Accra, Ghana 18-22 April 2008
Geneva, 2 April 2008 — The World Investment Forum will take place on the occasion of UNCTAD´s 12th ministerial conference, to be held in Ghana in April 2008. The event will provide an unprecedented opportunity for senior policy-makers, investors and investment promotion agencies from over 190 countries to meet and interact through a series of conference, networking and social events. The Forum will focus on trends and future prospects in the investment-led globalization process. Particular emphasis will be placed on how companies, countries and regions can maximize the opportunities generated by this process.
Many prominent figures from the worlds of politics, business and policy-making will attend, including John Kufuor, President of Ghana; Tarja Halonen, President of Finland; Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations; and Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary-General of UNCTAD. They will participate in the various events taking place during the World Investment Forum and UNCTAD XII, many of which will allow for audience interaction.
Corporate executives, ministers and senior officials, and heads of investment promotion agencies from across the world will come together at the Forum to analyse the trends in and prospects for foreign direct investment (FDI) and give views on the opportunities and challenges arising from changing patterns of cross-border investment. Perspectives will be provided by some of the world´s most prominent companies, including Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, IBM, Hewlett Packard and Siemens AG. Discussion and debate will be moderated by high-profile figures from the international media, including the BBC, CNBC and the Financial Times.
World Investment Forum Interactive Sessions (19-20 April)
There will be three interactive panel sessions, co-organized by UNCTAD and the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA). The session on Prospects for Global FDI and New Business Opportunities will explore future patterns of investment flows, which sectors and industries will account for these flows and what the features of the corporate strategies driving the trends will be. The session on Global Value Chains: Opportunities and Challenges, which is to be held in collaboration with the International Trade Centre, will examine how international and local firms can seek efficiencies as production patterns change and services provision becomes ever more globalized. The third session on Africa: a New Emerging Market for FDI will consider the emerging opportunities on the African continent, and the lessons for global companies and African countries as they interact more closely. A series of business networking luncheons and dinners will be organized to facilitate business encounters.
Investment Advisory Council (20 April)
An invitation-only luncheon, the Investment Advisory Council will bring together political leaders and senior executives to discuss issues arising from changing international investment conditions. This meeting will also address the challenges of FDI and climate change. Invitees will share their views on how FDI can contribute to sustainable development in the interest of nations and stakeholders.
Awards Ceremonies (18 and 21 April)
A social highlight will be the annual WAIPA Awards and Gala dinner, to be held on the eve of the Forum opening. WAIPA, in collaboration with UNCTAD, will recognize three investment promotion agencies for achieving excellence in policy advocacy. The 2008 winners will be chosen for their dedication and creativity in identifying problems, raising awareness among stakeholders, formulating policy remedies and affecting change.
The first Women in Business Awards will be presented to women-owned businesses that have benefited from the business development services of Empretec Centres in their respective countries. A panel of experts from the private and public sectors, academia and civil society will select the top three businesswomen from the 10 finalists. Prominent persons and the UNCTAD Secretary-General will present the prizes to the winner and runners-up.
High-Level Investment-Related Events at UNCTAD XII
The Global Leaders´ Debate: New Investment Dynamics for Development (21 April)The debate will bring together government and corporate leaders from across the world. The participants will assess the new opportunities and challenges emanating from a rapidly changing international investment landscape, including the rise of firms from emerging economies. From their different perspectives, the leaders will discuss what governments can do to improve business environments and what companies can do to accelerate the development process in the countries in which they invest. The participants will also consider how foreign investment can spur local enterprise and reduce poverty. Opened by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and moderated by CNBC´s Simon Hobbs, the event will draw on the insights of leading decision-makers in politics and business to generate a rich, solutions-oriented debate. During the final hour of the event the leaders will interact with the high-level audience of corporate executives, senior policy makers and heads of investment promotion agencies.
Interactive Thematic Roundtable (22 April)
It is imperative to maximize the gains from FDI. From increasing domestic productive capacity to reaping the full range of spillovers, the right policy mix is essential if the most is to be gained from FDI. Among the greatest challenges facing policy-makers is the creation of an institutional environment conducive to increasing foreign investment and enhancing sustainable development. Ministers and senior policy-makers will participate in the event.
