Attention: H.E. Erkki Keldo, Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology, Republic of
Estonia
Date: 15-04-2026
Ref: 2848/2026/AM
Subject: Invitation to the 30th World Investment Conference – Ministerial Roundtable | Geneva, 10–
12 November 2026
Excellency,
On behalf of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), we have the distinct
honour to invite Your Excellency to participate in the 30th edition of the World Investment Conference
(WIC), to be convened from 10–12 November 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.
This year marks a historic milestone as WAIPA celebrates the 30th edition of its flagship global
gathering. Over three decades, the World Investment Conference has evolved into the premier
international platform bringing together Ministers, Heads of Investment Promotion Agencies,
international organizations, multinational corporations and global thought leaders to shape the future
of investment policy and facilitation.
Building upon the landmark High-Level Ministerial Roundtable held in Riyadh in November 2024 —
where 22 Ministers convened to deliberate on the strategic interface between industrial policy and
investment promotion — the Geneva edition will further elevate ministerial dialogue to address the
evolving global investment landscape. The executive summary of the High-Level Ministerial
Roundtable is enclosed.
Further reinforcing this momentum, the most recent edition of the World Investment Conference,
held in UAE alongside the Sharjah Investment Forum in 2025, brought together over 12,000
participants from 142 countries and featured more than 160 sessions. The Conference generated
over USD 1 billion in investment opportunities, underscoring its role as a leading global platform for
structured, outcome-driven investment engagement.
In this special anniversary edition, we are pleased to offer Your Excellency:
• Sharing perspectives at the exclusive Ministerial Roundtable focused on strategic
investment governance in a transforming global economy
• A Keynote Intervention in a high-level session of the Conference
• Curated one-on-one meetings with high-level global investors, international
organizations, and corporate leaders
• Speaking opportunities for members of your official delegation in thematic sessions
aligned with your country’s priority sectors
The 30th edition in Geneva carries particular significance. In an era defined by economic restructuring,
digital transformation, and sustainability imperatives, Ministers shaping national economic and
industrial strategies are central to directing high-quality investment that drives long-term
competitiveness and resilience. The Conference will feature closed-door leadership dialogues, sector-
focused investment forums, sustainable finance discussions, and structured investor matchmaking
platforms designed to generate tangible outcomes and strategic partnerships.
WIC Geneva offers a unique setting for high-level engagement between governments and globally
active enterprises. With economic leaders and investment authorities from across regions convening
in one place, the Conference creates a strategic opportunity to strengthen outward investment
linkages and international partnerships. Should Your Excellency deem it appropriate, a focused
business delegation — coordinated through the relevant national chamber or business association —
may accompany your participation to benefit from structured B2G and B2B engagements during the
Conference.
For coordination purposes, we would be grateful if a nodal officer from Your Excellency’s office or
Ministry or Investment Promotion Agency could be designated to liaise with the WAIPA Secretariat
regarding program alignment, bilateral meetings, and delegation facilitation. Mr. Andreas Hora,
Deputy Executive Director, WAIPA (
[email protected]; mobile +43 664 3018972) will be
coordinating on behalf of WAIPA.
We would be deeply honoured by Your Excellency’s presence and leadership at this landmark edition
of the World Investment Conference and look forward to welcoming you to Geneva.
Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration.
Sincerely yours,
______________________ ______________________
Ismail Ersahin James Zhan
Executive Director - CEO Chairman of the Executive Board
WAIPA World Investment Conference
28th World Investment Conference
Ministerial Roundtable
“Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion Strategy in the New Era”
Executive Summary
Date: November 25, 2024
Location: Fairmont Hotel, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Attendees: 28 Ministers and Heads of International Organizations
Chair: H.E. Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Moderator: James Zhan, Chair, Executive Board of the World Investment Conference, WAIPA
Context
In the new era of the global economy, industrial policy and investment promotion play pivotal
roles in shaping national economic development trajectories. Industrial policy focuses on
fostering the growth and competitiveness of key sectors, driving structural transformation,
and ensuring economic resilience. Meanwhile, investment promotion aims to attract capital,
technology, and expertise, create jobs and generate exports to fuel economic activities and
innovation.
As global economic governance evolves, challenges such as climate change, technological
disruption, and shifting geopolitical dynamics demand more strategic and adaptive
approaches. Countries now strive to integrate industrial policy and investment promotion
strategies. In this context, creating synergies between the two is essential for achieving
sustainable development and boosting competitiveness.
