The Fourth Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators, held in New Delhi, India, on October 27-29, 2010, gathered 70 participants from 34 countries to discuss the latest trends and developments in international investment law.

The Forum was co-organized by India's Ministry for Industrial Policy and Promotion, Invest India, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), and the South Centre. The Forum brought together investment negotiators from across the developing world—some 41 per cent of participants represented Least-Developed Countries.

These annual forums provide a unique opportunity for investment negotiators to share experience, learn about different approaches to investment-treaty negotiations, develop new contacts and facilitate future collaboration between developing countries. Participants also receive information on the latest trends in the area of international investment agreements with a focus on the priorities and needs developing countries.

Learn more about the Annual Forums of Developing Country Investment Negotiators

The Fifth Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators was held in Kampala, Uganda, from October 17–19, 2011.

It was co-organized by the Government of Uganda, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the South Centre. This year’s Forum was attended by 79 participants from 40 countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America, as well as international organizations, including the Commonwealth Secretariat, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and the Pan-African Parliament.

The Forum builds upon the successes of the four previous forums held in Singapore (2007), Morocco (2008), Ecuador (2009) and India (2010). This year the Forum was aimed at encouraging developing country investment negotiators to explore choices for a better future in relation to foreign investment and sustainable development.

Learn more about the Annual Forums of Developing Country Investment Negotiators

The Sixth Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators was held in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago from October 29–31, 2012, and was attended by 75 participants from 36 countries.

The Forum was co-hosted by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the South Centre.

In keeping with this year’s theme: “Understanding and Harnessing New Models for Investment and Sustainable Development,” the Forum provided a venue for participants to consider new approaches to ensuring that investment agreements support the developmental goals of developing countries, drawing on emerging models, including from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Learn more about the Annual Forums of Developing Country Investment Negotiators

The Seventh Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators was a tremendous success.

This year’s event was co-organized with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia and the South Centre, it was held in Jakarta on 4-6 November 2013. It was the largest Forum IISD has organized thus far with 104 participants from 56 countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as international organizations, including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Commonwealth Secretariat (COMSEC), the Office of the Chief Trade Adviser for Pacific Forum Island Countries (OCTAPIC), the UN Economic Development and Globalization Division (ESCWA), and the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM).

The meeting was entitled “Investment Treaties and Investor-State Dispute Settlement: Reform or Reject?” This was the theme identified by last year’s participants as a pressing issue requiring an in-depth discussion of current challenges faced by countries and a sharing of experiences regarding investor–state dispute settlement.  

The high number of participants was key to the success of the event. The participants discussed various alternative models and approaches proposed by different countries, including a new model treaty that was proposed by one of the large developing countries, focusing on facilitating and promoting investment into developing countries rather than protection and arbitration. Participants also discussed variations of national and regional initiatives on investment and identified concrete ways to reform and improve the framework already in place. We believe the discussions have provided a platform for creative and innovative planning for next steps.

Learn more about the Annual Forums of Developing Country Investment Negotiators

The Eighth Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators was held in Montreux, Switzerland, from November 5 to 7, 2014, and was attended by 99 participants from 54 countries. 

The Forum examined the challenges in the relationships between investment treaties and economic development, with a focus on industrial policy, investment liberalization and performance requirements. It was co-hosted by the Government of Liberia, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the South Centre.

The annual forum is a platform for senior developing and emerging country government officials to discuss trends and perspectives in the current geo-political landscape of investment-related negotiations. At a time when industrialized countries are increasing pressure to accept long-term investment agreements aimed at broadening their access to developing country markets and natural resources, host states in Africa, Asia and Latin America are beginning to evaluate the potential risks and benefits.

The forum offers a space for debate and exchange on the challenges and opportunities arising within regions and individual countries that are reaching for inclusive growth and sustainable development. By analyzing the most recent trends, the forum assists developing countries in finding solutions, building on lessons learned by peers and strengthening practical South-South cooperation activities in the investment policy area.

Learn more about the Annual Forums of Developing Country Investment Negotiators

The Ninth Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from November 16 to 18, 2015, and was attended by participants from 48 countries.

The event focused on the uncertainty that faces international investment law today and assessed the meaning and implications of this uncertainty for emerging and developing economies. The Forum was co-hosted by the Government of Brazil, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the South Centre.

In line with the theme "Investment Treaties in a State of Flux: Strategies and opportunities for developing countries," the meeting examined the biggest state of flux in international investment law over the last 50 years. Among the questions explored were the trends in negotiations of mega-regional agreements, investment treaty models in development, and strategic approaches available to developing countries to re-design the system in a way that contributes to their economic and social development in a sustainable way.

The Forum encouraged the sharing of ideas among senior developing and emerging country government officials, who built on their experience and converged on the need for principles for South-South cooperation in reforming the investment treaty regime. Participants also recommended that a process be established for countries to begin developing a set of principles for like-minded countries based on the discussions and recommendations that emerged during this year's Forum that would lead into next year's Forum.

Learn more about the Annual Forums of Developing Country Investment Negotiators