SC 30th Anniversary Series 4, 20 July 2026

The South Centre: 30 Years Advancing towards a Fair and Responsible International Investment Regime

By Daniel Uribe

This paper examines the South Centre’s 30-year effort to reform the international investment law (IIL) regime, advocating for a shift from a self-contained system to one integrated with human rights, environmental protection, and sustainable development. It analyses how the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism has led to “regulatory chill” and legal fragmentation, disproportionately impacting developing nations. The South Centre promotes aligning investment with national development strategies through technical assistance, treaty renegotiation, and policy frameworks that emphasise investor obligations and State sovereignty. Ultimately, the paper calls for a paradigm shift in global governance to address emerging challenges such as climate change and the digital divide, thereby ensuring a more equitable and responsible investment landscape.

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Geneva Graduate Institute and South Centre Report, December 2024

Investor Obligations in International Investment Law

by David Cheng, Jai Abhijit Unde, and James Casey Ryan

Prepared for the South Centre as part of the Geneva Graduate Institute’s LL.M. Legal Clinic Programme

This report first outlines key instruments and different approaches that some States across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas have taken to reform the international investment regime in relation to investor obligations. Second, it charts the trends arising from investment tribunals following Urbaser across environmental and human rights cases. Third, it describes and evaluates the reform efforts at the multilateral level. Finally, it summarises and evaluates avenues for policy reform by States. 

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