Seventh Plenary Meeting - 4th International Conference on Financing for Development FFD4 (Sevilla, Spain)

I call to order this seventh plenary session of the International Conference on Financing for Development. Distinguished heads of state and government, ministers, excellencies, distinguished participants, The Conference now will continue its general debate under agenda item eight. In accordance with the organization of work of the Conference, statements in the general debate by representatives of intergovernmental organizations and the United Nations system should not exceed four minutes. Speakers with longer statements are encouraged to read a shorter version and to submit the full text for posting in the Journal of the United Nations. To assist speakers in managing their time, a timer is being projected on the screen. Please note that in order to hear all speakers inscribed in the general debate, the speaker's microphone will be automatically deactivated once the time limit has expired. I apologize in advance if speakers are cut off. Before hearing the first statement in the general debate this morning, I would like to inform the Conference that the President of the Conference has received a request from the International Olympic Committee to allow His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Hussein, Prince of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, who delivered a statement in the general debate on behalf of Jordan, to also make a statement on behalf of the International Olympic Committee in his capacity as one of the members of the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee. With the concurrence of the conference, we will proceed accordingly. I now give the floor to the representative of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean.

Your Excellency, Excellencies, dear colleagues, distinguished guests, it is an honor to address this important conference on behalf of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, PAM. I wish to thank the government of Spain for hosting this crucial gathering and commend its organization. Today, I represent PAM, an international organization of 35 member and associate parliaments from the European Mediterranean and Gulf region, an organization that is deeply engaged in the collective efforts of remaining the current international financial architecture to meet the needs of rapidly changing world. Climate shocks, geopolitical instability, and debt distress are widening the global inequality gap. This is particularly acute in our region, where many middle-income countries are struggling to finance recovery, resilience, and inclusive growth. At PAM, we strongly believe that parliaments must play a central role in shaping a fair, an effective international financial system. With their crucial oversight role on the activities of governments, parliaments are crucial in reviewing fiscal and tax policies, ensuring transparency and accountability, and enabling an environment that supports sustainable investments. As PAM, we are deeply convinced that any transition and any transformative step towards a more inclusive and transparent financial system cannot be accomplished without the proper financial backing if we want to be serious about it. In addition, we believe that this must involve the crucial contribution of the private sector in renewed public and private.

Partnership.

Over the past three years, PAM has been organizing an annual economic forum. which gathers together legislators, government officials, international financial institution, business representatives, and all the other major actors to discuss regional cooperation on financing energy transition, regional economic integration, digital and AI governments, among others. Today, I am proud to say that the PAM Parliamentary Economic Forum in Marrakesh has become the leading regional platform for parliamentary engagement of these topics. As legislators, we are ready to do our part, but we also call upon international financial institutions to continue providing fair access to concessional financing for climate and development objectives, especially for vulnerable countries within our region. We have done so on multiple occasions, most recently at the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings, where Pam reaffirmed the crucial commitment needed from multilateral development banks and institution to the end. This was also a crucial element reaffirmed at the recent Blue Economy and Finance Forum held in Monaco. on the margin of the UN Ocean Conference, further stressing the crucial role of this sector and in financing for our regions. Dear colleagues, today marks the last step of a number of initiatives before the high-level political forum in New York. We have the goal and we have the tools. Let us work together to make sure they align. PAM is ready to do its part. to design a more inclusive, sustainable, solid and realistic international financial system.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean and I now give the floor to the representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it's a great pleasure for me to make this statement on behalf of the Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO, at this International Conference on Financing for Development. FAO considers that the current context brings a double challenge. to sustainable development. On the one hand, hunger has increased substantially since the previous Financing for Development Conference, reaching 733 million people in 2023 and almost two 195.3 million people experienced high levels of acute food insecurity in crisis settings in 2024. On the other hand, several countries have announced a reduction of international cooperation budget. A strong commitment to multilateralism is required to address these challenges. In this sense, the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development is a crucial opportunity for all of us to reaffirm and expand commitments to mobilize finance from all sources to foster the agenda 2030. making agri-food systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable, as well as preventing and mitigating food crisis is crucial to achieve the SDGs, especially SDG1 and SDG2. The environmental, health and social hidden costs of agri-food systems amount to 12 trillion US dollars. These hidden costs are a great to low income countries undermining their ability to achieve the SDGs and their capacity to respond to crisis and shocks. recognises the importance of addressing food insecurity and malnutrition and investing in agri food systems, particularly in developing countries. FAO highlights the specific commitments to increasing domestic support, international development cooperation and private finance and business to these crucial sectors. FAO welcomes the recognition of the specific needs of net food importing developing countries And the commitment related to increasing finance to women and other marginalized groups, social protection and risk management and insurance for smallholder farmers. FAO stresses the importance of the financing pillar of the Global Alliance Against Poverty and Hunger of the Brazil G20 as a mechanism to coordinate and increase effectiveness of investment to implement the validated policy basket to reduce hunger and poverty. FAO urges countries to increase resources for anticipatory action by supporting the Italy G7 initiative of the financing to shock-driven food crisis facility, FSFC. This will allow to increase coverage in emergencies, attract private sector investments through insurance companies and scale up anticipatory action that has returned to of $1 to $7. FAO stands ready to support countries to increase financing to agri-food systems transformation and food crisis prevention and mitigation. Let's work together to ensure that the Compromiso de Sevilla will enable and foster concrete action to achieve zero hunger.

I thank the representative of the FAO. And I now give the floor to the UNDP.

Excellence, distinguished colleagues, it is an honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the United Nations Development Program. We meet in Seville at a critical moment for global development. And through the Compromisso de Sevilla, member states have sent a powerful message of global solidarity. We will work together to direct finance to the sectors and geographies that need it most to achieve the sustainable development goals. The United Nations Development Programme stands ready to play its role in this agenda. We congratulate Spain and all the co-facilitators for this contribution to multilateralism. We also thank Member States for the trust and support you have shown us in including UNDP in the Compromiso de Sevilla. And we commit to live up to our responsibilities in this. UNDP has articulated its support for the implementation of the compromise of the Seville around the strengthening country-led approach to financing the SDGs, doubling down on domestic resource mobilization and public finance for the SDGs, and mobilizing private capital. We will lead partnership around 12 Seville platform of action initiatives in this regard and supporting many others. We are proud to have launched partnerships with countries, financial institutions, and others to accelerate implementation of the agenda, we call all our partners to join us in this effort, in particular, marks the evolution of the integrate national financing frameworks, INFFs, into a central pillar of development finance policy. Initially conceived as a planning instrument, the outcome document signals INFF's maturity as actionable mechanism for national ownership, coherence and accountability in mobilizing, aligning and monitoring sustainable finance. UNDP is proud to work alongside other UN entities, multilateral development banks and other partners in more than 85 countries implementing INFFs. We have launched the public finance collaborative for SDGs, co-led by UNDP, we'll scale measurement results across 40 countries, focusing on strengthening the links between budgeting, taxation, and development outcomes relate to climate, gender, health, equity, and nature. We will double down and implement the tax inspectors without borders with OECD to support domestic resource mobilization. We will continue to work with development partners, financial institutions and the private sector through initiatives like the platform investment for support and technical assistance, PISTA, and the Timbuktu initiative in Africa, as well as platformers in Arab states and Latin America, including with our sister agencies, the United Nations Capital Development Fund. We have launched impact work collaboration with international standards organization to certify private entities that align their business with the SDGs. We want to recognize the role of the insurance industry and insurance development forum with whom we are partnering to bring insurance coverage to the millions of citizens and enterprises that remain at risk of disaster and adverse climate impacts. The global community cannot turn its back on development cooperation. ODA remains a critical mutual investment in global solidarity and international partnership. UNDP has estimated that for every $1 of core funding from ODA received, we contributed to mobilizing more than $60 in public and private investments for the SDGs. This translated into more than $817 billion in risk-informed and climate-resilient public and private finance. Let Seville be remembered as a turning point point to finance development for people, planet and peace.

