The World Investment Forum, in its inaugural session, attracted large numbers of participants from both the public and private sectors. The event provided an unprecedented opportunity for heads of business to interact with policymakers and investment promotion executives from a number of developed and developing countries. The WIF explored future development in FDI inflows, opportunities and challenges, the role of FDI in economic development, and improved methods for investment promotion and facilitation. Participants were able to meet and interact through a series of high-level interactive discussions, networking events, training sessions and awards ceremonies. Events included:
- Global Leaders´ Investment Debate. Corporate leaders underscored the investment opportunities and challenges arising from the second phase of globalization, while government leaders shared best practices in investment policymaking. The event was a highlight of the Forum.
- Interactive panel sessions, co-organized by UNCTAD and WAIPA in cooperation with GIPC, constituted the core of the Forum´s conference activity. Three interactive sessions were held:
- "Prospects for global FDI and new business opportunities" explored future patterns of investment flows.
- Global value chains: Opportunities and challenges" examined how international and local firms can seek efficiencies as production patterns change.
- "Africa: A new emerging market for FDI" considered the emerging opportunities on the African continent and the lessons for global companies and African countries as they interact more closely.
- Ministerial round table discussed how to create an institutional environment conducive to investment and sustainable development - a follow-up to the 2007 G8 Summit Declaration.
- Investment Advisory Council (IAC): a luncheon held with the participation of Heads of State and CEOs of global companies. The IAC addressed emerging challenges in the investment and development nexus, with a focus on actionable initiatives.
Side events:
- Capacity-building workshops in partnership with WAIPA, The World Bank (FIAS) and private sector firms. There were four workshops in total; three in English and one in French. They covered some of the most topical issues faced by investment promotion agencies (IPAs) today.
- Business networking events: luncheons and dinners facilitated further discussion and business encounters.
- Women in Business awards: the first were presented to women-owned businesses that have benefited from the business development services of Empretec centres in their respective countries.
- Publications launches included the Investment Advisory Series A, a new series intended as a pragmatic tool to help developing nations attract foreign investment and benefit therefrom, and the World Investment Directory: Africa, which provides comprehensive data and information on FDI, legal and regulatory frameworks and operations of TNCs.
The WIF attracted 650 business executives and high-level policymakers, including Heads of State and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of global companies. Many highlighted the need for a world forum that meets regularly to address investment issues with particular attention for emerging economies and the role of FDI in the development process. The debates, networking and capacity-building activities were highly appreciated by the public and private sector alike, including a large number of investment promotion agencies.
