Ms. Susanne Emonet, CEO, Farmer Connect
  • Ms. Elisabetta Demartis, Digital for Development Expert | Agritech and Entrepreneurship, Jengalab
     
• 16:30 – 18:00   Connecting Women at the Margins: Smart Partnerships Accelerating Inclusion in the Digital Economy – Online session
  ITC is connecting women to the digital economy. ITC will feature stories from digitally underrepresented women entrepreneurs: from developing countries, those in conflict zones or refugee camps, and women with disabilities. By sharing these experiences, the session sheds light on the varied challenges they face. Additionally, it delves into policy recommendations and actionable steps necessary to empower marginalized women, enabling their active engagement in the digital economy.
  
  Panel:
  • Mr. Francis Cubahiro, Director of Infrastructure and ICTs, Ministry of Communication, ICT and Medias, Burundi EQUALS Focal Point
  • Mr. Boru Halkano, National Coordinator, Refugees Empowerment through Market Initiatives (REMI), International Trade Centre
  • Mr. Boru Halkano, National Coordinator, Refugees Empowerment through Market Initiatives (REMI), International Trade Centre
  • Ms. Sylvia Poll, Head of Digital Society Division, International Telecommunication Union
  • Ms. Claire Sibthorpe, Head of the Digital Inclusion Program, Mobile for Development Department, GSMA

Tuesday, 5 December 2023

• 09:00 – 10:00 Including the excluded: how can small and micro businesses be supported toward success in e-commerce? – Online session
  With 2.7 billion individuals offline as of 2022 and only 40% of individuals accessing the internet in Africa alone, it is clear more needs to be done to include the excluded and reduce the digital divide ensuring equal opportunity and participation for all.  Moreover, as trade and economic activity increasingly transitions online, small and micro businesses need to be accompanied in this digital transformation to ensure they are not excluded from supply chains and international trade. This session will review, discuss and explore new and existing activities implemented to reach underserved communities that significantly benefit from improved awareness of digital tools, digital skills and online access to markets.
  
  Panel:
  • Ms. Annabel Sykes, E-commerce expert, International Trade Center (ITC)
  • Mr. Diego Chacon, NOVICA Director of Central Asia & Central America
  • Mr. Elisha Bwatuti, Project Manager, Strathmore University, Kenya
  • Mr. Daniel Becerra, CEO Buffalo Grid
  • Ms. Stella Kiwanuka, Digital Content Manager, Margrey Consults
     
• 10:00 – 11:30  eTrade for all leadership roundtable: Unlocking digital trade for inclusive development – In-person session
  ITC supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in harnessing the benefits of digital trade to enhance their global competitiveness and delivers capacity-building activities to foster a more inclusive, sustainable and digital trade, supporting women, youth, and vulnerable communities.
  
  Panel:
  • Ms. Dorothy Tembo, Deputy Executive Director at International Trade Centre (ITC)
  • Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General at United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
  • Ms. Angela Paolini Ellard, Deputy Director-General at World Trade Organization (WTO)
  • Ms. Isabelle Kumar, Former News Anchor at Euronews
  • Ms. Masahiko Metoki, Director General at Universal Postal Union (UPU)
  • Ms. Anna Joubin Bret, Secretary and Director of the International Trade Law Division, UN Office of Legal Affairs at United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)
  • Ms. Mia Seppo, Assistant Director-General for Jobs and Social Protection at International Labour Organisation (ILO)
  • Ms. Pradeep S. Mehta, Secretary General at CUTS International
  • Ms. Koji Hachiyama, Chief Operating Officer at Economic Research

Wednesday, 6 December 2023

• 13:00-14:00 Launch of the eTrade Readiness Assessment of Mauritania – Online session
  AI revolutionizes agriculture by empowering farmers with advanced data analytics, predictive modeling, and automation. It enhances operational efficiency, resource allocation, pest management, and planting strategies, while reducing the sector’s carbon footprint. However, farmers in emerging markets face challenges like limited access, digital literacy, high costs, infrastructure issues, and data concerns. Overcoming these obstacles with AI requires tailored solutions, supportive policies, and strong ecosystems.
  
