The international investment and development landscape is undergoing profound transformation. Multiple and interlinked global challenges – including climate change, food and energy insecurity, digital transformation, supply‑chain reconfiguration, rising debt vulnerabilities, and persistent inequalities – are reshaping the policy space for investment, private sector development and entrepreneurship.
At the same time, developing countries face widening financing gaps in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mobilizing significantly higher levels of sustainable investment, strengthening productive capacities, and fostering dynamic and resilient domestic private sectors are therefore central to advancing inclusive and sustainable development.
Development cooperation remains a critical enabler in this context. Beyond financial resources, it plays an important role in supporting policy reform, institution‑building, investment facilitation, enterprise development, and the strengthening of entrepreneurial ecosystems.
The UNCTAD World Investment Forum provides a unique multi‑stakeholder and intergovernmental platform to address these challenges. The Ministerial Roundtables on Investment and on Enterprise will bring together ministers from developing and developed countries to:
- Exchange experiences and policy approaches;
- Strengthen partnerships between beneficiary countries and development cooperation providers;
- Identify emerging needs and priorities;
- Discuss the role of international organizations, in particular UNCTAD, in supporting national efforts.
The discussions will contribute to shaping the global policy debate and will inform other intergovernmental processes, including deliberations of the United Nations General Assembly.
Guiding Questions:
- What policy reforms have proven most effective in attracting sustainable investment?
- How can development cooperation better support national investment strategies?
- What are the main capacity‑building needs of developing countries in investment policymaking and promotion?
- How can international organizations, including UNCTAD, scale up their impact?