Global Digital Leaders Urge Inclusive Digital Trade to Accelerate Sustainable Development

• The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and UN partners call for inclusive digital trade to drive sustainable development
• Experts propose PPP-funded Digital Public Infrastructure and Triangular Cooperation models to bridge divides.
• DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya and UNOSSC Director Dima Al-Khatib reaffirmed commitment to multistakeholder collaboration, innovative financing, and Global South empowerment.

New York City, New York, United States – 1 May 2025: The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) reiterated that inclusive digital trade is critical for the equitable development of the Global South, emphasizing its transformative potential to drive economic growth, fuel sustainable development, reduce inequities and empower communities.

At a high-level session under the title “Advancing Inclusive Digital Trade through Multistakeholder Cooperation”, convened by the DCO and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) on the sidelines of the ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development, digital policymakers, regulators, and private sector leaders stressed the urgency of inclusive digital trade. In 2020, digital trade represented 25% of global trade, or just under USD 5 trillion, expert contributors warned that nearly 2.6 billion people remain offline and called for bolder cooperation to close the digital divide and tackle barriers to accessibility.

“Today’s dialogue has demonstrated that inclusive digital trade is not just a policy ambition—it is a practical pathway to accelerate sustainable development across the Global South. Through the combined strengths of multistakeholder cooperation and innovative financing, we can bridge digital divides and unlock new economic opportunities for all,” explained Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization, Deemah AlYahya.

“The partnership between the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and UNOSSC reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that no country, no business, and no individual—especially women and micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises—are left behind in the digital economy. As we look ahead to the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, DCO stands ready to work with governments, development banks, and private sector partners to scale interoperable digital infrastructure, foster regional integration, and mobilize financing for impact-driven solutions. Together, we can transform digital trade into a true engine of inclusive, sustainable growth,” she added.

The discussion noted that four-fifths of small and medium-sized enterprises in the developing world face significant hurdles in cross-border digital trade, including skills gaps, limited access to payment systems, and digital infrastructure. Women-led businesses are disproportionately affected, compounding pre-existing gender and economic inequalities. The aggregate effect is a deepening digital divide, preventing many Global South populations from benefitting fully from digital trade and transformation, and limiting nations’ ability to foster an inclusive prosperity.

“The digital economy represents one of the greatest opportunities of our time. It can leapfrog development, reduce inequalities, stimulate growth, and empower communities. But only if access is equitable and the necessary infrastructure and capacity are in place,” said UNOSSC Director Dima Al-Khatib.

“We need bold, inclusive, and cooperative strategies – rooted in the realities and homegrown innovations of the Global South. South-South cooperation has long stood as a cornerstone of solidarity among developing countries. Today, it is also a catalyst for transformation and development acceleration. It enables countries not only to share knowledge and experiences, but to co-create and scale high-impact resources,” she added.

Actionable solutions were also discussed, including public-private partnership financing initiatives to unlock Digital Public Infrastructure, and a triangular cooperation model enabling countries to share knowledge, resources, and digital innovations to develop integrated and interoperable digital ecosystems.

Despite challenges, tangible progress in fostering inclusive digital trade is underway. The Digital Trade Protocol of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is fashioning a unified African digital market, enabling greater cross-border integration of digital public infrastructure and harmonized digital trade regulations, supported by digital inclusion initiatives to expand access.

The DCO and UNOSSC are firmly committed to fostering multilateral collaboration and multistakeholder cooperation, working with global partners to drive a fair, inclusive, and secure digital transformation. This collective effort ensures that all individuals can benefit from the digital economy, contributing to a prosperous and sustainable future for all.

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