The 12th edition of the Global Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) 2023 – a major annual international conference on the topic of investment promotion – took place in Abu Dhabi from 8 to 10 May 2023. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the event brought together over 10,000 participants from 175 countries, representing governments, finance, investment promotion agencies and the private sector.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and its global network of Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs), showcased the UNIDO mandate, work programme, and strategic approaches catalyzing technical cooperation, financing and partnerships, in line with AIM 2023’s theme: ‘The Investment Paradigm Shift: Future Investment Opportunities to Foster Sustainable Development Growth, Diversity and Prosperity’.

Speaking at AIM’s Global Leaders Debate, Fatou Haidara, Deputy to the UNIDO Director General and Managing Director of the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations, highlighted that “macro-economic paradigm shifts require us to focus on investments that promote sustainable economic growth, diversity and prosperity. Prioritizing renewables and clean technology, skills development, and sustianble infrstructure can create a more equitable and prosperous world for all.”

AIM 2023 also featured the ITPO Bahrain-co-organized Entrepreneurs Investment Summit which addressed innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems, de-risking and sustainable finance, women's entrepreneurship, diversified supply chains, digital transformation, knowledge-based economy promotion, and empowering green and orange entrepreneurs.

In addition to the Entrepreneurs Investment Summit, ITPO Bahrain co-organized two high-level special sessions on FDI in the Arab region and on investment in industrialization and smart manufacturing, as well as an investment conclave for youth entrepreneurs and a graduation ceremony for 25 women who have completed its Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Programme.

At a Regional Focus Forum for African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States, UNIDO’s Stefan Kratzsch, Industrial Development Officer from the Sustainability Standards and Responsible Business Unit, presented the results of a joint survey covering 61 investment promotion agencies across the ACP region, which showcased the pressing challenges faced by ACP IPAs.

In conjunction with AIM 2023, a UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs) Heads Meeting was hosted by ITPO Bahrain.