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

A very good afternoon. The sixth plenary session of the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development is called to order. Distinguished heads of state and government, ministers, your excellencies, distinguished participants, the conference will now continue the general debate on agenda item eight, Pursuant to the organization of work for the conference, statements in the general debate should not exceed five minutes. Delegates who are going to, who had plans to make longer statements are invited to give an abridged version and send in the full version. In order for speakers to be aware of the time limit, a timer will be displayed on this screen. So that all speakers can be heard in the general debate, microphones will be automatically cut off when the speaking time has elapsed. I apologize in advance if any speaker does get cut off. I now give the floor to Demian Thomas. Vice Finance Minister of Nauru. I give him the floor.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honour to address this plenary on behalf of the government and.

People of the Republic of Nauru. This conference comes at a critical moment. Our world faces compounding crises, from persistent development gaps to climate shocks, rising debts, geopolitical fragmentation, and the erosion of trust in multilateralism.

Against this backdrop, the adoption of the outcome document by consensus is not only.

A relief, but also a diplomatic achievement and one that we warmly welcome.

Nauru is especially pleased with the inclusion of the key provisions that reflect the lived realities of the small island developing states. The language on de-risking corresponding banking relationships responds to a longstanding concern for Nauru.

We fully comply with FATF standards, yet we continue to suffer from unfair financial exclusion. The recognition of this injustice and the call for risk, unfair financial exclusion, the recognition for injustice and the call for risk sharing mechanisms and accountability is a step forward.

A more equitable financial system.

We also welcome the recognition of the multidimensional vulnerability in debt.

This isn't just about fixing a flaw in systems. It's about finally being seen.

Income metrics alone cannot capture the structural limitations we face. They do not measure isolations. They do not measure exposure to climate risk. And they certainly do not measure how long and how hard small nations like mine have had to fight.

Just to be seen. This brings me to Nauru's own situation.

As many of you know, we are slated to graduate to high income status on 1 January 2026. On paper, this may appear as a development success. In reality, it threatens to sever us from the various support systems that have allowed us to make modest progress. Our GNI per capita is inflated by narrow and unstable income sources. not by resilience, not by diversification, and certainly not by sustainability. Excellencies, we are not opposing graduation because we fear change. We are opposing it because it is premature and because of it based on flawed metrics. Graduation without flexibility and without vulnerability-based safeguard is not development, it is abandonment.

We do not want to be trapped by a statistic.

We want to be supported by a system that understands structural disadvantage and responds accordingly. The MVI is the system, that system, and we call on international financial institutions, multilateral development banks, and all partners.

Especially within the OECD DAC, to use it.

This document also reaffirms the special case of SEEDS. Let us not forget what that phrase really means, that our vulnerabilities are not chosen and they are not solvable by the domestic policy alone. We cannot scale up our economies. We cannot stop the seas from rising. We cannot prevent climate change. But we can and we must insist on a financial architecture that does not erase our reality. Excellencies, there is something else we must confront here, a quiet but dangerous shift in development priorities. As conflict consumes the world's attention and budgets are reallocated from development to defense, countries like mine are being squeezed out of the global agenda. If development financing continues to be deprioritized, we will not meet the SDGs by 2030. In fact, we may not even stay afloat. politically, economically or physically. This is why this conference matters. It is a reminder to all of us that even in an age of crisis, there must be space for hope, that even in the shadow of conflict, development must not be treated as optional.

In closing, I wish to thank the co-facilitators for their leadership. Let us not waste the momentum we have built here.

Let us take the commitments made in Seville and turn them into action that is fair, inclusive and grounded in the realities of the most vulnerable. Because development is not a reward, it is a right. And justice in global finance begins with recognising those who are too often left behind. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished vice minister from Nauru. The next speaker is Mongolia.

Mr. President, excellencies, distinguished delegations, ladies and gentlemen.

At the outset, I wish to.

Express my sincere gratitude to the government and people of Kingdom of Spain for hosting this historic conference and a warm hospitality in the city of Seville. I align myself with this statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of the group of G77 and China.

Today, we live in a world where the global debt to GDP ratio has reached.

328%, furthermore, four in 10 people live in the countries where interest payments on debt exceed public spending on health and education, although we have placed the financing for development agenda at the heart of achieving these SDGs, our collective efforts are increasingly challenged by rising geopolitical tensions and uncertain global trade and investment climate. The four trillion annual SDG financing gap represents merely 1% of global financial assets yet remain persistently unmet. We reaffirm our commitment to the continued reform of international financial architecture, a reformed system, one that expands the voice and representation of developing countries in an international economic and financial architecture and strengthens global financial safety net can be realized through the Compromisso de Sevilla. This historic milestone offers a guiding light amid growing uncertainty. Mongolia is proud to be part of this transformative process. Mr. President, Since the adoption of the 2030 agenda, Mongolia has been among the first countries to localize the SDGs and incorporate them into our medium and long term development policy papers and successfully introduced our voluntary national reviews in 2019 and 2023 respectively. As one of the major deliverables embedded in Addis Ababa action agenda, Mongolia accepted, adopted the integrated national financing strategy, which identifies that Mongolia requires annual investment needs equivalent to 18% of GDP to meet the sustainable development goals by 2030. With the support from UN partners, we have developed an SDG investment map to guide resource allocation and mobilization. I wish to highlight, highlight Mongolia's recent achievement in enhancing domestic resource mobilization. We have successfully introduced progressive tax system under the national budget law in 2022 and has made significant progress in mainstreaming gender responsive budgeting and reforming our national development bank. Mr. President, as the co-chair of the preparation committee for the upcoming UN Third Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries that to be held in Awanza, Turkmenistan, Mongolia calls on international financial institutions and other stakeholders to join our efforts to establish infrastructure investment finance facility for LLDCs, one of the crucial critical deliberals reflected in the program of action. I believe that the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, which will take place in 2026 in my country, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and Ulaanbaatar City, will advance discussions to help international development cooperation to be agile and focused on promoting sustainable land management practices, as well as achieving a land degradation neutral world through increased financial commitments. Mongolia stands ready to support the implementation of the CVA commitment at the national level and we are committed to integrating its outcomes into our domestic frameworks. I thank you.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is Belarus.

Mr. President, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Belarus welcomes the conduct of the fourth international conference on financing for sustainable development, and we hope that the outcomes of this conference will allow the international community to make progress in resolving such global problems of problems faced by developing countries in particular, as growing inequality, growing poverty, and a growing financing gap for sustainable development goals, which presently is calculated to be more than $4 trillion. Growing unpredictability and instability in the global financial system in recent years has been exacerbated by growing protectionism and trade wars, long-term socioeconomic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, and this has resulted in a significant slowdown in the pace of global economic growth, greater inflation pressure, and a greater volume of state and private indebtedness. Presently, there is an urgent need to revitalize global financing for development system, which needs to meet the urgent needs of developing countries while at the same time ensuring a fair and balanced approach which is conducted in accordance with the principles of multilateralism and international cooperation. Belarus stands in solidarity with countries of the global south, and we stress the importance of the role of the UN as the most universal and inclusive international forum in setting norms and ensuring that the reform of the international financial system are in accordance with the principle of equality, impartiality, and sustainable development for all. Furthermore, we believe that any updated frameworks need to reflect national development priorities and the right of every country to adhere to its own sustainable development path in line with the United Nations Charter. The growing financing gap continues to thwart a collective ability to implement the 2030 sustainable development agenda. Belarus consistently adheres to the position that in order to surmount the financial divide, there is a need to do the following: Number one, to mobilize political will to end all armed conflicts. Number two, for developed countries to honor their obligations in terms of the delivery of ODA and to fine-tune technical assistance programs as well as technology transfer and capacity building. three, rejection of unilateral coercive measures which run counter to international law and the purposes and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Such measures undermine the development not only of countries against whom they are imposed, but they also undermine the sustainable development of the entire world. We trust that the outcome document will become a key tool towards tackling major challenges faced by the modern contemporary society, including through greater investments for the achievement of sustainable development and the reform of the international financial architecture. To conclude, I wish to extend our commitment to the 2030 Agenda, and we stand ready to cooperate in order to forge a more equitable, sustainable, and development-oriented global financial system. Thank you for your attention.

I thank the distinguished representative of Belarus. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kiribati.

Madam President, our gracious host, His Excellency Pedro Sanchez, President of the Government of Spain, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, meaning.

Warm traditional blessings of peace, prosperity, and good health from the people and the government.

Of the Republic of Kiribati.

Madam President, the aspiration of this conference is both.

Timely and vital to strengthen the global financing framework in a way that mobilizes.

Greater resources at lower cost, particularly for the most vulnerable.

For Kiribati, this is not simply an aspiration, but an essential requirement. for achieving sustainable and resilient development. We are encouraged by the direction of this conference, and we welcome the outcome declaration. While we acknowledge that it may not be perfect, it provides a practical roadmap to address the most pressing financial challenges of our time.

It also reaffirms the value of inclusive and effective multilateralism.

A pillar that must be strengthened, not weakened, if we are to succeed.

We commend the recognition of least developed countries and the centrality of the Doha Programme of Action. Geneva reiterates the call for full and accelerated support to implement the Doha Declaration, as it remains instrumental for addressing structural constraints and ensuring that no country is left behind.

Madam President, as I have chosen to state, our vast maritime space reflects both our potential and our enduring challenges. Our economy remains heavily reliant on fisheries and external financing, with limited options for diversification. Geographic isolation, the vast distances between our islands, and a lack of connectivity to global markets continue to constrain our development.

These structural challenges are compounded by our acute vulnerability to climate change. Much of our land are no more than two meters above sea level. placing our people, ecosystem, and infrastructure at growing risk from rising seas, saltwater intrusion, and intensified weather patterns.

Despite these constraints, Kiribati.

Remains steadfast in advancing its national development vision through the implementation of the KV20 strategy, which aims to.

Build a wealthy, healthy, and peaceful nation. This vision is anchored on four foundational pillars: health creation, peace and security, infrastructure development, and good governance. This vision requires meaningful and inclusive access to sustainable and predictable financing that is tailored to our special circumstances as a small island developing state.

and a least developed country.

This includes support for the operationalization of the SIDS Center of Excellence, the Debt Sustainability Support Service, and the provision of adequate and accessible finance to support the effective implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS, ABAS. Madam President, we cannot strengthen financing for development without first acknowledging that vulnerability, particularly structural and climate-related vulnerability, must be the heart of how we design and deliver support. This is why GAB strongly supports the operationalization and use of the multidimensional vulnerability index, MVI, as a tool to better inform eligibility for development financing and partnerships. For countries like ours, GDP per capita.

Alone does not reflect our development realities nor the structural and environmental risks we face.

The MVI offers a more just, transparent and evidence-based pathway to unlocking support where it is most urgently needed. Access to financing also remains a critical barrier for cities like Kilivus. Too often the most Too often, the most in need are excluded by overly complex eligibility requirements, burdensome procedures, and slow disbursement processes. Financing must be simplified and streamlined and made more accessible to countries with limited constitutional capacity. It must also enable the development of resilient infrastructure that protects our communities and ensures continuity in essential services.

Mr. President, let us not leave this conference with aspirations. Let us leave with renewed resolve and commitment to concrete and measurable action. The future we choose to find today will define the world we live in.

I thank the distinguished representative of Kiribati. Next, I give the floor to the Holy See.

Mr. President, Excellencies, colleagues, and dear friends, The OLC would like to express its gratitude to His Majesty's King Felipe of Spain and his government for graciously hosting this momentous gathering in Seville. This conference provides an opportunity to reaffirm that development is not solely about indicators, instruments or institutions. It is first and foremost about people. Development should serve the well-being of all, especially the poor and the most in need, fostering justice, solidarity and peace. It must not be at the service of economy, but at its centre and promote the God-given dignity of every human person. Human dignity is respected when the international community clearly pursues true integral development, encompassing the economic, social, environmental, spiritual, and cultural progress of every person. Accordingly, financing for development should not focus solely on the economy, but rather take an integral approach that fosters the flourishing of every person, every family, every community, and every nation without exceptions. Mr. President, the OLC considers that the current financial architecture does not totally reflect this integral vision. It is a result of a series of decisions and priorities which frequently fail to serve the common good, consistently leaving those in the most vulnerable situation struggling. The human cost of such a system is evident in the millions of people who still do not have their most basic needs met, including access to clean water, adequate food, quality education, and essential healthcare. In this regard, Pope Leo affirms that every effort should be made to overcome the global inequalities between opulence and destitution that are carving deep divides between continents, countries, and even within individual societies. Mr. President, the OLC considers unsustainable debt to be one of the biggest obstacles to meeting basic needs. Responsible leading and borrowing can have an important role to play in development if they are rooted in the accountability, sustainability, and above all, the protection of human dignity. However, the current debt architecture and the resulting debt burdens are stifling the development prospects of many developing countries. Excessive debt servicing obligations, even during times of crisis, prevent states from investing in healthcare, education, basic infrastructure, and climate resilience. Such investments are vital for the integral development of peoples and the long-term development of states. If a country's ability to cultivate the basic requirements for integral development is compromised by debt repayments, then the moral legitimacy of debt must be called into question. The OLC therefore reaffirms that debt release is a moral imperative, not just a financial issue. Furthermore, debt should not be repaid through unbearable sacrifices. In such cases, it is necessary to find ways to reduce, defer, or even cancel the debt. During the Jubilee year for the Catholic Church, the Holy See is calling on creditors to renew their commitment to providing comprehensive and timely debt relief, including cancellation, particularly to countries in special situations. Mr. President, The current development challenges require more than piecemeal responses. Urgent and coherent actions on a large scale is needed, including the commitments made in the Compromisso de Sevilla. Such action is impossible without a renewed and unwavering commitment to multilateralism based on solidarity and pursuit of the common good. No single nation can address finance's challenges alone. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is Suriname.

Mr. President, Excellency, distinguished delegates, it is an honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Republic of Suriname at this critical juncture as we renew our collective commitment to a revitalized global framework for financing sustainable development. I am pleased to join previous speakers in expressing our sincere appreciation to the Kingdom and Government of Spain and the United Nations for organizing this important conference and for the warm hospitality extended to us here in Seville. Mr. President, we meet at a time of global uncertainty driven by economic shocks, climate crises, and deepening geopolitical tensions. Yet, our response must be defined not by despair, but by bold and transformative multilateralism. To safeguard the needs of present and future generations, It is essential that all sectors of society, including governments, civil society, the private sector, research institutions and local communities, work together to advance sustainable development and climate action. Mr. President, Suriname welcomes the adoption of the Compromiso de Sevilla and looks forward to its swift and impactful implementation. We particularly emphasize the need to close the widening financing gap that undermines our ambition and disproportionately affects developing countries, including small island developing states and low-lying coastal states such as ours. Suriname adds its voice to the call to accelerate the reform of the international financial architecture to be more inclusive, equitable, and responsive to today's realities.

We reiterate the urgent need.

To improve access to concessional finance for SIDS which remain structurally constrained.

By small market size, geographic remoteness and climate vulnerability.

We welcome the reference to the Antigua and Barbuda agenda and urge accelerated implementation and resourcing of its key commitments. Furthermore, we stress that CARICOM member states, including Suriname, are often hindered in accessing concessional finance due to their classification as middle-income countries. In this regard, Suriname calls for continued support to maintain momentum toward the full use of the MFI. We also call for a reform of the global debt architecture to ensure the availability of a broad set of financing tools while also reinforcing complementary and innovative sources of finance. High interest rates, coupled with tightening fiscal space, elevate the debt service burdens and hamper vital investment geared towards development and progress on the SDGs. Mr. President, as small island developing and low-lying coastal states, we remain concerned that we are facing the unrelenting impacts of climate change. As one of the few carbon negative countries in the world, Suriname calls for enhanced ambition in climate finance and strongly emphasises the importance of climate justice, fair access to climate financing and resources for adoption, adaptation and loss and damage. Our commitment to nature-based solutions and the preservation of biodiversity must be matched by the international community's recognition of the value of ecosystem services and fair compensation for global public goods. In closing, Mr. President, financing for development is an investment in global stability, shared prosperity, and the future of our.

Planet.

Let the Compromiso de Sevilla, mark the moment where we shift from pledges to action, from exclusion to inclusion, and from fragmentation to solidarity.

Suriname remains committed.

To working with all partners to ensure that this renewed framework for financing development delivers concrete, timely results for.

All, especially the most vulnerable. I thank you.

Thank you for your statement. Eritrea is the next speaker.

Good afternoon, Mr. President, Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen. Eritrea extends its gratitude to the government and people of the Kingdom of Spain for hosting this important conference and for the warm hospitality accorded to our delegation. We also express sincere appreciation to the co-chairs of the Preparatory Committee, Burundi and Portugal, and the co-facilitators, Mexico, Nepal, Norway and Zambia, for their diligent work in preparing the outcome document for this fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. Eritrea aligns itself with the statements delivered by Iraq, Angola, and Nepal on behalf of the G77 and China, Africa, and the least developed countries, respectively. For many governments, particularly those in the least developed countries, development is not merely a matter of policy preference, it's an existential imperative. Eradicating poverty and achieving food security are urgent priorities. These challenges are not isolated. They are results of deeper structural inequalities and systemic underdevelopment that must be urgently addressed. The development realities that confront us today remain deeply troubling. Our challenges go well beyond financing gaps. Many developing economies are still locked into dependence on the extraction and export of raw natural resources, with low value addition while importing high cost industrial goods. This dynamic perpetuates the transfer of wealth and constrains domestic development. Transforming these asymmetrical economic relationships is imperative. The most fundamental constraint we face is the limited productive capacity of our economies. Over the past four decades, the structural foundations of many African economies have remained stagnant. Reversing this trend requires bold and sustained international support to build productive capacity in industry, agriculture, and services. The United Nations and the international community must renew their commitment to this goal to help unlock sustainable growth, generate decent employment, and enable long-term development. Mr. President, we also face persistent technological barriers. Developing countries continue to be hindered by limited access to global markets, restricted technology transfer, and restrictive intellectual property regimes that inhibit the flow of vital knowledge and innovation. Without equitable access to advanced technologies, our progress will remain constrained. Moreover, unilateral coercive measures, including sanctions, extraterritorial restrictions, and politically motivated trade barriers undermine development and violate international law. These policies undermine the stability of developing economies, deepen poverty, and erode the principles of multilateral cooperation. Eritrea has experienced firsthand the stifling effects of such measures. which restrict access to capital, technology, and essential goods. Removing these constraints is essential to enabling nations like Eritrea to pursue self-determined development pathways. Excellencies, overcoming these challenges calls for a bold reconfiguration of the global financial and economic system, one anchored in equity, sustainability, and solidarity. Financing for development is not about aid alone. It's about dismantling structural imbalances, enabling fair participation in global markets, and preserving national policy space for countries to pursue inclusive and sovereign development. Eritrea welcomes the Seville Outcome Document's reaffirmation of each country's primary responsibility for its own economic and social development. But this principle must be supported by international frameworks that empower rather than penalize countries that are striving for resilience and self-reliance. Eritrea's development strategy has long prioritized self-reliance, equity, and national ownership. Despite external constraints, Eritrea has invested in human capital, infrastructure, and institutional capacity development, emphasizing long-term sustainability over dependency. Eritrea values cooperation and partnership that respects national priority and ownership, and we're committed to enhancing domestic resource mobilization, including through improved tax administration. We welcome the focus on international tax cooperation under UN-led framework. Global tax cooperation must be fair and inclusive and must respect national sovereignty and reflect capacity constraints. Tax reform should not become hidden conditionalities. We also recognize the vital role of our diaspora in contributing to national development and therefore welcome efforts to reduce the cost of remittance transfers. Diaspora engagement remains a cornerstone of Eritrea's economic strategy, not only through remittances, but also through knowledge transfer, entrepreneurship, and community-driven development.

Initiatives. Thank you very much.

Next speaker is Liechtenstein.

Mr. President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, let me also start by lending my thanks to Spain for hosting this conference. The international community is navigating a period of profound global disruption. The cascading effects of climate change, geopolitical instability, Food insecurity and widening inequality are testing the resilience of societies and institutions worldwide.

As we have repeatedly heard over the last days, many developing countries are grappling with limited fiscal.

Space, rising debt levels, and inflationary pressures that threaten investments in public institutions such as healthcare, education, and social protection.

These challenges threaten to reverse hard-won gains in poverty reduction, the fight against hunger.

And the advancement of gender equality amongst others.

In this context, delivering on the commitments of the 2030 Agenda requires not only renewed political will, but also concrete measures to mobilize and align sources of finance, both public and private, domestic and international, toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The successful conclusion of this conference is a critical step towards reinvigorating cooperation within the international community.

To address growing financial and investment gaps, formulate new pathways towards sustainable development and rebuild trust in global partnership and multilateralism.

Mr. President, Liechtenstein welcomes the adoption of the outcome document as a strong signal for effective multilateralism.

Where, as the title suggests.

Certain compromises are indeed necessary. However, in view to enhance efficiency and avoid further duplication and fragmentation, we would like to.

Emphasise the importance of building on existing solutions. We remain concerned about proposals that seek to create new.

Processes or dialogues, particularly on international financial institutions and debt, when relevant mechanisms already exist.

These existing processes are not stagnant.

But they can and must be improved collectively to better deliver on our shared commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. We furthermore also note that the reference to.

Common but differentiated responsibilities does not reflect currently agreed language and should be complemented by the principles set out in the Paris Agreement.

Mr. President, corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to sustainable development. It undermines all three pillars of the United Nations.

International peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.

Liechtenstein is firmly committed to the global fight against.

Corruption, both through our robust domestic legal network and framework, and through active international cooperation. We have a longstanding commitment in the prevention of and fight against corruption.

And have successfully engaged in the recovery and return of stolen assets and returned.

More than 240 million US dollars in this area.

Liechtenstein has maintained a close and longstanding partnership with the International Center for Asset Recovery.

We also support efforts to strengthen asset recovery and return mechanisms, notably.

Through the framework of the UN Convention against Corruption.

An enabling and stable environment empowers citizens to participate.

Fully in the economy, also creates favorable conditions for many public and private investors to become active and continue investing in international markets. As recognized by the Compromisso.

De Sevilla adopted earlier this week, private business and finance can have a catalytic role for sustainable development, inclusive growth.

Digital transition and decent job transition.

It is in this spirit of mobilizing the private sector for the achievement of the SDGs that Liechtenstein has been spearheading the Financing Against Slavery and Trafficking Initiative.

FAST places financial institutions at the heart of the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery by outlining action.

In the areas of compliance, responsible investment, and financial innovation, and by contributing.

As also asked for by the CVA compromise, to the expansion of financial access, particularly to survivors of human trafficking.

Mr. President, financing for development must be rooted in genuine partnership and solidarity.

As a long-standing supporter of multilateral development cooperation, Liechtenstein has committed to contributing its fair share.

Since the last FFD conference in 2015, Liechtenstein has made a total of 400 million USD ODA-related contribution.

This is equivalent to US$10,000 per capita, placing Liechtenstein squarely amongst the countries with the highest ODA per capita contributions worldwide.

Liechtenstein will continue to maintain its strong financial commitment towards financing for development.

I thank you.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is Saudi Arabia.

In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, may the peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its deepest thanks and appreciation to the government of Spain and the United Nations for hosting this important conference and for all the efforts made to prepare the Seville commitment at a time when the world is faced with a number of development and economic challenges. We meet today to promote efforts to achieve sustainable development, to address the slowdown in the implementation of the 2030 agenda. a time when the global economy is at a crossroads. Growth has been sluggish in the global economy. Debt has increased and there are a number of trade and geopolitical tensions. We stress the need to adopt structural and financial reforms to achieve a sustainable, inclusive growth by promoting productiveness, rebuilding trust, ensuring sustainability, protecting the most vulnerable, and empowering women and youth. Solidarity based on mutual respect and multilateral cooperation is the only way to address global challenges and achieve a just and inclusive development. Based on our vision, we stress that financing sustainable development is one of the main strategic goals to achieve sustainable development. We cannot separate financing from development programs and policies. Financing should be the cornerstone for launching innovative solutions and increasing development impact at the international and national levels. Ladies and gentlemen, we are firmly committed to supporting international efforts to achieve sustainable development around the world, this, uh, is reflected in our leading role. We have provided direct and indirect assistance through international, regional and national development institutions that support a number of key sectors such as infrastructure, health, energy, education and humanitarian assistance. In 2022, we have provided 6.6 billion US dollars in official development assistance. This represents 0.6% of our GNI. In 2023, this was at 0.51%, which reflects our continued commitment, uh, vis-a-vis countries in need. Through the Saudi Fund for Development, we provided concession financing for more than 800 development projects in more than 100 state. at more than $21 billion. The sovereign debt crisis is one of the major challenges to development. We take pride in our leading role in launching the initiative for addressing debt as we presided over the G20 in 2020, which provided a good platform for creditors and debtors to address debt in a transparent, organized, and just way. We the need to build on this framework and promote its effectiveness, and it is important also to avoid any parallel initiatives that could weaken it. We stress that any… reform of the global financial structure should take into account the participation of creditors. It should ensure balance between obligations and rights and it should promote effectiveness of multilateralism. In conclusion, we welcome all efforts made to adopt the Seville commitment as an important step to renew the global framework for financing development. We have expressed our reservation on a number of paragraphs, and we have made our position known in an official and detailed manner. We will continue to shoulder our international responsibility, and we will continue playing a constructive role in supporting collective efforts to ensure a more just, sustainable, and inclusive economic system. Thank you.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is Cyprus.

Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to begin by echoing those who have preceded me in expressing my delegation's gratitude to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Spain for the warm and generous hospitality afforded to us since our arrival in this beautiful and historic city of Seville. I would like to congratulate both Spain and the UN for organizing this timely and important conference, including the excellent organization of the many parallel discussions. Our congratulations and appreciation go also to the Bureau and to the members of the Preparatory Committee and the four co-facilitators. Your perseverance and resolve have led to a strong compromise document to guide our next steps towards credible financing development. Cyprus aligns itself with the EU statement, but I would like to also add the following remarks in my national capacity. As we gather here, it is not hyperbole to say that the world stands at a profound inflection point. Despite the UN Charter's enduring commitment to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and to promote social progress and better standards of life, we are witnessing escalating conflict resulting in the loss of life, displacement, destruction of vital infrastructure, and resulting geopolitical tension, together with a weakening and erosion of trust in multilateralism. Whether in Gaza, Ukraine, or Sudan, The civilian toll mounts, millions are displaced and access to humanitarian aid is challenged. The principles of sovereignty, human rights and the rules based international order are clearly under assault. These crises are not isolated. They are symptomatic of a broader unravelling marked by impunity, disinformation and paralysis in global governance. As a result, humanitarian needs are soaring to unprecedented levels. with over 360 million people in need of assistance globally, while the financing gap continues to widen. At the same time, polarization within and between nations is weakening our ability to respond collectively, threatening the very fabric of multilateral cooperation. Distinguished delegates, the challenge before us goes far beyond the mechanics of development financing. This conference, must reverberate with a loud and unequivocal reaffirmation of our commitment to multilateralism, international solidarity, and a just and effective system of global economic governance. While significant progress has been achieved since Addis Ababa, the financing gap has reached over $4 trillion annually. This stark figure highlights not only unmet needs, but the importance for urgent collective action and responsibility. And as one previous speaker remarked, though this meeting is indeed timely, it is time that is running out. FFD4 is an opportunity to address converging crises, entrenched poverty, widening inequality, accelerating climate change and eroding confidence in our multilateral institutions. The outcome document before us, the Compromisso de Sevilha, cannot be just one more document or important agreement. Rather, it must be the launchpad for renewed global financing framework, one that goes beyond mere ambition, but a compass that leads to real measurable progress and implementable action. It is obvious to all that reforming the international financial architecture to be more inclusive, transparent and representative is not optional, but imperative. Furthermore, developing countries deserve and are long overdue a greater voice in multilateral decisions matched with shared accountability. At the same time, we must mobilise all forms of financing, public and private, domestic and international, through innovation, partnerships and catalytic initiatives. This moment also tests the credibility and relevance of the United Nations. not only in global economic governance, but in its ability to provide just, responsive, people-centered, and community-level solutions to today's complex challenges. The Compromisso de Sevilla is a crucial piece in the mosaic for the implementation of Agenda 2030, our common agenda, the Paris Agreement, as well as the Pact for the Future, to which the UN80 initiative should meaningfully contribute. Excellencies, I speak on behalf of a small but proud island state that brings its own perspective, located at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. As a country that has endured foreign aggression and long-term occupation, we fully understand the fragility of peace and the enduring need for value and multilateral solidarity. We recognize the compound challenges faced by the least developed countries and landlocked developing countries. Having been a proud member of the Small Island Developing States, we remain acutely aware of the vulnerabilities faced by small climate exposed economies. These vulnerabilities are not abstract, they translate into real and persistent obstacles. Let this meeting lead us from ambition to no one left behind to a reality. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative for the statement, the distinguished representative of Cyprus, and now I give the floor to Slovakia.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, first and foremost, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the government of Spain for hosting this important conference in Seville. We also extend our thanks to the co-chairs and co-facilitators for their leadership and tireless efforts in making this gathering a reality. Your dedication is key to driving forward our collective goals for a sustainable and inclusive global development agenda. I am honored to speak today on behalf of Slovakia. This conference offers us a unique opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to sustainable development and to explore the innovative solutions needed to address the challenges of our time. Slovakia's vision of financing for development is grounded in a holistic vision that goes beyond official development assistance. While it is important, ODA is just one piece of the puzzle. The true path to sustainable development requires a comprehensive approach that strengthens domestic resource mobilization and fiscal systems and fosters private sector investment. These are the pillars that will drive long-term growth and prosperity on a global level. Furthermore, we recognize the critical role that existing international financial institutions play in the global financial architecture. These institutions have built expertise over decades and while we fully support the strive to make them more efficient, transparent and fit for the 21st century, their independence shall be preserved to ensure stability. Slovakia firmly believes that we must build on existing structures rather than duplicate them. We acknowledge the key role of the OECD in the global financial landscape and call on the wider UN membership to build on their expertise, fostering greater coordination and efficiency in development finance. Furthermore, we believe that addressing climate change is inseparable from achieving sustainable development. To this end, we must significantly scale up investments in renewable energy, climate mitigation and adaptation, and resilience efforts. Sustainable development is about creating a balanced and equitable future across all three pillars environmental, social and economic. Ladies and gentlemen, in conclusion, Slovakia is committed to working alongside all partners to implement this historic outcome document, strengthen our financial systems, enhance domestic capabilities and foster partnerships that ensure no country is left behind. We look forward to continuing our shared efforts to achieve a prosperous, sustainable and equitable future for all. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Slovakia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kuwait.

