Global Summit Proposes UAE Digital Trade Law as Model for International Framework

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Economy and Tourism organized the first Global Summit on Digital Trade and Digital Platforms in Dubai, in cooperation with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). The summit focused on leveraging Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2023 on Trading by Modern Technological Means as a model for developing a new global legal framework. This initiative aims to enhance the competitiveness of legislative ecosystems for digital trade worldwide, addressing the rapid evolution of digital platforms and cross-border commerce.

The event was attended by UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UNCITRAL Secretary Ms. Anna Joubin-Bret, and representatives from over 15 international institutions, technical teams, legal experts, and private sector innovators. The forum advanced global dialogue on establishing a comprehensive legal framework that supports innovation in digital trade, building on a proposal submitted by the UAE during the 67th session of UNCITRAL Working Group IV on e-commerce in Vienna in November 2024. Spain later joined the proposal, which was officially adopted by UNCITRAL in July 2025, mandating the UNCITRAL Secretariat to begin exploratory work on digital trade legal aspects.

H.E. Bin Touq emphasized that under its leadership's guidance, the UAE has begun exporting its legislative models globally, setting benchmarks for countries developing modern legal frameworks. This strengthens the nation's position as a leading global hub for digital and new economies, particularly digital trade—a key sector showcasing the UAE's advanced experience in economic diversification and openness to global markets. The UAE initiative has garnered support from organizations including Dubai CommerCity, Majid Al Futtaim Group, Al Khayyat Group, Al Tamimi & Company, and LexisNexis.

The summit featured panel discussions on regional and global mechanisms for governing digital platforms, ways to advance digital commerce, growth opportunities in sectors like FinTech and data, and addressing related challenges. It showcased technological innovations supporting digital economic development and their role in shaping value chains and facilitating cross-border data and service flows. This development matters because it represents a significant step toward harmonizing international digital trade laws, potentially reducing legal fragmentation and fostering global economic integration. The implications include creating more predictable legal environments for businesses operating across borders, encouraging innovation in digital services, and establishing the UAE as a normative actor in global digital governance. As digital trade continues to expand, having a coherent international framework could mitigate conflicts, enhance trust in digital transactions, and support sustainable economic growth in the digital era.