Regional Approaches to Investor-State Disputes: Workshop with UEMOA countries

On April 17–18, 2024, IISD, in partnership with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), organized a workshop for experts from UEMOA member states' investment promotion agencies. The workshop focused on alternative ways ("mechanisms") to resolve disputes between foreign investors and states.

The workshop advanced the experts' knowledge of various investment dispute resolution mechanisms, enabled the participants to share practical experiences, and initiated discussions on the opportunity for UEMOA member states to forge a common approach to influence the upcoming negotiations of the Dispute Settlement Annex of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Investment Protocol (IP).

IISD experts leading the workshop unpacked key concepts of dispute settlement mechanisms, including prevention, management, and resolution, as well as crucial steps for ensuring their effectiveness. Participants were also briefed on the current status, challenges, and opportunities for this year's negotiations on the Dispute Settlement Annex to the AfCFTA IP, as well as on key ongoing multilateral reform processes, such as UNCITRAL Working Group III and the Energy Charter Treaty.