The session will explore the synergies and gaps between international trade and internet governance. It aims at debating vital issues of trust, security, and reliability of internet, which are central to supporting robust and strong international trade and digital economy. Strong and reliable international trade is also critical for economic recovery post Covid19 pandemic. The discussion will focus on whether international trade needs to be more inclusive of issues related to internet. Debate will centre around the internet governance principles of openness and security, and the alignment of international trade law with these principles in enabling digital economy, including the following questions. To what extent are there synergies between internet governance and international trade in relation to principles of openness, security and trust? Should internet governance policy objectives influence application of international trade laws? The session is a response to the need of a greater coordination between stakeholders in areas that impact international trade and internet governance, including trust, privacy, net neutrality, consumer protection and barriers to internet data flows. The aim of the session is to induce collaboration and regulatory harmonization on mutually reinforced principles common for internet governance and international trade. The session will also discuss the broader view of the basic values of internet governance, including trust and security and their role for international trade objectives of liberalisation and free cross border data flows. International trade depends not only on international trade laws and principles but also on safe, stable, open and trustworthy internet. Internet-wide online trust, safety and security will help reduce cross border frictions of international trade. It is critical for a healthy internet ecosystem to define common consensus on the issues of openness, security and trust.
