The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and FDI Center have commemorated the first anniversary of the Pledge Amongst Investment Promotion Agencies, Economic Development Boards, and Ministries of Investment to Advance Gender Equity in Foreign Direct Investment, commonly known as the Gender Pledge.
Launched in May 2024, the Gender Pledge aims to mobilize government agencies involved in investment promotion to take concrete steps toward advancing gender equality within their organizations and the broader FDI ecosystem.
Over the past year, the initiative has fostered collaboration among investment authorities, policymakers, and global investors to promote inclusive investment practices, enhance women’s economic empowerment, and strengthen institutional leadership on gender equity.
New signatories join the commitment
Marking this milestone, six additional investment promotion agencies have joined the Pledge: Invest Lithuania, Invest Estonia, PROCOMER (Costa Rica), ApexBrasil, the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency of Tunisia (FIPA), and the Uganda Investment Authority. With the addition of these latest signatories, the Gender Pledge now spans six of the world’s seven continents, reflecting its growing global reach and momentum.
“We are honoured to join the Gender Equality Pledge and become part of a like-minded global community committed to advancing gender equality in the FDI sector,” said Gina Leontjeva, Head of People at Invest Lithuania. “By joining this initiative, we aim to strengthen our international commitment to equality and inclusion while engaging with a community where we can share our best practices and learn from others."
Invest Lithuania has committed to Actions 7, 8 and 9 of the Pledge, including eliminating gender-discriminatory practices, fostering fair and inclusive hiring, and setting targets for equal representation at all levels. “Our main goal is to develop a long-term roadmap for strengthening gender equality within our organization, consistently track our progress, and identify new areas for growth,” Ms. Leontjeva added. “Through this pledge, we aim to gain greater credibility among potential investors and partners while contributing to meaningful change in our industry.”
Laura López, CEO of PROCOMER, noted: “At PROCOMER, we are proud to join the Gender Pledge, reaffirming our commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable society. Over the past year, we have deepened our efforts to promote women's leadership and participation in trade and investment, strengthen inclusive business practices, and advanced talent development initiatives”. Ms. López emphasized, “Gender equality is not only a matter of rights—it's a cornerstone of sustainable development and competitiveness.”
In Uganda, the Pledge aligns closely with national development objectives. “This pledge reflects our belief that gender equality is fundamental to inclusive economic growth and sustainable development,” said Robert Mukiza, Director General of the Uganda Investment Authority. “By embedding gender considerations within our institutional practices and investment strategy, we not only align with Sustainable Development Goal 5 but also enhance the economic empowerment of women and the resilience of our communities.”
The Uganda Investment Authority has committed to Actions 2, 4, and 9 of the Gender Pledge, including promoting gender inclusive linkages, strengthening women’s entrepreneurship, and establishing and maintaining a female-friendly work environment. “Our commitment reflects our strategic goal to position Uganda as an inclusive and socially responsible investment destination”, added Mr. Mukiza.
Turning commitments into action
The initial signatories, including Invest in Canada, Investment Fiji, Invest Bhutan, Board of Investment (BOI) Thailand, BOI Philippines, BOI Sri Lanka, and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), have spent the past year translating their commitments into tangible actions.
In December 2024, seven months after signing the pledge, Invest Bhutan hosted its first matchmaking event connecting local women entrepreneurs with international investors in the hotel industry. The event resulted in 8 of 13 participating hotel chains sourcing products from women-led businesses, including tofu, chocolate, essential oils, and eco-friendly detergents.
“From pledge to progress: Invest Bhutan is turning commitment into impact,” said Chhime Tshering, CEO of Invest Bhutan. “What began a year ago with the Gender Pledge is now growing with targeted initiatives like our FDI & women entrepreneurs event, where connections spark opportunity. The momentum is building and so is our resolve to enhance market linkages between FDI and women entrepreneurs.”
ESCAP and FDI Center continue to encourage investment promotion agencies, economic development boards, and Ministries of Investment to join the growing number of institutions committed to advancing gender equality in foreign direct investment.
For more updates and information on the Gender Pledge, please visit: https://fdi-center.com/towards-gender-equality-in-fdi-initiative/
For enquiries regarding the Pledge, please contact:
Heather Taylor-Strauss, Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, ESCAP
Kathryn Rothwell, FDI Center