Thank you, sir. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, first of all, I would like to align myself with the statement delivered by the G77 and China. We'd like to thank the Kingdom of Spain for their warm welcome. would also like to commend the efforts that have been made by the facilitators in the negotiations from Nepal, Norway, Mexico and Zambia. I would also like to congratulate His Excellency Pedro Sanchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, upon his appointment to chair this conference. We wish him the best of success. Mr. Chairman, conference has set out a new horizon to bridge financing gaps to accelerate the attainment of the SDGs. We joined this document because we think it is a constructive document that reflects positive partnerships established between states and the international commitment to achieve the SDGs. My country, convinced of the importance of multilateralism, has also committed to overcome common challenges. Hence, we reiterate our commitment to the Seville commitment and we hope to make swift progress on implementing it. I have a few comments I'd like to make, sir. First of all, sustainable financing unfortunately remains a hindrance to the attainment of the SDGs. This is a challenge that Kuwait has attempted to overcome since our independence in 1961. That is when we created an economic development fund that helps 106 states today. In those states, we finance sustainable energy projects, including health and education as well. Secondly, we provide our assistance free from any kind of discrimination and politicization. This reflects the initiative that was launched some 50 years ago. This helps many countries, many LDCs. We believe that the initiative is in line with the civil commitments which aims to restructure debt. Thirdly, Kuwait aims to preserve the environment and to limit CO2 emissions. This is borne out through the establishment of the first world sovereign wealth fund, which is the Kuwaiti Investment Fund. This has adopted a fully responsible policy which bears the environment in mind. That is why this Kuwaiti Investment Fund has integrated climate risks in all investment policies that have been adopted. We also established an indicator for the assessment of the impact of investments on the environment. As an active member of the One Planet Sovereign Wealth Fund since 2017, Our fund also takes part in launching investments which strike a balance between the return on investment and environmental sustainability. Sir, we cannot question the fact that development needs to see peace, and that is why we renew our strong commitment to fully support the legitimate rights of the Palestinians, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. That is why we welcome everyone's cooperation to reach this outcome, and we call for all rights to be respected. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Kuwait. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mauritius.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, 80 years ago when the UN Charter was adopted at San

Francisco, the three pillars of the new organization were to be security, development, and human rights. Over the years, the interlinkages between these pillars have become more evident. Peace and security are often correlated to development, which itself often comes from good governance and respect for human rights. The global debate on security cannot overlook the development dimension.

In organizing this fourth FFD, the UN is fulfilling its core mission and bringing to the fore the central role of multilateralism.

We were reminded earlier this week that this conference is not just about finance, but about human dignity. Three years after San Francisco, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Protecting the inherent right to dignity comes with equal rights to development, which are best promoted through multilateral frameworks. Whilst we talk of global solution to global problems, we must also recognize the specific vulnerabilities of different states. SIDS face unique circumstances that require specific attention in the global financing debate. Mauritius, like many SIDS, faces major challenges in advancing development and building resilience. Whilst we seek to ensure that funds are committed for sustainable development projects, our development efforts are often undermined by adverse effects of climate change. SIDS are conscious of the transformative potential of small island states as large ocean states. As an archipelagic state, Mauritius has one of the world's largest exclusive economic zones, extending over an area approximately 1,000 times greater than our land territory. The Mauritian government is committed to promoting the ocean economy as one of the pillars of our development.

However,

Transforming this potential into reality requires new, additional, adequate, predictable, and sustainable finance. Mr. President, the moment calls for ambitious and comprehensive transformation guided by strategic priorities. We welcome the outcome document's commitment to enhance developing country voice in IFIs, as these countries have for too long been underrepresented in global economic governance. The MVI represents a paradigm shift moving beyond income classifications to comprehensive vulnerability assessments. Climate vulnerability, economic exposure and structural disadvantages must also weigh with income indicators in determining eligibility to concessional finance. Debt represents a major threat to sustainable development.

For SIDS, debt distress often results from external shocks beyond their control.

In addition, mobilizing significant private sector financing is essential to secure sustainable development investments as SIDS seek to promote innovative financial instruments that align investor interests with planetary needs.

Trade remains fundamental to the development of SIDS, which should be integrated into global value chains

thus enabling them to participate meaningfully in international trade whilst building resilient economies. Mr. President, all these priorities must be supported by concrete national action. Mauritius demonstrates this commitment through our national development program, which focuses on green energy transition, ocean economy development, digital transformation, and climate resilience. Through enhanced South-South cooperation, we can scale these national experiences into regional and global solutions that benefit all developing countries. Finally, Mr. President, let us welcome the huge participation of states and civil society in this conference as renewed trust in multilateralism as the effective tool

to promote equitable development.

Thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of Mauritius. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malaysia.

Mr. President, distinguished delegations, Malaysia aligns itself with the statement of ASEAN and G77 and China. First and foremost, Malaysia thanks the Government of Spain and the United Nations for convening the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development at such a critical juncture. The convergence of multifaceted crisis from the lingering pandemic, geopolitical tensions, climate disruptions to rising interest rates has severely strained public finances and set back our shared development ambitions. Today, We confront the sobering reality of a $4 trillion annual shortfall in financing for the sustainable development goals. This threatens to derail the 2030 agenda, especially for developing and middle income countries often overlooked in global allocation. Mr. President, Malaysia remains fully committed to the SDGs. Our national development strategies under the Madani Economic Framework and the 12th Malaysia Plan reflect this resolve, focusing on fiscal consolidation, sustainable financing, public service reforms, and strategic investments in climate action, energy transition, digital infrastructure, and education. Malaysia calls for inclusive reform of the international financial architecture. We propose three priority areas. First, remodeling multilateral lending. Multilateral development banks, MDBs, must adopt financing that is timely, scaled, and aligned with national priorities, especially in fragile or climate-induced contexts. Second, addressing debt vulnerability. We support debt-for-climate swaps and SDG-linked bonds, as well as a fair and transparent restructuring framework. Debt data system must be strengthened. with due regard to confidentiality and national ownership. Third, mitigating illicit financial flows. Malaysia calls for stronger enforcement of global tax transparency. Domestically, we have strengthened legal framework through the Anti-Money Laundering Act and remain aligned with the Financial Task Force FATF standards. Malaysia underscores the urgency for developed countries to fulfill the $100 billion annual climate finance commitment. Climate finance must be predictable, accessible, and free from excessive conditionalities. As a developing country committed to a just and inclusive green transition, Malaysia views climate financing as a necessity, anchored in equity and empowerment. As Chair of ASEAN 2025, Malaysia is committed to revitalizing the South-South cooperation through our national energy transition roadmap, and sustainable and responsible investment frameworks, we are supporting regional efforts toward low carbon growth. Malaysia also emphasizes the importance of close cooperation between regional groupings and international organizations to build digital infrastructure, expand e-commerce capabilities, and share cybersecurity protocols aligned with the SDGs. Mr. President, Malaysia hopes that this conference marked not just a few days of interventions, but a re-engineering of mechanisms and action plans to remodel how we finance inclusive and sustainable development for generations to come. Malaysia stands ready to work with all partners from bilateral, multilateral and private funds to build a resilient, inclusive and sustainable financial future for all. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Malaysia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Okay, Mr. President.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. I am honored to have this opportunity to present this statement on behalf of the government of the

Federated States of Micronesia.

I wish to express my country's heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the organizers for furthering the global financing agenda in support of sustainable development.

The theme of this fourth

conference, our joint ambition for the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development is important so that the renewed global

financing framework

be closely aligned with our national priorities, including the integrated national financing frameworks. The scale and urgency of financing required to achieve the sustainable development goals demand that we address the diverse needs of all countries, especially those in special situations such as the least developed countries and the small island developing states. While FSI has remained on grant-only financing status since 2013, we wish to underscore the urgent need to incorporate vulnerability and external fragility factors into debt sustainability assessments. This will ensure a realistic picture of a country's debt carrying capacity and avoid situations where vulnerable countries are deemed creditworthy while struggling to service their obligations.

FSM encourages multilateral development banks to strengthen the presence and operational engagement of their private sector arms,

such as the International Finance Corporation, to foster entrepreneurship and inclusive private sector development

tailored to the scale and structure of small island developing states,

States, development cooperation is more important than ever. We welcome the steps taken by multilateral development banks to expand their financial capacity, but more must be done. We call for increased overseas development assistance, ODA, with a focus on long-term country-led development priorities. Partnerships, both traditional and innovative, including South-South and triangular cooperation are essential to achieving our shared goals. FSM also emphasizes that multiple implementation and reporting frameworks from various development partners can overburden our limited public administration capacity. We urge greater harmonization of development cooperation processes and welcome joint initiatives such as the multilateral mutual reliance framework between the World Bank and the ADB

as models for simplifying development engagements. Given United States changing policy stance on energy sources, the advanced economies may have to change the

energy financing narrative to justify and accelerate the use of diverse alternative energy sources.

and highlight the need for energy access and energy security. As a small island developing state, FSM calls for the continued momentum on the Paris Agreement and clean energy financing. Trade and technology are powerful engines for sustainable development.

