World Investment Forum in Geneva on Oct 22-26

More than 5,000 participants from 160 countries will meet in Geneva to thrash out major new investment-for-development initiatives at UNCTAD's World Investment Forum 2018 in the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland from October 22-26, reports UNB.

Fourteen heads of state and government have confirmed they will attend, including those from Armenia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Cambodia, the Central African Republic, Kenya, Lesotho, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malawi, Mongolia, Montenegro, Namibia, Sierra Leone and Switzerland.

The high-level conference comes amid mounting disquiet about declining investment flows and their impact on efforts to meet the ambition of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the international community three years ago.

"Global flows of foreign direct investment fell by 23% in 2017," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

This year's event comprises some 60 events, including three summits, five ministerial round tables, private-sector led sessions and several awards ceremonies.