UNCTAD Virtual IIA Conference 2020 “IIA Reform in Times of COVID-19”

The UNCTAD Virtual IIA Conference 2020 “IIA Reform in Times of COVID-19” will be held on Thursday, 26 November. It will be hosted online from 11:00 to 14:00 Geneva time. The event will bring together representatives of Governments, regional and international organizations, and other IIA stakeholders. Panellists will discuss key questions surrounding “IIA Reform in Times of COVID-19”.

IIA Reform in Times of Covid-19

IIA reform remains a daunting task for all member States, with challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Policymakers, IIA practitioners, civil society and legal scholars need to urgently take stock of ongoing reform efforts in times of COVID-19, in terms of both what IIA reform measures countries and regional organizations undertook or are considering to undertake in response to the crisis, and how to maintain and strengthen the reform momentum in light of the increased fragility of economies around the world that places added emphasis on the importance of FDI as a means of development finance. The Virtual IIA Conference 2020 will aim to pave the way for further inclusive, transparent, and synchronized IIA reform processes in the pursuit of sustainable development in the post-COVID-19 era.

Sessions

1. Country Perspectives: IIA Reform in Times of COVID-19
2. Regional and International Perspectives: IIA Reform in Times of COVID-19

All relevant publications are available here

Over 20 pre-conference video messages and written statements are now available here .The videos and statements from governments and stakeholders around the world inform about ongoing reform efforts. They accompany the live discussions that will take place at the Virtual IIA Conference 2020 on 26 November.

IIA reform remains a daunting task for all member States, with the challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Policymakers, IIA practitioners, civil society and legal scholars need to urgently take stock of ongoing reform efforts in times of COVID-19, in terms of both what IIA reform measures countries and regional organizations undertook or are considering to undertake in response to the crisis, and how to maintain and strengthen the reform momentum in light of the increased fragility of economies around the world that places added emphasis on the importance of FDI as a means of development finance.

The video and written statements are available in the language in which they were received.