Switzerland has pledged a contribution of 4 million Swiss francs to support UNCTAD’s E-commerce and Digital Economy Programme for the 2025–2029 period. The funding, provided by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), will enhance the programme’s capacity to deliver innovative research, technical cooperation, and facilitate intergovernmental consensus on digital trade and e-commerce issues. The contribution was officially announced on 21 October by SECO Head of Trade Promotion Monica Rubiolo and UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan during the 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) in Geneva.
Switzerland’s support underscores its commitment to an environmentally sustainable digital economy and to strengthening the multilateral digital trading system. UNCTAD highlighted that the partnership aims to reduce inequalities and ensure that the benefits of digitalization are accessible to all, particularly in developing and least developed countries. This initiative forms part of Switzerland’s broader engagement in fostering global dialogue and policy development in digital trade and innovation.
The collaboration between UNCTAD and SECO, active since 2021, has already helped countries such as Ghana, Peru, and Tunisia assess their e-trade readiness and implement necessary reforms. Their work addresses critical global issues, including data governance for development and promoting women’s digital entrepreneurship. The partnership also supports UNCTAD eWeek, launched in 2023, as a platform for policy debates on the digital economy and development.
Switzerland joins Australia, the Netherlands, and Sweden as a member of the core donor advisory board for the programme. Through this support, the E-commerce and Digital Economy Programme continues to assist developing countries with eTrade readiness assessments, formulation of e-commerce strategies, law reforms, and initiatives such as eTrade for Women and eTrade for All, helping to bridge digital divides and foster inclusive economic growth.
