ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book briefly introduces the evolution of the concept of sustainable development and its legal status within the international law system, as well as a historical review of the development of international investment agreements (IIAs). It provides a brief introduction and assessment of the several prominent proposals aimed at making future IIAs more compatible with sustainable development. The book explores the mantic issues from the normative perspective. It identifies the representative sustainable development provisions in existing IIAs and categorizes them into four types, namely: substantive provisions, exceptive provisions, public interest provisions and procedural provisions. The book recommends reconceptualizing IIAs from the governance perspective, and then raises suggestions to help enhance the compatibility of IIAs with sustainable development and to improve the IIA-making democracy.
