The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Economy and Tourism organized the first Global Summit on Digital Trade and Digital Platforms in Dubai, in cooperation with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). The summit focused on leveraging the UAE's Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2023 on Trading by Modern Technological Means as a model for developing a new global legal framework for digital trade and digital platforms. This initiative aims to enhance the competitiveness of the legislative ecosystem for digital trade worldwide.
The forum advanced global dialogue on establishing a comprehensive legal framework that supports innovation in digital trade. It builds on a proposal submitted by the UAE during the 67th session of UNCITRAL Working Group IV on e-commerce, held in Vienna in November 2024. That proposal put forward the UAE's Law on Trading by Modern Technological Means as a model legislative reference for digital trade governance. Spain later joined the proposal, and it was officially adopted by UNCITRAL last July, after which the UNCITRAL Secretariat was mandated to begin exploratory work on the legal aspects of digital trade.
H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, stated that under the guidance of its leadership, the UAE has begun exporting its legislative models to the world, setting a benchmark for countries developing modern legal frameworks. This has further strengthened the nation's position as a leading global hub for the digital and new economies, particularly digital trade—one of the key sectors showcasing the UAE's advanced experience in economic diversification and openness to global markets.
The summit featured panel discussions on regional and global mechanisms for governing digital platforms, ways to advance digital commerce and platforms, growth opportunities in sectors like FinTech, data, and advanced solutions, and addressing related challenges. It showcased the latest technological innovations supporting digital economic development and their role in shaping value chains and facilitating the cross-border flow of data and services.
The UAE initiative has garnered support from leading national and international organizations, including Dubai CommerCity, Majid Al Futtaim Group, Al Khayyat Group, Al Tamimi & Company, and LexisNexis. The summit was attended by Ms. Anna Joubin-Bret, Secretary of UNCITRAL; representatives from more than 15 international institutions, technical teams, legal experts, innovators from the private sector and global universities concerned with digital trade and digital platforms.
This development is significant because it represents a shift toward harmonized international standards for digital trade, which currently operates under a patchwork of national regulations. The adoption of a unified framework could reduce legal uncertainties for businesses operating across borders, lower compliance costs, and accelerate the growth of the global digital economy. For consumers, clearer international rules could enhance trust in cross-border digital transactions and improve data protection standards. The UAE's positioning as a model reflects its strategic investment in becoming a digital trade hub, influencing how emerging economies approach e-commerce legislation. As digital platforms increasingly dominate global commerce, establishing coherent international laws becomes crucial for fostering innovation while protecting stakeholders.