Muchas gracias. I thank the representative of the UNDP and I now give the floor to the representative of UNESCO.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, UNESCO would like to extend its gratitude to the Government of Spain and UNDESA for hosting this conference. It takes place in Seville, a city of great cultural and scientific importance and home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. UNESCO salutes the Compromiso de Sevilla and the important commitment it represents, among them, adequate financing for quality education for all. A recognition of the contribution of culture and the creative economy to sustainable development, enhanced international cooperation and science technology and innovation, equitable and inclusive access to artificial intelligence, and an acknowledgement of the role of media as an accountability actor for illicit financial flows. Building on this, UNESCO calls for transformative action to bridge critical funding gaps in education, culture and sciences, sectors that unlock human potential yet remain drastically underfunded. Education stands as one of humanity's most powerful force for positive transformation and delivers extraordinary returns. Yet education financing remains inadequate, with a 97 billion US dollars annual gap for lower and lower middle income countries and aid to education on the decline. The cost of inaction is staggering. School dropouts and skills gaps will cost the global economy up to 10 trillion US dollars a year. Macroeconomic instability worsens the crisis. Low income countries debt averages 72% of GDP, painfully reducing fiscal space for education and other social services. Debt servicing now exceeds education spending in 113 countries representing 6.1 billion citizens. Globally, total debt servicing averages more than three times education spending worldwide. In November last year, Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, and Luiz Inacio da Silva, President of Brazil, called on governments to implement a multilateral framework to further the conversion of debt into financing for education. Following this call and building on previous successful mechanisms between Indonesia and Germany, Peru and Spain, and Cote d'Ivoire and France, UNESCO is developing guidance to help debtor and creditor countries channel debt relief towards education. This is part of a broader rethinking of the financing approach for this key sector. The Compromiso de Sevilla recognizes the important contribution of culture and the creative economy to advance sustainable development. Indeed, the cultural and creative sector accounts for 3.1% of global GDP, supporting nearly 50 million jobs worldwide, corresponding to 6.2% of global development. Financing the cultural sector means investing in the foundations of resilient societies and fostering inclusive economic growth. Culture should therefore become a more central consideration for domestic public resource allocation, which often is a catalyst for private sector investments in this sector. STI are fundamental drivers, yet they remain underfunded, particularly in developing countries. 80% of countries invest less than 1% of GDP in research and development. Ocean science is severely underfunded with only 1.7% of gross domestic R&D expenditure allocated to it. This investment gap severely hampers our collective ability to tackle climate disruption, biodiversity loss, and sustainable resource management. UNESCO calls on member states to increase dialogue with the private sector and international financial institutions to more systematically integrate these areas and financing frameworks, projects and programs to unlock their full potential for people and the planet. Thank you.

I thank the representative of UNESCO and I now give the floor The representative of the International Olympic Committee.

Mr. Chairman, in these challenging times, it is essential we mobilize sustainable finance, all assets and innovations at our disposal. Sports and Olympism are key amongst these. This is recognized in the Pact for the Future. in which member states committed to protect and promote culture and sports as an integral component of sustainable development. In turn, the IOC has made strengthening the role of sports as an enabler of sustained development a key priority. Investment in effective sports policies and interventions generates substantial social and economic returns through stimulating growth, promoting social and economic inclusion, and through avoiding health and social protection costs. Enhanced cooperation between the developing financing and the sports and the Olympic movement has been key in enhancing the impact. Key milestones also include the Paris Summit on Sports for Sustainable Development convened on the eve of Paris 2024 Olympic Games. the G7 Pescara Declaration on sustainability investments in the sports ecosystem, the IOC's Olympism 365 Summit held in June, and the strengthening and integration of sports into the Finance in Common community. These milestones have catalyzed concrete commitments and investments. Notably, the Finance in Common Sports Coalition committed to invest US$10 billion in sports and sustainable development projects by 2030. And the IOC has increased by 10% its budget dedicated promoting the positive impact of sports worldwide, reaching an unprecedented 50 million, 650 million US dollars. These commitments have been underpinned by clarity that safe, gender equitable and sustainable approaches are critical. Our commitment to these principles are led by the Paris 2024 being the first Olympic Games to achieve gender parity and delivering a 55% reduction in carbon emissions. The powerful symbolism of the Olympic Refugee Team and the impact of the Olympic Refugee Foundation, dedicated investment in safe sports at the regional hubs, and accelerated implementation of the IOC's Olympism 365 strategy, now supporting access to positive benefits of sports in 175 countries. But further joint action is required, notably through the integration of sports investment into national financing frameworks, de-risking and capital cost reduction plans, and in growth innovation, and skill development strategies. The provision of innovative concessionary and blending finance to scale sports-based initiatives, utilizing financing vehicles such as the FICS Global Sports Impact Funds currently being developed, and assessing the transferability and use of social impact bonds and debt swaps to enable investments in preventive policies and programs, including those utilizing sports. Mr. Chairman, the ambitions set out by this conference are ambitions shared by the International Olympic Committee. In us, you have a committed partner who shares your goals of realizing sustainable development for all.

Thank you.

I thank the representative of the International Olympic Committee and I give the floor to the representative of the African Union Commission.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson, for giving the African Union the floor. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, all protocols duly observed. At the onset, I would like to thank Spain for hosting the FFDA and for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to our delegation since arrival in this beautiful city of Seville. We gather here today at the moment of undeniable urgency. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, our collective blueprint for a better world, is severely off track. The financing gap, particularly for developing countries, has widened to an estimated $4 trillion annually. This is not merely a statistic. Statistics, it represents lives unfulfilled, potential untapped, and future jeopardized. Africa stands ready to play its part in this global endeavor, where a continent of immense potential, vibrant youth, and abundant resources. Our Agenda 2063, the Africa we want, is a testament to our collective vision of a prosperous, integrated and peaceful Africa driven by its own people and taking its rightful place. Therefore, the vision is extremely linked to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The compromise, the surveil rightly recognizes the diverse needs and challenges faced by countries in special situations, in particular African countries. This acknowledgement is vital for our continent's journey towards sustainable development in an evolving economic landscape marked by climate vulnerabilities, unsustainable debt burden, and geopolitical tensions. Africa's priorities for successful enhancing financing development and achieving the SDG as well as Agenda 2063 are clear and resolved. The first is enhancing domestic resource mobilization, where we recognize that the primary source of the investment should come from within Africa. Secondly is catalyzing productive investment and private sector engagement. We need to unlock the full potential of both domestic and foreign investment. The third is the reforming of the international financial architecture and address debt challenges. which are affecting our African countries. We therefore also edge for a greater voice and representation for African countries in international institutions. Fifth is strengthening of the OTA, which is still vital. The fifth one, the sixth one is leveraging on international trade as an engine for development, a universally rules-based, fair, open, and equitable multilateral trading is necessary for Africa's sustainability. We advocate for strengthening the WTO, facilitating market access for African products, and supporting our integration into regional and global value chains. The AfCTA is our cornerstone for economic integration. Excellencies, the Compromisso de Sevilha provides a renewed framework and a roadmap for collective action. Africa stands ready to embrace this challenge, to work hand in hand with all partners to unlock the financial resources necessary to realize our shared vision of a world where poverty is eradicated, human rights upheld, and sustainable development is a reality for all. Let us seize this opportunity with renewed commitment, courage, and solidarity. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the African Union Commission, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

Excellencies, ministers, distinguished delegates, today we stand at a defining moment for multilateralism and global development financing. As we meet in Seville, the world faces converging crises, armed conflicts, climate change, rising debt distress, and widening inequality. Official development assistance remains well below its promise of 0.7% of GNI. At the same time, ODA remains crucial to fight those converging crises and to accelerate progress to achieve the SDGs. Yet we are at the threshold of possibility. The fourth International Conference on Financing for Development is a demonstration of our collective will to preserve even at the most challenging of times. This is our opportunity to rebuild trust in multilateralism and to deliver equitable, transformative progress for all countries. As a worldwide partnership to defeat HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, the Global Fund stands out as a successful demonstration of the transformative power of country-led equitable multilateralism.

Twenty-three years ago, the global.

