[Chapter-delegates] UNCTAD calls on countries to make digital data flow for the benefit of all, because nequalities threaten wider divide as digital economy data flows surge

[Veni Markovski]

Thanks, Richard.
 From Chapters' point of view, and our relations with the national 
governments, this is also an interesting recommendation:


*New UN data-related body proposed*

UNCTAD proposes the formation of a new United Nations coordinating body, 
with a focus on, and with the skills for, assessing and developing 
comprehensive global digital and data governance. Its work should be 
multilateral, multi-stakeholder and multidisciplinary.

It should also seek to remedy the current underrepresentation of 
developing countries in global and regional data governance initiatives.

The body should also function as a complement to and in coherence with 
national policies and provide sufficient policy space to ensure 
countries with different levels of digital readiness and capacities can 
benefit from the data-driven digital economy.

v/

On 10/1/21 07:40, Richard Hill via Chapter-delegates wrote:
> Here are summaries of a major new UNCTAD report on the digital economy:
>
>   
> https://unctad.org/news/unctad-calls-countries-make-digital-data-flow-benefi
> t-all
>
>   
> https://unctad.org/news/inequalities-threaten-wider-divide-digital-economy-d
> ata-flows-surge
>
> In a nutshell, UNCTAD argues that a new approach is needed for countries to
> better harness data as a global public good, because large power imbalances
> stalk the growing digital economy as major platforms reinforce their
> positions in the global data value chain.
>
> While not mentioned in the two summaries cited above, the UNCTAD report
> explains that "given the different characteristics of data in comparison to
> goods and services, cross-border data flows are to be considered a new kind
> of international flow; data flows remain distinct from trade, and treating
> them as trade can be problematic, for various reasons. ... there are
> questions on how suitable the trade regime is as an arena of governing such
> flows ..." (see page 144 of the report).
>
> That is, provisions regarding data flows should not be negotiated in trade
> negotiation forums such as WTO.
>
> The full report is at:
>
>    https://unctad.org/webflyer/digital-economy-report-2021     
>
> Best,
> Richard
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> As an Internet Society Chapter Officer you are automatically subscribed
> to this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet Society Chapter Portal (AMS):
> https://admin.internetsociety.org/622619/User/Login
> View the Internet Society Code of Conduct:https://www.internetsociety.org/become-a-member/code-of-conduct/

-- 

Best regards,
Veni
https://www.veni.com
pgp:5BA1366Eveni at veni.com

The opinions expressed above are those of the
author, not of any organizations, associated
with or related to him in any given way.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://elists.isoc.org/mailman/private/chapter-delegates/attachments/20211001/c2efa5b6/attachment.htm>