Virtual Seminar: Joint Statement Initiative on Investment Facilitation for Development

Given that the Structured Discussions on Investment Facilitation has moved into a “negotiating mode” phase, there is a need for an in-depth review to understand how the potential Multilateral Framework on Investment Facilitation (MFIF) fits within the WTO architecture, and relates to the broader international investment regime. The seminar discussions examined the scope of application and coverage of a potential MFIF by reviewing how the new commitments of the framework would relate to the: (i) existing commitments contained in the WTO agreements, notably with the GATS; (ii) international investment regime, with a focus on understanding the potential to enforce MFIF disciplines through treaty-based investor-state arbitration.