Investment Law & Policy
Sustainable development is an investment issue. Investment is needed to alleviate poverty, create jobs, accelerate the energy transition, and for developing the key infrastructure communities need to prosper.
IISD works with governments, international institutions, academics, and civil society to develop policy tools and legal frameworks that link investment to sustainable development outcomes. Our innovative approaches to investment law and policy advance sustainable investments generating social, economic, and environmental benefits.
IISD's experts examine how to improve the rules and institutions that govern international investment flows for the benefit of emerging economies, and publish independent, high-quality and impactful research. Building on our expertise and pioneering role, we propose viable alternatives to some of the most burning issues within international investment.
We provide workshops, training, and advisory services to government officials and civil society actors across a wide range of developing economies. IISD hosts the annual Investment Policy Forum - a unique event that brings together investment officials from emerging economies across the world and has created a truly global network for change.
IISD's team of experts track and support key reform processes within international investment law to ensure robust sustainability outcomes. We are leading the way in reforming how disputes are settled under investment treaties - a process known as investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS).
This includes being a member of the United Nations Conference on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) process for ISDS reform and our instrumental role on reform of the Energy Charter Treaty, where we are proposing the removal of one of the key remaining obstacles to the green energy transition.
We are a founding member of the World Investment for Development Alliance (WIDA), a global platform dedicated to promoting investment for sustainable development.
Flagship initiatives

Investment Policy Forum
IISD hosts the annual Investment Policy Forum, the world's only yearly assembly on investment negotiation exclusively for developing economy officials.

Investment Treaty News
IISD publishes Investment Treaty News, a quarterly journal offering news and analysis on the impacts of investment law and policy for sustainable development.

Webinars on Investment Law and Policy
IISD's webinar series provides key information on developments in international law and policy. It equips emerging economy governments and regional organizations to negotiate better treaties and contracts and prepare for investment disputes.
What we do

Creating Sustainable Reform
IISD collaborates with governments, international institutions, academics, and civil society to propose and support reform in international investment treaties, laws and policies. We are leading the way on global investor-state dispute settlement reform.

Capacity Building, Technical Advice and Training Courses
IISD's highly qualified international lawyers provide training courses, workshops, and a range of advisory services for developing economy officials - covering investment treaties, laws and contracts, negotiations, and dispute prevention and management.

Best Practices Policy Bulletins
IISD's Best Practices Series analyzes the evolving scope and nature of investment treaty negotiations, drawing on public treaty texts and model agreements from governments.
Experts

Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder
Executive Director, IISD Europe; Senior Director, Economic Law & Policy

Suzy H. Nikièma
Lead, Sustainable Investment

Josef Ostřanský
Policy Advisor

Nyaguthii Maina
Associate

Lukas Schaugg
International Law Analyst

Florencia Sarmiento
Policy Analyst

Abas Kinda
Associate

Elka Parveva-Kern
Senior Project Manager

Isaak Bowers
Communications Officer

Yelena Bugakova
Senior Program Assistant

Sarah Brewin
Associate, Advisor Agriculture and Investment

Aanuoluwa Ogundipe
Communications Assistant
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