Robert Teh, Chief of the Economic Modelling and Quantitative Analysis Unit at the WTO, highlighted some of the key messages from the 2018 WTO Trade Report, "The future of world trade: how digital technologies are transforming global commerce". He said that digital technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and Blockchain could have a transformative impact on domestic economies and trade.

Keith Nurse, WTO Chairholder from the University of the West Indies, Barbados, underlined the rapid growth of digitalization and blockchains and their profound impact on the creative economy, the music business and copyright administration. He examined the potential benefits for developing countries and how they may seize these opportunities.

Riza Noer Arfani, WCP Chairholder from the Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia, discussed issues resulting from the adoption of Indonesia's e-commerce road map and its implications for the future of the country's digital economy.

Lorraine Ferreira and Ermie Steenkamp from North-West University, South Africa, discussed the current obstacles to intra-regional trade in Africa and how technology enabled trade can be a powerful driver for the region's inclusive and sustainable development.

Ambassador Alvaro Cedeño Molinari, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica, stated that the WTO should update its rule book, making trade frictionless and borderless through strengthened multilateral rules. He stressed that the digital agenda for trade and development should also take environmental issues into consideration.

During a general discussion at the end of the session, a member of the audience said that "cultural barriers" were one of the obstacles to intra-regional trade in Africa. Another audience member asked questions about the current level of connectivity in Africa. In response, Ambassador Cedeño highlighted the importance of inclusiveness when it comes to sustainable development.