Hybrids between centralization and decentralization of processes can be observed in 4IR environments.
The post covid world and emerging digital technologies are influencing the design of ecosystems in global value chains and thus their policies. The new global landscape is challenging Emerging Markets and Development Economy (EMDE) governments to reassess their national competitive advantages and development strategies.

This session will feature a series of conversations with policy experts and thought leaders who will share insights into how policy-makers can analyze connectedness, capabilities and competitiveness.

Track: Connecting the Commonwealth
Location: Kigali Hall, KCEV

Too often, governance and regulation struggles to keep up with innovation. New ideas, products, and business models are hampered, while citizens are left with outdated protections.

As the Fourth Industrial Revolution takes hold, how will the Commonwealth gain a competitive advantage in the global economy through a more agile regulatory approach? How can a seamless regulatory landscape tackle barriers to trade and cooperation?

This session will debate on:
• Systematic measures needed to enhance foresight
• “Outcome-focused” regulation
• Creating a space to experiment and scale
• Leveraging data to fuel innovation enabling regulation
• Highlighting the role of the private sector in enabling seamless regulatory transitions and tackling barriers to trade and cooperation.

Track: Transforming the Commonwealth
Location: Akagera Hall, KCEV

• Tour
• Meet and greet
• Presentations

Track: Innovating for the Commonwealth
Location: Departure from KCEV

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the health and livelihoods of Commonwealth citizens and world alike. When it comes to a pandemic, we need a global approach towards enhanced cooperation.

As we go through the third year of the pandemic, what lessons have we learnt to re-imagine healthcare across the Commonwealth?

How do we solve the glaring inequities the pandemic brought to the forefront such as access to treatments, live saving equipment and vaccines?

Track: Innovating for the Commonwealth
Akagera Hall, KCEV

How do we finance the next stage of sustainable growth? As the world recovers, do we need to rely on traditional financing methods or can we utilise new technologies and systems? This session will look at the role Government must play to harness innovation and facilitate growth.

What role does FinTech such as Crypto, AI and Blockchain play in growing the economy, and how can governments create the infrastructure to help it thrive. How do cross-party stakeholders work together to support an industry in rapid growth, while protecting consumers and a fair tax take?

Today’s philanthropists and impact investors are aligning their capital to the Sustainable Development Goals to weigh their financial return on investments alongside environmental and social returns.

They are making impact investments to unleash the power of capital for good.

These investments are made with the intention to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return.

This curated interactive workshop will answer pertinent questions in the world of impact investments – from what they are, who is funding them, financial performance, market size and opportunities.

Transforming the Commonwealth
Location: Disrupt Hub, Virunga Hall, KCEV

With 2.4 billion citizens spanning 5 continents, the Commonwealth's greatest strength lies in its people, 60% of whom are under the age of 30. What does the future of work hold for the next generations? Are our academic institutions producing young people with the skills and knowledge required for their future? How can business and government collaborate to deliver on the promise of the Commonwealth’s youth?

This closed session will invite policy makers, academics, thought leaders in the fields of education and private sector players to discuss / debate the issue.

The expect outcome is a set of recommendations for further discussion with relevant stakeholders within the Commonwealth and beyond.

Transforming the Commonwealth
Location: Disrupt Hub, Virunga Hall, KCEV

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the transition towards a global digital economy. The world’s increased reliance on technology has laid bare the divide between those who can access the digital ecosystem and and those who cannot.

How can the Commonwealth Advantage promote business investment opportunities in digital solutions, services and infrastructure? How can the private sector across the Commonwealth gain from these opportunities?

Track: Connecting the Commonwealth
Location: Akagera Hall, Virunga

This session will bring together actors within the blue and green economy ecosystem.

The event will consist of a workshop exchanging ideas for core economic policy for growth and how to make that growth greener.

Track: Transforming the Commonwealth
Disrupt Hub, Virunga Hall, KCEV

Trade across borders flows more easily with a common set of standards and regulations. How does the Commonwealth ensure that standards encourage trade, give consumers confidence and add value for producers without them serving to protect markets for incumbents?

Focusing on the Commonwealth Standard Network launched at CHOGM 2018 in London, this session will be developed in partnership with the UK’s British Standards Institution (BSI), with the support of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and will look at the next two stages of the programme.

Track: Transforming the Commonwealth
Location: Urukari, KCEV

• Tour
• Meet and greet
• Presentations

Transforming the Commonwealth
Location: Departure from KCEV

The unique characteristics of small islands present both benefits and vulnerabilities. How can green financing solutions such as ‘The Commonwealth Green Finance Facility’ help islands use their size and agility to accelerate their uptake of Nature Based Solutions and transform their reliance on tourism and shipping into blue-green growth?

What are the other opportunities available for clean growth that drive economic development and ecological resilience on land and sea?

Track: Transforming the Commonwealth
Akagera Hall, Virunga

Tourism is a ‘supergrowth industry’ and a vital pillar of many Commonwealth countries.

In this session, Commonwealth industry leaders will share their future strategies to revitalise tourism and revive ancillary sectors, including transport and hospitality.

Now that health protocols can ensure a degree of physical safety, how can the industry overcome concerns and instil confidence in renewed international travel?

The session will also unpack how Commonwealth countries will ensure that the efforts towards tourism recovery and growth prioritise sustainable tourism and conversation.

Track: Innovating for the Commonwealth
Location: Kigali Hall, Virunga