However, many developing countries continue to face barriers in integrating global value chains and harnessing digital opportunities. We urge coordinated international efforts to bridge digital divides, promote financial inclusion, and ensure that trade and technology policies drive inclusive growth. The transfer of technology and capacity building support are critical for countries with limited resources. FM strongly supports efforts to promote digital inclusion, especially through investment in resilient broadband infrastructure that enables remote island populations to connect with global services and opportunities. Reliable high quality data is fundamental for evidence based policy making. We support greater investment in national statistical systems and the integration of innovative data services. We recognize the vital role of the IMF and World Bank in supporting macroeconomic stability and sustainable development. We encourage continued reforms to increase their effectiveness, expand financial resources, and focus on sectors and structural reforms that drive inclusive growth. In conclusion, the challenges before us are immense.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Federated States of Micronesia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Turkey.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, at the outset, allow me to express my sincere appreciation to our host, the Government of the Kingdom of Spain, as well as the United Nations for organizing this very timely conference. The fourth International Conference on Financing for Development comes at a critical moment. It provides a good opportunity to renew political impetus and deliver concrete actions to finance development, including increasing domestic resource mobilization and enhancing trade and investment. Today, what is at stake is not just a discussion of liquidity crisis, or a massive funding gap of financing global development efforts. We are literally facing an existential threat to the very fabric and sustainability of multilateralism that disregards the universal values and very basic human rights. The threat is real and requires our immediate attention. For instance, as highlighted by the United Nations, The cruel war in Gaza has drastically set back development, erasing at least 70 years of progress. We are also deeply concerned by the potential catastrophic effects of Israel's recent military actions against Iran, which clearly constitutes a blatant violation of international law. The impacts of climate change, deepening inequalities, escalating conflicts and rising geopolitical tensions are all endangering the global development prospects. Less than one fifth of the sustainable development goal targets are currently on track, while over one third are stalled or regressing. The current progress falls far short of what is required to meet the SDGs by the 2030 deadline. We need to reignite the global enthusiasm to better respond to the interlocking crisis to the world faces. However, without massive investment and scaled up action, the achievement of the SDGs will remain elusive. Reforming the global financial architecture is crucial to unlocking the volume of financing required to support sustainable development. Distinguished delegates, We cannot solve today's complex problems with yesterday's archaic tools. We need to keep up with the dynamic and accelerating changes and find new and innovative solutions. Financing the SDGs remains one of the thorniest issues as there is a massive funding gap. Expanding SDG-related investments by unlocking private capital, particularly in the most vulnerable countries, could help us bridge this gap. In this regard, the efforts of UNDP Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development deserve appreciation. Likewise, effectively harnessing the science, technology, and innovation is critical in ensuring sustainable development of the countries in vulnerable situations. The UN Technology Bank for LDCs, which we host in Gebze, Turkey, serves as a focal point for the LDCs to strengthen their SDI capacity towards promoting structural economic transformation. Excellencies, the convergence of interlocking crises demands a comprehensive, and well-coordinated response based on the spirit of cooperation and actionable commitments. The outcome of this very timely and productive conference, the Compromisso de Sevilla, should act as a blueprint and lead the international community in reaffirming our collective commitment to realizing the SDGs. Turkey is strongly committed to the championing of multilateralism and stands ready to further its contribution to the global effort. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Turkey. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Fiji.

Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, at the outset, let me add my voice to the chorus of gratitude to the Kingdom and the Government of Spain for their gracious hospitality here in this historic, beautiful Seville. I also would like to extend a gratitude to UN DESA for convening us at this critical juncture in our collective development journey. Fiji aligns itself with statements already delivered by Iraq on behalf of the G77 plus China, Palau for AOSIS, Tonga for the Pacific Island Forum and Tuvalu for PCCDS. Fiji joins you all in applauding the adoption by consensus of the Compromisso de Sevilha. As a small island developing state, we face ominous and disproportionate climate threats while contributing a negligible fraction of a percentage of global emissions. The financing architecture systematically disadvantages SIDS through complex processes and lengthy approvals while our communities face the ravages of climate change daily. Fiji stresses the need to uphold the recognition that SIDS as a special case for development. The unique circumstances and inherent vulnerabilities facing SEEDS whose small size, limited resources, and remoteness require tailored and nuanced approaches to financing and development across all UN and international financial institutions. We need to reiterate that critical reforms are needed now. These include climate finance reform, the US 100 billion commitment is a floor, not a ceiling. We need direct access modalities, simplified procedures, and ring-fenced seed funding windows. Adaptation costs per capita are highest for island nations. Our financing must reflect this reality. On debt crisis solutions, Fiji supports automatic debt payment suspensions triggered by climate and natural hazards. debt-for-climate swaps, and enhanced grant or concessional finance provisions over loans. The current debt burden hinders development at the point when we need it most. On the financial architecture, a 75-year-old system cannot address today's challenges. Fiji adds its voice that we need enhanced seats representation in international institutions expanded drawing rights and multilateral development bank reforms to increase lending capacity. On the multi-vulnerability, on the multidimensional vulnerability index, Fiji calls strongly for urgent and expedited implementation of the MVI as a critical component of GDP to GDP per capita in determining development support eligibility. The MVI must guide graduation processes to prevent countries from suffering due to sudden graduation from middle to high income status. This index, championed by SEEDS, recognises that economic prosperity alone does not capture our structural vulnerabilities to climate change, natural disasters and external shocks. Despite constraints, Fiji leads by example. We issued the world's first sovereign green bond by an emerging market, developed blue bonds for ocean conservation, and created climate-indexed insurance products. Our national climate finance strategy shows how seeds can mobilize resources while creating investment-enabling environments. However, our efforts require matching international support through genuine technology transfer, simplified intellectual property frameworks for climate technologies, and long term capacity building programmes that prioritise women's economic empowerment and inclusive development. The Compromisso de Sevilha complements the Antigua and Barbuda Action for SEEDS and our collective advocacy for the multi vulnerability dimension index. This commitment must ensure that vulnerability based criteria, not just income levels, determine access to concessional financing and development support. With the adoption of the Compromisso de Sevilha, Fiji now calls for concrete commitments. We need immediate action to fast track seeds climate finance access before 2030, to scale the new collective quantified goals reflecting the US$4 trillion annual SDG investment gap, and for quality grant based adaptation financing with simplified access. for inclusivity through increased representation and participation of SIDS in the global economic and financial decision-making frameworks. As a proud Pacific nation, Fiji reaffirms its commitment to our 2050 Blue Pacific Continent vision. Excellencies, the 1.5 window is closing rapidly. For SIDS like Fiji, this determines our survival.

I thank the distinguished representative of Fiji. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Papua New Guinea.

Mr. President, Excellencies and distinguished delegates, all protocols observed. At the outset, on my country's behalf, I pay tribute to the government and the people of the Kingdom of Spain, and especially Seville, for sharing your home with us for this once-in-a-decade high-level event and for the courtesies extended to our delegation. We commend the respective co-chairs and co-facilitators for their leadership and commitment in delivering the compromise, the Seville outcome document. Mr. President, the world has heard a clarion call, loud clear and unambiguous. That is, as one humanity, we need each other more than ever to overcome the challenges of sustainable development, including financing for development. The adage, no country is an island on its own, rings true in today's increasingly fragile and hostile world and the struggling SDGs attainment. The Compromisso de Sevilla is a crucial building block that can help bring the vessel MV We the Peoples of the United Nations into a safe harbor. If we remain true to its spirit, it must not be merely ink on parchment. Mr. President, as Papua New Guinea marks our golden jubilee this September, we recognize that development financing matters for our well-being. This outcome document resonates with us as an important lever for progress. Our national vision 2050 aims to achieve the 2030 agenda and elevate our human development index and be a middle income country by 2030, underpinned by meeting basic needs in education and health, peace, prosperity and environmental protection. We aim to build an annual 200 billion Kenya economy by 2030, where our natural resources are processed domestically to add value through industrialization, generating employment and harnessing digital technology. This demands a robust, inclusive and diversified financing strategy. This means for us firstly, strengthening domestic revenue systems, tax reforms, broadening the tax base and institutional governance to combat illicit financial flows and combat corruption. We mobilize 70% of our own development financing and with 30% from concessional finance and grants. We welcome the inclusion of the International Tax Cooperation Treaty in the third year commitment. Secondly, responsible debt management is essential. Concessional borrowing remains important, but we are committed to prudent debt levels, effective monitoring and fiscal resilience. We support the call for an international debt architecture that responds to growing concerns and endorse applying the multidimensional vulnerability index for countries on the climate frontlines, including in our own Pacific region and other small island developing states. Thirdly, mobilizing private sector capital through transparent public-private partnership is vital. Investments in agriculture, fisheries, forestry and mining will add value, create jobs and build local capacity. We welcome development partnership that strengthens domestic resource mobilisation, expand concessional and climate financing, promote fair taxation and unlock transformative private investment. Fourthly, climate financing must be accessible and urgently delivered. As a climate vulnerable country, we cannot afford delays or bureaucratic hurdles in accessing funds for green and climate smart growth. Finally, our major development initiative, Connect Papua New Guinea, will deliver resilient infrastructure to improve our wellbeing for the country. Mr. President, As we pursue our national development priorities, we acknowledge the importance of financing partnership where needed and on our terms. While countries must take responsibility for their own development, this must be matched by a reformed global financial architecture that is responsive to our unique and special development needs and for inclusive voice in multilateral development banks decision making. Domestic reforms alone are not enough. if the international system remains outdated. We therefore welcome and support the urgent call in the Compromisso de Sevilla to address the imbalance with urgency for a fair and just system. Mr. President, in closing, Papua New Guinea is ready to work with development partners, but who must be respectful of our own terms and in ways that we ensure financing and policy frameworks lead to real improvements for our people's lives and livelihoods. I thank you indeed.

I thank the distinguished representative of Papua New Guinea. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Belize.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, we extend our appreciation to the government of the Kingdom of Spain for being the host of this conference and for their gracious hospitality. Excellencies, we meet at a time of profound and intersecting global crises, while also navigating the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, confronting worsening climate shocks, rising debt distress, and widening inequalities. Yet, instead of greater solidarity, we witness an erosion of multilateralism and growing protectionism and exceptionalism. In this context, Belize welcomes the adoption of the Compromiso de Sevilla as a vital reaffirmation of our collective resolve to act together. Excellencies, Belize is committed to a development model that is inclusive, people-centered, and environmentally responsible, anchored in the rule of law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. Belize has demonstrated remarkable resilience despite the volatility of the global economy. from a severe 14.1% contraction in GDP in 2020, our economy rebounded to 8.2% real growth in 2024, second highest in the Western Hemisphere. In the same period, we reduced our public debt from 132% to 61% of GDP.

Unemployment dropped to a historic low of 2.1%, poverty declined, and inflation remained at just 1.4%.

We have increased the minimum wage by 50%, expanded national health insurance, and significantly invested in health and youth development. We are modernizing our tax systems, digitizing public services, supporting MSMEs, and export diversification. These gains were forged from sacrifice, not abundance. To sustain and scale this progress, we require enhanced international cooperation and support tailored to our unique context, priorities, and vulnerabilities. The Compromisso can help unlock this support, but only if it is implemented with urgency and tailored.

