Geopolitical tensions, trade policy uncertainty, weakening multilateral disciplines and growing economic security concerns are reshaping the landscape for cross-border investment. Increasingly, investment decisions are influenced not only by commercial considerations but also by efforts to manage geopolitical risk, strengthen supply-chain resilience, secure access to strategic technologies and safeguard market access. For developing countries and economies in transition, these shifts present both new opportunities and significant challenges. In this evolving environment, attracting investment that supports sustainable development, builds productive capacities and enables participation in industries and technologies shaping the future has become more important than ever.
Against this backdrop, the Division on Investment and Enterprise continued to support member States through its integrated work on research and analysis, policy advice, consensus-building and technical cooperation. Guided by the principles of collaboration, communication, strategic positioning, and respect and empowerment, the Division worked closely with governments, international organizations, development partners and the private sector to deliver practical and impactful solutions.
A highlight of our work in 2025 was international investment in the digital economy. The World Investment Report 2025 underscored the growing role of the digital economy as an engine of growth, innovation and structural transformation, while noting that such investment remains highly concentrated, leaving many developing countries at risk of being left behind. The report sets out concrete policy options and practical pathways to help bridge this gap and enable broader participation in the digital economy.
The Division translated its analytical work into action through a comprehensive package of policy guidance and implementation support. In partnership with the International Telecommunication Union, we launched the Digital Investment Infrastructure Catalyzer at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, to help mobilize investment and partnerships for digital infrastructure. To further support policymakers, we published a toolkit which provides practical, action-oriented guidance for designing and implementing effective investment policies for the digital economy. Complementing these efforts, the Division advanced digital business and investment facilitation across 16 countries and territories through the development and enhancement of online single windows, digital licensing systems and investment portals, improving the efficiency, transparency and accessibility of business registration and licensing processes.
In the area of entrepreneurship, our network of enterprise development centres (Empretec) began implementing updated UNCTAD training modules on artificial intelligence (AI) and fundraising. This new content strengthens entrepreneurs’ capacity to innovate, access finance and scale their businesses, while reflecting the Division’s broader integration of emerging technologies into its capacity-building work.
The Division expanded the use of AI across its technical assistance and knowledge tools. In particular, the IIA Learning Assistant, an AI-based chatbot, was launched to help users navigate complex international investment agreement concepts and delivers expert-backed insights into the reform of the IIA regime through a sustainable development lens. By guiding users to authoritative sources, it enhances the accessibility of UNCTAD’s analytical work and supports more evidence-based policymaking.
Beyond this, the Division advanced its work on other key areas including climate change and sustainable investment. Through a project supporting beneficiaries in Africa, it strengthened the capacity of investment promotion agencies to attract and facilitate investment in the energy transition and to develop bankable investment projects in the sector. Complementing these efforts, the Division developed a guide on Leveraging Foreign Direct Investment to Advance National Climate Plans providing practical recommendations for aligning investment promotion efforts with national climate priorities and broader sustainable development objectives.
The Division further leveraged its broad network of investment and enterprise development stakeholders to advance sustainable development outcomes. Through platforms and networks including the Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) Initiative, the Sustainable Finance Observatory, the Global Alliance of Special Economic Zones (GASEZ), the Empretec Network and Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR), it facilitated knowledge exchange, strengthened capacities and promoted the adoption of good practices in sustainable finance, investment promotion, entrepreneurship and sustainability reporting.
These achievements were delivered in an environment of growing demand for support and constrained resources across the multilateral system. Through innovation, partnerships and targeted interventions, the Division continued to maximize its impact and respond effectively to the evolving needs of member States.
From October 2025, the Division’s work was guided by the priorities set out by member States at the sixteenth UNCTAD Ministerial Conference and the Geneva Consensus. These priorities will continue to shape the Division’s efforts to support sustainable investment, enterprise development and economic transformation.
Looking ahead, the Division remains committed to delivering evidence-based and forward-looking support that helps countries navigate uncertainty, seize new opportunities and advance sustainable and inclusive development.
Nan Li Collins
Head, World Investment Forum
Chair, UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative
Director, Division on Investment and Enterprise