Community came together and committed to the goal of a world free from the burden of AIDS, TB, and malaria. Since then, we have fought to make this aspiration a reality. And we have made tremendous progress, saving 65 million lives and decreasing the combined death rates from HIV, TB, and malaria by 63%. With rising out-of-pocket spending, increased debt burdens, and declining donor funding, low- and middle-income countries stand at a crossroads. Despite admirable efforts to boost domestic revenue, substantial financing gaps in health persist. For many countries, predictable donor funding remains critical, critical transition towards sustainable nationally led health systems isn't flipping a switch overnight, it's a pathway, a multi-year journey of progressive ownership. In today's tight fiscal environment, the Global Fund serves a dual role as a lifeline protecting hard-won gains in HIV, TB, and malaria, and as a vital partner walking alongside countries towards self-reliance. Our eighth replenishment covering the period of 2026 to 2028 will be crucial in that endeavor. The road to sustainable development financing is neither quick nor simple, but it's clear. With targeted investments, smarter domestic resource mobilization, predictable donor engagement, and country-led transitions, we can ensure lasting progress. This is what we want to demonstrate here in Seville. There are successful partnership models. There is a pathway to sustainable progress rooted in realistic timelines, respectful of each country's unique journey. Country-led equitable multilateralism works. What we do collectively matters. It is what we promise here in Seville. The Global Fund stands ready to continue to walk this journey with all of you, ensuring no one is left behind as we fulfill the promise of better health and a more prosperous world for all. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Ibero-American Conference.

Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, the Ibero-American General Secretariat comes to this fourth international conference on financing for development with a renewed commitment to build a more prosperous, sustainable, inclusive and fairer future for everyone. We welcome the adoption of the outcome document from this conference, the Seville Commitment, and we thank the Government of Spain for welcoming us to this beautiful city. This event is an opportunity to speed up efforts to reach the sustainable development goals. The Ibero-American Conference was established 34 years ago in Guadalajara, Mexico, and the Ibero-American General Secretariat, with its headquarters in Madrid, will in is in 2025 marking its 20th anniversary. We are a community of 22 member states, 19 from Latin America and the Caribbean and three from the Iberian Peninsula. Within our conference, our working languages are Spanish and Portuguese, and we have an enormous diversity of indigenous languages. President, the Ibero-American Cooperation is a model based on horizontal, multi-stakeholder, multi-level work, which even now, at complex times, continues to forge ahead and to craft new initiatives. We provide a singular space for dialogue and trust. And for those reasons, we echo the voices noting that the future of international cooperation should be similar to in Iberian American cooperation, which itself is based on a body of programs and initiatives that we've built up over three, the last three decades. For 18 years, the Iberian American General Secretariat has been publishing the report on South-South and triangular cooperation, which is a crucial modality for cooperation at the global level currently. The report has monitored more than 11 000 cooperation projects in the region and has become a touchstone in this area. In this context, we welcome the fact that the Seville commitment contains a section on south south and triangular cooperation, which includes references to the metrics to measure such cooperation. In terms of metrics, CEJIB is on the front line and is currently preparing a valuable, innovative index to be able to measure those cooperation modalities. President, measuring development beyond gross domestic product continues to be a pending issue. For this reason, the Ibero-American General Secretariat reiterates the appeal from countries in the Ibero-American community to expand access for all countries to funding for their respective development processes using a multidimensional metric that goes beyond the per capita income criteria. We call for complementary metrics taking into account the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. The Iberian American Secretariat General reiterates its commitment to continue working for people, prosperity, the planet, and peace through partnerships and alliances that promote sustainable development, leaving no one behind. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Ibero American General Secretariat and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Labour Organization.

On behalf of the International Labor Organization, I thank the government of Spain for hosting this critical conference and recognize the contributions of all those whose dedication has made this gathering possible. The ILO Constitution affirms our responsibility to examine international economic and financial policies in light of advancing social justice and promoting human and labour rights. Today's discussion on finance for development are central to this mandate. I would like to highlight four key areas where the ILO contributes to financing for development. First, The ILO strongly welcomes the commitment in the outcome document to support countries in raising social protection coverage by at least 2% points annually. With 3.8 billion people still lacking protection, this represents a crucial step towards ensuring no one is left behind. Our research demonstrates that investing in social protection generates remarkable returns. Every dollar invested can increase GDP by $2 to $5 within two and a half years. This is not merely social spending. It is economic investment that strengthens domestic resource mobilization and creates a virtuous circle of inclusive growth. Second, while we have seen progress in mobilizing private finance since Addis Ababa, Investment alone is insufficient for decent work and inclusive growth. To address this, the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multilateral Enterprises and Social Policy provides a framework to ensure foreign investment support job creation, formalization, and worker rights through coherent policies and social partner consultations. Third, the recognition in the outcome document of financing for a just and equitable transition addresses a critical gap. Since the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, both public and private green and climate finance have grown significantly, but the social dimension has not kept the pace. Financing flows need to consider the social dimension of climate action so that they contribute to creating more and better jobs and they do not undermine social cohesion nor leave workers and communities behind. Finally, we must address the causes of our financing challenges through comprehensive reform of the international financial architecture. As our submission has highlighted, The current system perpetuates inequalities and limits developing countries' capacity to invest in their people. We need macroeconomic frameworks that prioritize the synergy between jobs, growth and rights. The ILO stands ready to support implementation of these commitments, working with partners to ensure financing for development serves social justice and decent work for all.

I thank the distinguished representative of the International Labor Organization. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Nations Capital Development Fund.

Mr. Chairman, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the United Nations Capital Development Fund. At the outset, I would like to thank the government and people of Spain for their hospitality in bringing us all together. The outcome document adopted here in Seville lays out an ambitions and much needed agenda to advance financing for sustainable development with a particular focus on countries that have long remained on the margins of global investment. We welcome, in particular, the clear encouragement in paragraph 33M for the United Nations Capital Development Fund to support the least developed countries as an early stage provider of catalytic concessional first loss capital. This call to action to de-risk investments, to change the risk profile of early markets And to create the conditions for the private sector to follow through scaled up financing by DFIs and MDBs speaks directly to our mandate and to the core of our mission. Through our renewed UN Capital Development Fund vision, we're stepping forward as the UN system's dedicated investment partner for LDCs and SIDS with the financial rules and regulations and instruments such as guarantees, liquidity, and investment advisory. Our capability to absorb the highest level of risks, given that we're not protecting a balance sheet, will be critical to drive investment into early stage frontier markets. We are committed to deploying catalytic first loss capital with the investments made by our partners to de-risk opportunities for unlocking private and institutional finance, while also deepening subnational financial systems, tier two, tier three domestic banks, developing investable pipelines that are de-risked through the UNCDF balance sheet in partnership with UNDP and the United Nations development system more broadly. We strongly believe this is critical to augment the ongoing work of MDBs and DFIs to foster stronger, more resilient markets that can create jobs and sustain inclusive growth for the least developed of countries around the world. Above all, UNCDF remains a steadfast champion of the priorities of least developed countries around the world, as well as those that are most vulnerable. We will continue to work closely with member states, MDBs, DFIs, the private sector, civil society, local authorities, and communities to translate the commitments set forth in this outcome document into concrete investments that generate jobs, build resilience and create lasting opportunities where they are needed most. Together, we will drive action so that Compromiso de Sevilla becomes far more than words, a shared promise that is fully realized. Do count on UNCDF to be working alongside the international community to deliver on this promise. We are ready to act and we are ready to act now.

Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Nations Capital Development Fund. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Nations Population Fund.

