The 2024 Forum on Investment Screening and Economic Security (CFIS 2024) in Paris marked a pivotal moment in the global conversation on economic security, bringing together top officials, industry leaders, and experts. This three-day event proved instrumental in advancing ideas for collaboration among like-minded countries and fostering greater engagement between the public and private sectors in economic security policy.
Security, Business and Human Rights
One of the key highlights of the forum was the Security, Business, and Human Rights Breakfast, led by Abdulwahab Alkebsi, CIPE’s Managing Director for Programs. Co-organized by CIPE’s Center for Digital Economy & Governance (CDEG) and the CELIS Institute, this session tackled the complex issue of technology exports and their human rights implications. The discussion sought to balance the benefits of digital innovation with the rising threat of digital authoritarianism, emphasizing the need for governance that safeguards fundamental freedoms in a fast-evolving technological landscape.
Prominent figures who contributed to this crucial conversation included Tucker Boyce (U.S. State Department); Paola Gálvez Callirgos (IdonIA Lab); Thobekile Matimbe (Paradigm Initiative); and Antoine Dumoret Mentheour (France’s Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs). Each brought unique insights into how emerging technologies can be both an engine for global innovation and a potential tool for oppressive regimes, thereby emphasizing the importance of creating frameworks that protect human rights while encouraging technological growth.
The panel called for strong international collaboration to establish standards for responsible tech exports, emphasizing partnerships between the private sector and governments to mitigate risks. Transparency and technological sovereignty were highlighted as essential to ensure security and uphold democratic values. The session concluded with a call for continued cooperation among governments, the private sector, and civil society to ensure technology advances growth, innovation, and human rights.
Securing Europe: Investment & Economic Security in EU Enlargement
Meanwhile, CIPE’s Program Director for Eastern Europe, John Kay, led a key panel discussion on investment screening and economic security within EU enlargement. To guide the conversation, a paper titled “Securing Europe’s Future: Investment Screening and Economic Security in the Context of EU Enlargement,” co-authored by John Kay and Liam McGrath (CFIS Programme Sherpa), was specifically prepared for the forum. This paper underscored the importance of Investment Screening Mechanisms (ISMs) in protecting both EU member states and candidate countries from geopolitical risks. With Ukraine and Moldova now candidates for EU membership, the discussion centered on the need for unified economic security frameworks, emphasizing that ISMs are vital to ensuring secure and sustainable growth. This framework is especially important as international investors eye post-war reconstruction opportunities in Ukraine and Moldova.
The panel, featuring experts such as Mircea Esanu (Moldova’s Public Services Agency); Serhiy Smetanko (Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy); Viktor Mizo (Foreign Investors Council within North Macedonia’s Economic Chamber); Mila Malairău (American Chamber of Commerce in Moldova); and Zoran Nechev (German Council on Foreign Relations), emphasized the critical need for ISMs to safeguard national security while encouraging Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Despite progress, the panelists agreed that the European Union still lacks a cohesive strategy to align candidate countries with FDI screening standards. A focused, collaborative effort is necessary to mitigate external threats and ensure these nations are well-protected as they move toward EU membership.
Workshop on Strengthening Investment Screening Partnerships
Moreover, CIPE’s involvement at the CFIS 2024 extended to a roundtable on strengthening partnerships between the U.S., EU, and Eastern European countries regarding investment screening policies. Moderated by John Kay, this event facilitated an in-depth dialogue on best practices for information sharing, policy design, and accountability in investment screening. Featured speakers included Steffen Hindelang (CELIS Institute), Natalia Otel Belan (CIPE), as well as Ryan Stoner (US Department of State), Adam Vaccaro (US Department of Commerce), Thomas Ernoult (French Treasury), Prof. George Anglitoiu (Romanian FDI Committee), and Ana Maria Belacurencu (Romanian Competition Authority), along with lead officials from the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova. Participants shared valuable insights on how transatlantic collaboration can strengthen the resilience of investment screening systems, particularly for EU accession candidates.
CFIS 2024’s diverse range of discussions, from technology exports and human rights to investment security in a post-conflict era, showcased the importance of international cooperation in shaping the future of economic security. Participants left with practical takeaways that will shape future strategies for protecting economic interests while encouraging international cooperation.
Published Date: December 05, 2024