Session 2: How Is Digital Trade Governed? AI, Data, and Cross-Border Regulation

Written By Ricardo Ashimi

The TradeExperettes are pleased to invite you to join the upcoming “Road to Yaoundé: Digital Trade Readiness Series” a special capacity-building webinar initiative designed to support developing and least developed countries’ delegates and ministries in their preparations for the WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé.

This webinar series will explore critical issues shaping the future of digital trade, including governance frameworks, data flows, artificial intelligence, and cross-border e-commerce, with a clear focus on empowering negotiators and policymakers from developing countries to engage effectively and inclusively.

This series will provide deep insights on key digital trade topics shaping the future global trade agenda. The sessions will be recorded and made available to registered participants:

  • Session 2 (22 January 2026, 3pm CET): How Is Digital Trade Governed? AI, Data, and Cross-Border Regulation
    Understand the emerging global architecture of digital trade rules and their implications for developing countries, including negotiations around data flows, electronic commerce disciplines, and AI governance.

    Speakers:

    • Johannes Fritz, CEO of the St. Gallen Endowment for Prosperity through Trade

    • Khalil Gharbieh, Senior Director, Trade Policy at Microsoft

    • Isabel de Sola, Head of the Coordination Unit, UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies

    • Moderator: Dr. Hanna Norberg, President of TradeExperettes

  • Session 3 (12 February 2026, 3pm CET): Trade and Frontier Technologies: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Others for Inclusive Growth
    Examine how AI and emerging technologies transform trade flows and discuss policy frameworks needed for inclusive growth.

  • Session 4 (26 February 2026, 2-5pm CET, in person in Geneva): Negotiating for the Future: AI-Driven Scenario Training for MC14
    Engage in interactive, scenario-based simulations using AI-supported negotiation tools to prepare for pivotal MC14 discussions. Registration details to follow, with preference given to LDC and developing country members for in-situ participation.

    Please register HERE, regardless of your availability for the live session. All registered participants will receive the event recording. Registration is also required to receive the ZOOM ACCESS LINK HERE.

Ricardo Ashimi
Next

Session 1: Framing Digital Trade: The Evolving Landscape of Global (E-)Commerce and Digital Policy Trends