CUTS Daily Bulletin # 05 | July 11, 2025
Session 1 - Roundtable on Safeguarding and Empowering Consumers in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
 
Day 5, Session 1 of the 9th United Nations Conference on Competition and Consumer Protection took place on 11 July 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The session addressed the pressing challenges and emerging opportunities associated with artificial intelligence in the field of consumer protection. Key takeaways from the discussion included:
  1. AI-Driven Consumer Protection: Insights from El Salvador: El Salvador’s digital transformation demonstrated how structured AI adoption can significantly enhance consumer protection and regulatory efficiency. Following the 2024 implementation of automated administrative procedures, the country reported a 55% increase in sanctions issuance.
  2. Strategic AI Integration: Lessons from Thailand: Thailand’s approach to AI in consumer complaint handling and ad fraud detection underscored the need for tools that are accessible, scalable, adaptable, and easily integrated into existing systems—especially in contexts with limited human resources. The discussion highlighted that thoughtful tool selection is critical to maximizing AI’s impact in regulatory environments.
  3. Practical AI Implementation: Lessons from Poland: The session explored Poland's experience using AI to detect contract malfeasance and dark patterns. Key challenges included workforce training, adapting workflows, navigating legal ambiguities, and addressing data privacy concerns. To support ethical and effective AI deployment, a white paper and a 15-point checklist were developed to guide consumer protection agencies.
  4. Digital Divide and Global Disparities: The discussion underscored growing gaps between AI adoption and regulatory readiness, particularly in regions with limited internet access, local language content, and digital skills. Participants questioned the inclusivity of so-called human-centric AI systems that systematically exclude least developed countries.
  5. Priority Actions for Inclusive AI: The session identified four key priorities: establishing a global risk taxonomy for AI-consumer interactions, investing in multi-stakeholder AI observatories, strengthening institutional capacity for AI governance, and fostering inclusive policy experimentation in emerging economies.
  6. Consumer Rights in the AI Age: The panel highlighted three urgent challenges: AI systems altering consumer rights without clear consent, unequal access to AI benefits leaving vulnerable consumers behind, and ambiguity around accountability. International standards, including those developed by ISO and COPOLCO, were emphasized as vital tools in safeguarding digital consumer rights.
  7. Trust Deficit in AI-Driven Financial Services: Data presented revealed that 61% of consumers using digital financial services have sought redress, while 39% lack confidence in the safety of their money. This underscores a pressing need to strengthen consumer protection frameworks in AI-powered financial ecosystems.
  8. UNCTAD’s 15-Point AI Checklist: The session introduced UNCTAD’s comprehensive checklist for responsible AI adoption, guiding agencies through key steps—from defining objectives and risks to ensuring data privacy, security, and preserving human oversight. This flexible framework aims to support ethical and effective AI integration in consumer protection.
  9. Standards as Enablers of Safe Innovation: The presentation underscored that standards are not barriers to innovation but safeguards that ensure safety, trust, and inclusivity—much like traffic rules did for automobiles. AI, it was argued, requires similarly robust standards to guide its responsible and equitable advancement.
The session featured insights from a diverse panel of experts, including Mr. Ricardo Salazar, Ms. Martyna Deszniak-Noirjean, Ms. Wimonrat Teriyapirom, Ms. Youlia Lozanova, Ms. Eunsook Moon, and Ms. Helena Leurent.
 
(Reporting by Mritunjai Kapila, CUTS International, Geneva)
Session 2 - Review of UNCTAD Model Law on Competition, Part 2: 
Proposal of celebrating World Competition Day on 5th of December
 
Kenya presented a draft proposal to designate December 5th as World Competition Day—an initiative long championed by CUTS International, one of the first organizations globally to advocate for its observance. Mr. Pradeep S. Mehta, Secretary General of CUTS International, has been a vocal proponent of World Competition Day, actively promoting the initiative both within and beyond UN forums. The Kenyan delegate clarified that the proposal would have no budgetary implications for the UN Secretariat or member governments, directly addressing concerns raised by several EU countries, including Italy, Greece, Austria, and Germany, and the United Kingdom. In fact, the World Competition Day is already being observed in the Global South with new themes every year., and without any external financial support. This year the theme is: “Artificial Intelligence, Consumers and Competition Policy”.

In an interview with this reporter, Mr. Mehta noted that various countries within the advanced countries in the European Union have been observing Competition Day on different dates, highlighting the need for awareness generation. He further emphasized that, much like International Yoga Day—celebrated annually on June 21st without imposing financial costs—World Competition Day could be observed in a similar manner in the world to foster competitive markets. Such recognition would serve to raise global  and national awareness, strengthen advocacy, and foster international cooperation on competition-related matters.
 
Furthermore, Mehta noted with regret that he was not given an opportunity to speak from the floor with the caveat that UNTAD is a member driven organisation and non governmental actors can only speak when invited to speak. He appealed to the authorities that UNTAD treats civil society as an important partner in its work and hence this discriminatory practice should be changed.
  1. Need for Dynamic and Adaptable Tools: The discussion emphasized that the Model Law on Competition should remain a living instrument—flexible, evolving, and responsive to national contexts. Its adaptability enables member states to demonstrate leadership, exchange expertise, and collaboratively strengthen global competition frameworks.
  2. Evolution of Model Law Part 2: The UNCTAD presentation traced the origin of Part 2 (Commentaries) as a tool designed to guide developing countries in establishing competition regimes while preserving policy autonomy. Given that nearly all member states have now adopted competition laws, the session underscored the need to revisit and rethink the role and relevance of Part 2 in today’s evolving regulatory landscape.
  3. Singapore’s Environmental Sustainability Example: The presentation highlighted Singapore’s 2024 Environmental Sustainability Collaboration Guidance Note (ESCGN), which outlines how the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) evaluates collaborations aimed at achieving environmental goals. Notably, in January 2025, CCCS issued positive guidance for the Beverage Container Return Scheme—the first case to benefit from the streamlined process under the ESCGN—demonstrating a practical integration of sustainability within competition policy.
  4. Redesigning Part 2 – Project Goals: UNCTAD presented its strategy to revamp Part 2 of the Model Law by enhancing accessibility, visibility, and user-friendliness. The proposed redesign will feature clearer content presentation supported by case law, guidelines, policy papers, and reports. A pilot project focusing on Chapter I is planned in collaboration with ASEAN member states to evaluate and refine these improvements in practice.
  5. Alternative Approaches in Existing Legislation: The presentation highlighted significant gaps in how "welfare" concepts are defined across existing competition laws. It emphasized that among all components of the Model Law, alternative legislative approaches require the most improvement. Case examples from jurisdictions such as Algeria, Gambia, Namibia, and South Africa illustrated the inconsistencies and ambiguities that hinder effective implementation and alignment with broader policy objectives.
  6. Broad International Concerns: Representatives from numerous countries—including the Russian Federation, Paraguay, Portugal, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom, DRC, Austria, Brazil, South Sudan, Italy, Egypt, Iran, Greece, Sweden, Venezuela, Germany, and the European Commission—voiced the need for additional time to assess the proposal's implications. The collective concern centered on ensuring a thorough understanding of its potential repercussions before moving forward.
Dr. Sven Gallasch delivered a presentation on the Model Law on Competition, outlining its evolution and opportunities for further development. Following this, delegates from various countries shared comments and perspectives on both the Model Law and the proposal introduced by Kenya, reflecting a broad range of views and considerations regarding their implications and future direction.

(Reporting by Mritunjai Kapila, CUTS International, Geneva)
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