The Ministerial roundtable convened at the World Investment Conference tackled the above
key policy challenges for investment in development. Ministers and the heads of international
organizations focused their discussion on three key questions and concluded as follows.
I. What are the challenges for the effective interface between industrial policy and
investment promotion strategy?
Creating synergies between industrial policy and investment promotion strategies involves
several challenges:
1. Alignment of Objectives: Industrial policies often focus on long-term structural goals, while
investment promotion tends to prioritize immediate investment inflows. Harmonizing these
timelines can be difficult.
2. Policy Coherence: Conflicting policies may arise between industrial development goals and
investment incentives, leading to inefficiencies.
3. Sector Prioritization: Industrial policy may target specific sectors, while investment
promotion agencies might adopt a broader approach, creating mismatches in focus.
4. Coordination Across Agencies: Collaboration between different governmental bodies
responsible for industrial policy and investment promotion requires effective communication
and shared frameworks.
5. Balancing Domestic and Foreign Interests: Industrial policies often emphasize
strengthening local industries, which might conflict with the preferential treatment sought by
foreign investors.
6. Resource Constraints: Limited financial and human resources can hinder efforts to integrate
industrial policy and investment promotion.
7. Global Competition: The need to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) often requires
flexible policies, which may conflict with rigid industrial development frameworks.
8. Measurement and Evaluation: Defining metrics to assess the joint impact of industrial
policy and investment promotion strategies is challenging.
Addressing these challenges requires clear goals, streamlined processes, and collaborative
governance.
II. How to address these challenges?
Addressing the challenges of aligning industrial policy and investment promotion strategies
requires deliberate planning, coordination and cooperation:
1. Define Clear Goals: Establish shared objectives that align industrial development with
investment priorities. This ensures both policies work toward common outcomes.
2. Enhance Policy Coherence: Regularly review and harmonize policies to eliminate conflicts,
streamline processes, and align incentives.
3. Sectoral Collaboration: Identify and prioritize sectors that align with both industrial goals,
investment opportunities and sustainable development. Focus resources on high-potential
industries.
4. Strengthen Interagency Coordination: Create mechanisms for collaboration between
industrial policymakers and investment promotion agencies. Joint task forces or coordination
councils can improve communication.
5. Balance Domestic and Foreign Interests: Design incentives that attract foreign investment
while supporting local industries, including SMEs and startups.
6. Leverage Resources Efficiently: Pool financial, human, and institutional resources to avoid
duplication and maximize impact.
7. Adapt to Global Competition: Develop flexible, market-responsive strategies that align with
global trends while maintaining consistency with industrial and sustainable goals.
8. Engage Stakeholders: Involve the private sector’s participation through policy tools and
mechanisms such as Public Private Partnerships, and to ensure policies are practical, inclusive,
and aligned with market realities.
9. Promote Policy Stability and Sustainability: Ensure consistency in policy frameworks to
build investor confidence and support long-term industrial goals, while supporting
sustainable development.
Through these actions, countries can create a more integrated approach that drives
sustainable industrial development while attracting high-quality investments.
III. What can be done through international cooperation?
Collaboration at the international level can strengthen synergies between industrial policy
and investment promotion by fostering shared goals, knowledge exchange, and coordinated
action. Key initiatives include:
1. Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements: Develop agreements that align trade, industrial, and
investment policies to promote mutually beneficial growth and reduce barriers. Also, it is
important to abide by the multilateral rules and collaborate through multilateral institutions.
2. Regional Integration: Participate in regional economic blocs to harmonize industrial
standards, streamline cross-border investments, and create shared value chains.
3. Global Investment Platforms: Engage in international investment institutions such as
WAIPA, and platforms such as World Investment Conference, to share best practices and
advocate sustainable development related investment policy approaches.
4. Knowledge Sharing: Collaborate with international organizations (e.g., UNIDO, UNCTAD, or
World Bank) to exchange insights on effective industrial strategies and investment
frameworks, and on the facilitation of access to funds.
5. Joint Initiatives: Establish cross-border initiatives focusing on innovation, green
technologies, or infrastructure development that align with global industrial and investment
priorities.
6. Harmonizing Standards: Work with international bodies to standardize regulations, making
it easier for investors to navigate different markets while fostering industrial upgrades.
