For immediate release
(12th March, 2026)
Geneva to Host Landmark 30th WAIPA World Investment Conference
Marking 30 Years of Connecting Capital with Opportunity
GENEVA — The World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) has announced that its 30th World Investment Conference (WIC) will be held later this year in Geneva, Switzerland, in collaboration with the Geneva Convention Bureau and the WAIPA Presidency, the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA).
The conference returns to Geneva — the birthplace of WAIPA and the seat of its Permanent Secretariat. It was here, in 1995, that WAIPA was established by a coalition of more than 59 Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), in collaboration with UNCTAD, reflecting a shared commitment to international cooperation in investment promotion.
Three decades later, that founding vision continues to unite a global community of IPAs that play a central role in guiding investment flows, strengthening national competitiveness, and advancing sustainable development.
The 30th edition represents both a celebration and a forward-looking platform. Over the past thirty years, IPAs have evolved into strategic institutions — identifying global trends, advising governments, supporting investors across the investment lifecycle, and ensuring that investment translates into jobs, innovation and long-term economic impact.
Commenting on the announcement, Ismail Ersahin, Executive Director and CEO of WAIPA, said:
“For thirty years, WAIPA and the World Investment Conference have highlighted the essential role of Investment Promotion Agencies in shaping global investment. IPAs are strategic actors — facilitating investments that generate real economic and social impact.
Returning to Geneva, where WAIPA was founded, is both a celebration of our history and a commitment to the future of international investment cooperation.”
A Platform for Dialogue, Cooperation and Results
Since its inception, the WIC has served as the premier global forum for investment promotion and cooperation. It brings together IPAs, ministers, policymakers, business leaders, international institutions and distinguished thought leaders — including Nobel laureates — to shape responses to evolving global investment dynamics.
In recent years, the WIC has increasingly delivered tangible outcomes. Dedicated B2B meetings at recent editions have generated more than US$ 1 billion in combined investment opportunities.
The 30th edition will address the profound transformations reshaping global investment flows — from digital transformation and sustainability transitions to supply chain realignment and geopolitical shifts — and explore how investment promotion agencies can adapt and lead in this evolving landscape.
Geneva: A Timely Setting for Multilateral Cooperation
As a global hub for diplomacy, finance and multilateral engagement, Geneva provides a uniquely relevant setting for this milestone.
At a time when multilateral cooperation is being tested, Geneva remains a trusted space for dialogue, neutrality and collective problem-solving. Home to major international organizations, UN agencies and global institutions, the city continues to play a vital role in shaping coordinated responses to shared economic challenges.
Hosting the 30th WIC in Geneva reaffirms the importance of cooperation and coordinated approaches in strengthening investment ecosystems and promoting inclusive and resilient growth
Commenting on the occasion, the Geneva Convention Bureau said:
“Geneva is uniquely positioned at the crossroads of international diplomacy, finance and innovation, making it an ideal destination to host the 30th WAIPA World Investment Conference. As a city that brings together global decision-makers, multilateral institutions and private sector leaders, Geneva offers an environment where meaningful dialogue translates into concrete partnerships.
We are proud to welcome the global investment community for this milestone edition of the WAIPA World Investment Conference.”
Celebrating 30 Years — And Looking Ahead
The 30th WIC will reflect on three decades of achievement while setting the strategic direction for the future.
In a rapidly evolving global economy, IPAs remain essential bridges between governments and investors — aligning capital with national development priorities, enhancing competitiveness and contributing to sustainable and inclusive growth.
As global investment patterns continue to shift, the event will serve as a moment of reflection, renewal and strategic direction for the international investment community.
James X. Zhan, Chairman of the Executive Board of the World Investment Conference, stated:
“Global investment has entered a new structural era. International production is being reshaped as supply chains reorganize and new industrial clusters emerge. With global FDI stock reaching 45 trillion dollars in 2025, over 39% of world GDP, the defining task ahead is to turn this enormous industrial capacity into resilient growth amid rising uncertainty.
As we return to Geneva for the Conference’s 30th anniversary, our focus is to ensure that global capital flows advance sustainable development and shared prosperity.”
About the World Investment Conference
Since its inception in 1995, WIC has been the flagship event of WAIPA, serving as a premier platform for dialogue on global investment trends. It brings together decision-makers, senior government officials, and international investors from around the world countries to examine key economic developments that affect FDI flows and explore new avenues for global cooperation and economic integration. The agenda includes high-level plenary sessions, ministerial roundtables, ambassador-investor discussions, and networking activities that foster collaboration between the public and private sectors.
About WAIPA
With 130+ member IPAs representing over 110 nations, WAIPA serves as the primary agency promoting investment promotion and facilitation. By encouraging FDI and highlighting the role of its members, WAIPA continues to drive global economic growth and development.