Investment Policy Forum

IISD is the founder and host organization of the Investment Policy Forum, the world's only summit of investment negotiators and policy-makers exclusively from developing and emerging economies.

The Investment Policy Forum was launched in Singapore in 2007 to tackle the unique investment governance challenges facing emerging and developing economies.

Since 2007, the IPF has provided a unique space for investment policy-makers and negotiators to share challenges, ideas, strategies, and solutions across countries and continents, with the common objective of making international investment governance fairer, more resilient, and better aligned with sustainable development goals.

The 17th edition of the Investment Policy Forum will be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on September 16-18, 2026.

The 2026 IPF will continue the event's multi-year theme of strengthening coherence in investment governance. This year's edition will focus on coherence across the international, regional, and national levels involved in investment policy-making.

In Dar es Salaam, the delegates will follow up on policy progress on two aspects of investment governance coherence highlighted at the 2023 and 2024 editions of the IPF—domestic and international coherence, respectively—and how the practical tool kits developed at these forums have supported reforms in these areas (see the 2023 IPF Panama Tool Kit for domestic coherence  and the 2024 IPF Manila Tool Kit for international coherence).

2024 Investment Policy Forum

The 16th edition of the Investment Policy Forum was held in Manila, the Philippines, in October 2024. 90 investment policy-makers and negotiators from more than 50 developing countries, regional bodies, and multilateral institutions participated across 3 days of panel discussions, workshops, and peer-to-peer learning sessions.

The theme of the 16th edition was international coherence in investment governance; the delegates produced a practical tool kit to support governments in navigating the web of multilateral economic, environmental, and social commitments that may impact investment policy decisions.

The event's keynote address was delivered by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development, Professor Surya Deva. 

2023 Investment Policy Forum

The 15th edition of the Investment Policy Forum took place in Panama City, Panama, in October 2023. Over 100 investment policy-makers gathered to explore and strategize around the event theme of domestic coherence in investment governance. Also at this IPF, the delegates developed a dedicated practical tool kit to support policy-makers navigate the domestic ministries, agencies, and stakeholders involved in investment policy decisions.

At the 2023 Investment Policy Forum, the IISD Model Contract Clauses for Responsible Investment in Agriculture was launched, providing legal provisions to help developing countries implement international best practices, principles, and guidance on responsible agricultural investment.

Co-Organizers and Partner Organizations

As the Investment Policy Forum organizer, IISD has partnered with international and regional organizations that have been regularly represented at the meetings:

• South Centre
• Commonwealth Secretariat
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
• West African Economic and Monetary Union
• Caribbean Community
• Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa
• Southern African Development Community
• Pacific Islands Forum, Office of the Chief Trade Adviser

Testimonials

Find out more about IISD's Investment Policy Forum and hear what participants have to say about the value of attending.