Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators

The Forum has evolved into more than just a meeting. It is a community of government officials. By sharing experiences and lessons learned, this group works toward systemic reform as a means to safeguard the best interests of their developing nations.

The overarching goal of the event is to ensure that developing countries are able to attract responsible investment that advances sustainable development and also safeguards their legitimate policy space. Participants discuss emerging issues, review recent legal developments in the field, and engage in peer learning with fellow negotiators. The community is able to remain engaged between annual gatherings through IISD's Investment Policy Network, regional meetings, and peer-to-peer exchanges.

111 developing countries have attended our Annual Forum since it was launched in 2007.

The most recent Forum—hosted by the Government of Thailand in September 2020—was held virtually due to COVID-19. Despite challenges presented by pivoting to a new format, the 13th Annual Forum attracted more than 260 participants from 69 countries and over 40 regional and international institutions and organizations.

Co-organizers and partner organizations

As the Annual Forum organizer, IISD has partnered with various international and regional organizations, which have been regularly represented at the meetings:

• South Centre
• Commonwealth Secretariat
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA)
• Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
• Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
• Southern African Development Community (SADC)
• Pacific Islands Forum, Office of the Chief Trade Adviser (OCTA)
• United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

Learn more about each forum

Each year, the Forum is co-hosted by a developing country government in rotation from Asia to Africa to Latin America:

• 14th Annual Forum - Nigeria - 2022 (Forthcoming)
• 13th Annual Forum - Bangkok, Thailand – 2020 (Virtual)
• 12th Annual Forum – Cartagena, Colombia – 2019
• 11th Annual Forum – Nairobi, Kenya – 2018
• 10th Annual Forum – Colombo, Sri Lanka – 2016
• 9th Annual Forum – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 2015
• 8th Annual Forum – Montreux, Switzerland – 2014
• 7th Annual Forum – Jakarta, Indonesia – 2013
• 6th Annual Forum – Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – 2012
• 5th Annual Forum – Kampala, Uganda – 2011
• 4th Annual Forum – New Delhi, India – 2010
• 3rd Annual Forum – Quito, Ecuador – 2009
• 2nd Annual Forum – Marrakech, Morocco – 2008
• 1st Annual Forum – Singapore – 2007

Testimonials

Find out more about the Annual Forum and hear what participants, including Ambassador Xavier Carim of South Africa, have to say about the value of attending.