Important Facts of the News
- Event: 29th World Investment Conference in Sharjah, UAE from 21–23 October 2025.
- ILO delivered a masterclass on employment-focused KPIs for FDI impact assessment.
- The KPI framework covers 11 themes and 51 indicators including job creation, skills and gender equality.
- ILO participated in high-level panel discussions on sustainable and green investments.
- ILO was part of the jury that selected ApexBrasil as the winner of the Sustainability Impact Award.
- ApexBrasil was recognized for facilitating biofuels investment supporting decarbonization and jobs.
- ILO and WAIPA co-hosted a roundtable on turning FDI into more and better jobs.
- Case studies on how IPAs apply KPIs to employment outcomes will be published soon.
- ILO plans to launch a Community of Practice for IPAs in December 2025.
The 29th World Investment Conference held in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, brought global investment promotion agencies together to explore how foreign direct investment can contribute to stronger employment and inclusive growth. The International Labour Organization took an active role throughout the conference, emphasizing practical approaches that connect investment facilitation with measurable improvements in job quality.
Focus on Measuring Employment Outcomes
On the opening day, Githa Roelans from the ILO led a masterclass on using key performance indicators to assess the contribution of foreign direct investment to decent work. The session drew on almost a decade of joint capacity-building activities undertaken by ILO and WAIPA with agencies from every region. The framework presented in the session outlines 11 thematic areas and 51 indicators that help assess job creation, skills upgrading, occupational safety, responsible practices, and equality in the workforce.
Green Investment and Inclusive Employment
The second day featured a discussion on how sustainability influences global investments. Rie Vejs-Kjeldgaard of the ILO highlighted that many environmentally focused projects also create opportunities to support social development. These include employment opportunities in rural regions, stronger connections between foreign investors and local enterprises, and improved access to skills for women and youth.
Sustainability Impact Award
During the 2025 Investment Excellence Awards, the ILO joined the selection panel assessing projects linked to sustainability outcomes. ApexBrasil received recognition for promoting a biofuels investment that supports Brazil’s efforts to reduce emissions while expanding employment and local supplier participation across less developed areas of the country.
Roundtable on Turning Investment into Quality Jobs
On the final day, the ILO and WAIPA convened senior representatives from Ghana, Kuwait, and Türkiye to discuss their approaches to aligning investment strategies with employment goals. The discussions covered skills development, enterprise linkages, cluster creation, and data-driven policymaking in the context of evolving green and digital sectors.
To support continued collaboration, the ILO will launch a Community of Practice for investment promotion agencies in December 2025. This network will provide regular opportunities for peer learning, knowledge sharing, and access to practical tools.