UNCTAD has released its latest World Investment Report, an authoritative source of information on global foreign direct investment (FDI) data and trends. The 2023 report, which recaps FDI performance from the previous year, reveals an uncertain current environment for FDI. Though greenfield investment project numbers increased globally, volumes of FDI declined by -12% in 2022.

Most worryingly, inflows to some of the world’s most vulnerable economies were hardest hit and despite some modest growth in investment into some sectors related the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNCTAD reports the annual SDG investment gap in developing countries has widened to $4 trillion.

In reaction to the report, WAIPA CEO and Executive Director Ismail Ersahin has stated: “In such difficult market conditions, it is more important than ever for IPAs to be optimized to the best possible level. This is why we at WAIPA remain deeply committed to supporting IPAs in their missions and to providing a platform for capacity building and knowledge sharing.”

Watch Mr Ersahin’s full statement below: