Colloquium on Harmonizing Law in the Age of Digital Trade and Finance

The Colloquium on Harmonizing Law in the Age of Digital Trade and Finance is a four-day event organized by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). Scheduled from February 10 to 13, 2026, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, this gathering aims to address the evolving legal challenges posed by digital trade and finance. It seeks to foster dialogue among governments, international and regional organizations, academia, and the private sector to develop a coherent approach to these issues.

The event is structured into two main streams. The first stream, focusing on digital assets and secured financing, will explore topics such as the treatment and categorization of digital assets as collateral, practical approaches to achieving third-party effectiveness and priority, enforcement of security rights in digital assets, and cross-border challenges including conflict-of-law rules. The second stream will delve into digital platforms and private law, covering areas like the role of digital platforms in international trade, the various roles of platform operators, contractual aspects of digital platforms, and balancing the rights and obligations of platform operators and users within private law frameworks.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with leading experts in the field, participate in panel discussions, and network with peers from various sectors. Notable speakers include Ms. Teresa Rodríguez de las Heras Ballell, Full Professor of Commercial Law at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, and Ms. Gérardine Goh Escolar, Deputy Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law. The event will also feature presentations and discussions on current trends and challenges in digital trade and finance.

This Colloquium is particularly relevant for legal professionals, policymakers, academics, and industry stakeholders involved in digital trade, finance, and technology. Participants will gain valuable insights into the latest developments and contribute to shaping the future legal landscape in these rapidly evolving areas.