International Investment Agreements (IIAs)

UNCTAD is the global focal point for all matters related to International Investment Agreements and their development implications.

This work includes analysing latest trends and key emerging issues in IIAs, building the capacity of developing countries to negotiate and implement investment treaties that can foster sustainable investment, and providing a platform for universal, inclusive and transparent stakeholder engagement on these issues.

UNCTAD has also been at the forefront of efforts to reform the international investment regime and has provided valuable backstopping to this process.

UNCTAD's work in this area builds on the Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development (2015).

News

Sustainable development takes on heightened significance in investment treaties

Countries are increasingly aligning investment agreements with sustainability objectives, a shift hailed by G20 ministers gathering in Brazil.

28 Oct 2024

The global minimum tax spurs need for faster investment agreement reforms

A UNCTAD report highlights the interplay between efforts to tackle tax avoidance and protect investment, calling for accelerated reforms to align investment agreements with new global tax rules.

23 Nov 2023

World Investment Forum: Facilitation critical for sustainable development

Proactive investment facilitation is key to attracting funding in vital areas such as renewables, health and infrastructure for developing countries.

10 Oct 2023

More news

Investment Agreements - Issues Note

IIA Issues Notes are short online publications that profile a topical IIA-related legal and policy question.

They offer a handy and policy-oriented discussion of an issue and aim at facilitating debate and exchange of views among IIA stakeholders. IIA Issues Notes are forward looking; they set the agenda for future research and policymaking.

While topics vary to respond to current developments, every year one IIA Issues Note reports on the number of known treaty-based ISDS cases filed in the preceding year and one IIA Issues Note reviews recent policy developments in the IIA regime.