Members have been reviewing the legal and regulatory frameworks for e-commerce, with a particular focus on challenges faced by small economies in digital trade. Despite legal advancements, these have not always resulted in significant digital growth.
The members stressed the necessity of increasing capacity-building initiatives to develop robust legal and regulatory frameworks, especially for developing countries. "These initiatives are essential for empowering these countries to participate more effectively in the global digital economy," they stated. They also highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation with other international organizations to provide targeted capacity building and technical assistance programs related to e-commerce regulatory frameworks.
In an effort to assist members in refining their e-commerce regulations, some members suggested creating a compendium of best practices and policy recommendations. This resource would be based on the experiences and legislation of various members, focusing on areas such as consumer protection, privacy, data protection, and cybersecurity.
Furthermore, members emphasized the need to investigate emerging issues like the impact of AI technology on regulatory frameworks and the role of the WTO.
The next dedicated discussion is scheduled for March 18th and will concentrate on addressing the digital divide with an emphasis on technology transfer and digital industrialization.