7. Capacity Building: Partner with international institutions to build capacities in developing
countries, supporting their industrial and investment goals.
8. Collaborate in SDG Sectors: Promote investment in sustainable agriculture for food security,
and provide assistance to developing countries to drive innovation for agriculture related
industries.
By fostering international collaboration, countries can amplify the impact of their industrial
policies and attract high-quality investments aligned with the sustainable development goals.
***
Notes
The Executive Summary of the Ministerial Roundtable was prepared by the Secretariat of the
28th World Investment Conference, WAIPA, under the guidance of the moderator of the
Roundtable. The summary aims to capture the views and proposals of the speakers, but does
not necessarily represent the consensus of the Roundtable.
For the List of Ministers and heads of international organizations participated in the
Roundtable, please see the Program of the World Investment Conference.
Saatja: "Dushyant Thakor" <
[email protected]>
Saaja:
[email protected]
Teema: Transmission of Invitation to the 30th World Investment Conference (WIC) 2026
Kuupäev: 2026-05-07 12:21
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga.
Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada.
NOTE VERBALE
Ref.: 2848/2026/AM
Subject: Transmission of Invitation to the 30th World Investment Conference
(WIC) 2026
_____
The World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) presents its
compliments to the Permanent Mission of Republic of Estonia to the United
Nations and other international organizations in Geneva and has the honour
to transmit herewith an invitation to participate in the 30th World
Investment Conference (WIC), to be held from 10 to 12 November 2026 in
Geneva, Switzerland.
The Conference will bring together Ministers, Heads of Investment Promotion
Agencies, international organizations, and global business leaders to
deliberate on key issues related to investment, industrial policy, and
sustainable economic transformation.
In this regard, WAIPA has the honour to transmit the following:
(i) an invitation addressed to the Honourable Minister, along with the
executive summary of the High-Level Ministerial Roundtable held in Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia, in November 2024; and
(ii) an invitation addressed to the Permanent Representative in Geneva.
WAIPA would be grateful if the Permanent Mission could kindly convey the
invitation addressed to the Honourable Minister and support coordination
towards facilitating the Minister’s participation.
WAIPA would be honoured by the participation of the Permanent Representative
in the Conference.
The World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies avails itself of this
opportunity to renew to the Permanent Mission of Republic of Estonia the
assurances of its highest consideration.
_____
Geneva, [07.05.2026]
_____
To:
Permanent Mission of Republic of Estonia
to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva
Attention: H.E. Riia Salsa-Audiffren, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Republic of Estonia to the
United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva
Date: 04.05.2026
Ref: 2848/2026/AM
Subject: Invitation to the 30th World Investment Conference | Geneva, 10–12 November 2026
Excellency,
On behalf of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), we have the honour
to invite Your Excellency to attend the 30th edition of the World Investment Conference (WIC), to be
held from 10–12 November 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.
This year marks a significant milestone as WAIPA celebrates the 30th edition of its flagship gathering.
Over the past three decades, the World Investment Conference has evolved into a premier international
forum bringing together Ministers, Heads of Investment Promotion Agencies, international
organizations, and global business leaders to discuss key trends in investment policy, facilitation, and
economic transformation.
The Geneva edition builds on strong momentum from recent Conferences. The 2025 edition, held
alongside the Sharjah Investment Forum, convened over 12,000 participants from 142 countries,
featured more than 160 sessions, and generated over USD 1 billion in investment opportunities.
In this context, Your Excellency’s presence would greatly enrich the dialogue, particularly in
strengthening engagement between diplomatic missions, governments, and the international
investment community. The programme will feature high-level plenary sessions, thematic discussions,
sector-focused forums, and structured interactions with global investors and institutions.
We would be honoured by Your Excellency’s participation, recognising the important role of Permanent
Missions in advancing international economic cooperation and investment linkages. Should Your
Excellency require any further information or wish to coordinate participation, the WAIPA Secretariat
would be pleased to assist. Mr. Andreas Hora, Deputy Executive Director, WAIPA
(
[email protected]), will be the focal point for coordination.
We would be delighted to welcome Your Excellency to Geneva for this landmark edition of the World
Investment Conference.
Sincerely yours,
______________________ ______________________
Ismail Ersahin James Zhan
Executive Director - CEO Chairman of the Executive Board
WAIPA World Investment Conference