To reflect the diverse realities of all countries.

Excellencies, as a small island developing state, Belize's development depends on the sustainable management of our natural resources.

However, we remain acutely vulnerable to external shocks, particularly climate change.

Without economies of scale, official development assistance becomes indispensable. And yet SIDS receive just 2% of global ODA and only 3% of climate finance between 2016 and 2021.

Worse still, grants are being replaced by loans, compounding our debt burdens.

While we are urged to enhance our investability to unlock capital, this narrative overlooks the structural barriers we face. The Compromisso must prioritize and enable cities to access affordable grant and concessional financing, especially for areas where private capital falls short.

We welcome the Compromisso's recognition of the multidimensional vulnerability index as a step in the right direction.

Furthermore, it must avert the looming debt crisis. For small, vulnerable economies, more debt is not development. It is a temporary fix with lasting consequences. We are encouraged by the proposal to operationalize the debt sustainability to support service for SIDS and urge the adoption of innovative, coherent, and tailored solutions to address the gaps in the current debt architecture. Development partners should also use the Compromisso to support economic diversification aligned with national strategies. Belize is working to position itself as a regional logistics hub and to expand our blue economy. These priorities outlined in our national development plan, #PlanBelize, chart a course toward resilient, inclusive growth. We therefore appreciate the compromissos call for increased international cooperation, stable financing, and enhanced resource mobilization for ocean action. Excellencies, a critical task ahead is a systemic reform of the international financial architecture. The scope and scale of the transitions confronting developing countries cannot be managed through outdated and fragmented systems.

The Compromisso must therefore catalyze the transformation of the MDBs and the IFIs into institutions that are truly responsive, inclusive, and representative of both today's world and the one we must urgently build.

Excellencies, the world of 2025 is not the world we envisioned in 2015 in Addis. The urgency for climate resilient sustainable development is greater and challenges more complex. The Compromiso de Sevilla must be seized as a resounding call to decisive coordinated action. Let it be the turning point where political will translates into meaningful delivery, where promises evolve into partnerships, and where ambition drives measurable, inclusive progress for all.

I thank you.

I thank you, and I now give the floor to Timor-Leste.

Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished guests, allow me on behalf of the government of people in Timor-Leste, extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Kingdom, people of Spain, for excellent arrangement hospitality extended to our delegation since arrived in the beautiful and historical city of Seville. It is a pivotal moment for our collective journey towards sustainable development. The fourth International Finance for Development comes at the unprecedented global challenges where geopolitical fragmentation, economic volatility and the erosion of multi multilateral foundation. We live in a time of the poly crisis, inflation, debt crisis, climate shocks and conflict intersect disproportionately affecting the world's most vulnerable. ODA being redirected to domestic priorities, multilateral consensus has been weakening and development finance increasingly has been used as instrument rather than global public good for humanity. In this context, The Compromisso de Seville is more than a declaration. It symbolizes resilience and a call to action. For LDCs and SIDS like Timor-Leste, the outcomes of this conference are not abstracts, but existential threat in nature. FFD4 on financing for development reaffirm our collective commitment to Addis Ababa Action Agenda and it must deliver a reinvigorated framework. The Compromisso de Sevilla sets ambitious, necessary goals, scale up and align all resources of finance, public, private, domestic and international, with sustainable development goals objectives, reform international financial architecture to be more inclusive, transparent, accountable, predictable, sustainable, reduce cost of the capital for development countries through innovative financial instruments and risk sharing commitments. These objectives must not remain aspirational. They must be the benchmark of our progress. Mr. President, for Timor-Leste, the finance for development agenda is not a technical exercise. It is a moral imperative. It ensures that no country is left behind because of its size, geography, or history. We welcome the compromise of the Saville, which explicitly acknowledges the special needs of LDCs and SIDS. It calls for tailored context-specific solutions to unlock development finance at scales. We urge the outcomes of FFD4 address the following priorities. Responsible private finance must ensure strong safeguards that investment align with human rights, environmental sustainability, and development effectiveness. Trade justice is required to correct institutional imbalances and ensure fair market access for LDCs and SIDS. Integrated climate finance must be fully embedded in a broader development finance agenda to avoid fragmentation and ensure synergy. Debt sustainability and fiscal autonomy must provide greater space for debtor countries to shape their recovery pathways without conditionalities. Every fourth must deliver concrete pathways to scale up financing for social protection systems and being commitment for gender equality. Mr. President, Timor-Leste is a unique constellation of vulnerability in an economic-based development on petroleum, increasing exposure to climate change and shocks, and limited access to financial stabilities. A risk covering framework has guided our post-conflict recovery through our petroleum fund managed transparently, sustainably, and we have been able to respond with any crisis. To conclude, Timor-Leste stands ready to translate the spirit and substance of the Compromisso de Sevilha into the national actions. We will continue to diversify our economy, strengthening our institutions and investing in our people. We call all partners to re-match ambitions with solidarity and pledge to partnership. The Compromisso de Sevilha offers several renewed call for inclusive financing, governance and commitment to the fair trade. tax systems and road map reduce the cost of capital for developing countries. They are not minor gains. They are the fruits of the tireless and advocacy for countries like ours. We demand not charity, but fairness, not pity, but partnership. For Timor-Leste and all LDCs and SIDS, the moment is about reclaiming our agency. It is about financing for our future, for our terms, shaping the rules rather than be subjected to them. Let us leave Seville not just with another commitment, but with determination for implementation. Let the compromise of Seville be a turning point in global development, where solidarity triumphs over silence, and action speaks louder than aspiration.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste, and I now give the floor to Jamaica.

Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, let me start by extending my sincerest appreciation to the government of the Kingdom of Spain for hosting and organizing this conference in collaboration with the United Nations. As we seek to accelerate the rate of progress towards attainment of the 2030 Agenda, The international community must take urgent actions to close the gap in SDG financing and adopt a renewed global framework to finance sustainable development.

This will require concrete reforms of the international

financial architecture and a reorientation of financing for sustainable development for large scale SDG investments so that all countries can grow, thrive and respond to crises in a resilient manner. We also underscore the central role of data in SDG acceleration and to inform development financing decisions. Jamaica has demonstrated commitment to improving our data capacity and systems to support evidence-based decision making as well as robust data analysis through our monitoring and evaluation processes. We completed a midterm evaluation on the SDGs, which assessed the country's performance and provided us with a fair indication of anticipated progress and gaps up to 2030.

Furthermore, we have taken a studied approach to identifying

accelerators for the goals over the next three years with specific policy interventions and policy pathways to progress. Special attention must be given to developing countries, particularly small island developing states. we remain disproportionately affected by global economic shocks and the effects of climate change, which not only erase

the economic gains made, but also compel us to redirect revenue for social programs towards

disaster resilience efforts, thus affecting our ability to meet the SDG targets. While Jamaica has made significant progress on several SDG indicators, particularly in areas such as poverty, life below water, and life on land,

Climate impacts continue to threaten this progress, with disaster-related setbacks requiring us to repeatedly rebuild rather than advance.

Last year, two catastrophic weather events, Hurricane Beryl and Tropical Storm Rafael, caused devastation to critical sectors of our economy, especially agriculture, which alone suffered approximately $45 million in damage. It is for these reasons that Jamaica remains a strong advocate of multilateralism as the bridge to build formidable partnerships to unleash financing for development, including climate finance for the most vulnerable countries. In this regard, we will continue to leverage our co-chairmanship of the SDG Stimulus Leaders Group and the Group of Friends on SDG Financing, as well as our membership of EOSIS and the G77 and China to support the call for reform of the international financial architecture.

Such reforms should deliver greater access to concessional finance and should include the use of metrics that look beyond GDP,

such as the multidimensional vulnerability index, in the policies and practices of the IFIs. They should also result in enhanced development support, official development assistance and climate finance at the scale and level required. the disbursement of loans in local currencies to strengthen debt sustainability, and the inclusion of climate resilient debt clauses in loan agreements to account for the high vulnerability of SIDS to catastrophic climatic events. While we support engagement with the private sector to boost SDG financing, we're also of the view that such engagement should be aligned with existing and new initiatives involving developed countries and IFIs in line with SDG 17, which calls for revitalization of partnerships for sustainable development. Jamaica will pursue many of these priorities during our chairmanship of CARICOM, which begins this month under the theme, People, Partnerships, Prosperity, Promoting a Secure and Sustainable Future. We will seek to address the challenges and opportunities of our time within CARICOM's four pillars, economic integration, human and social development, foreign policy coordination, and security. Certainly, financing for development and access to climate finance remain critical to these endeavors and to ultimately leaving no country behind.

Permit me here to pause here

just to highlight that the situation in our CARICOM sister country, Haiti, requires the urgent support of the international community to ensure that peace, security, and stability are fully established.

While the security situation remains the most immediate challenge, it is critical that urgent and concurrent consideration

is also given to the provision of special and targeted financing for Haiti's economic and social development. As I conclude, I look forward to the Compromiso de Sevilla becoming the catalyst for a renewed global financial framework which is just, more inclusive, and delivers prosperity for present and future generations.

I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Jamaica, and I give the floor now to the representative of South Africa.

Madam President, on behalf of the Republic of South Africa, I wish to thank Spain and the United Nations for hosting this important conference.

South Africa aligns itself with the statement delivered by the G77 and China. Madam President, ten years ago, the international community adopted the Sustainable Development Goals. An ambitious plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. The SDGs reflect our common aspiration to build a more just, inclusive, sustainable world in which no one is left behind. As we approach the 2030 deadline for meeting these goals, it remains our collective responsibility to scale up our efforts to bridge the gaps between ambition and action, and to ensure commitments translate into tangible progress. The United Nations 2024 report on the SDGs reflect the sobering reality.

A large number of goals are perilously off track.

The beacon of global solidarity is at risk of becoming a distant aspiration. The lack of necessary levels of investment in developing countries is the root cause of this emergency. These financing gaps are not merely numerical, they are political. They reflect systemic inequalities that have left developing countries overexposed to shocks, undercapitalized for resilience, and too often excluded from decision making. The climate crisis is worsening. It's worsening global poverty, it's deepening, and the public debt burdens are rising, especially in the global south. Meeting the external financing needs of developing countries will require a surge in affordable financing. It is time to think and act differently. We must move faster and with far greater ambition. In this regard, South Africa welcomes the Compromisso de Saviia, which was adopted by consensus. It holds the promise of making significant inroads into the $4 trillion sustainable development financing gap. The Compromisso reflects our commitment to concrete actions to mobilize innovative, predictable, and accessible financing for developing countries. The adoption of this document sends an important signal to the world that multilateralism can and does deliver.

