Description: This present submission, as explained above, aims to discuss the subject of digital trade as well, policy development processes dedicated to this area and its direct impacts on society. In order to enable a fair and open discussion around practices and problems, the session moderator will frame the discussion with brief introductory remarks on the need for multistakeholder input into policy development processes ongoing in governance fora that impact the Internet, such as G20, OECD, and WTO. After the initial remarks, the panelists discussion will be divided into three parts: (a) Unpacking discussions and development of digital trade norms and policies, (b) Unpacking the societal impacts of digital trade and (c) Multistakeholder collaboration, the only way forward; followed each by a Q&A session. The proposed dynamics will allow stakeholders/panelists to firstly dive into the development of trade norms and their relation to national governments, internet taxation, the role played by international trade institutions and so on. On its second part, the session will be dedicated to the impacts posed to society by digital trade practices. For that topics such as labor, Human Rights in the Digital age and development will be addressed by speakers. Lastly, in order to come up with a policy advice document, we will ask the speakers one question: What multi-stakeholder policy advice should be taken into consideration in the formulation of digital trade norms and agreements. Proposed agenda: Introduction (5 minutes) Moderator will frame the discussion with brief introductory remarks on the need for multistakeholder input into policy development processes ongoing in trade governance fora that impact the Internet, particularly the G20, OECD, and WTO. Part I: Unpacking discussions and development of digital trade norms and policies (15 minutes) Audience Q&A (10 minutes) Relation to national governments, taxation Relation to larger globalization and international trade institutions Relation to geopolitical tensions in technology development Address steps are being taken to see human rights supported by international trade Part II: Unpacking the societal impacts of digital trade (15 minutes): Audience Q&A (10 minutes) Impact on development Impact on labor (address how digital trade mean for world’s workers) Human rights impacts Address national developments in the global south Part III: Multistakeholder collaboration, the only way forward (15 minutes) Audience Q&A (15 minutes) What multi-stakeholder policy advice should be taken into consideration in the formulation of digital trade norms and agreements? Closing Remarks
Expected Outcomes: The session will foster a multistakeholder dialogue on the developments in and impacts of digital trade. These insights from the session will be captured in an output document drafted by the session organizers and interested attendees (an invitation will be made during the session). The document will assemble policy advice for digital trade policymaking fora on multi-stakeholder principles and values that should be taken into consideration in the formulation of digital trade policies. This document will be shared directly with the relevant fora and made available to the MAG.