Disability Inclusive Trade: Leveraging Digital Technologies to Make Trade Work for All

Geneva (ILO News) - With approximately 15 per cent of the global population living with disabilities—80 per cent of whom are in developing countries—there is a growing demand for international trade policies that address the specific challenges and opportunities faced by persons with disabilities.

In a significant move towards inclusive international trade, an informal inter-organizational Technical Working Group on Trade and Disability Inclusion has been established. This initiative brings together staff from UN Trade and Development, the International Trade Centre (ITC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The group, which functions as an informal staff network, aims to assist governments in integrating disability inclusion within trade and development agendas. It welcomes participation from staff of Geneva-based international organizations involved in trade and development, particularly those serving as technical focal points.

"Finland welcomes the launch of the Inter-Agency Technical Working Group to spearhead work on trade and disability inclusion. Disability Inclusive Trade plays a critical role in achieving the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals,” said Ilkka Saarinen during the WTO Public Forum session “Disability Inclusive Trade: Leveraging Digital Technologies to Make Trade Work for All” held on September 11th.

The event marked the group’s first joint activity, highlighting its commitment to sharing knowledge on the intersection of trade and disability inclusion. The Working Group also aims to develop training programs to equip trade experts with the skills needed to mainstream disability inclusion in trade agreements, policies, and regulations.

Session Highlights

The session focused on making international trade more inclusive for persons with disabilities. Panellists from the ITC, UNCTAD, ILO, and the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs discussed the role of trade in overcoming barriers such as access to assistive technologies, workplace discrimination, and limited economic opportunities. They emphasized the importance of data collection to inform disability-inclusive trade policies and leveraging digital technologies for accessibility.

WTO Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard, who moderated the session, stated, “Trade is more than just the exchange of goods and services - it has the potential to break down barriers that people with disabilities face, including workplace discrimination, bias, and restricted economic opportunities.”

Dr. Amrita Bahri and Dr. Mariangela Linoci noted that while 27% of trade agreements contain disability-related provisions, these often focus on labor and equality without addressing critical barriers like access to assistive devices and digital trade opportunities. They called for data-driven, inclusive trade policies and better access to digital tools for persons with disabilities.

Mr. Dan Rees, Director of the ILO Action Programme on Supply Chains, highlighted the importance of social dialogue and labour provisions in ensuring disability inclusion in trade agreements. Ms. Luz Maria de la Mora, Director DITC UNCTAD, stressed the need for better data collection and integration of disability-related measures in trade policies.

Mr. Ilkka Saarinen, Director for Trade Policy Unit, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Finland, emphasized that disability-inclusive trade impacts 15% of the world’s population. He advocated for integrating disability considerations into digital trade and suggested initiatives like a “zero-for-zero” tariff reduction on assistive technologies.

Why Disability Inclusion Matters

Trade policies have the potential to address barriers faced by persons with disabilities in areas such as infrastructure and social services. Inclusive trade policies should enable persons with disabilities to actively participate in shaping trade agendas, improve working conditions, and create better opportunities in higher-value sectors.

The informal Inter-Agency Technical Working Group on Trade and Disability Inclusion supports a member-driven global trade system that reflects the needs of persons with disabilities. ITC Deputy Executive Director Dorothy Tembo emphasized the group’s responsibility to “counter misconceptions and show the international community that disability-inclusive trade goes hand in hand with a prosperous, fairer world.”

In her closing remarks, Tembo highlighted the need for greater inclusivity in trade, particularly for people with disabilities. She stressed the importance of creating quality jobs through trade and dispelling the misconception that disabilities prevent economic contributions. “It’s like everybody else. There are certain things we can do and certain things we can’t do, but that does not exclude us from being active contributors to the economic space,” she said. Tembo called for collaboration and concrete solutions to integrate inclusivity into trade practices, ensuring no one is left behind in the global trading system.