Should trade treaties allow foreign investors to sue governments? CIGI hosts international ISDS conference in Ottawa

Media Advisory

September 23, 2015

Ottawa, Canada — The North American Free Trade Agreement, Canada and European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, and Trans-Pacific Partnership are just three of several high profile international trade agreements that have caused concern over the controversial instrument of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). 

Should international trade treaties let foreign investors sue governments? Is ISDS needed between developed democracies?  As part of a major international economic law research project, the Centre for International Governance Innovation is hosting an international conference in Ottawa, Canada, to address pros, cons and alternatives to this increasingly popular and high-profile policy instrument.

  • International Conference: “Investor State Arbitration between Developed Democracies: A Policy under Challenge,” featuring CIGI Senior Fellows, international arbitration and investment experts and lawyers from developed democratic countries.  
  • Date: Friday, September 25, 2015
  • Time: 8:30a.m. - 5:45p.m.
  • Location: Westin Hotel, 11 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Canada
  • LIVE WEBCAST AVAILABLE
  • Registration: Media must register in advance through the Media Contact listed below.
  • A full list of speakers can be accessed at: https://www.cigionline.org/events/investor-state-arbitration-between-developed-democracies-policy-under-challenge

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kevin Dias, Communications Specialist, CIGI
Tel: 519.885.2444, ext. 7238, Email: [email protected]

The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) is an independent, non-partisan think tank on international governance. Led by experienced practitioners and distinguished academics, CIGI supports research, forms networks, advances policy debate and generates ideas for multilateral governance improvements. Conducting an active agenda of research, events and publications, CIGI’s interdisciplinary work includes collaboration with policy, business and academic communities around the world. CIGI was founded in 2001 by Jim Balsillie, then co-CEO of Research In Motion (BlackBerry), and collaborates with and gratefully acknowledges support from a number of strategic partners, in particular the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. For more information, please visit www.cigionline.org.

-30-

The opinions expressed in this article/multimedia are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of CIGI or its Board of Directors.