The World Investment Report 2003 focuses on the foreign direct investment (FDI) downturn, its reasons and the role of national policies and international investment agreements (IIA) in attracting FDI to a country and for a country to benefit from it.

Part One discusses the overall trends in FDI. FDI flows have dropped drastically and no rebound is expected in 2003. The reasons for the downturn are discussed from a global perspective, as well as by region - developed countries, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Central and Eastern Europe.

Part Two focuses on key issues that straddle national FDI policies and international investment agreements with a view to bringing out the development dimension. Special attention is given to the rise of IIAs, the right to regulate, home country measures and corporate social responsibility.