23 May 2013 - The United States and Myanmar Signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement
The agreement establishes a council on trade and investment to monitor trade and investment relations, identify investment opportunities and relevant issues related to the rule of law, transparency, corruption, intellectual property rights, workers rights and the environment. [More info]
21 May 2013 - New Featured Discussion on Agricultural Investments and International Investment Law on the Hub
The featured discussion highlights risks and
opportunities related to large agricultural investments, pointing to the need
for proper institutions and safeguards, including through investment contracts
and in IIAs.
17 May 2013 - Canada and Tanzania Signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty
The agreement aims at strengthening economic ties between the two countries and help companies invest with greater confidence. The treaty will come into force once each country’s domestic approval process is complete. [More info]
17 May 2013 - UNCTAD Contributed to CBC's "Commonwealth Trade & Investment Report"
At the invitation of the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC), J. Zhan, DIAE Director, sketches problems arising from international investment policy making and offers suggestion on how to improve future policy making using UNCTAD's IPFSD. [Article] [More info]
16 May 2013 - ECLAC Launched the Report "Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean 2012"
The report offers a qualitative overview of FDI inflows in Latin America and looks at the relative importance of the different destination sectors in the host economies and the geographical origin of these capital flows. [More info]
15 May 2013 - IPFSD at the 14th Session of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on the Right to Development
The joint lunchtime briefing by UNCTAD and OHCHR on UNCTAD's Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development (IPFSD) will enable delegates to familiarize with the IPFSD and consider its synergy with right to development and all human rights.
13 May 2013 - UNCTAD will Provide Technical Assistance to Lesotho for its National Investment Policy
A high level roundtable opens today the UNCTAD's 10-day fact-finding mission to collect the information necessary to assess the implementation status of the Investment Policy Review of Lesotho carried out in 2003.
6 May 2013 - IPFSD Now Part of UNCTAD's Regular Courses for Permanent Missions in Geneva
Delegates from 26 Permanent Missions join today's course in Geneva. The training is shaped to raise awareness about the new UNCTAD Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development (IPFSD) and its concrete options offered to policy makers to effectively promote sustainable development and inclusive growth. [Presentation1] [Presentation2]
2 May 2013 - UNCTAD’s Workshop "Seizing Green Investment Opportunities: The Role of IPAs", Geneva
The objective of the workshop is to share the experiences of the world's best
IPAs as well as trends, promotion techniques, partnerships and other strategies to attract green investments.
1 May 2013 - UNCTAD Intervention on the "Role of Intergovernmental Agreements in Energy Policy", Geneva
On 29 April, at a workshop hosted by the WTO and organized by the Energy Charter Secretariat, UNCTAD outlined the challenges for IIA negotiators in FDI for the energy sector focusing on the factors that discourage investors and on the tools to balance private and public interests. [Presentation][Workshop programme]
30 April 2013 - Opening Statements to the 5th Investment, Enterprise and Development Commission Available Now
The statements by James Zhan (Director, Division on Investment and Enterprise, UNCTAD) outline the latest developments in FDI trends and policies and in the promotion of entrepreneurship for productive capacity-building.
29 April 2013 - UNCTAD's 5th Investment, Enterprise and Development Commission, Geneva
The session starts off with the opening statement of Mr. Dr. P. Draganov, Deputy Secretary General of UNCTAD.
