The IIA Section offers a range of specific tools to foster the capacity of beneficiary countries' policymakers and other IIA stakeholders to negotiate sustainable-development friendly IIAs. Technical assistance activities are tailor-made and demand-driven, provided upon request of countries or regional organizations.

They include:

• National or regional training sessions for IIA negotiators
• Sensitization seminars on foreign investment and IIAs for IIA stakeholders
• Ad-hoc expert advice (advisory services) on key issues in IIAs

More than 168 countries have benefited from UNCTAD's technical assistance since 2008:

• 132 developing countries
  (38 of which are least developed countries)
• 14 economies in transition
• 36 developed countries

The IIA Section also contributes to technical assistance activities carried out by the Division, such as Investment Policy Reviews.

It also cooperates with other inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations (e.g. APEC, IISD, ISDB, SADC, WHO).

Target audience:

• Government officials
• Civil society organizations

Contact:

Mr. Hamed El-Kady
T.: +41 22 917 2135
E.: hamed.el.kady@unctad.org