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UNCTAD - Press conference: Launch of the World Investment Report 07 JUL 2026
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Global investment is up, but growth is increasingly concentrated in a narrow group of economies and sectors. Broadening its development impact remains the central challenge, according to World Investment Report 2026: International Investment in a Turbulent, released by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on 7th July 2026.
The recovery remains fragile. Growth is concentrated in a small number of economies and in capital- and technology-intensive sectors.
Governments are responding with more selective policies. Incentives increasingly target clean energy, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and critical minerals. Screening and conditions on foreign firms are also expanding.
Investment patterns are reshaping global production. Greenfield investment in strategic sectors is rising, while investment in manufacturing outside them is declining. The shift favours economies with strong infrastructure, skilled workers, supplier networks and access to major markets.
Most developing countries can't match the subsidy programmes of major economies. They need realistic entry points, stronger foundations and regional cooperation to compete and increase investment's development impact.
Governments increasingly want foreign investment on strategic and conditional terms. The challenge is to attract it while preserving policy space, legal certainty and sustainable development.
Investment is booming in strategic sectors like artificial intelligence, semiconductors and critical minerals. But the gains are concentrated, leaving out many developing countries.
Full report: https://unctad.org/wir2026
Production Date: 07 July 2026
Creator: UNCTAD / UNTV CH
Subject Topical: Global investment, Trade, Development
Geographic Subject: GLOBAL
Website: https://unctad.org/wir2026
STORY: UNCTAD / World Investment Report 2026
TRT: 02:10
SOURCE: UNCTAD / UNTV CH
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 07 JULY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
WEBSITE: https://unctad.org/wir2026
SHOTLIST
1. Wide shot, Palais des Nations
2. Various shots, briefing room
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Pedro Manuel Moreno, Acting Secretary-General UN Trade and development (UNCTAD): “The central question, then, is not how much investment crosses borders. The question is where it goes, what it builds and who it benefits. A higher FDI number is welcome, but it doesn't automatically mean stronger development impacts.”
4. Close shot, journalist in the briefing room
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Pedro Manuel Moreno, Acting Secretary-General UN Trade and development (UNCTAD): “Headline investment can be concentrated in a few economies, sectors or large projects. But what matters here for development is whether investment strengthens the real economy. That means new productive assets, stronger domestic firms, better jobs, supplier linkages, technology transfer and access to regional and global value chains.”
6. Wide shot, briefing room
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Pedro Manuel Moreno, Acting Secretary-General UN Trade and development (UNCTAD): A growing share of global investments is moving into sectors linked to future growth and technological competition. And these include AI, infrastructure, semiconductors, critical minerals, energy transition technologies.”
8. Wide shot, briefing room
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Pedro Manuel Moreno, Acting Secretary-General UN Trade and development (UNCTAD): “Developing countries do not need to compete everywhere. They need realistic entry points into the investment landscape of the future.”
10.Mid shot, journalists in the press room
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Pedro Manuel Moreno, Acting Secretary-General UN Trade and development (UNCTAD): “This is not simply about attracting more investment. It is about attracting investment that supports development, resilience and domestic value creation for developing countries. International cooperation, investment partnerships and risk sharing mechanisms can help create conditions that individual countries cannot build alone. That role is to help countries understand these changes and turn investment trends into development choices.”
12. Various shots, press room
Publication of the World Investment Report 2026
Speakers:
- Pedro Manuel Moreno – UNCTAD Acting Secretary General
- Nan Li Collins – UNCTAD Director for Investment and Enterprise
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