Digital trade facilitation declaration:Accelerating the digitalisation of global trade
Ministers and Representatives from 14 countries have endorsed a Digital Trade Facilitation Declaration on 17 July 2026 committing to advance digital trade through reduced paper-based processes. The declaration, supported by Chile, Costa Rica, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Singapore, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, and Uruguay, focuses on accelerating end-to-end digitalisation of trade documents, developing legal frameworks for electronic transactions consistent with the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records, and promoting interoperable digital systems. Key commitments include partnering on pilot projects for electronic bills of exchange, bills of lading, promissory notes, and certificates of origin; establishing structured public-private collaboration through the Facilitation of International Trade (FIT) Partnership; and engaging regularly with technology providers, financial institutions, and logistics companies. The declaration emphasises that interoperability of digital systems and international standards are essential for enabling seamless cross-border transactions and supporting inclusive economic growth.
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Paper-based processes in cross-border transactions often create unnecessary costs and friction, impeding trade efficiency. As a result, recognising the transformative potential of digital technologies to streamline trade processes, reduce trade costs, and create new opportunities for people and businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises, several countries have come together to affirm their commitment to advancing digital trade facilitation.
This declaration was endorsed on 17 July 2026 by Ministers and Representatives responsible for trade from different countries, including Chile, Costa Rica, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Singapore, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, and Uruguay.
It acknowledges these challenges and underscores the shared objective to foster an open, predictable, and interoperable digital trade environment that supports increased productivity and inclusive economic growth.
Interoperability of digital systems is highlighted as essential for enabling seamless cross-border transactions. The role of international standards in facilitating this interoperability is also emphasised, building upon foundational work by the World Trade Organization, World Customs Organization, and the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business.
The role of the private sector and the FIT partnership
The declaration recognises the integral role played by the private sector, including international business organisations, in promoting global best practices, advancing interoperable standards, and supporting the transition toward fully digital systems.
It recalls the establishment of the Facilitation of International Trade (FIT) Partnership as a platform fostering collaboration between governments and the private sector to incubate solutions and develop practical initiatives that facilitate global trade and investment.
A glance at the key commitments and objectives
The participating countries declare their determination to work closely to identify barriers related to trade in the digital economy and to facilitate trade through digitalisation.
Accelerating end-to-end digitalisation. Affirming the shared objective to accelerate progress toward the complete digitalisation of trade documents and processes to benefit businesses and economies.
Legal frameworks for electronic transactions. Taking note of the adoption of legal frameworks enabling electronic transactions, including electronic bills of lading and other transferable records.
Alignment with UNCITRAL Model Law. Welcoming initiatives to explore domestic legal frameworks consistent with the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records of 2017, recognising functional equivalence as the international standard while respecting domestic contexts and approaches.
Engagement with industry stakeholders. Strengthening engagement with industry stakeholders, including international business organisations, through structured, transparent, and mutually beneficial public-private collaboration within the FIT Partnership.
Regular domestic consultations. Committing to regular engagement with technology providers, financial institutions, logistics companies, and other relevant actors to ensure digital trade facilitation measures reflect practical experience and operational realities.
Promotion of interoperable systems. Encouraging the development, adoption, and use of interoperable systems to support data exchange related to trade administration documents and electronic commercial records, recognising the role of international and open standards in system governance.
Advancing a forward work programme
Continuing cooperation within the FIT Partnership to advance a digital trade facilitation work programme that includes
i) Partnering on pilot projects to trial exchanges of electronic commercial records such as electronic bills of exchange, bills of lading, promissory notes, and certificates of origin, with a view to scaling these pilots through public-private collaboration.
ii) Sharing information, national experiences, and best practices in paperless trade, including alignment with the UNCITRAL Model Law and addressing regulatory interoperability challenges.
iii) Collaborating in international fora to make practical progress on digital trade facilitation.
It also includes a review of progress at future Ministerial meetings and to continue joint efforts to reach the full potential of digital trade facilitation for increased productivity and inclusive growth.
This commitment is a key step in transforming global trade through digital innovation, benefiting businesses of all sizes and promoting sustainable economic growth worldwide.