ABU DHABI: The inaugural TradeTech Forum, a key pillar of the UAE’s TradeTech Global initiative designed to accelerate the integration of technology into international supply chains, will take place alongside the World Trade Organisation’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi on 27th February, 2024, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
The event will explore the most original thinking and showcase the latest innovations across the next generation of trade technology.
The event will convene government officials, technology pioneers, and trade specialists to share knowledge and best practices on trade technologies and their adoption and advance the cause of more efficient, transparent, and accessible supply chains. Among the speakers are Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, Børge Brende, President of World Economic Forum, Pamela Coke-Hamilton, ITC Executive Director, as well as a selection
of founders and leaders of the world’s most exciting TradeTech companies.
The event will explore themes ranging from the best ways to boost the TradeTech ecosystem, digitalising customs procedures, empowering small businesses involved in trade finance, smart logistics, and technology for green trade. There is also a TradeTech fair that will showcase the best of up-and-coming trade tech companies, and the event will see the launch of major new initiatives that will break new ground in TradeTech regulation and the use of AI to boost sustainability in trade.
The UAE launched the TradeTech Global Initiative in collaboration with the World Economic Forum at its annual meeting in 2023 to spark a new era of trade growth by leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet-of-Things and data analytics to unlock trillions of dollars in additional global trade value.
By taking place parallel to MC13, the WTO’s topmost decision-making body, the event will provide the
ideal platform for engaging with leading stakeholders from the public and private sectors. The event will become an annual meeting and be the major convening forum for the best in TradeTech thinking. It is a significant pillar of the TradeTech Global Initiative, which also includes a report that sets out a pathway to modernising the global trading system via the increasing adoption of TradeTech, a sandbox, and an incubator.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi stated, ‘Technology has the potential to positively impact every link in global supply chains, from automated customs checks to AI-directed inventory management systems. It can also expand the reach of trade, enabling smaller nations and SMEs to participate in the global trading system equitably and securely.
‘The TradeTech Forum is an opportunity for global trade leaders to share insights, explore areas of collaboration, and collectively shape the future of global trade. I look forward to constructive and insightful discussions that will help pave the way for smarter, cle
aner, and more inclusive supply chains,’ Al Zeyoudi added.
‘It is time to revitalise trade, and this includes the urgent need to understand and integrate new technologies,’ said Børge Brende. ‘MC13 and the TradeTech Forum give us the opportunity to build on the work done in Davos to accelerate technology deployment. That can drive a trade recovery, and get us out of the trap of ‘slowbalisation’.’
Members of the media accredited for MC13 are invited to attend the sessions. The opening plenary will be accessible to members of the media and the public on 27th February at 9:30, via this livestream.
Source: Emirates News Agency