This year’s World Economic Forum Annual Meeting took place from 23-26 January in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, marking two years since the initial launch of the E15 Synthesis Report in 2016.
The following sessions relevant to E15 work took place:
ICTSD participated (represented by Ricardo Meléndez-Ortiz, ICTSD Chief Executive)
Facilitation 2.0 – Trade, Investment and Services
Wednesday 24 January,
09:30-11:00
Private
Boosting global commerce in the 21st century means making it easier to trade goods and services and invest abroad. Simplification, automation, harmonization and transparency are just some of the ways to reduce frictions and help trade and investment flow.
The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation is delivering commercially impactful border reforms through collaboration by business, donors and governments.
On the agenda:
- What have we learnt and how can we further cooperate to accelerate practical reforms to ease investment and trade in goods and services?
Accelerating Digital Trade Opportunities and Solutions
Thursday 25 January,
09:30-11:00
Private
The workshop scoped options to boost global e-commerce and advance an Enabling E-Commerce initiative. Participants also explored ways to best develop interoperable frameworks for data flows and determine avenues for rapid impact.
On the agenda:
- What are the challenges in the digital trade landscape and what are potential solutions?
- What are the best ways to develop interoperable frameworks for data flows and determine avenues for rapid impact?
Select relevant trade and investment sessions
Saving Economic Globalization from Itself
Tuesday 23 January, 16:00-17:00
Congress Centre, Aspen 2
Public
While the benefits of international trade and investment were promoted globally, the social and economic costs to some communities were ignored. Can a renewed focus on its damaging local effects save economic globalization from itself?
This session was developed in partnership with Quartz.
Speakers: Mauricio Cardenas, Devin Wenig, Chanda Kochhar, Minouche Shafik, Sharan Burrow, Rich Lesser, Kevin Delaney
Watch the webcast
Enabling eCommerce: Small Enterprises, Global Players
Wednesday 24 January, 11:30-12:15, Congress Centre, Congress Hall
Public
Breaking down barriers to international e-commerce promises to expand export opportunities for small businesses, giving them a global presence that was once reserved for large multinational firms. How can we shape digital policies and practices to benefit rising entrepreneurs?
Speakers: Stephen J. Adler, David Abney, Chrystia Freeland, Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal, Takeshi Niinami, Soren Skou
Watch the webcast
Future Shocks: Systemic Trade Tremors
Wednesday 24 January,
16:30-17:30
Congress Centre, Aspen 2
Public
Against a backdrop of surging anti-globalization sentiment, multilateral rules are at risk of being openly breached, potentially triggering adverse impacts and retaliatory moves along global value chains. What if bilateral trade wars cascade and multilateral dispute resolution institutions are too weak to respond?
Explore the possible, plausible and probable impacts of dismantling the international trade architecture.
Speakers: Alan Murray, Roberto Azevêdo, David W. MacLennan, Bill Winters
Watch the webcast
New Avenues for Global Trade
Thursday 25 January,
13:00-14:00 Congress Centre, Aspen 2
Public
With NAFTA negotiations at a sticking point, Mexico and Canada are strengthening linkages outside North America, and TPP11 and RCEP are inching towards completion. Is greater protectionism in multiple global capitals clearing the ground for a new trade landscape?
Speakers: Stephen J. Adler, David Abney, Chrystia Freeland, Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal, Takeshi Niinami, Soren Skou
Watch the webcast
