WTO Public Forum 2023

Picture Collage with Emma Sävenborg and logo WTO Public Forum

National Board of Trade Sweden participated at Public Forum 2023 organised by the World Trade Organization. Senior adviser Emma Sävenborg presented her latest findings on digital trade as an effective tool for promoting inclusion.

Through digital trade, governments, businesses and individuals have access to a wide range of tools to address climate and environmental concerns. Lead firms in global value chains will also increasingly rely on green suppliers whose production methods can be traced and verified, which typically requires the use of digital technologies. Suppliers will thus have to comply with both green and digital standards to be able to participate in the global economy. However, a digital divide is emerging between the frontrunner countries and those lagging behind.

How can digitalisation help to achieve green transition? How can the Joint Statement Initiative's e-commerce negotiation contribute to closing the digital divide? And how can we enable more African countries to engage in global digital trade rulemaking?

Date for the seminar: 15 September 2023, 12.30–13.34

Speakers

  • Richard Niwenshuti, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade Rwanda
  • Reina Otsuka, Digital Innovation Lead for Nature, Climate and Energy, United Nations Development Programme
  • Robin Michelle Zuercher, Programme Officer Digital Climate Action, International Telecommunication Union
  • Emma Sävenborg, Senior Adviser, National Board of Trade Sweden
  • Sabina Cifou, Associate Director, Tech UK (moderator)

More about the seminar: Charting an inclusive path for digitalisation and a green transition for all

Read our report: The E-Commerce Negotiations in the WTO – understanding non-participation

Public Forum is organised by the World Trade Organization. It is its largest outreach event, providing a unique platform for interested stakeholders from around the world to discuss the latest developments in global trade and to propose ways of enhancing the multilateral trading system. The event attracts over 2000 representatives each year from civil society, academia, business, government, international organisations and the media.

Public Forum 2023 took place in Geneva on 12–15 September. It examined how trade can contribute to a greener and more sustainable future. In particular, it explored how the services sector, digitalisation and inclusive trade policies can support this objective.

More about Public Forum