30 Sep 2025
by Sabina Ciofu

techUK at the WTO Public Forum 2025: A Strong Delegation for Digital Trade


Earlier this month, techUK joined global peers as part of the Global Services Coalition (GSC) and European Services Forum (ESF) delegation to the WTO Public Forum 2025 in Geneva (16–18 September). This year’s Forum was themed around how trade can deliver for a more connected, digital and sustainable global economy.

Our delegation brought together an impressive group of trade policy leaders, digital economy experts, and business representatives, including participants from Microsoft, Sony Interactive Entertainment, PayPal, AWS, Shopify, Visa, IBM, Cisco, Google, Mastercard, Kyndryl, Siemens, and Resolutiion.

Engaging with Countries’ Representatives at the WTO

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Across three days, the delegation met with WTO Ambassadors and negotiators from Singapore, Australia, the US, UK, Barbados, Jamaica, India, the EU and South Africa.

These bilateral exchanges allowed us to discuss how digital trade, AI, services liberalisation and regulatory cooperation can support a stronger multilateral trading system.

We also heard directly from WTO Deputy Director General Johanna Hill as preparations are underway for the Ministerial Conference in Cameroon next spring.

Engagement with the UK Mission to the WTO

A key moment for the techUK delegation was our meeting with the UK Mission to the WTO, led by the recently appointed Ambassador Kumar Iyer CMG and Deputy Ambassador Rebecca Fisher-Lamb.

The discussion covered digital priorities, the e-commerce agreement and the moratorium in customs duties on electronic transmissions.

This dialogue was an important opportunity to reaffirm the strong partnership between industry and the UK Mission in shaping international rules that support innovation, growth and trust.

techUK on Stage: Trade Reviews in Focus

On Thursday 18 September, techUK’s Sabina Ciofu joined the WTO programme with a session in the Library on “Trade Reviews: How can they deliver for the digital economy?”.

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The discussion explored how trade policy tools can be modernised to reflect the realities of today’s economy, where data flows, services and AI are shaping growth and competitiveness.

Key Conversations from the WTO Public Forum

Beyond delegation meetings, the official programme offered rich discussions that will shape the digital trade agenda:

  • AI and Trade: Rethinking Multilateral Cooperation – Moderated by Pascal Kerneis (ESF) and featuring leaders including Amélie Coulet (IBM/ESF), this panel asked what role trade policy can play in supporting AI innovation while ensuring responsible governance.
  • Rulemaking in the WTO: Enhancing Digital Trade for All – Organised by the co-convenors of the WTO Joint Statement Initiative (Australia, Japan, Singapore), this session showcased the progress and challenges in digital trade negotiations. Business voices, including those from our delegation, made the case for predictable, open rules to underpin digital trade globally.

Why It Matters

At a time of geopolitical uncertainty, the WTO Public Forum demonstrated that there is appetite and momentum for digital trade cooperation. From data flows to AI governance and creative industries like gaming, services trade is increasingly at the heart of the multilateral agenda.


👉 For more on techUK’s international trade work and how we support members in shaping the digital trade agenda, visit our International Trade page.

For more information, please contact:

Sabina Ciofu

Sabina Ciofu

International Policy and Strategy Lead, techUK

Sabina Ciofu is International Policy and Strategy Lead at techUK, where she heads the International Policy and Trade Programme. Based in Brussels, she shapes global tech policy, digital trade, and regulatory cooperation across the EU, US, Canada, Asia-Pacific, and the Gulf region. She drives strategy, advocacy, and market opportunities for UK tech companies worldwide, ensuring their voice is heard in international policy debates.

With nearly a decade of previous experience as a Policy Advisor in the European Parliament, Sabina brings deep expertise in tech regulation, trade policy, and EU–US relations. Her work focuses on navigating and influencing the global digital economy to deliver real impact for members.

A passionate community-builder, Sabina co-founded Young Professionals in Digital Policy (800+ members) and now runs Old Professionals in Digital Policy (more experience, better wine, earlier nights). She is also the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club, a network of 500+ women supporting each other with kindness.

She holds advisory roles with the UCL European Institute, Café Transatlantique (a network of women in transatlantic tech policy), and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club for women.

Recognised by ComputerWeekly as one of the most influential women in UK tech, Sabina is also a sought-after public speaker on tech, trade and diversity.

Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.

She is a frequent traveler and a marathon runner.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
+32 473 323 280
Website:
www.techuk.org

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Meet the team 

Daniel Clarke

Daniel Clarke

Senior Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK

Sabina Ciofu

Sabina Ciofu

International Policy and Strategy Lead, techUK

Theophile Maiziere

Theophile Maiziere

Policy Manager - EU, techUK

Lewis Walmesley-Browne

Lewis Walmesley-Browne

Head of Market Access and Consumer Tech, techUK

Tess Newton

Team Assistant, Policy and Public Affairs, techUK

 

 

Authors

Sabina Ciofu

Sabina Ciofu

Associate Director – International, techUK

Sabina Ciofu is Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.

Based in Brussels, she leads our EU policy and engagement. She is also our lead on international trade policy, with a focus on digital trade chapter in FTAs, regulatory cooperation as well as broader engagement with the G7, G20, WTO and OECD.

As a transatlanticist at heart, Sabina is a GMF Marshall Memorial fellow and issue-lead on the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, within DigitalEurope.

Previously, she worked as Policy Advisor to a Member of the European Parliament for almost a decade, where she specialised in tech regulation, international trade and EU-US relations.

Sabina loves building communities and bringing people together. She is the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club and co-organiser of the Young Professionals in Digital Policy. Previously, as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, she led several youth civic engagement and gender equality projects.

She sits on the Advisory Board of the University College London European Institute, Café Transatlantique, a network of women in transatlantic technology policy and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club designed for women.

Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.

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