Background
UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2025 analyzes how global and regional crises, escalating trade tensions, geopolitical fragmentation, shifting industrial policies, and economic volatility have shaped foreign direct investment (FDI) flows in 2024. The report highlights the continued sectoral and geographical fragmentation of FDI flows to developing countries, with flows remaining concentrated in a few large, middle-income countries. It also shows that international investment in sectors critical to Sustainable Development Goals are in decline, largely due to a downturn in international project finance.
Investment in the digital economy continues to serve as a growth engine, with digital infrastructure registering a modest increase and digital services sectors doubling in value. Against this backdrop, the thematic chapter of WIR 2025 focuses on international investment in the digital economy, mapping investment trends, identifying key international investors, priority investment destinations, and emerging frontiers. FDI in the digital economy holds transformative potential for host countries, as it can facilitate the transfer of capital and technology, enhance productivity, and create jobs.
However, despite positive FDI trends in the digital economy, many developing countries remain critically underserved due to major barriers, including high investment risks and high costs of capital. Furthermore, there are persistent gaps in key regulatory areas, weak alignment between digital strategies and investment policies, capacity limitations in investment promotion agencies, and a limited presence of development-focused provisions in international agreements.
In the member-States of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), greenfield activity remains concentrated in key traditional sectors. However, digital economy projects and services activities related to ICT manufacturing have been one of the most dynamic segments across all EAEU member-States.
Objective
The objective of the webinar is to discuss the latest global and regional investment trends, with a particular focus on the implications for the member-States of the Eurasian Economic Union. The session will also explore opportunities and policy recommendations to leverage international investment in the digital economy and in other sectors that can contribute to inclusive and sustainable development.
Participation
The webinar will bring together policymakers and other stakeholders from EAEU member-States. Target participants include Government officials, representatives from investment ministries and authorities, public financial institutions, international organizations and development partners.
