UNCTAD Series on International Investment Policies for Development Series

Identifying core elements in investment agreements in the APEC region

by United Nations: Conference on Trade and Development

Published 5 February 2009

This study responds to an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum Investment Experts Group request to identify the core elements in investment agreements in the APEC region. This includes identifying the range of approaches taken in respect of these elements. The study sample, selected by APEC, includes 28 international investment agreements (IIAs) between and/or involving APEC member economies. These comprise 14 bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and 14 preferential trade and investment agreements (PTIAs).The report also provides a means for considering how different IIA address three possible objectives: investment liberalisation, investment protection, and investment promotion.