26 April 2013 - More than 4,000 Downloads for the Annual Review of Investor-State Dispute Settlement Cases
UNCTAD's IIA Issues Note on the latest developments in investor-State dispute settlement has already been downloaded over 4,000 times in the first two weeks after its launch. [Report][See also IPFSD options on dispute settlement]
24 April 2013 - 5th Investment, Enterprise and Development Commission at UNCTAD, Geneva
This year’s session will start on 29 April 2013 and focus on promoting entrepreneurship for productive capacity-building and addressing investment, innovation and technology for development. [More info] [Agenda]
23 April 2013 - Capacity-building Workshop for Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) at UNCTAD, Geneva
The workshop will take place on 2 May 2013 and focus on green FDI (greening techniques, renewables and R&D) bringing together industry experts and best practice IPAs to share strategies, promotion techniques and partnerships. [Programme]
19 April 2013 - UNCTAD Releases the Investment Policy Review (IPR) of Djibouti
The report, based on IPFSD's guidelines, includes an overhaul of the investment code, concrete measures for improving the business environment, improved targeting of investment promotion at sectoral level. [IPR of Djibouti]
19 April 2013 - UNCTAD Highlights Key Systemic Challenges of International Investment Policy Making for EU Parliament
James Zhan, DIAE Director, presents UNCTAD's findings on the implications of the fast changing international investment scenario on EU policy making. [Watch the video: mins. 34 > 49] [Presentation]
16 April 2013 - China and Iceland Signed a Free Trade Agreement
The FTA is the first between China and a European country. The agreement covers trade in goods and services, rules of origin, trade facilitation, intellectual property rights, competition and investment. [More info]
10 April 2013 - UNCTAD Releases its Annual Review of Investor-State Dispute Settlement Cases
The report reveals that 62 new cases were initiated in 2012 against host countries – the highest number of known treaty-based disputes ever filed in a single year. [See also IPFSD options on dispute settlement] [Press Release]
9 April 2013 - Austria and Nigeria Conclude a New Investment Protection Agreement
The treaty is expected to encourage Austrian businesses to invest in Nigeria, which is Austria's second most important foreign trade partner behind South Africa in Sub-Saharan Africa. [More info]
9 April 2013 - Jamaica and Kuwait Signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty
The agreement signed by Jamaica and Kuwait will provide protection for foreign investors, ranging from the usual national treatment and most favored nation treatment, to guarantees for fair and equitable treatment and access to investor-State dispute settlement. Importantly, it also makes specific reference to corporate social responsibility
8 April 2013 - New Featured Discussion on Third Party Funding in International Investment Arbitration on the Hub
The article offers an overview of the pitfalls and risks faced by users of Third Party Funding (TPF) in international investment arbitration, that in recent years has emerged as an attractive new area for TPF due to the enormous amounts involved in these kinds of disputes.
28 March 2013 - Special Issue of UNCTAD's Global Investment Trends Monitor Released
The report, launched on the occasion of the 5th BRICS Summit in South Africa, focuses on BRICS FDI and Africa, where BRICS countries are becoming significant investors (share in FDI inflows reached 25% in 2010). [Report]
28 March 2013 - IPFSD Presentation Document Now Available
The document offers an overview of the IPFSD background and content and can be used for the preparation of presentations and training material. [IPFSD Presentation Doc]
26 March 2013 - UNCTAD Presented the Draft of the Investment Policy Review (IPR) of Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar
UNCTAD’s Secretary-General, Supachai Panitchpakdi, participated in the event hosted by the Minister of Economy of Mongolia, Mr. Nyamjav Batbayar. The IPR was presented to national stakeholders from Government, local and international private sector and civil society.
25 March 2013 - Draft of Investment Policy Review (IPR) of Bangladesh Presented in Dhaka, Bangladesh
The main recommendations of the draft IPR of Bangladesh were discussed with 150 participants representing the Government, other public authorities, private sector and international organizations. The comments gathered will help UNCTAD finalize the IPR.
25 March 2013 - Expert Meeting on Impact of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) on Developing Countries
The meeting, to be held in Geneva from 26 to 28 March 2013, aims at drawing policy lessons for strengthening the role of PPPs in making global value chains (GVCs) conducive to sustainable growth and development in developing countries. [Agenda] [Publication on GVC and Development]
21 March 2013 - The Report on the Implementation of the IPRs of Kenya and Rwanda Now Available on the Hub
The reports appraise the progress made in implementing the recommendations set out in the Investment Policy Review (IPR) of Kenya and Rwanda, released respectively in 2005 and 2006. [Report on the Implementation of IPR of Kenya] [Report on the Implementation of IPR of Rwanda]
20 March 2013 - UNCTAD's New E-Series: The IPA Observer
This series brings best practices by investment promotion agencies (IPAs) to practitioners and governments in developing countries with a view to sharing practical lessons suitable for their IPAs. The first issue “Optimizing Government Services: A Case for Joint Investment and Trade Promotion?” has just been released. [Publication]
13 March 2013 - UNCTAD Launches the Ninth Investment Policy Monitor
The report highlights a notable increase in new investment restrictions and regulations in the reviewed period, with the share of such measures reaching a new height (i.e. 36%). At the same time, investment liberalization and promotion remains the dominant trend in national investment policies. [Publication]
12 March 2013 - New Featured Discussion on Investor-State Arbitration Published on the Hub
The article offers an assessment of the lessons that could be taken from the recent shift of policy initiated by the Australian Government.
