2023-12-04 15:34:12
More than 3,000 stakeholders from 130 countries come together around the theme “Shaping the future of the digital economy”. The opportunity to examine how digital opportunities can contribute to development and how to bridge existing gaps for a sustainable future.
Discussions will notably revolve around platform governance, the impact of artificial intelligence on development, environmentally friendly digital practices, the empowerment of women through digital entrepreneurship and the acceleration of digital readiness in developing countries.
” The possibilities are limitless “
“We are at a crossroads, where we can use the digital revolution to address development challenges,” said Rebeca Grynspan, UNCTAD Secretary-General at the opening of the eWeek this Monday morning. “The digital economy plays a vital role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals at all levels. Through inclusive, multi-stakeholder discussions, together we can build a global digital future that works for everyone. “, she insisted.
“Whether it’s paperless solutions that can reduce our carbon footprint or digital education platforms that open up new worlds of learning, the possibilities are endless,” she noted.
Left behind
UNCTAD believes that the digital economy offers countries vast potential to boost economic growth, foster innovation and reduce geographic and physical barriers to inclusive development.
But achieving this requires greater efforts at national and global levels to close existing gaps in digital readiness, she says. Developing countries that lack the infrastructure and capacity to take full advantage of digitalization risk falling further behind.
“Countries on the front lines of development are being left behind and must run faster and faster to catch up. Time is not on their side,” warned the head of UNCTAD.
Artificial intelligence will be particularly at the heart of the debates this week. Speakers will discuss the opportunities and risks of new technologies, particularly for developing countries.
UNCTAD believes that the digital economy offers countries vast potential to boost economic growth.
70% of digital revenues from 5 platforms
For UNCTAD, massive flows of data from the digital economy call for global governance responses to market concentration and unequal distribution of benefits.
The world’s largest digital platforms control most stages of the data value chain, from data collection and transmission to storage and analysis. More than 70% of global digital revenue goes to five digital platforms, according to UNCTAD figures.
To help address these challenges, the eWeek will examine competition law and regulation for digital markets and identify policy options for developing countries to unlock their innovation potential while leveling the playing field.
The eWeek will feature the participation of high-level speakers such as: Amandeep Singh Gill, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Technology, Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Organization for Digital Cooperation, Nizar Ben Neji , Tunisian Minister of Communication and Technology, Henry Puna, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, as well as senior executives from the global investment and information technology community.
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