The current times of mounting economic, social and environmental challenges highlight the critical need for investment as a driver of equitable and inclusive growth. The development objectives that the D-8 countries aim to attain call for policies that effectively attract investment and help harness it for sustainable development. In addition, D-8 policy reform efforts need to reflect sustainable development-oriented reforms that are now the mainstream of investment policymaking worldwide. Building consensus and political momentum for the reform of international investment agreements (IIAs) remains one of the key challenges for investment policymakers.
UNCTAD and the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, building on their long-standing cooperation, have developed a set of Guiding Principles for Member States of the D-8 Organization. The Principles align with UNCTAD's core investment policy packages and IIA reform tools for sustainable development. They aim to foster agreement within and between Members of the D-8 Organization on investment reform at all levels, highlighting the need, among others, for coherence, dynamic policymaking and international cooperation.
This event will gather policymakers from D-8 Members to discuss the current state of IIA reform in their region. It will highlight how the set of Guiding Principles can help promote best practices and innovative approaches that spur investment for sustainable development.
Session themes:
- What is the current state of IIA reform in D-8 Members?
- How can Members strengthen regional dialogue and coordination on comprehensive IIA reform?
- How can soft policy tools, in particular Guiding Principles, help build regional consensus for IIA reform, and what lessons can be learned for other regions?
Speaker(s)
Moderator(s)
