DSI 2026-27 Focus: Interoperability as the enabler of adoption. As
DSI enters the next phase of its work, our primary focus for 2026-27 is on interoperability - enabling data, documents and trust to flow seamlessly across systems, sectors and borders. Building on DSI's roadmap to interoperability, this focus underpins adoption at scale by translating standards, legal reform and trust frameworks into practical, real-world use.
1. Interoperability in practice. Over
2026-27, DSI will prioritise making interoperability work in real trade
environments by addressing fragmentation and enabling data to flow across
systems, sectors and borders. Key to this effort is close engagement with IT
infrastructure as well as multinational supply chains standard, trust and
identity.
3. Legal reform as a foundation for scale. DSI
will continue to support governments to adopt and implement reforms to enable
digital trade, focusing on UNCITRAL laws and conventions. We work in close
collaboration with multilateral partners and the ICC network across Asia,
Africa, Latin America, Middle East and Europe.
KTDDE Updates. Key Trade Documents and Data Elements (KTDDE) and its associated implementation tools remain core to DSI's interoperability agenda, providing practical mechanisms to translate and align data across diverse standards environments. The KTDDE report, the Appendix describing the 36 documents and the data glossary web tool have been updated to reflect recent enhancements. These include the integration of the three certificate documents (CODEX, ePhyto, WOAH), alignment of data elements with the United Nations Trade Data Element Directory (UNTDED/ISO 7372), and addition of new data elements requested by banks. The updated report and glossary are now available on the DSI website and the Cross-Border Paperless Trade website.
A newly issued ISO standard related to electronic Bills of Lading (eBL) is ISO 5909. It defines data requirements and business processes associated with the implementation of eBL transfer on electronic platform. The data elements specified in the standard are aligned with relevant UN/CEFACT directories, which also underpin the KTDDE framework.
ICC Global Digital Trade Sandbox. Following four successful briefing sessions in December with 28 ICC National Committees, we are now working towards a launch of the ICC Global Digital Trade Sandbox at the end of Q1. This flagship initiative supports companies to practice digital trade by providing practical guidance, mentoring, and global best practices to test real trade processes such as invoices, bills of lading, and financing. We are now inviting companies involved in supply chains - including exporters, importers, or services providers (financial, technical, logistics) - from any country where there is an active ICC presence, to become involved. An onboarding and demo session for the first wave of companies is scheduled for 10 February 2026. For questions, contact Rae Amarullah or Elizabete Kalnozola or your local ICC National Committee.
The Digital Trade Readiness Assessment is a structured assessment of a company's digital trade readiness, focusing on management systems, data management and cybersecurity. This three-stage maturity model will be especially useful for companies seeking to either assess potential customers or suppliers, or companies seeking to build capability to operationalise digital trade. The beta version, comprising 48 questions, will soon be available for piloting before the assessment is finalised for launch as a public assessment and certification tool. All pilot participants will receive their results benchmarked against the pilot field as well as their relevant peer group. Interested companies and National Committees are encouraged to contact the DSI team.
DSI-DGC Reliability Assessment. Since its release in October 2024, the assessment has gained traction as platforms and trade services seek to demonstrate their reliability for ETR transfers under MLETR. Over 12 organisations have successfully obtained a Statement of Verification from the Digital Governance Council, which is issued upon the DGC independent assessment and review of the applicant’s documentation and services. The next evolution of the assessment will see the addition of controls specifically to meet the conditions in the French Decree No. 2025-811 issued August 2025, which defines the conditions of reliability that are required to operationalise the French law released in 2024.
Hong Kong and Thailand MLETR Consultations. Public consultations on MLETR alignment are underway in Hong Kong and Thailand. Hong Kong’s Commerce and Economic Development Bureau has issued a short paper on adopting MLETR within its common law framework. Thailand’s ETDA has also launched a consultation on ETR recommendations aligned with MLETR, the paper is currently available in Thai, with an English version to follow shortly. We encourage organisations to consider submitting responses. DSI is preparing a sample submission for the Hong Kong consultation, please contact us if you are interested.
UN adopts Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents (NCDs). In December 2025, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents (NCD Convention), marking a major milestone for global trade, multimodal transport and digitalisation. The Convention establishes a harmonised, technology-neutral international legal framework that enables negotiable cargo documents to be used across all modes of transport, in both paper and electronic form, in line with the principles of MLETR. This closes a long-standing legal gap beyond the maritime sector and allows goods moving by road, rail or air to be bought, sold or used as collateral while in transit. The signing ceremony will take place in 2026 and will enter into force upon ratification by ten countries. Additional resources: UN Press Release, FAQs, Information Flyer.
AfCFTA: Supporting legal readiness for digital trade. In 2026, regional programmes under the AfCFTA will place increased emphasis on strengthening the legal foundations required for digital trade. This year’s focus is on awareness-raising, capacity building, and targeted legal diagnostics to support countries preparing for interoperable ETRs. These efforts are designed to help governments translate AfCFTA digital trade commitments into enforceable domestic legal frameworks, enabling paperless trade, reducing transaction costs, and supporting cross-border commerce. The work reflects a shared understanding that legal readiness will be critical to achieving meaningful digital trade outcomes under the AfCFTA in the year ahead.
ASEAN: Preparing the ground for regional digitalisation. In close collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat, regional programmes are underway to prepare member states for the next phase of digital economy integration. Current efforts focus on legal and institutional readiness for trade digitalisation, including frameworks for electronic records, transferable documents, and interoperability. The overarching objective is to support ASEAN economies in progressing towards alignment with the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR). Activities emphasise preparatory work -capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and alignment exercises - to ensure economies are ready to operationalise future regional digital trade commitments in a coherent and interoperable manner.
EBRD: Caucasus programme on digital trade and finance. An EBRD-supported regional programme in the Caucasus is tentatively planned for 2-3 April, bringing together banking and public-sector officials from Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia. The programme will examine how legal reform and trade digitalisation can support cross-border trade and trade finance.