Excellencies, dear colleagues, dear friends, I greet you in peace, the noble purpose of the United Nations, and the fervent wish of every woman and girl that UNFPA serves. With just five years left to fulfill our 2030 promise, we expect this conference to set global financing on a path that is more inclusive and more just, and that puts women and girls and their rights and choices at the heart of sustainable development. The true test of any financial system is how well it serves people, especially those who are furthest behind. And that starts with investing in health, education, and human dignity, investing in girls going to school and staying in school, investing in safe childbirth, investing in decent jobs and meaningful opportunities for young people. Far too often, social spending comes last, and that must change. Excellencies, the path forward begins with national leadership and national ownership. development driven from within, stronger public finance, progressive taxation, and national budgets that reflect the real needs and fundamental rights of all. For instance, when Indonesia adopts gender-responsive budgeting or Rwanda expands sexual and reproductive health through domestic health insurance, everyone benefits and economies thrive. UNFPA calls upon the private sector to play its vital role. From blended finance to digital health innovations, there's enormous scope for the private sector to close gaps, to bring essential services to those who need them most. Rapidly changing population dynamics are reshaping the demand for everything, jobs, housing, food, water, and care, whether it is aging in Europe, the youth bulge being experienced in Africa, or migration and shifting labor markets across the globe. Demographics must be factored in at the heart of financing for development. Without planning based on good population data, we risk midwives without medicines, students without teachers, older people without care, and economies without workers. Investing in women and girls always pays tremendous dividends. Every dollar spent on maternal health or family planning will yield at least eight in benefits. Closing gender gaps in health and employment could boost global GDP by trillions. Empowering women entrepreneurs at the same rate as men could unlock five to $6 trillion in value. And yet still, far too many governments are forced to choose between paying off debt and paying for benefits for people. Fair debt relief mechanisms, better concessional financing, and public spending rules that protect social investment even in times of austerity, All are particularly urgent in regions like Africa and others with large youth populations. The demographic dividend, yes, can be realized, but only if we invest now in the health, education, and rights of young people. So let's do everything we can to end adolescent pregnancy, which each year denies millions of girls their education. It makes social and economic common sense. In Latin America and the Caribbean, for example, every dollar invested to prevent teenage pregnancy yields up to $40. We at UNFPA call on this conference to put gender equality, universal health coverage.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Nations Population Fund, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

Excellencies, ministers, colleagues, where poverty begins, there it must end. Today, nearly 80% of the world's poorest people live in rural areas. Yet these areas are not just the frontline of poverty. They are also engines of stability, resilience and opportunity. When we invest in rural communities, we help prevent conflict, we reduce forced migration, and we unlock some of the highest social and economic returns in development today. Let me highlight three areas where this conference can and must help shape the future. First, we must confront the growing debt burden faced by low-income countries. Too many governments are forced to choose between paying creditors and feeding their people. We need to expand access to concessional finance. Finance that empowers countries to invest in their rural economies, create jobs, especially for youth, and strengthen food systems. Second, we must prioritize impact, complementarity, and scale. The challenge is not just to fund more, but to fund better. If it works, where few others go, at the first mile with small-scale producers. Our investments are grounded in national priorities, led by local communities, and designed for long-term transformation. We build lasting solutions. We build systems that work for rural people, for local economies, and for the health of the planet. Third, rural development cannot succeed without the private sector investment. We need capital flowing into rural markets, infrastructure services, and innovation. That's why IFAD brings the private sector into the conversation from the very start of project design. Furthermore, public development banks, especially the national ones, have a vital role to play. in lowering barriers to entry and making inclusive agri-food markets a reality for smallholders and consumers alike. This is what the world needs and what IFAD brings. Catalytic finance, scalable impact, private sector engagement. All focus where sustainable development must begin, where it must take root, in rural communities. And we know that with your support, working in partnership, we can do even more. Together, we can find the resources and the solutions so that no rural community, no matter how remote, is left behind. Thank you.

Thank the distinguished representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

Mr. President, excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it's a great honor for me to address you today at the plenary meeting of the first International Conference for Financing for Development. and to share with you UNIDO's vision and efforts in the field of developing finance. And as a specialized agency of the United Nations, we are committed to promoting and accelerating inclusive, sustainable industrial development. With the support of our member states, we work at the intersection of policy, technology, and finance to create the conditions for industrial transformation that benefit economies, societies, and environment alike. As UNIDO and with our mandate, we are very pleased that the need for sustainable industrialization is referred to in several key parts of the Compromiso de Sevilla. We welcome the explicit references to investments in manufacturing, agro-processing and local value addition, and critical minerals, all of which echo UNIDO's work. investment that are urgently needed to increase local value addition in our partner countries and hence create jobs, income and prosperity. Let me assure you that UNIDO is ready and fully committed to contribute its share to the countries in the Global South for sustainable and inclusive industrialization. Dear President, ladies and gentlemen, in times of declining financial commitments to developing countries, which we regret to see and which are not acceptable, we have to strengthen our collaboration with DFIs, IFIs and private investors to unlock investment for sustainable industrial development. At the heart of this mission is the issue of access to finance. Too often, financial constraints limit the ability of companies and particularly SMEs to innovate, expand and contribute to economic development. Given our mandate, UNIDO plays a critical role in bridging the gap between financial institutions, national governments and industry, ensuring that capital flows into high impact sectors in countries of the global south. UNIDO has also extensive experience in managing de-risking schemes as well as setting up financial instruments in close cooperation with partner financial institutions. Our Transformation Pathway Fund and our new common program with the Arabic and Islamic banks on SME financing are two examples of our cooperation. And as one of a few UN organization working both with the private and public sector, We serve as a bridge for the much needed joint effort in addressing the SDGs. Through our programs for country partnerships and targeted investment facilitation, we are delivering this on the ground. Mr. President, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, at the end of a of three long plenary days, let me conclude with the appeal to turn the commitments of Compromisso de Sevilla into concrete action and investible realities together. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of UNIDO and now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of International Telecommunication Union.

Good morning. This conference is seeking transformative solutions to overcome global challenges. In this context, it's an honor for me to share the perspective of the International Telecommunications Union, the UN agency for digital technologies, and to talk to you about the future that we can forge through investment in digital infrastructure. We're grateful for the dedication and commitment of the preparatory committee of the conference, as well as the UN DESA and Economic and Social Council. Our most sincere thanks also to the Spanish government for its warmth, warm hospitality and continued support. Over the last three decades, particularly over the last five years, digitalization has transformed the world. But digital access, which depends on connections to the internet, remains profoundly unequal. Today, almost one third of humanity remains offline, and digital infrastructure gaps are frequent in low and middle income countries, are limiting progress in sectors such as education and health, as well as socioeconomic progress. We believe that achieving the necessary connectivity so that everyone can enjoy a productive online experience will need of infrastructure investment by 2030, not including additional investment in digital skills and appropriate policies and affordability. This conference is a singular opportunity to unblock funding and to bring digital connectivity to everyone. The ITU, together with partners in the financial and technological sectors, is mobilizing resources and political action so as to connect everyone by 2030. The ITU and UNICEF initiative to get all schools online is already promoting the digital transformation with a funding round which will benefit more than 11 million people across 22 countries. identifying connectivity gaps and supporting governments in gathering funds and providing advice to get schools and surrounding communities online. This is key to harness the positive impact of digitalization on education as established in the Seville commitment. However, we must address the persistent challenge of the lack of connectivity. It's not only enough to have access to a Wi-Fi signal or a computer. We're talking about fiber optic, telecommunications towers, and data centers, the infrastructure that makes digital progress possible, because digital infrastructure gaps are a reflection of global socioeconomic inequalities. This is why we have launched the Digital Infrastructure Investment Initiative, the DIII, which is co-led together with seven MDBs. We launched this under the Brazilian G20 presidency last year and since then we've been working with financial institutions, the private sector, governments and academia to identify innovative financing mechanisms and instruments promoting digital investment. Now we're taking a step further. We have presented the digital infrastructure investment catalyzer, a new global platform promoted by the ITU and UNCTAD, including in the Seville Platform for Action. The catalyzer responds to the Seville commitment, which highlights the need to exchange knowledge and foster robust collaboration between governments, development banks, international organizations, and private sector stakeholders to design digital infrastructure, develop sustainable funding models and measure them effectively. The Catalyst will be a global hub to unblock funding, and we invite everyone to join these efforts. Our aim is to forge robust alliances, to open opportunities for investment, and to bring the resources where they're needed most, because closing the digital divide is essential. Let us build a digital infrastructure that is resilient for all communities around the world. Thank you very much.

I thank the representative of the International Telecommunication Union. And now I give the floor to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.

