UNCTAD World Investment Report 2014

According to the report launched earlier this year, the main findings on international investment trends in 2013 shows cautious optimism has returned to global foreign direct investment (FDI) following a slump in 2012.

Inflows increased by 9%  in 2013 to $1.45 trillion. Developing countries increased their global share of FDI inflows to a record level of 54% while developing and transition countries have been steadily increasing their investments abroad and last year they accounted for a record 39% of global FDI outflows – up from just 12 per cent in the early 2000s.

While the report reviews the progress made in the past 12 months it also focusses on the development of a framework for Sustainable Development Goals currently being developed by the UN and other stakeholders on how private finance can be mobilised for investment in sustainable development sectors, such as climate change adaptation, infrastructure development, food security, health, and education.

In relation to these development goals the report examines the resource implications, the levels of public and private finance required in all countries, the targets for development, the involvement of private investors in these and related sectors together with a plan of action with a range of policy options.