Making investment contribute to development:
The policy perspective
The expert meeting will pull together the findings of the three previous meetings to draw the lessons that can be derived from makinginvestment contribute to development from the policy perspective, and the special role of public–private partnerships.
This last session is thus intended to summarize the work of the multi-year expert meeting from the policy perspective, bringing to a close the cycle of work undertaken on the subject matter in time for the next conference.
The timing of the fourth session suggests that it will also serve as a preparatory step towards UNCTAD XIII – in particular, the deliberations under sub-theme 4: Promoting investment, trade, entrepreneurship and relateddevelopment policies to foster sustained economic growth for sustainable and inclusive development, and the related second ministerial roundtable on 22 April 2012.
The current investment policy regime has become more complex, diversified, andinterconnected with various other policy areas. As a consequence, investment policymakersare faced with new and complex challenges, both at the national and international level.Furthermore, the recent economic and financial crises have brought the issue of how toreadjust the regulatory powers of the State in the economy to the centre of discussions.
There has also been a general trend of rebalancing investment policies. In particular,policymakers have been seeking to “protect” sensitive industries and national security, andhave been aiming to promote responsible investment. Finding the “right” balance betweeninvestment liberalization and regulation is a major challenge, especially in light of growingconcerns about investment protectionism. At the international level, policymakers are facedwith an increasingly complex system of thousands of international investment agreements(IIAs), many ongoing negotiations, and multiple dispute-settlement mechanisms. Today’satomized system of bilateral and regional investment relationships, together with the specialsituation of most developing countries, and the absence of a multilateral investment regime,create additional challenges, calling for a more coordinated approach towards IIAs.
Experts will be requested to elaborate on, and add to, the key issue areas identifiedby the secretariat. Experts are also asked to shed light on other areas of concern and futureconsideration in this regard.
Inputs from experts Experts nominated by member States are encouraged to submit brief papers (up to five pages in length) as contributions to the work of the meeting. The papers should deal with issues relevant to the topic of the meeting, including in relation to their country´s experiences. The papers will be made available at the meeting and on the Website in the form and language in which they are received. Papers should be submitted by 25 November 2011 and addressed to: Ms. Janelle Park F.: +41 22 917 0122 |