Good morning. The President of the Conference, Secretary General of the United Nations, President of the General Assembly, Excellencies, representatives from the financial and private sector, civil society organizations, UN colleagues, ladies and gentlemen. The ongoing disruption to health financing has led to a crisis in the HIV response. If the world does not rise to the challenge, there could be an additional 4 million AIDS-related deaths and 6 million new HIV infections by 2029. Our message to developing countries is it is critical that you increase domestic health spending. And I know many of you are stepping up, but we cannot, but I know you cannot get there overnight. Donor countries, we are asking you to commit to a gradual transition to domestic health financing. To achieve that transition, low and middle income governments need fiscal space to invest in life-saving HIV prevention and treatment. And right now, they don't have it. The global south is drowning in debt, while tax avoidance drains budgets, squeezing out domestic health spending. Two in every three countries in Africa are spending more on debt than on healthcare. So, donor countries, we also ask you to support the structural changes that can pave the way for greater domestic financing through coordinated action to restructure the debt, strengthen tax authorities and enable more progressive taxation of corporations and the wealthy, through more flexibility in intellectual property rules to enable affordable access to life saving medicines and other essential tools, And through a more equal system of development financing, going beyond traditional aid with global public investment where everyone contributes what they can and receive what they need. A fairer global economy is in everyone's interest. Indeed, the richest countries are also among those who lose the most to tax evasion, but for the lowest income countries it is urgent to plug the gap left by aid cuts and prevent a resurgent AIDS pandemic. The Seville Platform for Action is a remarkable leap forward in health, debt and taxation, and we congratulate Spain for leading efforts to secure it. This needs to be a turning point where we go beyond traditional understandings of health and development financing. The old consensus may be dying, but we can rise to this moment and form a bold new consensus. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of International Organization for Migration. IOM.

Excellencies, distinguished guests, it's been 10 years since we first convened in Addis Ababa and the world has changed a lot. And at the same time, very little. We've seen conflicts dragging on with no political solutions to end them, while new ones have erupted, exacerbated by a host of other pressures, including environmental ones. Humanitarian needs have become more complex and longer lasting, making any dividing line with development more blurred than ever. We've seen progress to achieve the sustainable development goals fall even further off track, in some cases regressing even below 2015 levels. And behind all this, we've seen a shifting world order, increasingly fierce power competition, fueling tension potential to spark further conflict and violence and with that the continuing erosion of multilateralism we know that the development financing Gap now stands at an estimated $4 trillion annually but it's not too late to turn this downward Trend around If we, governments, the private sector, the international community, are bold, ambitious, and cooperative, we can ensure that sustainable development is achieved through effective financing. We already have a wealth of potential resources and solutions at our disposal. Many of them come down to well-managed human mobility. Our challenge is to work together to leverage them smartly and effectively. So on behalf of the over 300 million international migrants around the world and the societies they support, it's my honor to highlight just three. One, we need to better harness the enormous potential of remittances and diaspora investments to help finance sustainable development. We need to ensure digital financial inclusion for migrants, reduce transfer costs, and connect remittances to broader financial services. Two, we need to better leverage migrants' contribution to the workforce, innovation, and trade. The best way to do this is by facilitating pathways for safe, regular migration and closing down lethal migration routes and opening up legal ones. This drives growth and prosperity while protecting the most vulnerable. And three, we need durable solutions to address internal displacement and prevent it from happening in the first place. This includes ensuring human mobility is at the center of climate finance. and mitigating the effects of climate and environmental crises, helping communities to adapt. It means working to give people a choice of whether to move or stay where they are. We at IOM are committed to working with all stakeholders in implementing the outcomes of this conference. Through our role as the coordinator of the UN Network on Migration and in relation to the Global Compact on Migration, we have access to platforms and tools to provide that support. The Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund is a key financing instrument to strengthen migration governance. Together, we can and must deliver urgent at scale the sustainable investment push needed to achieve the brighter and equitable future for all. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the International Organization for Migration. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of United Nations Human Settlements Program.

Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, it's been a privilege for UN-Habitat to participate in the conference preparations over the past year and help to shape the future of development finance. As we gather this week, we must collectively recognize a truth that we often overlook. Sustainable development will be won or lost in cities. If we are serious about transforming development finance, then we must begin where more than half of the world's population lives, where almost 80% of global GDP is created, and where 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions originate. And that is in cities. Yet too often cities face weak urban planning, overstretched infrastructure, and rapid growth of informal settlements. and housing systems that are under severe strain. During this conference preparatory process, UN-Habitat has consistently advocated for placing sustainable urbanization and subnational finance at the heart of development finance. We are encouraged by the outcomes document's inclusion of a dedicated subsection on subnational finance. This recognition is significant, but the work begins now. We must deepen our efforts and bring new partners into the fold. First, we need to scale up investment in cities, urban infrastructure, and housing to meet the unprecedented challenges of rapid urbanization and global housing crisis. Second, we need to strengthen fiscal capacity of local governments through better resource mobilization at the local level, through stronger public financial management, and access to international financing mechanisms. Housing and urban infrastructure is often financing for housing and urban infrastructure is often short-term, fragmented, and poorly targeted. Private markets frequently exclude low-income and informal communities. From 2019 to 2023, Africa received over 20 times less housing finance per person below the poverty line than higher income regions. According to the World Bank's newly released Banking on Cities report, cities in low and middle-income countries require between $250 and $820 billion annually to invest in resilient, low-carbon infrastructure. These facts mean that we must pivot towards financing strategies that treat housing and infrastructure as foundations for equitable and resilient sustainable development, not as commodities. We must also rethink land as a critical lever for equitable development. Land can be leveraged in a variety of ways. Cities can curb speculation through land management, land value capture can fund public infrastructure and basic services, and housing can be promoted through mechanisms like community land trusts. But even the best designed policies and commitments will fail without an appropriate financing architecture and capacity development at the local level. Cities must have access to the tools, the systems and resources necessary to plan, finance and implement investments. This requires a mix of own source revenues, predictable intergovernmental transfers and access to long-term capital markets. excellencies as we prepare to conclude this conference we welcome the momentum around the concrete commitments to strengthen subnational finance and reinforce local government capacity this must include increased investment in cities particularly in housing and basic services these objectives are reflected in UN habitat's new strategic plan which plays.

I thank the representative of United Nations Human Settlements Programme. And now I give the floor to the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation.

Mr. Chair, Excellencies, distinguished participants. It is an honor for the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation to address this pivotal fourth conference, international conference on financing and development. We meet at a time of profound disruption, but also of great opportunity. The global development financing system is under strain, while demand for inclusive, resilient, and responsive cooperation has never been more urgent. The Compromisso de Sevilla calls for a bold rethinking of global financing governance to ensure long-term equitable financing, especially for countries most at risk or left behind. Importantly, it elevates the role of South-South and triangle cooperation as catalytic, effective, and transformative modalities for delivering sustainable development. This recognition is grounded in reality. Developing countries are not only recipients. They are increasingly key contributors to global development, sharing solutions, mobilising resources and co-creating innovations. We take very good note of the highlights of the compromise of Seville in terms of the need to scale up voluntary support for South-South and triangular cooperation from finance to capacity and technology, the imperatives to strengthen triangular through inclusive partnerships and innovative financing, and the role of regional financing platforms in enabling cross-border investments and knowledge exchange aligned with national priorities. These are not aspirations. These are call for action. And the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation stands ready to join efforts for their operationalization. Triangle cooperation is gaining momentum as an approach that combines horizontal collaborations with targeted support. We're very proud to have launched the Triangle Cooperation Window as a practical mechanism to support countries in designing and implementing such joint initiatives. South South cooperation is rooted in decades of solidarity and mutual learning, but today its strategic importance has grown exponentially. The World Investment Reports of 2025 confirms this shift from growing capital flows and sovereign funds from the global south to targeted industrial reshaping emerging markets. Nowhere is there more evident in the digital economy where South-South investments represents 40% of global inflows. Yet with 4.3 trillion annual financing gap to achieve the SDGs, we must unlock its full potential. This requires systemic enablers. Our high-level committee on South-South cooperation has called for sustainable financing beyond the ad hoc contribution in May 2025. As the UN system focal point for South-South and Triangle Cooperation, our office provides strategic support to member states ranging from managing trust funds, the UN Fund for South-South Cooperation, the India UN Fund, which is now active in 64 countries, the IPSA Fund, India, Brazil, and South Africa, in 48 and 39 countries, and the Triangle Cooperation Window. We're also very proud that we are thinking forward and making good use of our digital platforms on knowledge, the South-South Galaxy, but also initiatives such as the Global Thinker Initiatives, a Solutions Lab, a Data Collaborative, and very soon launching a major think piece on South-South and Triangle Cooperation and for citing it for the future. I thank you.

