This book explores two large but often ignored multilateral investment instruments: the Unified Agreement for the Investment of Arab Capital in the Arab States and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Agreement for Promotion, Protection and Guarantee of Investments Among Member States.

This book examines the international investment agreements and the dispute settlement mechanisms contained therein, which bind the Gulf Cooperation Council member States. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, is complex and unique. Recently, all member States have experienced increasing investor–state arbitration claims, while their nationals are increasingly instituting investor–state arbitrations to protect their own foreign investments. Intra-GCC disputes, though relatively rare, have also appeared, largely as a result of the recent Gulf crisis. While focussing particularly upon the investor–state dispute settlement experience of member States as respondents, the book also explores the experiences of their nationals as claimants to determine how they can approach investor– state dispute settlement in the future. The book also reflects on existing treaty-making practices, making recommendations for regional-level dispute settlement to improve upon investor–state dispute settlement outcomes. This book provides a detailed analysis of the global investor–state dispute settlement regime and international investment agreements, and it will be of interest to students, academics, and practitioners with an interest in international investment law and arbitration.

This book examines the international investment agreements and the dispute settlement mechanisms contained therein, which bind the Gulf Cooperation Council member States. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, is complex and unique. Recently, all member States have experienced increasing investor-state arbitration claims, while their nationals are increasingly instituting investor-state arbitrations to protect their own foreign investments. Intra-GCC disputes, though relatively rare, have also appeared, largely as a result of the recent Gulf crisis. While focussing particularly upon the investor-state dispute settlement experience of member States as respondents, the book also explores the experiences of their nationals as claimants to determine how they can approach investor- state dispute settlement in the future. The book also reflects on existing treaty-making practices, making recommendations for regional-level dispute settlement to improve upon investor-state dispute settlement outcomes. This book provides a detailed analysis of the global investor-state dispute settlement regime and international investment agreements, and it will be of interest to students, academics, and practitioners with an interest in international investment law and arbitration.

Investor-State disputes are increasing and damage awards are often significant. It is thus no surprise that the investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) system has come under scrutiny. Perceptions have arisen that ISDS is inconsistent, lacks transparency, and is simply unfair. This book delves into the ongoing worldwide debate and discussions regarding the ISDS system. Drawing contributors from around the world, the authors provide insights on critical topics and address the key question facing the ISDS system and the international community it serves: Should the present ISDS system be reformed, replaced, or simply remain as is? The contributors represent points of view ranging from academia to practice to governmental entities, addressing such topics as: the possible consequences of wholesale replacement or elimination of the current ISDS system; mediation as an alternative to resolve ISDS disputes; the creation of a multinational investment court or appellate review mechanism; lack of an early dismissal mechanism to eliminate meritless claims; issues regarding arbitrators, including their appointment and ethical obligations; how investors may retain their right to pursue claims for violations of investment protection following termination of an agreement; a State’s right to assert a counterclaim against an investor-claimant; the role of ISDS in promoting and protecting renewable energy production; the liability of State-controlled entities; the effects and implications of third-party funding; the duty to mitigate damages in the light of excessive damages awards; and improvements and issues relating to post-award enforcement, duration, and cost of ISDS. This book considers the ongoing deliberations and reform measures proposed by UNCITRAL’s Working Group III and provides insights into how several geographic regions and economic cooperation areas have sought to address the question of reform of the ISDS system, including the European Union, the Middle East, and the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. With its much-needed and deeply informed balancing of investor and State rights and duties, this book will be welcomed by all who practise in the ISDS field, including arbitrators, State governments and non-governmental organizations, regional economic organizations, and international investors.

This book is the first book-length analysis of investor accountability under general and customary international law, international human rights law, international environmental law, international humanitarian law, as well as international investment law. International investment law is currently facing growing criticisms for its failure to address corruption, abuse, environmental damage, and other forms of investor misconduct. Reform initiatives range from the rejection of international law as a governing regime for investors, to the dramatic overhaul of investment treaties that supposedly enable investor overprotection, to the creation of a multilateral international instrument that would enable the litigation of claims against errant businesses before an international tribunal. Whether these initiatives succeed in disciplining investors remains to be seen. What these initiatives undeniably show however, is that change is warranted to counteract this lopsided investors' international law. Each chapter in the book addresses a different and underexplored dimension of investor accountability, thus offering a novel and consolidated study of international law. The book will be of immense assistance to legal practitioners, academics and policy makers involved in the design, drafting, application and reform of various international instruments addressing investor accountability.

The Yearbook on International Investment Law & Policy 2013-2014 monitors current developments in international investment law and policy, focusing on recent trends and issues in foreign direct investment (FDI). It begins with the 2013-2014 trends in international investment and the activities of multinational enterprises, a review of trends and new approaches in international investment agreements for 2013-2014, and a review of international investment law and arbitration for 2013. This edition contains a sample of the research and ideas generated by the Investment Treaty Forum at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law. Also included are pertinent general articles by leading experts in the field. This volume concludes with the winning memorials from the 2013 FDI International Moot Competition.

Islamic finance has started to grow in international finance across the globe, with some concentration in few countries. Nearly 20 percent annual growth of Islamic finance in recent years seems to point to its resilience and broad appeal, partly owing to principles that govern Islamic financial activities, including equity, participation, and ownership. In theory, Islamic finance is resilient to shocks because of its emphasis on risk sharing, limits on excessive risk taking, and strong link to real activities. Empirical evidence on the stability of Islamic banks, however, is so far mixed. While these banks face similar risks as conventional banks do, they are also exposed to idiosyncratic risks, necessitating a tailoring of current risk management practices. The macroeconomic policy implications of the rapid expansion of Islamic finance are far reaching and need careful considerations.

The fifth in the CAIW series, the title draws on the 50 years of experience of Cambridge (UK)-based World of Information. Few countries have experienced such rapid and comprehensive change as Saudi Arabia. This title explains how and why.

"The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic marks the most significant, singular global disruption since World War II, with health, economic, political, and security implications that will ripple for years to come." -Global Trends 2040 (2021) Global Trends 2040-A More Contested World (2021), released by the US National Intelligence Council, is the latest report in its series of reports starting in 1997 about megatrends and the world's future. This report, strongly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, paints a bleak picture of the future and describes a contested, fragmented and turbulent world. It specifically discusses the four main trends that will shape tomorrow's world: - Demographics-by 2040, 1.4 billion people will be added mostly in Africa and South Asia. - Economics-increased government debt and concentrated economic power will escalate problems for the poor and middleclass. - Climate-a hotter world will increase water, food, and health insecurity. - Technology-the emergence of new technologies could both solve and cause problems for human life. Students of trends, policymakers, entrepreneurs, academics, journalists and anyone eager for a glimpse into the next decades, will find this report, with colored graphs, essential reading.