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CUTS Daily Bulletin # 02 | July 09, 2026

Strengthening Competition Policy through Evidence, Effective Institutions and Regional Cooperation

Day 2 Highlights

The second day of the 23rd Session of the UNCTAD Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) on Competition Law and Policy focused on how competition authorities can strengthen the effectiveness and credibility of competition regimes. Discussions explored the importance of evidence-based impact assessment, institutional capacity building and regional cooperation in ensuring that competition policy contributes to inclusive economic growth, innovation and consumer welfare.

Demonstrating the Value of Competition Policy

The session on Recent Developments in Digital Markets examined emerging competition challenges arising from AI-driven technologies and digital platform ecosystems. Consistent with the objectives outlined in the official UNCTAD concept note, the discussion focused on how competition authorities can respond to changing market dynamics while ensuring that technological innovation continues to benefit consumers and businesses alike.

Participants highlighted concerns regarding increasing concentration in digital markets, particularly where access to data, AI capabilities and digital infrastructure is concentrated among a limited number of large technology firms. Such developments have the potential to reduce market contestability, limit consumer choice and create barriers for new entrants.

The discussion also recognised that digital transformation presents significant opportunities for innovation and economic growth. Alongside effective enforcement, participants emphasised the importance of creating an enabling environment for start-ups and emerging enterprises, recognising that innovation and competition should reinforce one another rather than be viewed as competing objectives.

Building Effective Competition Institutions

The second session examined UNCTAD's work on capacity building and technical assistance, highlighting the importance of developing institutions capable of translating competition laws into effective implementation.

Country experiences demonstrated that successful competition reforms depend on sustained investment in institutional capacity, technical expertise and coordination among competition authorities, the judiciary, policymakers, academia and civil society. Participants emphasised that competition policy must be adapted to each country's legal, institutional and developmental context, recognising that approaches effective in one jurisdiction may not necessarily be appropriate in another.

The discussion reinforced the importance of long-term partnerships, practical training and knowledge sharing in strengthening national competition regimes and ensuring that reforms deliver lasting institutional improvements.

Strengthening Regional Cooperation

The final session explored the growing contribution of regional economic organisations in promoting effective competition policy across increasingly integrated markets.

Representatives from the Eurasian Economic Commission, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Competition Commission and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) highlighted how regional cooperation can strengthen policy coordination, facilitate knowledge exchange and support capacity building in addressing cross-border competition challenges.

At the same time, participants recognised that regional cooperation complements—rather than replaces—strong national competition authorities. Effective regional integration ultimately depends on robust domestic legal frameworks, capable institutions and sustained collaboration among governments, regulators and regional organisations.

Key Policy Messages

The discussions on Day 2 highlighted several priorities for strengthening competition policy:

Using robust impact assessment to demonstrate the economic and public welfare benefits of competition policy.
Strengthening institutional credibility through transparent communication and evidence-based policymaking.
Investing in long-term capacity building and technical assistance tailored to national legal and institutional contexts.
Promoting knowledge sharing and practical cooperation among competition authorities, the judiciary and other stakeholders.
Deepening regional cooperation to address increasingly cross-border competition challenges while reinforcing national institutional capacity.

Looking Ahead

The second day of the IGE reinforced that effective competition policy depends not only on sound legal frameworks but also on strong institutions, credible evidence and sustained international cooperation. As markets become increasingly interconnected and technology-driven, strengthening institutional capacity, demonstrating the benefits of competition policy and fostering regional collaboration will be essential to promoting competitive markets, innovation and inclusive economic development.

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