PPPs can help bridge the SDG-financing gap; they carry opportunities, but also risks. This project assists investment policymakers, investment promotion officials and academia to maximize opportunities and minimize risks.

It does so by:

- exploring the investment policy dimension of PPPs, both in terms of national and international investment policymaking;

- synthesizing the PPP-related information in UNCTAD IIA and ISDS Navigators and providing sample clauses;

- offering training materials and tools for policymakers; and

- providing a platform for exchange.

Definitions of PPPs

PPPs are formal arrangements between the public and private sectors to deliver public services and infrastructure, while sharing the attendant risks and rewards. Read more about different definitions of PPPs.

Opportunities and risks of PPPs

PPPs can help mobilize investment and channel it into SDG sectors. Read more about what PPPs can add in pursuit of the SDGs and also the opportunities and risks of PPPs.

PPPs and ISDS cases

PPPs have given rise to treaty-based investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) cases. Read more about key sectors and patterns involved and carry out your own searches using UNCTAD’s ISDS Navigator.

PPPs and IIA drafting

Careful IIA drafting can help reduce countries’ exposure to PPP-related ISDS cases. Read more about key IIA clauses, their relevance for PPPs, their prevalence in the IIA universe and review sample provisions . Carry out your own searches using UNCTAD’s IIA Mapping Project Navigator.

PPPs in UNCTAD's Investment Policy Reviews

Since 1999, UNCTAD has prepared Investment Policy Reviews (IPRs) for 50 economies. The bulk of IPR recommendations regarding PPPs emphasized regulatory reform and the need for regulatory oversight, as well as institutional capacity. Read more about PPPs in IPRs.

Resources and literature on PPPs

Considerable work on this topic has also been carried out by intergovernmental organizations, think tanks, civil society and academia. Read more, and access key documents (including guidelines, toolkits and other resources) here.

Sharing of experiences on PPPs

Numerous countries have implemented PPPs. Read more about their experiences, and engage with policymakers, researchers and representatives of inter-governmental organizations through our online discussion forum.

Building capacity and raising awareness on PPPs

UNCTAD, together with partner organizations convenes technical meetings and workshops for policymakers, to increase awareness and understanding of how to channel investment, including through innovative financing and PPPs, to sustainable development sectors. Examples include workshops in Dakar, Senegal (January 2018), Nairobi, Kenya (February 2018), Bankok, Thailand (February 2018). Read More