TTP and the Commonwealth Secretariat: Digital trade governance in a changing world order

Last week, The Commonwealth Secretariat brought trade delegations, policymakers, bankers and academics together in London for Digital Trade Governance in a Changing World Order.

While the event explored some of the biggest questions around digital trade governance, Zeeshan Khawaja was on the ground capturing quick conversations with speakers and delegates.

From paperless trade and digital identity to regulation and who gets to shape the rules, hear directly from those in the room about what’s on their minds.

🎥 Watch our vox-pop, created in partnership with The Commonwealth.

Last week The Commonwealth Secretariat brought trade delegations, policymakers, bankers and academics together in London for “Digital Trade Governance in a Changing World Order,” and here are some of the most amazing moments!

The headline was the launch of the Paperless Trade 2.0 report, this publications is unpacking the real economic impact of digital trade adoption across the Commonwealth. From there, the day moved through some of the thorniest questions in the space right now: how electronic transferable records, digital identity and trust services actually get built into law; where the World Trade Organization‘s digital trade and e-commerce agenda is heading; and how EBRD is deepening cooperation with Commonwealth Africa.

The standout session for us was “Whose Rules Are They Anyway?” — a young lawyers’ panel that didn’t pull punches on who actually shapes digital trade rules, who benefits from them, and whether today’s governance models are built for an equitable digital future.

Thank you to Luca Castellani (EBRD), Mena Hassan, PhD (World Trade Organization), Jack Dainty (UK Department for Business and Trade), Shona Tatchell (EBRD), Prof EMILIA ONYEMA (SOAS University of London), Catherine Bridge Zoller (EBRD), Brendan Vickers (International Chamber of Commerce UK) and Vashti Maharaj (Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda) for the insight.

Our own Zeeshan Khawaja was on the ground in London capturing vox pops with speakers and delegates throughout the day — the team’s genuinely excited to start sharing those conversations, so watch this space.

A recap of Digital trade governance in a changing world order! ⚡️

After The Commonwealth launched the Paperless Trade 2.0 report, stakeholders raised bigger questions about shifts in regulations, digital infrastructure, and the needs and opportunities in developing markets. But beyond the simple question of whether trade is “good” or “bad,” the event also delved into who shapes the rules, who benefits from them, and whether current governance models are delivering an equitable digital future.

Thank you, Luca Castellani, Mena Hassan, PhD, Jack Dainty, Shona Tatchell, Professor EMILIA ONYEMA, Catherine Bridge Zoller, Brendan Vickers, and Vashti Maharaj, for delivering a very in-depth and vibrant discussion.

We look forward to bringing the new ideas we gained from this conversation and starting to create a more efficient, resilient, and competitive trading future.