I thank the District Representative of the Office for South-South Cooperation. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, thank you for the opportunity to speak today on behalf of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. By the end of 2024, 123 million people were forcibly displaced. Over 70% of these individuals are hosted in low and middle-income countries. This reality places significant strain on public resources, services, and national budgets in host countries, particularly as responses have largely relied on short-term and predictable humanitarian aid. Durable solutions, including voluntary return, local integration, and resettlement remain limited. Yet, we know we can deliver win-win outcomes for both displaced populations and host countries. Evidence shows that integrating refugees into labor markets and economies not only benefits refugees, but also contributes to economic growth and strengthens social cohesion in host communities. Pathways for durable solutions have been laid through key frameworks, including the Global Compact on Refugees and the UN Secretary General's Action Agenda on International Displacement. Building on this framework, dedicated financing instruments such as the IDA Window on Host Communities and Refugees, as well as the Global Concessional Financing Facility, are already helping host countries to integrate refugees into their local economies in ways that align with national development goals.

But we must do more.

We need more predictable, sustained, and long-term financing to better support countries. In this regard, we call on participants at this conference to take the following steps. First, integrate forcibly displaced persons and vulnerable host communities, international development plans, and data systems. Second, recognize and account for both the cost of hosting refugees and international development plans. generating gains through their integration into local economies. Third, recognize hosting refugees as a global public good, the critical contribution of host governments and the imperative for more equitable responsibility sharing costs across the international community. Fourth, scale up and sustain dedicated funding instruments and innovative financing mechanisms for refugee situations, engaging not only bilateral and multilateral development finance providers, but also Also the private sector.

And finally, ensure the continued availability and

equitable distribution of life-saving humanitarian assistance in conflict and crisis situations, Excellencies, durable solutions to forced displacement are within reach. With the right financing and partnerships, we can create sustainable opportunities, not only for displaced people, but also for the communities and countries that host them. Let us act now with urgency and with determination. Thank you.

I thank the District Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. And now I give the floor the distinguished representative of United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, UNDRR.

Excellencies, disaster risks are rising faster than the capacity of countries to reduce them. The result is more expensive disasters. When accounting for indirect and ecosystem impacts, disaster costs are estimated to surpass 2.3 trillion annually. And this is according to the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2025 that we recently launched. For many developing countries, this goes as a threat to economic prosperity and sustainable development. This is why the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, UNDRR, is pleased to see disaster risk reduction and resilience building prominently feature in the outcome document of the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. We especially welcome paragraph 17, which commits to scale up investment in disaster risk reduction and to promote risk-informed development in infrastructure. This commitment reflects the growing consensus on the need for greater and smarter financing to achieve the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, as expressed at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, the G20 DRR Working Group, and the Oslo Policy Forum on Accelerated Financing for Disaster Risk Reduction. As we look ahead, we would like to offer three proposals to translate these commitments into action. First, support the development of national disaster risk reduction financing strategies. To that end, UNDRR is launching the Risk to Resilience Finance Initiative to the CVA Platform of Action. to help more developing countries meet the dual goal of investing in disaster prevention while also managing residual risk. Second, reform regulation and create incentive to ensure that all public and private financial decisions are informed by an understanding of disaster risk. This is key to achieving risk informed development. which not only safeguards development from disaster, but also reduces the chance that development itself contributes to future disasters. Third, engage the private sector to play a bigger role in resilience building. This includes the development of tailored solutions, such as blended finance, resilience bonds, insurance, and other innovative instruments. Excellencies, let's be clear, financing disaster risk reduction is not a cost.

It's an investment.

Every dollar invested in resilience saves multiple in avoided losses, reduce humanitarian needs, expedite recovery time, and protect livelihood. UNDR stands ready to work with partners to accelerate the shift from risk to resilience for all, and I thank you.

I thank the representative of the United Nations Office for Disaster Reduction. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA.

Thank you, Mr. President. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, good morning. The International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, would like to express its appreciation and congratulations to the government of Spain for organizing this important event. The International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, welcomes the conference outcome document and emphasizes the critical role of the science, technology and innovation in advancing sustainable development. As the global leader in promoting the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology, the IAEA wishes to take this opportunity to underscore that STI is not just a driver of progress, but rather a fundamental enabler of progress. Today, nuclear and nuclear-related techniques and applications already contribute directly to the socioeconomic development of every country. In agriculture, nuclear techniques help countries to increase productivity thus enhancing food security and trade, reducing pesticide use, improving soil and water efficiencies. The launch of the IAEA-FAO flagship initiative, Atoms for Food, in 2024 marks the IAEA commitment to provide countries with groundbreaking solutions tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.

In health,

Nuclear medicine is essential, particularly for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The IAEA's of Hope initiative launched in 2022 aims to expand access to cancer care in underserved regions. Concretely exemplifying how SDI can reduce inequalities with the support of more than 25 partners, including donor governments, private sector, financial institutions and others, today more than 40 countries around the globe are receiving support to establish or strengthen their cancer care services in the form of specialized training, expert advice and necessary equipment. In energy, Nuclear power provides carbon reliable electricity, crucial for energy transition and industrial growth. The Atoms for Net Zero initiative helps countries move towards a sustainable energy future that integrates innovative energy systems. We are glad to see the importance attributed to STEM in the outcome document. The IAEA strongly believes that for SDI to reach its full potential, it must be inclusive and equitable. To harness the full potential of STI, it is also crucial to ensure investment in research, capacity building and technology transfer, as well as to leverage innovative financing mechanisms to support STI driven development projects. To conclude, the IAEA urges the Conference to prioritize STI in financing frameworks in alignment with national development strategies and to support multilateral cooperation to accelerate knowledge sharing and technology development. Investing in STI is not optional, it is indispensable. The IAEA stands ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure that financing for development unlocks the transformative power of STI. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency. I now give the floor to the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.

Mr President, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, I have the honour to speak here today in my capacity as the United Nations High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States. Across our world, we see a troubling paradox. The 92 LDCs, LLDCs, and the SIDS, home to 1.4 billion people, nearly one in five globally, account for a negligible share of carbon emissions and global trade. Yet, they face the gravest challenges. Climate disasters that erase years of development in hours, unsustainable debt burdens, and declining investment amid escalating needs. These are not just development concerns. They are existential threats. The 2025 UNCTAD World Investment Report offers a sobering picture. FDI to LLDCs declined by 10 percent. LDCs and SIDS saw only modest gains, yet together they received less than 2.5 percent of global FDI. Forty percent of SIDS are in or near debt distress, and LLDCs face a $510 billion infrastructure gap. International financial architecture is not designed for these realities. It is rigid where flexibility is needed, slow when urgency is critical, and risk averse where bold investment is required. This conference must be a turning point. The alignment between the Compromiso de Sevilla and the Doha, Awaza, and Antigua and Barbuda programs of action provides a foundation for transformative change. Allow me, Mr. President, to highlight three key messages. First, with just five years remaining to achieve the 2030 agenda, FfD4 must be a moment of renewed solidarity and partnership. The latest SDG progress report shows that only 35% of targets are on track, while 18% have regressed. The SDG financing gap now stands at $4 trillion annually. LDCs external debt rose to $586 billion in 2023, 39% of their GNI. LLDCs face trade costs 1.4 times higher than coastal states. And for the SIDS, more than 40% are in or near debt distress. The success or failure of the SDGs will be decided by how we support these countries now. Second, we welcome the commitments in the FFDR IV outcome document to address structural vulnerabilities through strengthened support and instruments. The reaffirmation of ODA targets, 0.7% of GNI for the developing countries and 0.15 to 20% for LDCs is important. Mechanisms like the International Investment Support Center for LDCs, infrastructure facility for LLDCs, an online university for LDCs, and the SIDS Center of Excellence must move from commitments to implementation. So too must the multidimensional vulnerability index to ensure fair access to concessional finance. Finally, inclusive and accountable global economic governance is essential. Addressing credit rating biases, high debt premiums, and limited access to affordable finance must be a priority. Robust follow-up, biennial reviews, and dedicated mechanisms for LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS will be critical to sustain momentum. Mr President, the document that we have adopted here.

I thank the UN High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP.

