Structurally weak and vulnerable developing economies (SWVEs) include the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). LDCs as a group receive less than two per cent of global FDI flows, and less than 4 per cent of flows to developing countries, unchanged from the start of the century. LLDCs and SIDS – with few exceptions – receive similarly low levels of FDI. This is despite significant efforts made by many governments across SWVEs to strengthen their regulatory frameworks and to facilitate investment – often with support from development partners. More needs to be done to stimulate international investment, especially in SDG-relevant sectors and in support of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Organized in collaboration with the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), the high-level meeting of SWVE ministers and global business executives will seek to advance ideas to strengthen the investment climate of these economies and the role of the private sector in development. For LDCs in particular the meeting will be the first occasion after the adoption of the Doha Programme of Action to discuss implementation in the area of international investment.
Session themes:
- What are the key challenges international investors face in SWVEs, and how can governments and the development community alleviate their effects?
- What are the key investment opportunities in SWVEs – as a group and in individual cases – and how can public and private actors work in partnership to respond?
- How can development partners help to maximize finance and investment in SDG-relevant sectors and for climate change mitigation and adaptation?