Statement on investment for the September 2002 WTO Investment Meeting

The document argues that the WTO is the wrong forum for a multilateral investment framework because its focus on trade liberalization and non-discrimination would likely restrict domestic policies essential for economic growth, human rights, and environmental protection. The authors contend that the Working Group on the Relationship between Trade and Investment (WGTI) has failed to integrate sustainable development into its processes and that any move toward an investment agreement would contradict the goals of the Doha Development Agenda. They highlight risks such as the 'chilling effect' of investment litigation and the resource imbalances that hinder developing countries in WTO dispute settlements. The statement calls for WTO Members to refrain from discussing negotiation modalities until a transparent analysis proves such an agreement would benefit developing countries and sustainable development.

• The WTO is considered an inappropriate venue for investment negotiations because its core principles of non-discrimination and trade liberalization would likely prohibit domestic policies necessary for protecting the environment, human rights, and fostering development.
• To ensure foreign direct investment (FDI) supports sustainable development, governments must maintain the authority to regulate it through performance requirements, screening mechanisms, and incentives for priority areas.
• The authors claim that the WTO and other economic bodies have a history of failing to incorporate social and environmental concerns, citing the GATS, TRIPS, and TRIMS agreements as examples where sustainable development was neglected.
• The document argues that current WGTI activities do not align with the Doha Development Agenda (DDA), suggesting that major proponents of the agreement seek private sector benefits rather than developmental gains for poorer nations.
• There is a concern that the WGTI is pushing for a broad definition of investment that includes portfolio and financial investments, a position that is not supported by developing countries.
• The use of the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism for investment issues is viewed as problematic due to the technical and economic resource gaps between developed and developing members.
• The authors warn that investment rules can create a 'chilling effect,' discouraging governments from implementing necessary public policy, welfare, or developmental regulations.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2002). Statement on investment for the September 2002 WTO Investment Meeting. https://www.ciel.org/news/ciel-oxfam-and-iatp-announce-statement-on-investment-for-the-16-17-september-world-trade-organization-investment-meeting/

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. Statement on investment for the September 2002 WTO Investment Meeting. 2002. https://www.ciel.org/news/ciel-oxfam-and-iatp-announce-statement-on-investment-for-the-16-17-september-world-trade-organization-investment-meeting/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=Statement on investment for the September 2002 WTO Investment Meeting |date=1 September 2002 |url=https://www.ciel.org/news/ciel-oxfam-and-iatp-announce-statement-on-investment-for-the-16-17-september-world-trade-organization-investment-meeting/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2002statement, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{Statement on investment for the September 2002 WTO Investment Meeting}}, publisher = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2002}, month = sep, url = {https://www.ciel.org/news/ciel-oxfam-and-iatp-announce-statement-on-investment-for-the-16-17-september-world-trade-organization-investment-meeting/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }