Karl P. Sauvant, “Establishing an Advisory Centre on International Investment Law: Key Challenges Ahead”, International Economic Law and Policy Blog, 12 March 2023.
Abstract
The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law is discussing the establishment of an Advisory Centre on International Investment Law, to assist under-resourced developing countries in issues related to international investment law. This blog focusses on three important issues central to this discussion: an issue related to the scope of the services of an Advisory Centre, specifically whether it should focus on the representation of respondents in investment dispute proceedings; an issue related to the structure of an Advisory Centre and its beneficiaries, specifically whether small and medium-size enterprises should be beneficiaries; and the overarching question of a possible link between establishing an Advisory Centre and establishing a multilateral investment court and the related question of funding. The blog ends with a recommendation on the way forward.