The internet economy and the future of international trade law

This working session seeks to advance discussion on aspects of WTO law that need to be developed to keep pace with the practical reality of the internet economy, and indeed to foster it as an increasingly acknowledged source of growth and innovation. The session critically assesses the status quo and some proposed adjustments (unfolding in regional and plurilateral venues) as to their potential to truly address the digital trade challenge. It situates this analytical exercise in the broader landscape of internet governance, characterized by fragmented institutional and rule architecture, proliferating unilateral state action, and private ordering. In this context, it is the objective of the working session to identify the role of international trade regulation, when evidently the set of concerns has been updated, and is not about conventional tariff control at the state borders but about internet filtering, privacy, and data protection.
Speakers:

• Hamid Mamdouh, Director, Trade in Services Division, World Trade Organization (WTO)
• Hanne Melin, Policy Strategy Counsel EMEA, eBay Inc. Public Policy Lab
• William J. Drake, Lecturer, University of Zurich and Chairperson, Non-commercial Users Constituency (NCUC)
• Nick Ashton-Hart, Geneva Representative, Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA)
• Gary N. Horlick, Adjunct Professor, Institute of International Economic Law, Georgetown Law and Attorney-at-Law, Law Offices of Gary N. Horlick
• Mira Burri, Senior Research Fellow and  Law Lecturer, World Trade Institute (WTI), University of Bern