Digital Trade and the World Trade Organization: State of play ahead of MC14

About the Event

E-commerce is a driving force in the global economy, and its importance is only set to grow in the years to come. As such, countries are working together and negotiating new rules to guide cross-border online commerce. While much of this work takes place at bilateral and regional levels, significant discussions are also taking place on the global stage, particularly within the WTO.

This webinar provided a clear, accessible overview of the WTO’s work on e-commerce. It outlined the current state of the organization’s multilateral work, including ongoing debates on the e-commerce moratorium, and examine recent progress in plurilateral negotiations, such as the Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-Commerce. Participants gained an overview of the main elements of the newly completed legal text and development considerations shaping the prospective agreement.

Designed for trade policy-makers, this webinar offered a concise, forward-looking update on e-commerce policy and WTO processes ahead of the Fourteenth Ministerial Conference (MC14) in March 2026.

Panel

Moderator:

• Alice Tipping, Director, Trade and Sustainable Development, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)

Speakers:

• Rashid S. Kaukab, Senior Specialist, Trade and Sustainable Development, IISD
• Rashmi Jose, Senior Policy Advisor, IISD

Discussant:

• Joel K. Richards, Director, External Trade, CARICOM
• Cecilia Risolo, Minister Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Argentina