Experts explored how competition law enforcement should evolve to contribute to post-pandemic recovery during the twentieth meeting of UNCTAD’s intergovernmental group of experts on competition law and policy held from 20 to 22 July. The pandemic called for a rethink of how authorities administered and enforced competition laws, the exemptions they granted and the activities they authorized.
A small number of companies such as Google, Amazon, Meta, Apple and Microsoft dominate global digital markets. Their business models heavily rely on massive data collection, storage and processing to achieve market power. This can undermine “competition on the merits” and potentially shut out smaller rivals, as the dominant platforms use the granular data they collect – such as search histories, social networks, contacts and prior purchases – to tailor and micro-target advertisements to specific consumer segments.
Meeting the needs of present and future generations for goods and services in ways that are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable is ever more urgent amid the climate and COVID-19-induced economic crises. Shifting to responsible consumption and production patterns can not only lead to more efficient resource use but also reduce pollution, restore ecosystems and prevent habitat loss.