07 March 2013 - UNCTAD Launches a New Publication on Transparency in IIAs Complementing IPFSD Policy Options
The study highlights a new approach to transparency provisions in International Investment Agreements (IIAs) and offers practical policy guidance drafting suggestions for IIA stakeholders.
21 February 2013 - Colombia and the Republic of Korea Signed a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement
The FTA includes an investment chapter and provides national treatment and MFN, as well as a detailed fair and equitable treatment provision. It also includes exceptions to the free transfer of funds and an ISDS mechanism. [FTA]
5 February 2013 - UNCTAD Briefs Delegates and Civil Society On New Guidelines for Investment Policymaking
More than 70 delegates and civil society representatives attended the presentation on the Investment Policy Framework organised by UNCTAD's liaison office in New York. The event highlighted "the imperative for mainstreaming sustainable development into the investment policy core". [Event info] [Video] [Presentation]
28 January 2013 - Renewed Efforts Towards Regional Economic Integration Amid Slower FDI Recovery
"The FDI recovery from the economic crisis will take longer than expected", UNCTAD Director James Zhan said at an UNCTAD expert meeting today while presenting the latest trends in 2012 global FDI flows. Mr. Zhan also highlighted that regional integration can provide a strong boost to intra-regional cross-border investment linkages as the experiences of long-established regional groups - the EU and ASEAN - suggest. Many initiatives towards (inter-)regional economic integration across the globe are currently underway. [More info] [Global Investment Trends Monitor]
11 January 2013 - Canada and Benin Signed New Bilateral Investment Treaty
The Prime Minister of Canada and the President of Benin signed a "Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement" in Canada on last Tuesday (8 January). As of today, the total number of BITs for Canada and Benin is 31 and 15 BITs respectively.
9 January 2013 - "Regional Integration and FDI in Developing and Transition Economies" to Be Discussed at UNCTAD Meeting
On 28-30 January, UNCTAD will bring together a diverse group of experts to examine the role of regional integration as a determinant of FDI and assess the importance of economic and policy fundamentals in promoting investment for sustainable development and inclusive growth. [More info]
13 December 2012 - EU New Legislation on Bilateral Investment Treaties
EU adopted a new regulation that aims at ensuring a smooth transition towards a new EU investment policy and clarifies the legal status of BITs under EU laws, confirming that they may be maintained in force until they are replaced by an EU investment agreement. [More info]
12 December 2012 - Update of the Investment Policy Hub's BITs Database
The bilateral investment treaties (BITs) database has now been updated; full text of 40 new BITs were added to the existing pool of more than 2000 BITs. [Database]
3 December 2012 - UNCTAD Delivers its Second Technical Assistance Course Based on the Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development
UNCTAD continues its training series based on the IPFSD with a session for Latin American countries in Quito (Ecuador). The workshop, organized with the Organization of American States and the Attorney General Office of Ecuador, focuses on issues related to the design of agreements and the management of disputes. [Workshop Presentations]
30 November 2012 – Peru Working to Decrease its Exposure to International Investment Disputes
As a follow up to UNCTAD's Best Practices Case Study, the Government of Peru held a workshop in Lima aimed at boosting the country’s approach to preventing Investor-State disputes. [Agenda] [More info]
29 November 2012 - Academic Debate on the IPFSD in Peru
The IPFSD formed the basis of an extensive academic discussion on IIA trends at a university workshop organized by the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, in Lima. The event took place within the realm of the University's Masters in International Economic Law Programme. [Photos]
29 November 2012 - COMESA Investment Report 2012 Looks at the Nexus of FDI and Regional Economic Integration
The report highlights developments in regional economic integration efforts in COMESA and looks at recent investment policy developments at the international level, noting a number of opportunities to promote sustainable development policies that will also ensure policy coherence at international, regional and bilateral levels.
