12 June 2012: The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has launched the Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development (IPFSD) to support new-generation investment policies that focus on inclusive growth and sustainable development.

The goals of such investment policies are: to create synergies with wider economic development aims or industrial policies and integration in development strategies; foster responsible investor behavior and incorporate principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR); and ensure policy effectiveness in the design, implementation and institutional environment within which investment policies operate.

IPFSD consists of a set of core principles setting out the design criteria for investment policies for sustainable development. It contains guidelines for national investment policies, including on: ensuring the integration of investment policy with development strategy; ensuring policy coherence and design of investment policies in support of sustainable development; and improving policy effectiveness.

The framework can be used as: reference for formulating national investment policies and in negotiating or revising investment agreements; policy guidance in areas such as trade, competition, industrial policy, environmental and social policies; and as basis for capacity building on investment policy and for UNCTAD’s technical assistance work.

IPFSD was released in parallel with UNCTAD’s Entrepreneurship Policy Framework and Implementation Guidance, which aims to support the development of entrepreneurship policies and actions and provide policy options that can help developing countries and countries in transition to stimulate inclusive and sustainable growth. [UNCTAD Press Release] [Publication: Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development] [Publication: Entrepreneurship Policy Framework and Implementation Guidance]