The Ministry of Economy and Tourism has organized the inaugural Global Forum on Digital Trade and Digital Platforms in collaboration with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). This forum represents a significant step in reinforcing the position of the UAE as a global hub for new economic legislation. Held in Dubai, the event focuses on leveraging the UAE’s pioneering legal framework in digital trade, exemplified by Federal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2023 concerning commerce through digital means. This legislation serves as a model for developing a new global legal framework for digital trade and platforms, enhancing the competitiveness of the legislative system for digital trade internationally.
Attendees included His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism; Anna Joubin-Bret, Secretary-General of UNCITRAL; and a broad array of representatives from governments, international organizations, legal experts, and private sector innovators.
The goal of the forum is to spearhead a global dialogue aimed at developing a comprehensive legal framework that prioritizes innovation in digital trade. This initiative stems from a proposal put forth by the UAE during the 67th session of UNCITRAL’s Working Group IV on e-commerce, held in Vienna in November 2024. The UAE’s digital trade law was endorsed as a model legislative draft for governing digital trade, a proposal later supported by Spain and officially adopted by UNCITRAL in July, which tasked its secretariat with launching exploratory work on the legal aspects of digital trade. Notable support for the UAE’s initiative has also come from leading national and global companies, including Dubai CommerCity, Majid Al Futtaim Group, Al Khayyat Group, Al Tamimi & Company law firm, and Lexis Nexis.
Model
His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri remarked that, thanks to the guidance of its leadership, the UAE has become a model exporter of its laws for other countries in the formulation of their legislation. This has solidified its status as a leading global destination in the digital economy and new economic sectors, particularly digital trade, which has become a standout sector reflecting the UAE’s commitment to economic diversification and openness to global markets. The nation has consistently adopted pioneering laws and strategic initiatives to continue building its new economic model, emphasizing innovation and global competitiveness, thereby positioning itself at the center of global economic transformations.
In his opening remarks at the forum, he highlighted the UAE’s early recognition of the increasing significance of digital trade in enhancing global commerce, as well as the impact of technological advancements and artificial intelligence on consumer behavior and competition, transcending geographical boundaries in digital financial transactions. In this regard, the UAE has enacted the law on commerce through digital means, which has achieved global leadership by being the first comprehensive legislation worldwide regulating all aspects of trade via digital platforms, ranging from e-commerce to future forms of digital trade. This law supports the nation’s objective of ranking first globally in developing proactive legislation for new economic sectors within the next decade, in line with the “We are the UAE 2031” vision.
He further stated that the UAE takes pride in being a global pioneer in creating integrated legislative models recognized by specialized UN bodies, with the trade law through digital means serving as a prototype for developing the legislative framework for digital commerce. This initiative not only demonstrates the institutional and legislative maturity of the UAE economy but also signals to investors the UAE’s capability to provide modern and flexible legal frameworks that foster innovation, bolster trust in the digital economy, and open avenues for international collaboration in formulating global legal foundations for digital trade.
He noted that the forum will facilitate discussions and dialogues to help shape a global legal framework for digital trade, mentioning that the trade law through digital means has redefined digital platforms, which are no longer mere intermediaries but integrated systems that provide interconnected services and facilitate complex data flows. This transition necessitates a comprehensive regulatory model that aligns with modern business practices and technological developments. He emphasized that the UAE continues to lead the world in digital trade readiness, further strengthening its position as a global center for digital commerce, driven by ambitious transformation strategies and an increasing adoption of advanced technologies, as reported by a recent global study from Standard Chartered.
Platforms
The forum emphasized the vital role of digital platforms as a cornerstone of global economic growth, acting as key drivers of value chain restructuring and enabling the cross-border flow of data and services. It also highlighted the necessity of enhancing international consensus on standards and rules governing digital trade, which would contribute to creating a more harmonious global environment. Furthermore, integrating platform-based innovation into cohesive legislative frameworks capable of keeping pace with the future was discussed, along with presenting mechanisms to bolster cross-border legal cooperation between governments, regulatory entities, and private sector institutions, aiming for a unified global system for digital commerce.
The forum spotlighted the integration of smart goods and embedded digital services, focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence in reshaping compliance standards, liability systems, and consumer expectations. It addressed the qualitative shift in digital platforms moving from their limited role as intermediaries during the “e-commerce” phase to comprehensive digital platforms that significantly complement business operations, especially in the service sector, including consultancy, music, arts, films, and various commercial services that commence and conclude through these platforms.