Summary of publication
Australia provides funding to the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) E-commerce and Digital Economy (ECDE) Programme, which aims to enhance inclusive and sustainable development gains from e-commerce and the digital economy in developing countries, particularly Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The Programme reflects UNCTAD's three pillars of work (research and analysis, consensus-building, and technical cooperation) and synergies between these.
This independent evaluation was commissioned by UNCTAD and covers mid-2022 to mid-2025. It follows on from the Programme's first independent evaluation, covering 2019 to mid-2022.
The main objectives of this evaluation were to:
- provide an independent assessment of progress towards the achievement of the Programme's development objective;
- provide an assessment of the degree of implementation of recommendations from the previous Programme evaluation (2019-21); and
- provide strategic recommendations and highlight good practices.
The evaluation will also serve as an evidence base for the Programme in the planned 2026 evaluation of UNCTAD's subprogramme 4 on Technology and Logistics.
Considering the findings, the independent evaluation makes four strategic recommendations (see Chapter 5.2 for the recommendations in full), including an increase in programme funding and wider dissemination of the Programme's products and data; a continuation of donor support, and diversification of the Programme's donor base; continuing to focus work within the existing overall programme framework; and further development and enhancement of the Gender, disability inclusion and leaving no one behind work already being done.
DFAT welcomes the evaluation's findings and recommendations and notes that the implementation of these recommendations will be carried forward by UNCTAD over the 2025-2027 timeframe.
Independent Evaluation and UNCTAD Management Response
- 2025 Independent Evaluation of the ECDE Programme
- UNCTAD Management Response to 2025 Independent Evaluation of the ECDE Programme