Ecuador referendum reinforces the country’s decision against a mechanism criticised for being asymmetric, unjust and detrimental to citizens’ rights.
International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
Infrastructure
News
New deal allows for ICSID claims on fossil fuel investments until 2033
Loophole in renegotiated Energy Charter Treaty could see companies sue countries for losses related to fossil fuel projects until 2033.
Land
News
Honduras threatens ICSID withdrawal over $11 billion ‘neo-colonial’ special economic zone claim
Compensation claim before WorldBank’s ICSID raises questions about the value of special economic zones and fairness of ISDS mechanisms for Global South states.
Environment
News
Eni files ICSID arbitration request linked to controversial Nigeria oil deal
Case continues troubling trend of increased ISDS claims from fossil fuel industry.
Trade
Background
What is the World Bank’s International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)?
New Inside the Institutions looks at the World Bank’s International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the main forum for Investor-to-State Dispute Settlements.
Social services
News
Global Day of Action against the IMF and World Bank rejects corporate recovery agenda
Civil society day of action rejects corporate agenda and greenwashing in World Bank and IMF Covid-19 recovery.
Environment
News
Dutch government sued at World Bank tribunal for fossil fuel phase out plan
ICSID suit against Dutch government’s fossil phase out highlights threat to climate action posed by investor-to-state dispute settlement mechanisms
Knowledge
Background
The World Bank: What it is and how it operates
This Inside the Institutions provides an overview of how the Bank’s systems are designed to operate.
Rights
Analysis
Fears of lawsuits at World Bank’s tribunal constrain efforts to fight pandemic
Covid-19 pandemic highlights the urgent need for ICSID and wider ISDS reforms as cases threaten to undermine state efforts to protect public health.
IFI governance
Analysis
Spring Meetings 2020 wrap-up: Will this change everything? Apparently not…
Analysis of this year's World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings: With international response to Covid-19 mired in geopolitical manoeuverings and resistance to systemic change, calls for alternatives grow.
Private Sector
News
World Bank arbitration mechanism ICSID rules in favour of El Salvador
ICSID, a World Bank arm for investor-state dispute arbitration, ruled that the $250 million case brought by Pac Rim Cayman against El Salvador in 2009 was without merit.
Trade
Analysis
Corporate bias at the World Bank Group
This briefing finds significant bias in favour of corporations and commercial interests in the main venue for settlement of legal cases brought by corporations against governments: the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