28 November 2012 - UNCTAD Supports Ecuador in Analyzing the Impact of International Investment Agreements on Public Welfare
UNCTAD, invited by the Ecuadorian Government to an international workshop on the impact of IIAs on public welfare held in Quito, shows how to use the IPFSD to shape sustainable development friendly investment policies. [Agenda]
26 November 2012 - UNCTAD Launches the Eighth Investment Policy Monitor
The report highlights a significant dichotomy in national investment policy making, where some countries took partial liberalization steps in sensitive sectors, while others strengthened their control over key domestic industries. At the same time, international investment policy making further moved towards more regional IIAs, increasing attention on sustainable development and intensifying the public debate on pros and cons of IIAs. [Publication]
19 November 2012 - UNCTAD Started New Cycle of Technical Assistance Based on its Brand-New Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development
UNCTAD initiated its first technical assistance workshop that embodies IIA policy options from the IPFSD. The workshop, held in Casablanca (Morocco), is part of an ongoing cooperation between UNCTAD and the Islamic Development Bank on issues related to international investment agreements and investor-State disputes. [Event info] [Agenda] [Workshop Presentations]
17 November 2012 - New Haiti-Spain Treaty on Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investment Signed
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Haiti and Spain signed a new BIT at the XXII Ibero-American Summit, bringing their total number of signed BIT to 6 and 77 respectively.
16 November 2012 - UNCTAD Suggested Options to Improve Investor-State Relationships for Sustainable Development at the Seventh Columbia International Investment Conference
UNCTAD supported the goal of balancing all stakeholder interests in IIAs and suggested policy options for future IIAs to safeguard States' policy space and to establish investor responsibilities. Learn more about this topic and check the IPFSD sections on public policy exceptions and investor obligations and responsibilities. [Event info]
15 November 2012 - UNCTAD Underlined the Importance of Supporting Sustainable Development-Friendly Investment Policies during the ALDE FDI Seminar at the EU Parliament
James Zhan, Director of UNCTAD's DIAE, described the current state of affairs in the international investment policy regime and the emerging challenges for the EU policymakers. [More info] [Agenda] [Presentation]
9 November 2012 - Dynamics in Increasing Sustainable-Development Friendly FDI in Developing Countries
International organizations have embarked upon the improvement of IIAs so that developing countries can attract and benefit from more sustainable-development friendly foreign investments. Why such steps are needed and how to achieve the goals are discussed in the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Have your say in the Forum.
8 November 2012 - Debate Surrounding Legal Issues in Tobacco Control Gaining Prominence
In the lead-up to the November COP5 of WHO FCTC, a TDM’s “Special” looks at legal issues in tobacco control. Share your thoughts on how IPFSD Sections 1, 2.1, 4.3, 4.5, 5, and 6.2 can help safeguard tobacco control measures.
1 November 2012 - The IPFSD Featured in the ITN Quarterly, October 2012 Issue
The most recent issue of the Investment Treaty News, a quarterly journal on investment law and policy, featured UNCTAD's IPFSD. The article gives a 3-page overview of the origin of the framework, its objectives, structure and content. [Publication - Feature 3]
31 October 2012 - UNCTAD and OECD Launch 8th Report on G20 Investment Measures
While G20 members continued to honour their pledge not to introduce new restrictive investment measures, a closer look at current developments reveals a more nuanced picture. [More info] [Publication]
29 October 2012 - Presentation of the IPFSD to Senior Investment Negotiators from Developing Countries - Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
UNCTAD presented the IPFSD to senior officials and experts during a session on "New Approaches for Investment Agreements and Sustainable Development" at the 6th Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators, co-hosted by the CARICOM Secretariat, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, the IISD and the South Centre. [Agenda]
15 October 2012 - UNCTAD’s Pink Series Sequel on “Expropriation” Complements the IPFSD's Policy Advice
Moving beyond a merely descriptive role, the paper offers policy options to assists States in drafing IIA clauses that help promote sustainable development [Publication]
10 October 2012 - Presentation of the IPFSD in Cairo, Egypt
UNCTAD presented the IPFSD during a conference organized by the Cairo Regional Center for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA) and the the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC) on Euro-Arab Investor-State Disputes. [More info] [Photos] [Presentation] [Videos]
2 October 2012 - IPFSD Discussion for UNCITRAL Delegations in Vienna
An IPFSD discussion event took place on the occasion of the 57th Session of the UNCITRAL Working Group II, which discusses the preparation of a legal standard on transparency in treaty -based investor-State arbitration.
