Consultations on a Concerted Response to COVID-19 Related ISDS Risks
In May 2020, IISD conducted virtual consultations on a concerted response to the risk of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) challenges to COVID-19 related measures.
The consultations sought views on the idea of a multilateral or bilateral suspension of ISDS for COVID-19 related measures and discussed potential forums to take up such an initiative. IISD also sought inputs on draft language for such a suspension. The first consultation draft is available here:
Draft agreement for the coordinated suspension of investor-state dispute settlement with respect to COVID-19 related measures and disputes (May 2020): in English, French, and Spanish.
In June 2020, IISD revised the draft language for a suspension agreement to reflect verbal comments and written submissions provided by developing country investment negotiators, international law experts, and civil society organizations during the consultation period.
Draft agreement for the coordinated suspension of investor-state dispute settlement with respect to COVID-19 related measures and disputes (June 2020): in English, French, and Spanish.
IISD is continuing to work with governments, regional economic communities, and other partners to raise awareness of this threat and provide options for how it can be mitigated.
Upcoming events
IGF 22nd Annual General Meeting
The 22nd IGF AGM will be held under the theme of Trust in an Interdependent World: Advancing inclusion and resilience in mineral value chains.
2026 Mining and Sustainability Forum of the Americas
The 2026 Mining and Sustainability Forum of the Americas takes place in Santiago, Chile on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. The forum’s theme is Mining for Development: Value addition and industrial transformation in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The World Trade Organization E-Commerce Post-Moratorium Landscape for Developing Economies
This webinar will explore what the expiry of the World Trade Organization's (WTO's) e-commerce moratorium means for digital trade policy, from tariff revenue and industrialization debates to the risk of a more fragmented trading landscape.
From Extraction to Industry: Aligning Indonesia's mining governance and downstream industrial strategy
This dialogue will explore how Indonesia can strengthen governance, attract responsible investment, and maximize the benefits of its critical mineral resources in the global energy transition.