GDEF Annual Report 2025
A review of the Forum's research programme, thematic working groups, and mission to advance evidence-based governance of the global digital economy.
Our Mission
The Global Digital Economy Forum exists to address a fundamental challenge: the governance of the digital economy is too complex, too interconnected, and too consequential for any single discipline or jurisdiction to address alone.
Through rigorous, multi-stakeholder research and policy analysis, GDEF brings together leading scholars and senior practitioners to produce evidence-based insights on the most pressing governance challenges — from AI regulation and cross-border data flows to digital currencies and platform accountability.
Our work is organised through three thematic working groups, each producing peer-reviewed research that contributes to informed governance debates worldwide.
The Forum in Numbers
Working papers, policy briefs, and analytical reports across our research programme
Distinguished scholars and practitioners from leading institutions worldwide
Regulation & Policy, Finance & Economy, Technology & Transformation
From AI governance and data privacy to digital currencies and climate tech
Working Groups
Our research is organised through three thematic working groups, each focused on critical dimensions of digital economy governance.
Regulation & Policy
Developing adaptive governance frameworks for digital assets, data sovereignty, and cross-border regulatory harmonisation — balancing innovation imperatives with consumer protection and institutional accountability.
- AI Governance Frameworks
- Cross-Border Data Governance
- Platform Governance & Digital Markets
Finance & Economy
Analysing the structural transformation of global financial systems through central bank digital currencies, decentralised finance, and inclusive economic models — with emphasis on monetary policy implications and financial stability.
- Central Bank Digital Currencies
- Digital Public Infrastructure & Financial Inclusion
- Global Digital Taxation
Technology & Transformation
Investigating the systemic implications of emerging technologies — including artificial intelligence, distributed ledger systems, and quantum computing — for industrial competitiveness, workforce transformation, and responsible innovation governance.
- AI Safety & Open-Source Governance
- Quantum Computing & Cryptographic Transition
- Semiconductor Supply Chain Resilience
Our Priorities
Deepening Research
Expanding our research programme across all three working groups, with particular focus on AI governance, digital currencies, and cross-border data flows.
Global Engagement
Building partnerships and engaging stakeholders across diverse geographic and institutional contexts to ensure our work reflects global perspectives.
Policy Impact
Strengthening mechanisms for translating research insights into actionable policy recommendations that inform governance debates worldwide.
Explore Our Research
Access the Forum's full library of working papers, policy briefs, and analytical reports across all research topics.