International Investment Agreements (IIAs): Possible Ways ... · International Investment...
Transcript of International Investment Agreements (IIAs): Possible Ways ... · International Investment...
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International Investment Agreements (IIAs): Possible Ways Forward
Workshop on trade-related issues relevant to the implementation of the WHO FCTC
Elisabeth Tuerk
Geneva, 15 March 2012
OiC, International Investment Agreements Section Division on Investment and Enterprise
UNCTAD
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Overview
• Current Trends in IIAs and ISDS
• Possible Policy Options
– for dealing with existing and avoiding future ISDS cases
• fostering transparency
• guiding the interpretation of IIA obligations
• negotiating more sustainable development friendly IIAs
• preventing investor-State disputes
Current Trends in IIAs and ISDS
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By end of 2010, the IIA universe consisted of more than 3,100 “core” IIAs
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By end of 2010, the number of known IIA-based arbitrations has come to more than 390
Possible Policy Options
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Fostering transparency in IIA-related processes
• Increasing transparency & information sharing about investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) cases
• Considering non-party contributions to ISDS cases
• Sharing experiences between States
• Promoting inclusive IIA-related decision-making
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Guiding the interpretation of IIA obligations
• Interpreting & clarifying obligations in IIAs and WHO FCTC
• Examples of statements in other, related contexts
• NAFTA Free Trade Commission’s interpretation of investment provisions (Chapter 11)
• WTO Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health (2001)
• Punta del Este Declaration on the Implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (2010)
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Negotiating more sustainable development-friendly IIAs
• Considering sustainable development in the negotiation of new and re-negotiation/amendment of existing IIAs
• Considering to include, e.g.
– more focused/circumscribed provisions that foster legal predictability and clarity
– provisions that safeguard State's right to regulate public health matters (e.g. to implement the FCTC)
– general exceptions & reservations for public health measures
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Preventing investor-State disputes
• Using alternative forms of dispute resolution (ADR), e.g.
– resorting to conciliation (e.g. ICSID or UNCITRAL conciliation rules) or mediation
• Strengthening dispute prevention policies (DPPs), e.g.
– increasing coordination between trade, investment and health departments
– identifying lead agency, clarifying responsibilities
– creating investment ombudsmen or an “ombuds” office
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In addition …
• Raising awareness of IIA obligations and policy options
• Linking IIA policy-makers with public health communities
• Fostering policy and academic discourse
• Generating an informed and facts-based public debate
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Thank you!
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