Effective investment facilitation and sustainable development
Effective investment facilitation and sustainable development
26–30 May 2025
The course is available in English
Introduction to the course
This five-day course will help investment promotion agencies to strengthen their investment promotion and facilitation capacities, expand their after-care services and, more broadly, enhance the development impacts of FDI flowing into their countries, particularly as regards the creation of more and better jobs. The course is run jointly by WAIPA (World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Who attends this course?
This programme is designed for staff of investment promotion agencies and other government officials involved in investment facilitation, e.g. from foreign ministries or ministries responsible for trade, commerce and finance.
What topics does this course cover?
This course explores how IPAs can maximize the positive impact of FDI for Sustainable Development, using a range of tools and resources:
- The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
- FDI trends and insights
- Tools for attracting sustainable FDI
- Responsible business conduct as an entry point for dialogue with foreign investors, based on the provisions of the ILO MNE Declaration, a key international standard used by multinational enterprises
- Strategies for fostering linkages between FDI and local business
- Effective aftercare for advancing sustainable development
- Strategic planning for an integrated approach
What will I learn?
Participants learn how IPAs are improving their impact and shaping national development agendas in a wide range of areas, including:
- How to enhance alignment of FDI with national development priorities
- How to develop SDG projects
- How to engage with investors on responsible business conduct to increase development impacts
- How to facilitate linkages with local businesses
- How to measure qualitative and quantitative impact of your IPA through definition of KPIs for decent work and sustainable development
What will I be able to do?
Participants will be equipped to advise their IPAs on specific ways to attract investment which will contribute more effectively to the SDGs, such as:
- Apply development frameworks for decent work in investment facilitation
- Create an enabling environment to ensure that FDI leads to positive social and economic outcomes
- Implement a system of investment promotion measures and aftercare services which enhances development impacts
As part of their participation, IPA participants will develop a strategy for their institution to integrate and align the SDGs along IPA and FDI related functions (promotion, facilitation, after care, planning, monitoring, and evaluation, ...). Other participants will have a better understanding of how to support IPAs to enhance development impacts of FDI.
Why should I join?
The ITCILO is part of the UN System and is the training arm of the International Labour Organization. The ITCILO is known for its innovative learning experiences and unconventional methodologies.
- An opportunity to connect and interact with colleagues from IPAs from across the globe on topics of mutual concern
- To learn from and with each other on best practices in IPAs on Investment promotion, digitization, resilience
- Connect and link up with exerts from the United Nations, ILO, UNIDO, UNCTAD and WAIPA on the latest information and innovations available
- Successful candidates receive an ITCILO Certificate of participation
- Partial scholarships are available for qualifying candidates.
- Women and participants from IPAs from the list of LDCs are highly encouraged to register
Partners
World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA)
WAIPA provides the opportunity for investment promotion agencies (IPAs) to network and exchange best practices in investment promotion. WAIPA has always dedicated, and continues to dedicate, time and effort towards building the human resources capacity of its Member agencies.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
UNCTAD supports developing countries to access the benefits of a globalized economy more fairly and effectively and helps equip them to deal with the potential drawbacks of greater economic integration. To do this, UNCTAD provides analysis, facilitates consensus-building, and offers technical assistance.
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
UNIDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability.
International Labour Organization
The only tripartite U.N. agency, since 1919 the ILO brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 Member States , to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
