developing-countries-e-commerce-joint-statement-initiative-fr-c2c2c48ed5d148a6.pdf

This briefing note, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and CUTS International, Geneva, examines the challenges faced by developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) within the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-commerce. It highlights a significant digital divide and capacity gaps that hinder these nations' ability to participate in negotiations and implement future agreements. The document proposes shifting from a narrow focus on regulatory cooperation toward a comprehensive approach that includes 'enabling issues' such as infrastructure and technical assistance, and suggests adopting a hybrid Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) model based on the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) to ensure capacity-building commitments are enforceable.

• Developing countries and LDCs face severe capacity constraints in human resources, technical knowledge, and national infrastructure, which limit their ability to engage in e-commerce negotiations and benefit from future agreements. ApproximatelyS Approximately 38 developing countries, including six African economies and four LDCs, participate in the JSI, but many lack the resources to monitor negotiations or implement future commitments.
• A profound digital divide exists regarding connectivity and access, which are prerequisites for inclusion in the digital economy. As of 2021, 49% of the global population lacked internet access, with higher concentrations in Africa (71%), Asia-Pacific (55%), and Arab States (45%). Furthermore, 83.9% of the global population is not covered by 5G, and 83.1% of households have not adopted FTTx technology.
• The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the digital divide by reducing telecommunications investment in less developed regions. Between 2019 and 2020, per capita telecommunications investments decreased in Africa (-7.0%), Latin America and the Caribbean (-7.0%), Asia and the Pacific (-2.9%), and the Arab States (-3.4%), while increasing in North America (+4.7%) and Europe (+1.9%).
• Information and knowledge asymmetries hinder the ability of developing countries and LDCs to assess the impact of e-commerce regulations on cybersecurity, data flows, and national development. To address this, the 'Friends of E-commerce for Development' (FED)—comprising Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Uruguay—proposed a roadmap focusing on seven key areas, including ICT infrastructure, electronic payment solutions, and technical assistance.
• The JSI's current approach to cooperation is criticized for being too focused on 'vertical' regulatory cooperation rather than targeted capacity building. The document suggests that a hybrid Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) model—combining the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) model for enforceable capacity building and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) model for market access flexibility—would best address development concerns.
• Effective participation of developing countries in e-commerce negotiations requires three types of essential support: methodological support for research and analysis to facilitate negotiations, multi-stakeholder consultations at national and regional levels, and assistance in drafting balanced rules that reflect development interests.
• The document advocates for prioritizing 'enabling issues'—such as infrastructure, technology transfer, and skills—alongside the development of regulatory frameworks. This approach suggests that implementing digital trade facilitation measures can gradually build the necessary capacities for developing countries and LDCs.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (n.d.). developing-countries-e-commerce-joint-statement-initiative-fr-c2c2c48ed5d148a6.pdf. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-04/developing-countries-e-commerce-joint-statement-initiative-fr.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. developing-countries-e-commerce-joint-statement-initiative-fr-c2c2c48ed5d148a6.pdf. n.d. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-04/developing-countries-e-commerce-joint-statement-initiative-fr.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=developing-countries-e-commerce-joint-statement-initiative-fr-c2c2c48ed5d148a6.pdf |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-04/developing-countries-e-commerce-joint-statement-initiative-fr.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopmentnddevelopingcountriesecommercejointstatementinitiativefrc2c2c48ed5d148a6pdf, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{developing-countries-e-commerce-joint-statement-initiative-fr-c2c2c48ed5d148a6.pdf}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-04/developing-countries-e-commerce-joint-statement-initiative-fr.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }