Investment Policy Forum
IISD hosts the annual Investment Policy Forum, the world's only yearly assembly on investment negotiation and reform exclusively for officials from developing countries. The IISD Investment Policy Forum leads the way on sustainable investment reform from the bottom up, driven by our global community of investment policy-makers from emerging economies.
The 15th edition of the IISD Investment Policy Forum will take place in Panama City, Panama, on October 25-27, 2023.
The IISD Investment Policy Forum was launched in Singapore in 2007 to tackle the unique challenges facing officials from emerging economies working on investment. It has since evolved into an annual event and an indispensable network of developing country officials working on investment issues.
Through the sharing of experiences and best practices, and the discussion of emerging issues, the network helps to create systemic reform advancing sustainable development in emerging economies across the world.
The core goal of the event is to ensure that participating countries are able to attract responsible investment that advances sustainable development while safeguarding their legitimate policy space. Between events, the community also remains engaged through IISD's Investment Policy Network, regional meetings, and peer-to-peer exchanges.
With the complexity of the challenges facing governments worldwide - such as the climate crisis - many international investment reform processes coming to an end, and a growing number of countries launching national investment reforms, now more than ever policymakers need a space to build coalitions and engage in peer-to-peer exchange. The IISD Investment Policy Forum is that space.
14th Annual Forum, October 2022
The 14th Annual Forum took place in Abuja, Nigeria, in October 2022. The theme of the event was “Coherence in International Investment: Governance, Crafting a Holistic Approach to Investments that Work for Sustainable Development.” Find all the information on the 14th Forum here, and the report summarizing the Forum here.
The Abuja Forum was also complemented by a High-Level Preparatory Launch Event in September, 2021.
Co-organizers and Partner Organizations
As the Annual 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
- United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
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.
Previous Annual Forums
Each year, the Forum is co-hosted by a developing country government in rotation from Asia to Africa to Latin America.
2023 Investment Policy Forum
The 15th Investment Policy Forum will be held in Panama City, Panama, from October 25 to 27, 2023. The event is organized by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and hosted by the Government of Panama.
14th Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators
The 14th Annual Investment Forum took place in 2022 in Abuja, Nigeria, with the theme: Coherence in International Investment Governance
13th Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators
The 13th Annual Forum was hosted by Thailand and took place virtually in 2020 with the theme: Investment Policymaking During COVID-19 and Beyond
12th Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators
The 12th Annual Forum took place in 2019 in Cartagena, Colombia, with the theme: Shifting International Investment Law Toward Sustainable Development
11th Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators
The 11th Annual Forum took place in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2018 with the theme: The Changing World of Investment Negotiations
10th Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators
The 10th Annual Forum took place in 2016 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with the theme: Reshaping Investment Law and Policy to Support the 2030 Development Agenda
Project team

Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder
Interim Co-President and Co-CEO | Vice-President, Global Strategies and Managing Director, Europe

Suzy H. Nikièma
Director, Investment

Flavia Thomé
Director, Project Management Office | Head of Operations, Economic Law and Policy

Florencia Sarmiento
Policy Analyst

Abas Kinda
Associate

Nyaguthii Maina
Associate

Lukas Schaugg
International Law Analyst

Josef Ostřanský
Policy Advisor

Sarah Brewin
Associate, Advisor Agriculture and Investment

Isaak Bowers
Communications Officer
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