Time for Take-off: The WTO and the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA)

Event Type
Session at Hamburg Sustainability Conference

Location / Date
Hamburg, 02.06.2025

Organizer

German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)

Participants discussed the transformative potential of the IFDA for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). With two-thirds of WTO members having concluded negotiations on the agreement, the IFDA aims to set a global benchmark for transparent, efficient and development-oriented investment frameworks. IDOS research shows that the successful implementation of the agreement could generate global welfare gains of up to 1.74 percent. The IFDA includes a comprehensive development section, offering LMICs flexibilities and tailored support. Institutions such as the World Bank, International Trade Centre and the Inter-American Development Bank are already engaging in country-level workshops to support implementation through technical assistance and capacity development.

Speakers:

high-level representatives from BMZ, the European Commission and international financial institutions:

  • Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, International Trade Centre
  • Jorge Vitorino, Head of Investment and Intellectual Property Unit, EU DG Trade
  • Quan Zhao, Programme Officer Trade Policy, International Trade Centre
  • Claudia Locatelli, Senior Counsellor World Trade Organisation
  • Bernd Lakemeier, Director Economic and Social Development, Digitalisation, GIZ

Moderator:

Hinweis

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