On July 10, the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) marked a major milestone — its 30th anniversary — with a press conference and celebratory reception in Geneva, where it was originally founded in 1995. The event not only honored three decades of fostering global investment, but also launched WAIPA’s bold new vision: A Decade of Investment for Good.

Hosted at the Geneva Press Club, the press conference was moderated by Isabelle Falconnier, Executive Director of the Club, and brought together key leaders from government, business, and international organizations. Speakers included:

· Ismail Ersahin, Executive Director & CEO, WAIPA

· Vincent Subilia, Director-General of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce and President of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry

· James Zhan, Executive Chair of the WAIPA World Investment Conference

· Mohammed Al Musharrakh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah

Mr. Ersahin reflected on WAIPA’s founding at the Palais des Nations, where 59 countries came together to promote investment as a force for development. Today, WAIPA represents more than 120 investment promotion agencies and serves as the global reference for foreign direct investment. He reaffirmed WAIPA’s mission to champion sustainable, inclusive investment that creates decent jobs and drives long-term development.

Mr. Subilia welcomed WAIPA’s return to Geneva, calling it a powerful signal of the continued importance of multilateral cooperation. He emphasized the Geneva Chamber’s full support in connecting WAIPA with Switzerland’s vibrant business ecosystem.

Dr. Zhan spotlighted the upcoming World Investment Conference (WIC), to be held in Sharjah, UAE, from October 22–24, under the theme “Transforming our World: Investing for a Resilient and Sustainable Future.” He applauded the strong partnership between WAIPA, the UAE Ministry of Investment, and Invest in Sharjah.

Mr. Al Musharrakh extended a warm invitation to the global investment community to attend the WIC, which will run in parallel with the Sharjah Investment Forum. He highlighted Sharjah’s innovation ecosystem, especially its Research and Technology Park, as a hub for forward-looking investment.

In response to questions from the press, Mr. Ersahin underscored the symbolic and strategic importance of WAIPA’s presence in Geneva, noting the city’s unique ecosystem for international organizations. He thanked the Geneva Welcome Centre and local authorities for making WAIPA feel truly at home.

Celebrating at Château de Penthes

Following the press conference, WAIPA hosted a reception at the historic Château de Penthes, bringing together an esteemed group of guests from its Steering and Consultative Committees, partner organizations, the diplomatic corps, private sector, academia, and civil society.

Ambassadors and high-level diplomats from the permanent missions of Albania, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Egypt, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Mauritania, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, South Africa, Suriname, Togo, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam joined the celebration — a testament to WAIPA’s global reach.

Mr. Ersahin raised a toast to WAIPA’s journey, paying tribute to the founding members and the long-standing support of key partners such as UNCTAD, ILO, UNIDO, WEF, and the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF).

As WAIPA steps into its next chapter, it does so with a clear purpose and renewed energy: to catalyze a Decade of Investment for Good — one that places sustainable development, inclusive growth, and global cooperation at the heart of investment promotion.

Happy 30th Anniversary, WAIPA! Here’s to the next decade of impact.