Sustainable investment

Harnessing investment for sustainable development: OECD FDI Qualities Initiative

The OECD FDI Qualities Initiative provides governments with the policies, data and expertise they need to encourage sustainable investment that is greener, promotes quality jobs & upskilling, improves gender equality, and contributes to a more productive and innovative economy.

Even before COVID-19, it was estimated that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) required financing of USD 2.5tn per year - a gap which may have since increased by 70%. Meanwhile, fulfilling the commitments made in the Paris Agreement to curb climate change requires investment in renewable energy to triple by 2030. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is an important source of finance to help meet these global commitments to sustainable development. Beyond the quantity of FDI, its quality also matters.

The OECD FDI Qualities Indicators provide governments with the data to measure FDI's sustainability impacts, while the OECD FDI Policy Toolkit is designed to help governments identify priorities for reforms to attract and retain sustainable investment. The Recommendation on FDI Qualities represents the first multilateral agreement on using FDI to achieve the SDGs. These outputs are supported by a rich programme of country and regional assessments and networks bringing global investment practitioners and policy makers together.

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DATA

FDI Qualities Indicators

The FDI Qualities Indicators measure the impact on four SDG areas: productivity and innovation, job quality and skills, gender equality, and decarbonisation.

POLICY

FDI Qualities Policy Toolkit

The Toolkit is designed to help governments identify priorities for reforms to attract and retain sustainable investment, and is structured around the five key policy principles on FDI Qualities

OECD Instrument

FDI Qualities Recommendation

This Recommendation will be the first multilateral instrument that provides guidance to governments on leveraging foreign investment to finance the SDGs, fulfil the commitments made in the Paris Agreement, and optimise the strength and quality of post-crisis recovery.

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FDI Qualities Network

FDI qualities network small

The OECD has established a dedicated multi-stakeholder policy network to support and provide guidance to the FDI Qualities initiative, through policy dialogue and technical discussions on project activities. The network includes government officials from investment, development and other related policy communities from OECD and partner countries; representatives from the private sector and civil society; and experts from the OECD, other international organisations and academia. BIAC, TUAC and OECD Watch are important partners in the network.

Roundtable

fdi qualities risd

Each year, the OECD Roundtable on Investment and Sustainable Development brings together the international community engaged in maximising the role of private investment as a catalyst for sustainable development.

The 6th Roundtable will take place on 8 November 2023, both in Paris and online. Find out more and register here.

The 5th Roundtable on Investment and Sustainable Development took place on 18 October 2022 in Paris, France, and virtually.