The ongoing WTO 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi is a critical one. Apart from reform of the existing system, negotiations on e-commerce and digital trade should be finalized, as it represents the human capital of growing digital services economies in developing and developed countries. Cooperation will demonstrate that members can produce results and chart a constructive path for the WTO system.

Trade in digital services is a growing part of the global economy, but it is hampered by divergent national standards on privacy, cybersecurity, and other issues. This Policy Brief makes recommendations for the G20 to play a leading role in promoting international standards for digital trade, supporting multilateral efforts, and building capacity in developing countries.

Digital services innovation has contributed to inclusive global trade and development. However, governance regimes around digital regulation are still fledgling. This Policy Brief makes recommendations to boost implementation of digital regulatory good practices for interoperability and development of the required governance.

Indonesia has managed its G20 Presidency year by understanding the importance of not going it alone. This trading nation has used its deep regional and multilateral cooperative processes which provided trusted back-up and support at every step, and was book-ended by strong linkages and investment partnerships with Japan and Australia. In this, it has laid the groundwork for India’s 2023 presidency.