Saudi Delegation at Digital Trade Law Workshop: Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi led a delegation of 32 officials at the "Emerging Trends in Digital Trade Law" workshop in Vienna, organized by the NCC in collaboration with UNCITRAL, to discuss the growing importance of digital trade and international legal frameworks.
Vienna, December 21, 2024 – Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the National Competitiveness Center (NCC), Majid Al-Kassabi, led a high-level delegation of 32 officials at the “Emerging Trends in Digital Trade Law” workshop, organized by the NCC in collaboration with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). The event, which took place in Vienna, Austria, on December 20-21, gathered top officials and experts to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of digital trade law and the opportunities and challenges it presents for global commerce.
The Saudi delegation, representing 20 key government entities, actively participated in the comprehensive sessions, marking the Kingdom’s strong commitment to shaping and adapting to the future of digital trade. The workshop brought together prominent figures from various international and national organizations, including the Saudi ambassador to Austria, Dr. Abdullah bin Khalid Tawlah, and UNCITRAL Secretary-General Anna Joubin-Bret. Both leaders stressed the significance of establishing a robust legal framework to support the growing global trend of digital trade and its transformative impact on international commerce.
During the opening session, Minister Al-Kassabi highlighted the critical role of digital technologies in reshaping global trade, emphasizing how the adoption of emerging technologies is enhancing efficiency, reliability, and transparency in the global marketplace. He noted that Saudi Arabia has actively embraced these changes, incorporating digital advancements into its economic reforms as part of the broader Vision 2030 framework. Al-Kassabi underscored that the Kingdom is committed to staying at the forefront of digital trade innovations to bolster its global competitiveness and create a more inclusive and sustainable trade environment.
UNCITRAL’s Secretary-General, Anna Joubin-Bret, provided insight into the international dimension of digital trade. She pointed out that the growing importance of digital trade is reshaping the global trading system, highlighting that UNCITRAL, in partnership with member states like Saudi Arabia, is working diligently to develop international trade laws that are adaptive to the digital economy. She emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among countries to ensure that trade laws and regulations evolve in line with digital advancements and contribute to the facilitation of a global, efficient, and secure digital economy.
The first working session of the workshop saw a presentation from José Raúl Perale, Deputy Director of the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, who provided an in-depth analysis of the latest developments in global digital trade law. He discussed the importance of comprehensive trade digitization, focusing on how it could streamline international transactions and reduce barriers to trade across borders. His presentation highlighted the potential benefits of digital trade facilitation, such as increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved access to global markets for businesses of all sizes.
The workshop also brought together experts and officials from various Saudi governmental bodies, including the Ministries of Commerce, Justice, Finance, Economy and Planning, Industry and Mineral Resources, Energy, Foreign Affairs, and Education. Other notable participants included representatives from the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority; the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA); the Capital Market Authority; the Board of Grievances; the National Competitiveness Center; and the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence. These entities play a critical role in the development and implementation of the Kingdom’s digital trade policies, with a focus on enhancing the legal, regulatory, and technological infrastructure to support the digital economy.
The discussions at the workshop centered around the need for an integrated approach to digital trade law, with a focus on creating harmonized international standards and ensuring that all countries have access to the benefits of digital trade. As the global economy continues to evolve, the adoption of innovative technologies is seen as essential for fostering economic growth and enhancing global trade networks.
This workshop is a reflection of Saudi Arabia’s broader commitment to digital transformation and its leadership in shaping the future of international trade law. As part of its Vision 2030 objectives, the Kingdom continues to position itself as a global hub for trade, investment, and technology, making significant strides in creating a dynamic and forward-thinking legal and economic environment that supports the growth of the digital economy.
The outcomes of this workshop are expected to play a key role in further strengthening Saudi Arabia’s participation in the global digital trade ecosystem, promoting the Kingdom as a pioneer in the adoption of digital trade law, and ensuring that its legal and regulatory frameworks are aligned with global standards. As digital trade continues to gain momentum worldwide, Saudi Arabia remains committed to fostering international cooperation and dialogue to shape a secure, equitable, and sustainable digital future for all.
