UNCTAD eCommerce Week 2022: High-level session
27 April 2022
The domino effect: Boosting development through more inclusive digital entrepreneurship?
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
This session has illustrated how much is going on in the e-commerce and digital space. We have heard inspiring illustrations of how powerful digitalization can be for innovation and economic growth, especially in developing and emerging markets.
But discussions have also demonstrated that we are at a turning point: the digital economy is very fragmented. If we don’t act now, the digital divide will widen.
More needs to be done to ensure that population groups that are under-represented in the digital economy, including women, can benefit from its opportunities.
We have heard some valid avenues for action: boosting trust and digital literacy, unlocking access to funding, as well as shaping more enabling policy environments for digital businesses and for women-led digital businesses even more.
To achieve such ambitious goals, public-private dialogue will be key. The digital transformation puts into question the status quo, and we cannot address its challenges with old recipes. Public and private actors need to come to the table and work together to identify the most effective answers.
The United Nations has made it a priority to shape more inclusive digital ecosystems, in its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNCTAD in partnership with its eTrade for all partners stands ready to support member States in their efforts to better address the needs of digital entrepreneurs and connect the dots. With the eTrade for Women initiative we are also committed to giving a voice to women digital entrepreneurs and ensuring that they play their full part in the digital transformation.
Let me thank everyone who participated in today’s dialogue and Isabelle Kumar who moderated the discussion. Thank you also to all our distinguished panelists and to Ms. Tembo and Ms. Roscoe for their keynote remarks and presentation.
Finally, thank you to all the attendees who took time out of their busy schedule to be here today.
The dialogue on this topic continues, including in the thematic sessions dedicated to gender issues, and in particular the “peer learning dialogue across regions”, scheduled for tomorrow from 2 to 3 pm CET, to which I warmly invite you.
