WAIPA launches ‘Decade of Investment for Good’, looks ahead to next World Investment Conference

The World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) officially launched its “Decade of Investment for Good” at the Geneva Press Club on 10 July, signaling a renewed global push to channel investment toward inclusive, sustainable development. The initiative comes as WAIPA marks its 30th anniversary and prepares to host the 29th World Investment Conference (WIC) in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, this October.

Led by the WAIPA CEO and executive director Ismail Ersahin, the press conference highlighted the central role of investment promotion agencies (IPAs) in bridging the public and private sectors — acting as interpreters between policy priorities and investor expectations.

“Investment for good means supporting projects that generate decent jobs, reduce poverty and advance climate resilience,” said Ersahin. “Our mission is to empower IPAs worldwide to attract investment that matters, not just economically, but socially and environmentally.”

The “Decade of Investment for Good” aims to solidify this vision by facilitating global collaboration across IPAs, governments and international organisations including the World Bank, OECD, ILO, UNIDO and World Economic Forum. WAIPA will also work to enhance IPA capacity through knowledge-sharing, technical support and strategic partnerships.

The upcoming WIC, scheduled for October 22–24 in Sharjah, is expected to be the flagship platform for advancing the decade’s goals. Themed “Transforming Our World: Investing for a Resilient and Sustainable Future,” the conference will convene more than 4,000 participants, including investors, policymakers, development agencies and business leaders.

Dr. James Zhan, chair of the WIC Executive Board, emphasised that the event would offer more than dialogue: “This is a solutions-driven platform that addresses emerging issues with practical tools — from capacity-building workshops to investment matchmaking sessions.”

Speaking at the press conference, Mohammed Al Musharrakh, the CEO of Invest in Sharjah and host partner, highlighted the synergy between the WIC and the Sharjah Investment Forum, which will run alongside the event.

“Sharjah is positioning itself as a hub for research, innovation, and investment,” said Al Musharrakh. “This partnership with WAIPA allows us to demonstrate what purposeful investment looks like on the ground, particularly in the tech and sustainability sectors.”

Sharjah’s Research, Technology and Innovation Park will serve as a venue for part of the conference, showcasing local and regional innovation ecosystems.

A notable announcement during the event was WAIPA’s full return to Geneva as its formal base of operations. Vincent Subilia, Director-General of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce and President of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomed the move as a “natural homecoming”.

“Geneva offers an unmatched multilateral ecosystem. Having WAIPA based here reinforces the city’s role as the global capital of economic diplomacy,” said Subilia.

Despite current budgetary pressures on international Geneva, WAIPA’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation within this unique environment. Ersahin added that WAIPA is working to attract more international organizations to Geneva as part of its broader mission.

Founded in 1995, WAIPA is the only global organisation representing IPAs. WAIPA supports its members through capacity-building, advocacy, and global partnerships aimed at promoting investment for sustainable development.