This moment calls for strong political will to translate commitments into real-time actions.

The international financial architecture is not fit for purpose. It has failed to shield vulnerable countries from global shocks, whether pandemics, geopolitical conflicts, climate disasters, or financial contagion.

Worse still,

It has often imposed austerity at the very moments when public investment is most needed. When we speak of reform, we mean increasing grant and concessional financing, enhancing multilateral coordination on debt, drawing in the private sector, and ensuring equal participation in the decision-making processes. We have to address the issue of illicit financial flows and the international allocation of taxing rights that are depriving developing countries of much needed capital to support development. There can be no sustainable development without the empowerment and inclusion of women and girls. We must dismantle the structural barriers. We must invest in gender responsive policies and ensure women and girls have equal access to education, to resources, and must be included in decision making. Madam President, South Africa has placed solidarity, equality, and sustainability at the centre of our G20 presidency, and we have consistently stated that our priorities should complement and support the ambitious objectives of FFD4. As part of our presidency, we have advocated for actions to support developing countries, including long term debt sustainability and reducing the cost of capital. These actions should allow for an increase in fiscal space to foster investments in public services and sustainable development. The severe outcome contains solutions that, if implemented, could help to reshape the global financial system in support of the SDGs. The decisions we make now will shape whether the SDGs are salvaged or slip beyond our grasp. The world needs a financing framework that recognises interdependence, restores trust and accelerates development for all, especially those furthest behind. It has risen to this moment with courage, solidarity and conviction. Seville must be remembered as a place where world leaders recommitted themselves to financing development, not as an act of benevolence, but as a cornerstone of global stability and shared prosperity. Madam President, South Africa stands ready to work with all the partners to turn ambition into action. I thank you.

Thank you very much. Sweden is the next speaker.

Your Excellencies, distinguished hosts, ladies and gentlemen, Sweden is very pleased that we can gather here in beautiful historic Seville. This is truly a once in a decade moment. This conference shows our joint commitment to a renewed global financing for development framework in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. It also shows the strength of multilateralism in a time where we need it the most. We have come this far despite a challenging geopolitical context, and we have moved the needle on the goals we set out in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the Pact for the Future. The momentum we have created together here in Seville is needed. With declining global levels of ODA and with free trade under pressure, we need to ensure that the toolbox we have for financing sustainable development is up to date. This includes continuing reforms of the international financial architecture. To achieve the 2030 Agenda, we need to mobilise finance from every source at our disposal. That means more emphasis on mobilizing private and domestic resources, scaling up innovative solutions, and building conducive environments that promote growth. My government has initiated a process to strengthen the synergies between development cooperation and trade promotion. If we coordinate our efforts, we increase our impact. We have successfully mobilized private capital through innovative finance and guarantees, and we remain committed to developing the toolbox. The green and digital transitions are key to promoting economic growth and sustainable development. Ensuring financial flows contribute to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees and avoiding the most devastating effects of climate change is crucial. The public-private partnership and collaboration with private business is fundamental in this regard. A central feature in the renewed agenda is finding ways to efficiently support countries' ownership in driving national reforms. This can contribute to better domestic resource mobilization, attracting private capital flows, and managed debt sustainability. Enhanced voice and representation for the most vulnerable countries in global economic governance is also an important step forward. Together with the EU, we are proud to be the world's largest provider of ODA. Sweden is currently one of only four countries globally that allocate over 0.7% of its GNI to development assistance. Our focus must be on maximizing ODA's results, impact and catalytic potential. We must continue to foster synergies between private investment, trade and innovation. Today, we also reaffirm our strong commitment to the respect for human rights, rule of law, gender equality, and good governance. These aspects are fundamental for sustainable development, implementing the Paris Agreement, and eradicating poverty. Transparency, accountability, and strong institutions are the pillars upon which resilient societies and inclusive economies are built. Finally, in a time of global uncertainty, let me assure you that Sweden remains a dedicated and reliable partner in development. I thank you.

Thank you. The next speaker is Austria.

Thank you, Madam President. Ladies and gentlemen, I, of course, on behalf of Austria, we align with the statement of the European Union and we extend our thanks to the Spanish government and the UN for convening this conference because it's without doubt the most important multilateral conference this year. It is no small thing, ladies and gentlemen, that we have found the Compromisso de Sevilha in these days. This is really not a small thing. It is a high point of bridging gaps, first and foremost bridging political gaps, if I may say so. As a representative of a comparatively small, militarily neutral and landlocked country, I cannot stress enough that multilateralism and partnership embedded in a rules-based international order remain the best means of addressing our global challenges. Madam President, Austria is committed to the implementation of Agenda 2030. It's embedded in our government program. And as a net payer and member of the European Union, we're very proud to say that the European Union is providing 42% of global development assistance. While Austria is committed to delivering on our promise and contributing our share of international development assistance, the financing gap can only be closed by mobilising all available types of sources, public and private finance. Domestic resource mobilization must be at the core, as it is the most stable and reliable source of financing. And of course, we need private business and finance that will go the distance. With Global Gateway, the European Union has launched an initiative to combine all financial means in this respect. But there is one thing we have to keep in mind. The perception of risk is what limits private flows of capital to numerous countries and regions. The rise of conflicts and geopolitical tensions are a major source of these risks, hindering private sector investments. While Austria wishes to underline important achievements already made for reforming, in reforming the MDB system, we also hear loud and clear, loud and clear the call for further reform of the international financial architecture. And Austria will continue to support MDBs in their efforts to become still yet more effective. Of course, given, as long as such reforms do not endanger their AAA, their triple-A rating, their long-term financial sustainability and preferred creditor status. Madam President, let me conclude by thanking everybody here in this room to hold out for so long and to reaffirm the commitment and Austria stands ready to take on responsibility and to take our work forward. Thank you.

Thank you very much for your statement. The next speaker is Denmark.

Excellencies, UN representatives, ministers, and high-level representatives. Let me start by thanking the co-facilitators for their excellent and tireless work and guidance throughout this process.

It was not an easy task, so congratulations for reaching a consensus.

And a thank you to our host, Spain, for this beautiful setting to initiate the follow-up of the process. The importance of the Seville commitment cannot be overstated.

FFD4 has provided a once in a decade opportunity to set a direction for how we.

Member states, multilateral organizations, civil society and the private sector will mobilize the much needed financing for climate and development and how we can all do ours to bring the global development architecture forward. This is a victory for multilateralism. It shows us that multilateralism delivers. and is an important step towards implementing the Pact for the Future, where all UN member states committed to intensify efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals and to reform global governance to assure it addresses today's global challenges and delivers for all. This is also an important element of the UN aid reform initiative. It is also a success beyond reaching a final outcome document. The discussions that started in Addis almost a year ago has helped bring actors within the global development architecture closer together, something which is needed now more than ever if we are to make real changes that can unlock additional financing to support countries in need. Thank you to everyone who made this happen. Just a couple of weeks ago, Denmark published a new strategy for development cooperation. The strategy reaffirms our commitment to the UN target of allocating 0.7% of GNI to official development assistance, a commitment Denmark has delivered on since 1978. We hope others will join this much too small club of countries doing so. We are collectively facing an immense financing gap. We are all acutely aware of the numbers and how official development assistance, though crucial, will not cover the gap. As the Seville commitment informs us, we must work to unlock other financing streams. To this end, Denmark will focus on following three work streams.

One, we will push for.

Reform of the international financial architecture and of the multilateral development banks to mobilize more financing for climate.

And development to developing countries.

Two, we will develop new guarantee instruments, including through our reformed DFI, Impact Fund Denmark, to unlock and mobilize funds from the private sector. And three, we will support developing countries in increasing their domestic resources through the strengthening of fair, progressive, and transparent.

Tax administrations and policies.

We have committed to several initiatives on these topics through the Celia Platform for Action.

We would like to thank our hosts.

In doing theirs to concretize the financing agenda with these solutions oriented solutions oriented initiatives that would help us deliver.

On the outcome document. Denmark has just yesterday taken over the EU presidency.

The EU is the world's largest development donor. And in this context, Denmark will use its EU presidency to strengthen Europe's global partnerships, ensure more strategic use of resources based on responsibility and mutual respect.

We have important tasks ahead of us.

The Seville commitment sets the direction for the financing piece needed to deliver on the SDGs. Let's not lose momentum and let's continue to work to deliver together. Thank you.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is Vanuatu.

