• World Investment Report was recently released by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

MAJOR FINDINGS

• Global foreign direct investment (FDI) fell 12% in 2022.
• India and ASEAN were the most buoyant recipients of the FDI, with increases of 10 and 5%, respectively.

Other reports published by the UNCTAD Trade and Development Report, The Least Developed Countries Report. Information and Economy Report Technology and Innovation Report Commodities and Development Report

• FDI inflows in Asia were highly concentrated, with 5 economies- India, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UAE , accounting for nearly 80% of the total investment.
• FDI inflows were higher in developing countries compared with those in developed economies.
• Inflows in many smaller developing countries were stagnant, and FDI to the least developed countries (LDCs) declined.
• Much of the growth in international investment in renewable energy has been concentrated in developed countries.
• Annual investment deficit that developing countries face as they work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, is now about $4 trillion per year.
• The largest gaps are in energy, water and transport infrastructure.

ABOUT THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT

• UNCTAD is a permanent inter-governmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Members: 195 countries
• It is responsible for dealing with development issues, particularly international trade.
• Framing policies in various domains such as trade, technology, finance, aid, and transport are the most important priorities of UNCTAD.
• The Conference usually meets once in four years.
  • India hosted the second UNCTAD Conference in 1968, at New Delhi.