1 October 2012 - IPFSD Workshop at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand
High-level participants to the workshop included Mr. Chutintorn sam Gongsakdi, Director General of the Department of International Economic Affairs and Ms. Sansanee Sahussarungsi, Director of the Division of Economic Policy. [Photo]
1 October 2012 - IPFSD Guidance for Sustainable Investment in the Mining Sector
James Zhan, Director of UNCTAD's DIAE, addresses Commonwealth Ministers in their 2012 Reference Book (at page 135), highlighting how the IPFSD can help generating sustainable development benefits in the mining sector. [Publication]
25 September 2012 - UNCTAD Presents the IPFSD at the WTO Public Forum
James Zhan, Director of UNCTAD's DIAE, joins civil society organizations in their session on “Investment Provisions and Agreements: What is the Right 21st Century Approach?”. [Event]
24 September 2012 - UNCTAD's 59th Trade and Development Board Discusses IPFSD
The IPFSD was reviewed by high-level panelists - H.E. Rob Davies's [Statement], H.E. Anabel González's [Statement] and Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary‐General on the Millennium Development Goals. [Event] [Related info]
21 September 2012 - IPFSD Discussed at Expert Forum on FDI and Sustainable Development in Berlin
The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology of Germany invited UNCTAD to present the WIR12 and IPFSD at the Expert Forum on FDI and Sustainable Development.
20 September 2012 - Launch of World Investment Report and IPFSD in Helsinki
The WIR12 and IPFSD are launched in collaboration with Invest in Finland and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland. [Event]
9 September 2012 - The IPFSD Gathers Support in China
The IPFSD gathers support during the launching of the World Investment Report 2012 at the 16th China International Fair for Investment & Trade in Xiamen. [Event]
3 September 2012 - More than 33,000 Downloads Over the Past Two Months for the WIR 2012 and IPFSD
Since its launch in July, the World Investment Report (WIR) 2012 has already been downloaded over 33,000 times. [WIR 2012] [IPFSD]
27 August 2012 - The August Volume of “Weltwirtschaft und Entwicklung” Features the IPFSD
Offering the first German overview of UNCTAD’s IPFSD, Anna Lisa Brahms highlights the key features of the WIR 2012's Chapter IV. [Publication]
6 August 2012 - IPFSD Put Into Action with SADC countries
As investment policy makers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convene in Pretoria, South Africa, the IPFSD guides their in-depth discussions of the draft SADC model BIT. [Event]
27 July 2012 - Presenting IPFSD to the University of the Western Cape
UNCTAD presented the IPFSD to students of the Specialized LL.M Programme in International Trade, Investment and Business Law. [Photos] [University's Website]
26 July 2012 - South Africa's Trade and Industry Minister Praises UNCTAD's IPFSD at Launch in Johannesburg
The Minister was speaking at the launch of the framework at the Mandela Institute which was attended by more than 100 participants from government, the media, the private sector, and academia. [Statement] [Event]
24 July 2012 - Presenting IPFSD to the WTI Summer Academy
UNCTAD, as part of its collaboration with the Summer Academy of the World Trade Institute (University of Bern), presented the IPFSD to participants of the 2012 batch during the Settling Investment Disputes module. [Event] [Photos]
16 July 2012 – The IPFSD Has Been Downloaded Over 14,000 times Since the 5 July Launch
Since the launch of the World Investment Report (WIR) 2012 in July the IPFSD has been downloaded over 14,000 times. [WIR 2012] [IPFSD]
14 July 2012 - Presenting IPFSD to the 3rd Global Conference of SIEL in Singapore
UNCTAD presented the IPFSD at the 2012 Conference of the Society for International Economic Law (SIEL), hosted by the Center for International Law at the National University of Singapore. [Event] [Photos]
10 July 2012 - IPFSD Welcomed by High-Level Policymakers in Tunisia
Both President and the Minister of Investment and International Cooperation of Tunisia welcomed the proposal for using UNCTAD's IPFSD to review Tunisia's investment policies and to revise its investment code. [Event]
10 July 2012 - Joint UNCTAD-IISD Discussion Event for Investment and Development Stakeholders
At the joint event, UNCTAD presented IPFSD to a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, inter-governmental organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector. [Event ] [Video UNCTAD] [Video IISD] [Video UNEP] [Video Q&A] [Ppt]
5 July 2012 - Launch of the IPFSD
The IPFSD is launched, as part of the World Investment Report 2012, in more than 60 destinations across the globe.