1. Introduction
UNCTAD serves as a critical global forum for fostering transparent, inclusive, and solution-oriented discussions regarding investment for development matters. UNCTAD's commitment to facilitating dialogue offers organisations across the globe an invaluable opportunity to engage with policymakers, business leaders, and experts on issues that impact sustainable development. By participating in events like the World Investment Forum (WIF) 2023, organisations can contribute their insights, advocate for responsible and equitable investment practices, and hold stakeholders accountable. We encourage individuals and organisations passionate about sustainable development to join the WIF and actively engage in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable global investment landscape. Together, we can drive positive change and work towards a future where investment truly benefits all.
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2. WIF Sessions Spotlight
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2.1: Symposium on Developing Public Sector Sustainability Reporting Standards
Date: October 16, 2023
Time: 11:00 – 13:00
GMT+4
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ISAR has played a key role in harmonising sustainability reporting since the adoption of the SDGs in 2015. The ISSB is developing private sector sustainability reporting standards, while the IPSASB is addressing climate-related information gaps in the public sector. This symposium provides a global platform to discuss IPSASB's efforts, gather stakeholder input, and identify capacity-building needs for public sector sustainability reporting worldwide. For more…
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2.2: Global Investments Game Changers Summit
Date: October 17, 2023
Time: 11:30 – 13:00
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The Game Changers Summit, occurring at the start of the World Investment Forum, offers a platform for visionary business leaders to present innovative solutions to global challenges. Focused on key sectors like clean energy, healthcare, and EdTech, it explores novel approaches to issues like inequality and food security. This summit gathers pioneers who have reshaped industries to achieve economic success and sustainability, fostering "out of the box" thinking and policy transformation. For more…
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2.3: Investment Promotion and Its Impact on Gender Equality
Date: October 18, 2023
Time: 09:00 – 10:00
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This event spotlights how investment promotion agencies (IPAs) are prioritising gender equality and empowerment. They work on enhancing the impact of foreign companies on gender equality, fostering gender-inclusive collaborations between multinational and local firms, and empowering women within their agencies. By incorporating gender considerations into their work, IPAs aim to attract firms that create sustainable job opportunities for women, address challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, and promote gender-inclusive business partnerships. This event highlights promising IPA initiatives in this area. For more…
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2.4: Transferred Emissions
Date: October 19, 2023
Time: 14:00 – 15:30
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This event tackles the issue of "transferred emissions" from fossil fuel asset sales by oil and gas supermajors. These sales can be misleading in terms of achieving net-zero goals and may transfer emissions to less regulated entities. It highlights policy recommendations to improve emissions disclosures, close reporting gaps, and encourage real emissions reductions, building on research by organisations like CCSI and aligned with UNCTAD's WIR 2023. The goal is to raise awareness among investment policymakers and stakeholders about this emerging climate issue. For more…
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2.5: The Youth Forum
Date: October 19, 2023
Time: 09:30 – 13:00
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The 2023 Youth Forum, held as part of the World Investment Forum, empowers young people to engage in sustainable development. Through interactive sessions and workshops, they explore how investment and enterprise can contribute to sustainability. This forum builds on the success of past UNCTAD Youth Forums, giving global youth a platform to discuss industry transformation, technology, and education while fostering collaboration and SDG achievement in their communities. For more…
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3. Investment News Roundup
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3.1 Petromin Corporation inks agreements with HPCL to invest $700mn
Saudi multinational Petromin Corporation will invest $700mn through its partnership with Indian public sector enterprise Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) in three strategic areas including setting up fuel stations, and Petromin Express workshops, EV charging stations in India and fuel stations across the Middle East and Africa. Read more…
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3.2 How to invest in ESG: Ethical investing explained
With the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission set to finalise a climate risk disclosure rule by the end of 2023, companies would be legally obligated to disclose accurate climate emissions data, such as Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. This requirement will give new significance to the environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting that investors use to make ethical, green and financially responsible investment decisions. Read more…
To understand more about ethical investing and ESG, a session FDI, ESG, and Inclusivity- Promoting decent work and social development at the UNCTAD’s WIF 2023 organised in partnership with CUTS and ILO particularly seems relevant. It aims to take stock of recent developments in the promotion of decent work and social development through international investment and inclusive global supply chains.
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3.3 Three ways to enable greater investment in SDG projects
There are several reasons why pension funds aren’t funnelling more money into sustainable development projects. Increasing investment into sustainable development projects will require rewriting the rules for pension funds, working with well-informed partners, and performance-related incentives for local government officials. Read more…
The session Showcasing reforms to promote SDG investment (I & 2) will give top government officials from selected countries or regions the opportunity to showcase their investment policy reforms aimed at achieving the SDGs and national development objectives.
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3.4 Africa: Copenhagen to double its investment in sustainable development
Denmark is all set to increase its investment ceiling from €2.1 billion in 2022 to €4.7 million by 2030 and at least 50% of these investments will be made on the African continent. Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen announced the reform of the Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU), the financial arm of Danish diplomacy. Read more…
To address these challenges faced by the African continent and fully leverage international investment for sustainable development, a session Mobilizing Institutional Investment For Sustainable Development in Africa will be taking place at WIF. This session will gather senior executives from African and international institutional investors and government representatives to discuss sustainable investment opportunities for institutional investors in Africa.
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3.5 India hopeful about climate financing at UN conference: Environment secretary
India is optimistic that the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UN Climate Change Conference slated to be held in Dubai in November this year will bring greater clarity on the financial pathways needed in the fight against climate change. In doing so, it is likely to build upon the declaration adopted at the recent G20 leaders’ summit in New Delhi, she said in an interview ahead of the, to be held from 30 November-12 December. Read more…
A session Financing the Climate Transition – The Way Forward at the WIF 2023 is aimed at ensuring that the numerous climate finance and investment events at the Forum actively contribute to deliberations at COP28. It brings together the insights and outcomes generated throughout the climate finance and investment track of the Forum, summarising key points that will feed into negotiations at COP28 for the benefit of Heads of Delegations and the wider audience.
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