The session presents an opportunity to discuss how to prioritize and facilitate international investments in technology. In an era where new age technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and blockchain are reshaping industries, nations worldwide must strategically invest in these domains to ensure economic resilience, productivity and competitiveness. Further, technology-themed investments have emerged as a significant strategy for institutional investors managing over $126 trillion globally.

This affiliate session, co-organized by the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), aims to connect governments, investment promotion agencies (IPAs), and multinational corporations and institutional investors, offering a pathway for economies to achieve their technology goals, with a specific focus on information & communications technology (ICT).

UNCTAD’s 2023 World Investment Report shows that international investment activity in sectors related to technology is growing, but is still unequal among sectors and geographies, and lags behind particularly in developing economies. The World Investment for Development Alliance (WIDA), a global platform launched at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos in May 2022, focuses on promoting development-driven investment and financing, among other key themes. In that regard, a focus on technology specially digitalization could be also pursued.

Therefore, the session will be structured to have an initial overview of challenges and opportunities for promoting cross-border investment in technology, followed by a panel discussion focusing on ICT investments.