The E15 engages key stakeholders – trade and investment policy makers, business and thought leaders – in policy dialogues in Geneva and around the world to explore and help validate ideas, align interests and strengthen the impetus for change.

World Economic Forum Meetings

World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2016 – Release of the E15 Policy Options

20 - 23 January 2016 , Davos-Klosters, Switzerland

E15 policy options played a prominent role at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2016 on 20-23 January in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.

The Principal Conveners, Ricardo Meléndez-Ortiz, Chief Executive of ICTSD, and Richard Samans, Managing Director and Member of the Managing Board at the World Economic Forum, released the two primary outputs of the E15Initiative in a Press Conference:

a synthesis report summarising and interpreting the significance of the expert group proposals in relation to eight critical imperatives faced by policymakers, business leaders and society at large.
a comprehensive set of policy options for strengthening the global trade and investment system for sustainable development, derived from the proceedings of fourteen thematic expert groups and three task forces between 2012 and 2015.

In addition, summaries of the policy options were released at Davos.

The following sessions took place:

Time (GMT+1) and Location	Availability of Session to Public	Description
Wednesday 20 January 8:00-10:00	Private	Sustainable Business: Advancing Standards in Global Supply Chains Identifying potential opportunities for cross-sector collaboration to facilitate the advancement of sustainable global supply chains. On the agenda: How can the G7 initiative become a rallying point for increased collaboration and best practice exchange to advance sustainable global supply chains? How can business and labour unions join forces and share responsibility to ensure effective implementation of labour, social and environmental standards? How can adequate institutions and resources facilitate the application of sustainable measures?
Wednesday 20 January 12:30-14:00 Ameron Swiss Mountain Hotel	Public	The Future of Foreign Investment What trends and transformations are reshaping cross-border investment? On the agenda: Shifting investment flows and patterns New investment policies in trade agreements Regulations for sustainable development
Wednesday 20 January 14:15-15:15	Private	Future Proofing Digital Trade Significant economic and societal opportunities can be harnessed through the emerging digital economy. Yet, to future-proof it and realise its full potential, the world needs a new trade and investment policy agenda. While the Internet continues to revolutionise global trade and investment, a large number of governments limit data flows and constrain market access for digital products and services. Protectionist barriers threaten trade in digital blueprints, government procurement of digital products and services, and online financial services. Cross-border digital liability, privacy and IP rules remain unclear.
Friday 22 January 08:30-10:00	Private	The Future of International Trade and Investment Davos sees the launch of a multistakeholder set of options for the next decade of trade and investment policy and practice. Following the WTO’s 10th Ministerial in December 2015, this is the first major milestone at which to debate a package of policy initiatives and how to build practical solutions with global impact. What trade and investment policy reforms are priorities over the next several years? How can public-private partnership continue to support the design and implementation of reforms?
Friday 22 January 15:30-16:00 Media Village	Public	New Trade & Investment Directions – Press Conference What new ideas and policy recommendations are launched at Davos? Watch the webcast
Friday 22 January 16:45-17:45 Congress Centre, Aspen 1	Public	The Future of Global Trade What key trends are defining and challenging the future of trade and investment? Shift from multilateral to cross-regional approaches Trade diversification and services trade Impact of digital technology on global value chains Panelists: David Abney, Chief Executive Officer, UPS; Nils Smedegaard Andersen, Group Chief Executive Officer, A.P. Møller-Maersk; Roberto Azevêdo, Director-General, World Trade Organization; Thomas T. Lembong, Minister of Trade, Ministry of Trade of Indonesia; Cecilia Malmström, Commissioner for Trade, European Commission. Moderator: Rebecca Blumenstein, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Wall Street Journal
Saturday 23 January 08:00-09:00	Private	Trade Board Breakfast: Policy & Practice for Tomorrow’s Trade and Investment Members of the steering board of the Forum’s International Trade & Investment programme, plus invited guests, will provide guidance on directions for 2016-17.