International investment agreements (IIAs)

The importance of this issue would become even greater in the light of the proliferation of IIAs and the consequent increase in the complexity of international investment law.

While it was pointed out that there was no causal connection between international investment agreements (IIAs) and attracting FDI, it was nevertheless emphasized that the protection of investors would encourage the flow of investments.

In this context, the importance of the notion of reciprocity in IIAs and the urgent need to build capacity and technical expertise were emphasized.

The speaker also expressed concern about the increase in the number of international investment disputes arising from investment agreements, and said that further analysis of this phenomenon and its implications for development was needed.

Some participants stressed that there was a growing recognition that developing countries needed more policy space in IIAs in order to meet the requirements of their development agenda.

In introducing item 4, the Chief of the International Arrangements Section, DITE, said that the number of international disputes arising from investment agreements had increased dramatically over the past five years, and that this development would pose a particular challenge for developing countries.

International investment disputes arising from investment agreements are on the rise, at times involving tens of millions of dollars.

The valuable role of UNCTAD in these areas was recognized, and it was suggested that UNCTAD could explore ways of enhancing amicable settlement clauses in IIAs.

Another in depth evaluation had just been conducted on the capacity building programme on issues in international investment agreements, and the results could be made available shortly to interested delegations.

Focusing on the legal dimension of corporate responsibilities in the field of economic development, he said that trends in investment arbitration case law suggested that certain corporate conduct obligations were inherent in the protective principles found in international investment agreements.

We have concluded safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency, including on additional protocols.

Investor State Dispute Settlement.

The 1996 peace accords that ended the decades long civil war removed a major obstacle to foreign investment.

IAEA Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements and Additional Protocols

In particular, many LDCs had recently established investment promotion agencies and were entering into bilateral, regional and interregional agreements for the protection and promotion of investment.

Indeed, many developing countries are carefully adjusting their negotiating positions in international investment agreements (IIAs) to reflect the fact that they are no longer only receiving (host) countries but also increasingly source (home) countries.

Specifically, this project developed and implemented distance learning programmes on International Investment Agreements and Trade Negotiations and Commercial Diplomacy in Benin, Cameroon, Guinea, Mali and Togo, and included training of tutors.

Many bilateral investment agreements had caused a large number of disputes since they did not consider the national political space contexts.

The leading outward investor economies from Asia and Latin America have been the most active countries in concluding IIAs.

Treaties like investment protection agreements may not be suspended, given that their purpose is the mutual protection of national of the parties ).

Taking note of the decisions of the biennial general meeting between the organizations and agencies of the UN System and the OIC, held in Vienna on 13 15 July 2004.

Two intensive training sessions for IIA negotiators (the third one for English speaking African countries (Pretoria, March 2004), the fourth one for French speaking African countries (Alexandria, May 2004)) were organized.

The cases cover a wide range of economic activities and various types of foreign involvement, and are related to key provisions in investment agreements.

First, for the purpose of fostering an enabling global environment to facilitate international investment flows and increasing R D related FDI, UNCTAD could help define the scope of investment issues, including development aspects, so as to assist developing countries in negotiating provisions for free trade agreements.

Moreover, there ought to be more coordination between national investment policies and IIA negotiations.

6. Invites regional organizations to consider concluding cooperation agreements with the International Criminal Court

In the context of the urban renewal investment budget, agreements were entered into with a number of large cities, in which the Government and municipalities define what is for them a safe living environment.

(a) An increased number of funding and partnership agreements with donor Governments, the European Commission, private foundations and international financial institutions

Consultations with ILO were proceeding, and the Government would comply with all ILO Conventions on the right to collective bargaining.

NEW YORK International investment agreements are once again in the news.

Partnership agreements and donor round tables could be foreseen during the yYear for the launching of the implementation of the action programmes.

The Court is in the process of negotiating agreements for cooperation with other international and regional organizations, including the African Union and the European Union.

The EU considers that comprehensive safeguards agreements together with additional protocols constitute the current IAEA verification standard.

Not all developing regions have participated equally in the emergence of international investment flows.

Presentation and discussion by representatives of international and regional organizations Benefiting from FDI

Four Investment guides Opportunities and conditions for Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania (both in English and French) and Uganda were published in cooperation with the International Chamber of Commerce.

Intergovernmental agreements were concluded in accordance with the Law on Conclusion and Execution of International Agreements (Official Gazette, 29 00).

The EU considers that comprehensive safeguards agreements, together with Additional Protocols, constitute the current IAEA verification standard.

Thanks to the investment of the State and support of international organizations, education facilities were improved substantially.

(ii) Mr. Douglas Cruikshark, USAID Trade Facilitation and Investment Project

States parties that had not yet concluded comprehensive safeguards agreements with IAEA should do so without delay.

In addition to the technology related services provided under this service module, UNIDO recently established an Emerging Technologies Group (ETG) to oversee the Organization's programme of assistance to client countries in the areas of information and communication technology (ICT), biotechnology and hydrogen energy technologies.

Collective Branch Agreements

1930 Bilateral agreements