  Panel:
  • Dr. J. (Sjaak) Wolfert, Sr. Scientist/Theme Ambassador Digital Innovation in Agri-Food, Wageningen University & Research
  • Benjamin Kwasi Addom, Adviser, Agriculture & Fisheries Trade Policy, Commonwealth Secretariat 
  • Susanne Emonet, CEO, Farmer Connect
  • Elisabetta Demartis, Digital for Development Expert | Agritech and Entrepreneurship, Jengalab

• 15:00 - 16:30  Innovation, entrepreneurship and Africa’s digital economy: Driving AfCFTA delivery through digital innovations and technology
  The Vision for the Africa Digital Transformation Strategy is for an integrated and inclusive digital society and economy that would improve the quality of life of Africa’s citizens, strengthen the existing economic sector, enable its diversification and development, and ensure continental ownership with Africa as a producer and not only a consumer in the global economy. This session will spotlight the transformative approach to harness the demographic dividends of Africa youthful population structure in this digital era, through innovation and entrepreneurship, for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). Innovation and digitalization would stimulate job creation and help fight poverty, reduce inequality and facilitate the delivery of goods and services, thereby contributing to the achievement of Africa's Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
   

  Panel:

  • Xiangchen Zhang, Deputy Director General, WTO

  • Dorothy Tembo, Deputy Executive Director, ITC (TBC)

  • Ning Wang, President, China Electronics Chamber of Commerce

  • Quan Zhao, Senior Programme Officer, ITC

  • Business representatives
     

Thursday, 7 December 2023

• 10:00 – 11:30   Making the case for digital connectivity for MSME’s: How improved take up and usage of digital connectivity, in particular for ecommerce, supports development objectives – In-person session
  In 2023, the Broadband Commission Working Group on Connectivity for MSMEs studied the gaps in connectivity and digital tools usage by entrepreneurs and small businesses and concluded that more needs to and can be done by governments and the private sector to ensure better and inclusive participation in online trade.  The panel will present the findings and recommendations and give an update on commitments and initiatives to support.  The session will be held in a panel format presenting the findings of the Broadband Commission’s Working Group on Connectivity for MSMEs report and actions and recommendations for achieving the Commission's 6th Broadband Advocacy Target and the SDGs.
  
  Panel:
  • Mr. James Howe, Head Digital, Markets and Connectivity, ITC 
  • Mr. Alex Wong, Senior Advisor, Strategic Engagement and Initiatives – ITU 
  • Mr. Melle Tiel Groenestege, Sr. Director Digital Inclusion – GSMA 
  • Ms. Thelma Quaye, Chief Digital Infrastructure, Skills and Empowerment Officer – Smart Africa (remote)
  • Ms. Cynthia Saab, Global Vice President for Digital Country Partnerships, MasterCard (Remote)
     
• 15:00 – 16:30  Better understanding e-commerce marketplaces: the Africa, Asia and Latin America Marketplace Explorers - In-person CICG session
  In the context of the pandemic, the International Trade Centre (ITC), the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UN-ECLAC), the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP), and the Centre for Market Insights of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences have developed two freely available and innovative dashboards called the Asia Marketplace Explorer (AME) and the LAC Marketplace Explorer (LACME). They allow wide analysis of B2C and C2C goods-oriented marketplaces. During this session, panellists will discuss how policymakers and business associations can use these free tools, analyse the marketplace landscape in Asia, Africa and LAC, and debate how marketplaces can contribute to the digital development and transformation of MSMEs in the post-pandemic recovery.
  
  Panel:
  • Mr. James Howe, Head, digital, markets and connectivity, ITC
  • Mr. Jesse Weltevreden, Professor, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
  • Mr. Nanno Mulder, Chief International Trade Unit, UN-ECLAC
  • Ms. Witada Anukoonwattaka, Economic Affairs Officer, UN-ESCAP
  • Ms. Laura Naliaka. Trade Policy Expert, Africa Trade Policy Centre (UN-ECA)
     
• 15:00 – 18:00  Rethink cross-border e-commerce: business roundtables on trade digitalization and development - In-person CICG session
  The session will explore global trends in the digitization of trade and their implications for cross-border e-commerce; evolution of international rules and standards related to digital trade, as well as the new opportunities in cross-border e-commerce and digital trade.
  Participants will discuss prospects and application of new technologies in digital trade, such as artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain technology, explore how they can be leveraged for greater diversity and efficiency in digital trade and cross-border e-commerce and business models and globalization strategies, including the role of digital platforms, how use of technologies such as cloud computing, smart warehousing, cross-border logistics, and digital payment can support companies to enhance competitiveness in digital trade and cross-border e-commerce.
  
  Panel:
  • Mr. James Howe, Head, digital, markets and connectivity, ITC
  • Mr. Jesse Weltevreden, Professor, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
  • Mr. Nanno Mulder, Chief International Trade Unit, UN-ECLAC
  • Ms. Witada Anukoonwattaka, Economic Affairs Officer, UN-ESCAP
  • Ms. Laura Naliaka. Trade Policy Expert, Africa Trade Policy Centre (UN-ECA)