The WTO Public Form is to be held in Geneva on 1 to 3 October 2013. The theme of the Public Forum is to be expanding trade through innovation and the digital economy.  It is well recognized that innovation is a major driver of economic growth and the creation of new employment. Trade plays a part in the dissemination of technology throughout the world and the share of developing countries in information and communications technology is growing. In 1996 the WTO’s Information Technology Agreement played a part in expanding the global trade in information technology products. Participants in this agreement account for 96% of the world trade in these products.

New technology has rapidly changed the way in which business is done and has led to a new, digital economy. Producers and consumers have changed their behavior patterns and the introduction of digital commerce has also seen the rise of e-government, online education and digital entertainment. The new ways of doing business have raised concerns in the areas of security and privacy.  Issues have also arisen regarding intellectual property protection, dissemination of technology and the environment.

The Public Forum will look at the extent to which technological innovation has changed trading patterns and the extent to which it has assisted the process of innovation. It will look at the question of how trade can keep pace with technological change. The core themes for discussions will be innovation and trade; the digital economy; the green economy; technology as a tool for development of trade and the relationship between trade and energy.