International discussions on investment facilitation have been very dynamic in previous years. The concept of investment facilitation covers a wide range of areas, with the ultimate focus on promoting foreign investment that flows efficiently and to the greatest benefit of host countries. International discussions on this concept have been very dynamic in recent years. Following a joint ministerial declaration on investment facilitation for development at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires in December 2017, so-called structured discussions are now taking place within the WTO with the aim of developing a multilateral framework for investment facilitation.

Proponents of an international agreement on investment facilitation for development expect that such a framework would lead to higher FDI flows. In light of the Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development, this focus is necessary but not sufficient: it is also important to focus on the qualitative contribution of foreign direct investment (FDI) to sustainable development. Sustainable FDI should not only contribute to economic growth in host countries, but should do so in a socially just and environmental-friendly way.

The roundtable brought together experts with in-depth knowledge of investment facilitation and investment policy-making, representing different countries, stakeholders and academic backgrounds, to develop conceptual ideas and policy proposals on how to strengthen the contribution of the international framework for investment facilitation to sustainable development in developing countries.

The event was organized by DIE with financial support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).