Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators
The Forum is more than just a meeting. It has evolved into a community of government officials determined to work towards systemic reform and to safeguard the best interests of their developing nations.
More than 260 participants from 69 countries and over 40 regional and international institutions and organizations attended the 13th Annual Forum in 2020, which was organized by IISD and hosted by the Government of Thailand. It was also the first-ever virtual edition. The Forum gives participants an opportunity to discuss emerging issues, review recent legal developments in the field, and engage in peer learning with fellow negotiators.
111 developing countries have attended our Annual Forum since it was launched in 2007.
Forum participants remain engaged in the community through IISD's Investment Policy Network, regional meetings, and peer-to-peer exchanges.
The goal of the Annual Forum is to ensure that developing countries are able to attract responsible investment that advances sustainable development while safeguarding their legitimate policy space.
Co-organizers and partner organizations
In hosting the Annual Forums, 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 - 2021 (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
Watch what Ambassador Xavier Carim of South Africa and other participants said about the value of the Annual Forum in this video.
Project team
Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder
Executive Director, IISD Europe; Senior Director, Economic Law & Policy
Flavia Thomé
Head of Operations, Economic Law and Policy, and Advisor to the President & CEO on Project Operations
Joe Zhang
Senior Law Advisor
Suzy H. Nikièma
Associate
Sarah Brewin
Associate
Soledad Leal Campos
Lead, Sustainable Trade
David Perri
Senior Communications Officer, Economic Law and Policy
Cesar Henrique Arrais
Communications Officer
Sofia Baliño
Communications and Editorial Manager, Economic Law and Policy
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