Argentina: Announced Beijing Initiative on the Belt and Road International Digital Economy Cooperation

On 18 October 2023, the Bejing Initiative on the Belt and Road International Digital Economy Cooperation was launched at the Third Belt and Road Forum. The initiative proposed by several states including China, Argentina, Cambodia, Comoros, Cuba, Ethiopia, Gambia, Kenya, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Palestine, Sao Tome and Principe and Thailand focuses on international digital cooperation. It outlines several objectives, including improving the development and cooperation of digital trade, e-commerce, and digital payment, and promoting cross-border trade facilitation. It also aims to enhance digital infrastructure, promoting digital, green and agricultural transformation, advancing digitalisation in public services, and encouraging transparent policies for the digital economy. Further, it proposes to foster digital trade development, promoting digital innovation, entrepreneurship, start-ups and investments in digital tech. In addition, the Initiative seeks to advance digital inclusion with internet accessibility for all and for international standardisation to be consistent with the WTO, ISO and IEC.