The World Investment Forum 2018 Review: Investing in Sustainable Development

UNCTAD convened the sixth biennial World Investment Forum (WIF) from 22–26 October 2018 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

The UNCTAD World Investment Forum is the pre-eminent global platform for policy debate on investment for development. The Forum devises strategies and solutions and facilitates multi-stakeholder action to address global investment and development challenges. The Forum offers participants a unique opportunity to influence investment-related policymaking, shape the global investment environment, and to network with global leaders in business and politics.

2018 marked the ten-year anniversary edition of the Forum – an occasion to reflect on the achievements and milestones over the past decade.

“Our convening power has established the World Investment Forum as the leading global platform to facilitate high-level dialogue on investment-development priorities. The remarkable profile and turnout at this year’s event bear resounding witness to the critical need for a global forum to tackle sustainable development financing needs and explore innovations and solutions to meet these.” - Mr. Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary-General, UNCTAD

The 2018 World Investment Forum in Numbers

  • 6,600 participants from 150 countries
  • 11 Heads of State and government
  • 55 Ministers
  • 45 Leaders of international and regional organizations
  • 70+ Parliamentarians
  • 1,700 Private sector executives

Previous editions of the World Investment Forum were hosted in Accra (2008), Xiamen (2010), Doha (2012), Geneva (2014) and Nairobi (2016).