Introduction to Investment Conflict and Dispute Resolution

International investment agreements (IIAs) have become so ubiquitous, that it is imperative that there be a full discussion of the dispute resolution before common practice ossifies into exclusive practice that fails to capitalize on other opportunities to effectively manage and prevent conflict. The central issue to be addressed by the conference is considering appropriate methods of dispute resolution in order to minimize the harm of conflict and maximize the value of creative dispute resolution. 

Collaborative interactions and group discussion may lead to ways of improving existing methods of dispute resolution in order to mitigate or eliminate investment treaty conflict.  A conference provides an opportunity to explore methods of dispute resolution for the international investment context.  It can refocus the issue on frameworks that can be put in place to reduce the instances of conflict, disputes, or their escalation.  We hope that creating and distributing this information will aid stakeholders by engaging in a thorough discussion of possible dispute resolution options – either in isolation or conjunction – and the costs and benefits of those approaches. 

We hope that this systemic and collaborative approach will do three critical things.  First, we hope to thoughtfully consider where the conflicts come from and where they are most likely to arise.  Second, we wish to identify good practices about how to get the most out of the dispute resolution systems for managing future investment treaty conflict.  Last, but by no means least, we can use this as an opportunity to build bridges and move beyond the first generation of problem-solving to create "Investment Treaty Dispute Resolution 2.0". 

To help facilitate the discussion, this website provides a basic overview of certain concepts including an introduction to IIAs, investment treaty conflict, the existing structure of investment treaty dispute resolution and basic information about the outcome of investment treaty disputes.