Good morning, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues. On behalf of UNEP, let me say a few words at this very important conference. We meet today at a moment of tremendous challenges, but also tremendous opportunities. Inflation, rising debt, trade barriers, widening inequalities, they threaten to erode stability. But more than that, they are also compounded by extreme events, external shocks, climate, weather. the situation gets more and more difficult. These interlinked crises are now threatening the very foundation of development, forcing us to rethink what is development. Today, the gap between growing financial needs and shrinking development resources is widening. Too many countries, particularly in the Global South, are left reacting in reactive mode rather than thinking about the future, investing in resilience, investing in the future. The cost of inaction is clear. Lost livelihoods, rising fiscal pressures, the emergence of uninsurability, the very foundation of economic performance. What is needed is a fundamental shift, a resilience first approach, and we've heard so much about it here in Seville. This means strengthening domestic finance, integrating systemic risks, and recognizing the multiplier effects of investing in developing countries and in the environment, the environment, the basis of all wealth in human well-being. So on behalf of UNEP, allow me to share with you five critical priorities, what we call five asks, Mr. President, for FFD4. Very easy to remember, and they're on the UNEP website, so a little plug for them. First, rethink private finance. That means looking at the tools that guide and shape private finance, disclosure, taxonomies, harmonized taxation systems. These are the guardrails for private finance, for private capital. We need to rethink how they are deployed because we're in a very different century, if I may put it like that. Second, public finance needs to be strengthened. Public finance is the root of all public value, and every dollar counts, particularly in the situation where we have extreme fiscal pressures. So public finance needs to bring value for money. At UNEP, we're working on sustainable budgeting approaches, but we're also working on sustainable public procurement, which can be a huge driver for value, jobs, job creation, local multiplier effects. Third, we must integrate systemic risk into our calculation of risk and return. There are too many risks which are out- outside of our radar currently. Ignoring climate and nature risk today means far greater cost tomorrow, and we've heard this time and time again. So we need to embed into economic and environmental risk frameworks, into the debt and sustainability frameworks, and into financial markets using innovative instruments that we've heard about, resilience bonds, sustainability linked bonds, and others. And importantly, data needs to be available for these things. Fourth, investment, we need to invest in the real economy because this is where jobs are created, this is where value is created. And fifth, we must grow capacities -- capacities, digital capacities, institutional capacities, social innovation capacities, because this is where change happens. This is where we innovate for the 21st century. Mr. President, five asks for FFD4: rethink, strengthen, integrate, invest, and grow. Thank you, Mr. President.

Perfect, five points in four minutes. I thank the representative of United Nations Environment Programme. And now I give the floor to United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF.

Thank you. Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, children don't live in global policy frameworks, they live in war zones, They live in mega urban centers, small villages, small island states. They live in our homes. They permeate every aspect of our lives, but they are not in this room. If we fail to finance a better future for children, there is no point in even talking about sustainable development. Financing for development is not an abstract construct. It is deeply human. It is about ensuring that every child everywhere, in any context, humanitarian, high income, low income, and everything in between are surviving and thriving today and tomorrow. Mounting debt, shrinking fiscal space, and growing inequality are conspiring to move the hope and promise of sustainable development seem ever more elusive, particularly for the most vulnerable. We know from evidence and experience that when governments invest in children's health, education, protection, and nutrition, They don't just fulfill their obligations under the conventions of the rights of the child, they lay the strongest possible foundation for peaceful and prosperous and inclusive societies. Children are not a cost to be managed. They are our hope and commitment that the future will be better than the present. UNICEF has come to Seville with a simple and powerful proposition. that the rights and well-being of children must be central to how we think about, mobilize, and allocate resources across all settings, from stable to fragile, and across all income typologies. We call on governments, the international community, civil society, and the private sector to rally around three urgent shifts. One, protect social spending for children in all contexts. Children are paying the price for global budget cuts. Slashing support to schools, health centers, and social safety nets is not responsible governance. It is short-sighted thinking with lifelong consequences. Let us reframe social spending not as a cost, but as an investment which has the highest return in terms of stability, peace, and progress. Two, build resilient public finance systems that empower local action. Children are half of the most poor. Their rights are realized or denied at the local level. Public finance systems must be well-resourced, inclusive, transparent, and shock-responsive. Children are not mute beneficiaries. They are active agents of change in building a fairer world. Three, leverage impactful child-responsive SDG financing through coordination and innovation. To bridge the SDG financing gap, we need a coherent strategy to deliver results for everyone, starting with children. We need smarter, bolder, more collaborative approaches. UNICEF is calling for a step change in how we deploy debt solutions, climate finance and ODA. We urge governments and investors alike to adopt child lens investing principles, to embrace risk informed planning and to ring friends essential services, especially in fragile and humanitarian settings. Because when we protect children, we protect hope itself. UNICEF is asking that you repivot global finance so that it serves most in those most in need of our support. Because the question is not whether we can afford to invest in children. The question is whether we can afford not to. History will not remember what we pledged, but what we did. This moment must be the moment we choose to finance not only infrastructure or institutions, but to invest in our future, our children. The future we're here to build is already watching us. The children of the world are asking and expecting us to step up. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Nations Children's Fund. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Floor is yours.

Mr. President, excellencies, distinguished delegates, 10 years after the Addis Ababa Action Agenda set a bold path for equality and sustainable development, the world is dangerously off track. Geopolitical turmoil, the pandemic, and the climate crisis have reversed progress. Inequality is growing, extreme poverty affects over 10% of the global population, and billions live in countries prioritizing debt repayments over basic needs and rights. Human rights are under increasing pressure worldwide. Against this backdrop, it's encouraging that the Compromisso de Sevilla recognizes a comprehensive vision of human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural, including the right to development. We welcome its commitment to international law, including the UN Charter and international human rights law, at a time when these essential norms and values are under increasing threat. Integrating human rights into global financial and economic systems, will promote fair, inclusive and sustainable development that leaves no one behind. It will strengthen multilateralism, cooperation and global solidarity. Excellencies, for too long we have separated economic and financial decisions from sustainable development and human rights. This is a policy choice that goes against the interest of the world's people and the health of our planet. The response of the UN Human Rights Office is to advance the vision of a human rights economy, an economy that places people and their rights, including health, social security, clean water, housing, at the center of economic policy and practice. A human rights economy also requires budgets and taxation systems that are transparent, participatory and equitable. These are not nice to have aspirational goals. These are must have integral to the rule of law. But countries cannot build the human rights economies while bound by rules that were not designed to deliver justice. We need a global financial system that serves everyone everywhere. As affirmed in the Compromisso de Sevilla, this means amplifying developing countries' voices and reforming governance to reflect today's realities, laying the groundwork for inclusive, rights-based economies. The global debt architecture must be grounded in human rights and backed by a multilateral legal framework to ensure fair and timely resolution of debt crisis without undermining states' ability to meet their human rights obligations. We need fairer, more inclusive global tax rules. The UN tax convention, including human rights in its principles, is a historic step towards tackling global tax avoidance and evasion and boosting countries' ability to mobilise domestic resources. So the compromise of Seville is an important step forward. The challenge now is implementation. Let's ensure global financing empowers all countries to uphold human rights and measure success by how well economies serve their people. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Nations Office for Project Services.

Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, UNOPS is here today with a clear message. We stand ready to support countries in their efforts to unlock much needed financing for sustainable development and then to help translate financing into sustainable, lasting results. We recognize that mobilization of large scale investment in the SDGs is an urgent and collective task, which goes hand in hand with the reform of the international finance architecture. Yet, as countries work to plug the $4.3 trillion gap to achieve the SDGs, it is equally important to focus on implementation, which can yield tangible results for communities. The past 10 years since the Financing for Development Conference in Addis has shown that in addition to mobilization of much needed finance, we need to address all the bottlenecks to development. Countries need support in building capacity to implement. Often finance is misaligned with policy. Available finance is often targeting those easiest to reach rather than those most in need. Least developed countries, SEEDS, fragile and conflict affected contexts face a disproportionate gap despite urgent needs. If we are to deliver on the SDGs, we need to align finance with the goals and get it to those who need it most. Additionally, the new development finance architecture needs to reflect current realities and the new sources of finance. Now it is the time to fix this. The finance gap won't be fixed without addressing the implementation gap. It is encouraging to see that outcome document of this conference acknowledge the importance of implementation in achieving shared goals. This is an area where UNOPS can play a role. We stand ready to support our partners on demand side of development finance. Through technical assistance, capacity building, and project implementation, we can support an enabling environment to attract financing and deliver results. At UNOPS, we offer practical solutions to our partners to advance the SDGs and climate action. We work in over 130 countries, including the most fragile and complex environments, and we have a particular expertise in infrastructure, procurement, and project management. Infrastructure underpins social development and it is central to climate action. It impacts the achievement of 92% of all SDGs and is key to developing resilience. Our infrastructure investment decisions define our collective future. Public procurement can be a powerful force of change as well. Around the world, it represents on average 13% to 20% of GDP. Throughout our procurement efforts, UNOPS helps countries respond to conflicts and crises, advance their climate priorities and foster sustainable inclusive development around the world. Whether we are procuring on behalf of our partners or working with them to strengthen national capacity for procurement, our focus is on ensuring that procurement processes benefit local communities. We also manage a range of multilateral initiatives that drive collaborative development and climate action, including on inclusive energy transition. In all we do, we focus on practical solutions. The financing gap for the SDGs remains vast, but closing it is not just about more finance, it's about making sure the finance available works harder, goes further, and delivers real lasting impact. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Nations Office for Project Services. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Your Excellencies, distinguished heads of state and government, esteemed colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to deliver this statement on behalf of UNCTAD at this fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. We thank the government and people of Spain for their hospitality, political leadership, and push for action through the Seville Platform for Action and the Plan de Sevilla. We also acknowledge the co-chairs and co-facilitators for their commitment, their perseverance, and their candor. This conference takes place at a time when multilateralism is being tested. The Compromisso de Sevilla reflects the effort to uphold it. It is the outcome of long and sometimes difficult negotiations, and it carries the weight of the expectations placed on us to act decisively and to act together. ANCTA fully supports the Compromisso de Sevilla. We welcome it not only for what it contains, but for what it makes possible. It provides a basis for closing the gaps between global goals and real resources, a gap we measure at over $4 trillion annually. To close this gap requires rethinking development finance, not only as a transfer of resources, but as a transformation of conditions. The goal is not only to finance development, but to build development that can finance itself, to create conditions where countries that need capital can generate it, that need skills can teach them, that need infrastructure can build it. But this requires a system that works. And today, that system is under stress. FDI declined by 11% last year, eight fell by 7% last year, with deeper cut expected this year. Debt burdens grew heavier, with now 3.4 billion people living in countries that spend more on debt service than on health or education. Technology is opening new gaps while leaving old ones open, and trade faces rising cost barriers and uncertainty. In this context, the Compromiso de Sevilla matters. It sets out a number of steps that can help rebuild momentum. It calls for serious reforms of the global financial structure, including on debt and the global financial safety net, two key missing pillars of the IFA. The Compromiso de Sevilla opens the door to important proposals such as a debt workout mechanism, regular SDR issuance, and a forum on debt that represent real concrete advances in this agenda. The Compromiso also supports greater ambition from the multilateral development banks, These institutions are essential. When private capital retreats, they step in. When confidence is weak, they restore it. When risk is high, they share it, tripling their annual lending as encouraged in the compromise of Seville is a fundamental step. These are not isolated reforms. They strengthen development not only as an outcome, but as a process. This is what it means to go from financing for development to financing from development. UNCTAD stands ready to do its part and looks with hope.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

President, Excellencies, colleagues, being today here in the last hours, I would say minutes, of this important event, it goes without saying that UNECE, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, welcomes the adoption of the Compromisso de Sevilha and commends its urgent recognition of the need to align financial flows and resources with the Sustainable Development Goals. The commitments that are reaffirmed and extended in this outcome document are critical to bridging the widening gap between ambition and implementation. We are pleased to see the continued emphasis on domestic resource mobilization, the importance of effective public expenditure, and the pivotal role of private sector investments in sustainable development. This is especially relevant in UNICE region where we have countries with the, some of the world's most advanced economies and countries undergoing significant economic transition. The primacy of domestic resource mobilization, as outlined in the compromise, resonates deeply in our region. In a time of tightening fiscal space, countries across the UNICEF area are grappling with how to make public finance work harder for sustainable development. Rebuilding trust in taxation and public spending is essential through enhanced efficiency, transparency, progressivity, and policy coherence. Progressive and fair tax systems are not just about revenue, they're about equity, dignity, and social cohesion. Governments in our region are advancing digital solutions, tax transparency, and inclusive tax reforms, including gender responsive budgeting and environmental tax frameworks. But it's not only about how we collect taxes or collect resources, it is equally about how we spend them. Public budgets are moral documents and a part of social contract, they must align with the imperative of sustainability, investing in resilient infrastructure, green and digital transitions, trade capacity and industrial policies, social protection and care systems, and climate action in its broader sense. At UNICEE, we work with countries to embed sustainability into regulatory frameworks and standards covering infrastructure, transport, housing, and transboundary resources like water. But as it was many times mentioned, public finance alone will not suffice. As it was highlighted, the urgency of mobilizing private investment at scale and crucially aligning it with sustainable development is essential. In UNESC region, once again, we are home to broad capital markets and global institutional investors. Yet, even in that context, long-term investments in inclusive, green and resilient development remains insufficient. The problem is not just the quantity, but also the quality. We welcome the outcome documents emphasis on ensuring that private finance is additional, transparent and aligned with the SDGs. UNECI contributes to this agenda through the development and application of the PPPs and infrastructure evaluation and rating system, PERS. This methodology provides a comprehensive sustainability assurance mechanism for infrastructure and public-private partnerships. It assesses project not only for financial viability, but also for their impact on people, planet, prosperity, partnerships, and governance. As the Compromisso de Sevilha rightly asserts, financing for development is not a zero sum game. It is a matter of solidarity, coherence and shared responsibility. In the UNESCE region, we must not only increase the volume of sustainable finance, but also ensure that its use is strategic, equitable and effective. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

Dear Chair, distinguished delegates, excellencies, dear participants, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, has been deeply engaged in supporting the global financing for development process since the third international conference in Addis Ababa. We were the first regional economic commission that created a dedicated financing for development section in ASCAP in 2015. and amended the conference structure to include a dedicated intergovernmental committee on macroeconomic policy, poverty reduction, and financing for development. In addition to our ongoing support to member states through intergovernmental processes, technical assistance, and knowledge products, and policy advice, Last December, we organized the high-level consultation to gather perspectives from Asia and the Pacific as inputs to the FFD4. At the consultation, ASCAP member states agreed on various regional priorities, which were communicated to the co-facilitators as inputs from Asia and the Pacific to the outcome documents of FFD4. I'm very pleased that Compromisso de Salvador has taken on board many of those priorities of the Asia and the Pacific. Please allow me to mention briefly some of them. On the mobilization of domestic public resources, ESCAP member states highlighted the importance of broadening the tax base through policy reform, reducing exemptions, improving tax compliance and enhancing the effectiveness of tax administration. For this purpose, ASCAP member states noted that it is critical to provide capacity building and technical assistance to tax authorities and officials. ASCAP member states also emphasize the importance of implementing public expenditure and budget reforms to ensure financial discipline, effective resources allocation and transparency. On the mobilization of private finance, ESCAP member states highlighted the need for stronger regulatory frameworks, consistent policies and fiscal incentives to channel capitals towards SDG-aligned investments. They also call for the MDBs and the DFIs to become stronger catalyst for private capital, especially in supporting early stage investments and enhancing project pipeline bankability and emphasize the importance of sustainability reporting and the disclosure by private financial institutions. On debt sustainability, ASCAP member states call for faster, equitable and transparent debt restructuring processes and framework. ASCAP member states also recognize the importance of disciplining the fiscal policies, robust debt management, and improve the data collection and the sharing, and increase the transparency to reduce debt sustainability. Sixth, Going forward, the Compromisso de Savia encourage enhanced regional follow-up process led by the regional commissions with regular regional reporting on progress, regional committees and consultations on progress and priorities. To this end, ESCAP remain committed to enhance the support.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and we have heard the last speaker in the general debate. The conference has thus concluded its consideration of agenda item eight. The conference will hold its closing meeting at 3 p.m. in this hall. The meeting is adjourned.