Empowering Civil Society: Shaping investment policies for climate and sustainable development in Africa
From 26-29 November 2024, Both ENDS and its partners will host the Civil Society Forum on Investment Policies, Climate and Sustainable Development Goals in Entebbe, Uganda. Our colleagues Iván and Fernando explain the importance of this event: “Through this event, we aim to provide an in-depth perspective on the impact of current investment policies on climate and environmental issues, with a strong focus on the African continent.”
From 26-29 November 2024, Both ENDS and its partners will host the Civil Society Forum on Investment Policies, Climate and Sustainable Development Goals in Entebbe, Uganda. Our colleagues Iván and Fernando explain the importance of this event: “Through this event, we aim to provide an in-depth perspective on the impact of current investment policies on climate and environmental issues, with a strong focus on the African continent.”
Why is Both ENDS organising this forum?
“We are organising it together with SOMO, ActionAid, TNI, and SEATINI, our main partner in East Africa. Through this event, we aim to provide an in-depth perspective on the impact of current investment policies on climate and environmental issues, with a strong focus on the African continent.
We also seek to support our local partner organisations in influencing local and national governments. Civil society organisations advocating for changes in investment policies, International Investment Agreements (IIAs), and harmful clauses - such as abolishing ISDS (Investor-State Dispute Settlement mechanisms) - benefit enormously from technical (legal) expertise and shared knowledge. In the past, we’ve observed that this is often a prerequisite for success.”
What is Both ENDS' role?
“We contribute technical analysis on IIAs in international and multilateral arenas. Additionally, we foster knowledge exchange and enhance partners' capacities in technical expertise and advocacy. During this event, we will support working group sessions, facilitate discussions, and process the outcomes.”
When is the CSO forum considered a success?
“The forum will be successful if it results in a joint advocacy strategy for the African continent regarding existing investment policies and ongoing negotiations on new treaties and agreements. This is also the primary goal of our main partner in the region. By facilitating discussions and exchanges, we hope to achieve this objective.
Furthermore, the event provides opportunities to share relevant knowledge from our previous work and ongoing processes related to IIAs and other aspects of investment policy, particularly those connected to climate and environmental issues.
We also aim to strengthen existing collaborations with allies while anticipating future challenges, such as countering ISDS mechanisms, the ‘modernisation’ of Dutch BITs, and addressing issues related to social and gender justice, climate and environmental policies, and corporate due diligence, among others.”
For more information
Themes
Read more about this subject
-
Pathway /Supporting a powerful civil society
Our goal is that civil society can work openly and safely, make their voices heard and influence decision-making on ecosystem challenges and matters of environmental justice and human rights. A strong civil society is indispensable to a healthy society. It checks the power of both state and corporate actors, holds decision-makers accountable, and defends the rights of those marginalised from positions of influence. A strong and independent civil society can advocate for fair and ecologically responsible policies as well as challenge structural inequalities in decision-making. It can also use accountability mechanisms to seek redress for the negative consequences of such inequitable decision-making, and instead promote, implement and upscale transformative practices.
-
Dossier /Fair Green and Global Alliance (FGG)
Together with civil society organisations from all over the world, the Fair Green and Global (FGG) Alliance aims for socially just, inclusive and environmentally sustainable societies in the Netherlands and the Global South.
-
Publication / 31 December 2020
-
Publication / 21 April 2017
-
News / 11 November 2024Kenya Terminates Bilateral Investment Treaty with the Netherlands
The government of Kenya has officially terminated its bilateral investment treaty (BIT) with the Netherlands, marking a significant win for economic justice and environmental protection. Kenya’s decision reflects a growing global trend of rethinking outdated treaties that often prioritize corporate interests over public welfare. The Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development recently confirmed that Kenya unilaterally ended the treaty in December 2023, rendering it inoperative from 11 June 2024. Kenya now joins South Africa, Tanzania, and Burkina Faso as the fourth African country to terminate its BIT with the Netherlands.
-
Event / 15 November 2020, 18:30 - 19:30Business as Usual: Dutch neo-colonialism in Brazil
The Netherlands is a major business partner to Brazil and has not been deterred by the record of human rights' abuses by Bolsonaro's government, nor by the coup d'Etat against the president Dilma Rousseff in 2016. How do the Dutch economic ties with the Brazilian political and corporate elites affect the Brazilian population, in particular indigenous peoples, nature and the global climate?
-
Publication / 30 October 2023
-
Blog / 25 November 2024The Need for Civic Space in Global Policymaking
and Kyra Pohlan
In today’s interconnected world, international forums play a pivotal role in shaping policies and strategies that impact communities and the environment worldwide. These gatherings, whether they focus on climate change, water resources, or biodiversity, are critical venues where decisions are made that affect the lives of billions of people and species. However, for these decisions to be truly inclusive and effective, they must be informed by the voices of those most affected by climate change and environmental degradation.
-
Press release / 12 November 2024Ruling climate case Shell: "Shell has an obligation to protect human rights."
The Hague, 12 November 2024 - The court has ruled in Shell's appeal in the Climate Case that Milieudefensie won against Shell in 2021. The Court of Appeal has ruled that the oil and gas giant has a responsibility to reduce its emissions, but has not imposed a reduction obligation.
-
Publication / 29 October 2024
-
Publication / 21 April 2017
-
Publication / 25 November 2024
-
News / 8 March 2020Pursuing the right to livelihood and dignity for women workers in the Ugandan palm oil sector
SEATINI Uganda is engaging women working in the palm oil sector in a campaign to improve their work situation. Around International Women's Day, March 8, they are organizing various actions to gain awareness for the situation and the rights of these women workers.
-
Publication / 24 September 2024
-
Dossier /Small Grants Big Impacts
Small grants funds offer an effective, alternative way to channel big money from large donors and funds to local groups and organisations that are striving for a sustainable and just society everywhere around the world.
-
News / 11 October 2019Rights for people, rules for corporations: the case of Paraguay
Indigenous communities in Paraguay saw their attempts to regain their ancestral lands thwarted by German investors. This is the level of impact that investment treaties can have on social, environmental and economic development and rights. Why? Because of the ‘Investor-to-State Dispute Settlement’ (ISDS) clauses that are included in many such treaties.
-
Publication / 11 February 2016
-
Press release / 5 October 2022Independent research confirms FMO’s responsibility for destruction caused by Barro Blanco dam, recommends compensation
Utrecht, 5 October 2022 - Dutch development bank FMO bears responsibility for the destruction of livelihoods, economic losses and environmental damage caused by the construction of the Barro Blanco dam in Panama, according to a report by the bank's Independent Complaints Mechanism (ICM). Indigenous communities affected by the dam are pleased that their complaints have been confirmed and reiterate their call for apologies and compensation.
-
Letter / 26 June 2020
Letter to governments over wave of Covid-19 claims in 'corporate courts'
Countries could be facing a wave of cases from transnational corporations suing governments over actions taken to respond to the Covid pandemic using a system known as investor-state dispute settlement, or ISDS. 630 organisations from across the world, representing hundreds of millions of people, are calling on governments in an open letter to urgently take action to shut down this threat.
-
Publication / 10 March 2016