Madam Chair, Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the government and people of Vanuatu, I'd like to thank the United Nations and the government of Spain for organizing this conference at a critical time for global development. We align our statement with the G77 and China, EOSIS and Pacific Island Forum. While the 2030 National Sustainable Development Plan, the people's plan implementation is underway, Vanuatu's progress has been severely infected by multiple crises and this defining climate disasters, the lingering COVID-19 pandemic and rising debt levels. Our nations was devastated by Cyclone Pam in 2015, followed by other cyclones, Arol, Lola, Judy, and Kevin destroyed infrastructures and livelihood. Recently, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake on December 2024 further damaged our critical infrastructure with an estimated 250 million US dollars required for recovery, deepening our hardship. For over a decade, we have been in constant recovery mode, striving towards sustainable development goals amid these challenges. I would like to sincerely also acknowledge the unwavering support of our partners. Your partnership ensures that together we rise stronger after every major disaster. To enable domestic resource mobilization, increased support on aid for trade is vital to support private sector growth and export opportunity. That is why multilateral trading system must remain at the center of our engagement. Vanuatu has been a beneficiary of the WTO enhanced framework, so we call for further support to be provided to the facility. The Pacific Aid for Trade Strategy exemplifies this approach, emphasizing regional cooperation, capacity building, and infrastructure development tailored to our unique Pacific needs. Our debt level has surpassed thresholds set by the IMF, with debt servicing consuming a significant share of our budget. This underscores the urgent need for increased conditional financing and international support. In response, Vanuatu is committed to transformative projects forecasting and securing funds for highly concessional loans and strengthening our government mechanisms, including the central agency and integrated national financing framework to effectively manage and coordinate development support. While we recognise the importance of global standards, evaluation procedures must be inclusive and transparent, considering the capacity of small economies like ours. We seek greater dialogue with institutions such as the OECD to ensure compliance efforts are supportive, not punitive. Similarly, strained corresponding banking relationships due to AML and CFT regulations have impacted our access to international banking. We are working to resolve these issues, but ongoing efforts are needed to restore stability. Vanuatu urges reform to the international financial architecture to better reflect the small island developing states' vulnerability. So we advocate for increased representation within the governance of World Bank and IMF, including dedicated seats for seats and on decision making board. We support the issue of multidimensional vulnerable index to improve access to cautional finance, data access and debt sustainability. Supporting regional mechanisms like the Pacific Resilience Facility is for our climate resilience since access to green climate funds remains an ongoing challenge. We reaffirm the vital role of ODA in supporting sustainable development of developing countries. We urge developing nations to reverse the declining ODA trends, fulfill your commitment, including the 0.7 percent GNI target, and set clear timelines for achieving this goal. We also encourage targeted ODA that aligns to recipient countries' priority, including greater budget support. We also emphasize the importance of implementing Abbas agenda, an action plan aimed at fostering resilient prosperity for SEEDS. Madam President, it is our aspiration to reconvene within the next 10 years to review progress of the Seville commitments and to assess the reductions in the financing gap necessary to achieve sustainable development. The people of Vanuatu envisions a world where vulnerability is not a barrier to opportunity, where finance serves both people and the planet, and where development is inclusive and resilient. Let us act with urgency and solidarity. Transformative and innovative financing is needed now. Thank you, Tomas. Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. Italy is the next speaker.

Madam Chair, Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, Italy had the honour to contribute to this conference, which is a crucial opportunity for us to redefine our approach to financing for development, making it more equitable, more effective, and above all, more resilient to global challenges. The ambition of the Seville commitment allows us to move on from fragmented solutions to consistent, strategies that can allow us to attain the sustainable development goals. Italy would like to bring some additional thoughts to this debate. Of course, we need to increase the amount of resources, but we think it's even more important to enhance the quality and the systemic impact of those resources. The genuine power of public finances lies in their ability to unblock private capital to build sustainable alliances with developing countries. From this point of view, capacity building is not an option. It is a sine qua non. We think that mobilizing national resources to manage public debt in a responsible way is the most essential approach that we can take to achieve lasting development results. That is why, with Kenya and the OECD working closely with other countries, Italy has submitted to this conference a call to action on capacity building and technical assistance. This initiative is in line with the urgent and increasing need for support for developing countries to strengthen their public finances, to attract sustainable investment and to navigate through the complex development environment. We would like to call on all countries and institutions to make capacity building a strategic pillar of the global strategy for financing and to enhance cooperation efforts. It's not just about enhancing administrative capacities but improving national infrastructure and the financial resilience of developing countries, in particular countries in Africa, in line with the Mattei Plan. This is the plan that was launched by the government of Italy that aims to work closely with African countries. There is -- this includes a training program that will provide high-level training to more than 1,400 public servants from African countries. Madam Chair, I would like to refer to an important part of the Seville commitment, which is debt sustainability. We need to identify appropriate solutions to make debt sustainable. Many countries, particularly in Africa, have unsustainable debt levels and they are seeing a significant increase in the costs of servicing their debt. And this is set to increase sharply in the next few years. This has a clear impact on their economies and their ability to develop. We think that there has to be a responsible way of managing this situation. in order to generate positive financial flows. Debt conversion mechanisms are an important part of the solution to this problem. They can be catalysts for transformative change. When these instruments are used transparently, they can help to alleviate tax burdens and generate positive economic growth. The debt-for-development swap initiative is in synergy with the aforementioned Mattei Plan, and this was announced by Prime Minister Giorgia Niloni of Italy a few weeks ago. The Italian government will, in the next 10 years, work on enhancing the situation the plight of the poorest countries in Africa by making their debt more sustainable. Funds will be invested in sustainable development programs and local production facilities will be boosted. Madam Chair, Italy is ready and willing to work with all other countries to meet the ambitious agenda set out in Seville. Thank you.

I thank Italy. We have heard the last speaker representing a member state. We will now hear statements from intergovernmental organizations and the wider United Nations system, and there will be a speaking limit of four minutes. The next speaker is the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Madam President, on behalf of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, I thank you along.

With the Government of Spain for convening this critical conversation on the future of international financial system. As the world's largest humanitarian network, the IFRC and its 191 national societies, Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.

Say this clearly. The current financial system is not built for today's risks. It's often reactive, fragmented, and too slow. But it doesn't have to be that way. Together, we can shift mindsets, unlock new tools, embrace smarter investments, and bring in new partners to build real resilience for the future.

What are these risks?

The IFC network sees them everywhere.

Disasters are no longer rare nor isolated. They're driven by climate change, disease outbreaks, and conflict.

And they're becoming more frequent, more intense.

More deadly and more expensive than ever before. In country after country, disasters are rolling back development gains, deepening inequality and driving governments into debt.

Yet on the ground, the reality is particularly stark.

In Myanmar, the Myanmar Red Cross is helping to rebuild homes.

And temples, once shelters for people fleeing conflict, after they were destroyed in the recent earthquake.

In Malawi, Red Cross volunteers are helping families relocate as floodwaters wiped out farms that once provided food and livelihoods. Why isn't the funding working?

Despite repeated political commitments.

Funding for prevention, preparedness and resilience is often the first to be cut.

Then, when disaster strikes, humanitarian funding can arrive too late or too little.

Though launched immediately, appeals can take months to fund, resources begin to fall short, and the cost of inaction multiplies in lives lost, livelihoods destroyed, and development delayed. To truly deliver on SDGs and the financing for development agenda.

We must think how we finance risk, not just response.

Without investing in disaster risk reduction and community resilience, sustainable development simply is not possible. Madam President, we didn't come to Seville just to describe the problem, we came to solve it.

What does work?

Prearranged and blended financing models. When governments, development banks, and humanitarian actors invest in preparedness, funding becomes faster, more predictable, and more effective. Innovative tools like insurance and impact bonds can mobilize private capital and help public funds go further. At IOM for C, we are already seeing the benefits of this shift.

Through our global climate resilience platform, we directly fund the National Red Cross and Red Crescent societies for early warning.

Systems, nature-based solutions, and social protection.

Through our disaster response fund, we release funds within 24 to 72 hours or even before disaster strikes.

In 2023, we worked with governments and the private sector to add an innovative insurance layer to DREF.

Thank you very much for your statement. The next speaker is the International Union for Conservation of Nature. You have the floor.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN, would like to express its gratitude to the government and people of the Kingdom of Spain for hosting this important conference. The world economy today is built on a model that relies on the rapid overutilization of nature. Our financial system rewards short-term gains over long-term sustainability and places little or no value on the ecosystem services that fundamentally support all economic activity and life on earth. The wealth from this extractive economic model is unequally distributed. exacerbating inequalities at a time when the world's population, especially the most vulnerable, is increasingly impacted by the costly and devastating consequences of climate change, biodiversity and pollution. Business as usual is unsustainable and it cannot continue. What is needed is not a marginal change, but a fundamental transformation. We need to shift from the current linear, extractive and polluting business model to a global economic and financial system that enables a nature positive, net zero and circular economy. A whole of economy approach to mainstreaming biodiversity into all sectors is urgently needed to achieve the agreed goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. We need to accelerate implementation of actions to achieve target 18 of the GBF and reduce biodiversity harmful incentives by at least $500 billion per year, while scaling up positive incentives for biodiversity and mobilizing resources for biodiversity from all sources, including public and private, and international and domestic. All fossil fuel subsidies should be phased out without delay. to prevent the 1.5 degree temperature rise threshold from being permanently breached. While it is imperative to reform current subsidy policies, these reforms may come with significant and challenging economic, ecological and social trade-offs that need to be balanced. IUCN calls on all member states to assess options to reform subsidy policies to avoid harmful impacts on biodiversity and to incentivize nature positive outcomes. A recent IUCN report found that only 3.1% of total international financial assistance targeted biodiversity as an objective. This needs to be scaled up to support the ecosystem services that in turn support the global economy. Furthermore, in line with target 19 of the GBF, increases in biodiversity funding are needed to mobilize $200 billion per year, including the commitment of at least $30 billion per year by 2030 in international flows. IUCN stresses the need to scale up financing for sustainable agriculture and food systems that systematically integrate high integrity nature-based solutions. This will ensure the provision of key ecosystem services for food and water security. Rolling out and scaling up biodiversity financing requires the cooperation of a multitude of stakeholders, including scientific organizations who provide data and knowledge. IUCN therefore emphasizes the need for the use of consistent and robust data standards and tools such as the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN Red List of Ecosystems, and the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas. We stand ready to support these efforts and invite you all to the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. Thank you.

Thank you for your statement. The next speaker on my list is the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture.

Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, it is my honor to speak on behalf of the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture. We would like to express our deep thanks to the organizers of this fourth international conference for establishing such a necessary forum to allow us to reiterate our commitments to development. Against the backdrop of increasing social and environmental challenges, we need to have an expression of solidarity and we need to ensure shared responsibility. From our organization's point of view, we have since last year been an observing member of the UN system and we fully endorse the civil commitment. But it is not enough on its own. It has to be implemented with a strategic vision in mind. It has to increase the effectiveness of financing in order to bring about sustainable financing and meet the real priorities that countries have. And as is made clear in the document, we need to see greater alignment with existing financial instruments, and states and international entities need to step up in this regard. We think that we need to move towards a model of cooperation where international finances serve public policy and not the reverse. We focus on education, science and culture, as well as education in human rights and democracy, and that is why we can play a critical role in this effort. We need to ensure inclusive growth and productive transformation. Investing in education means working for the future. It means educating citizens to prepare them for the future and to prepare our societies to make them more resilient and prosperous in the longer term. From our organization, we also agree that we must make headway on reforming the international financial architecture to get rid of the debt crisis. More than 400 million people live in countries who spend more on servicing their debt than on health and education combined. That is why we are in favour of debt swaps for education and culture. We reaffirm here our commitment to multilateralism. as was recognized when we received the Astoria's Prize for International Cooperation last year. We will continue working for Ibero-American countries and with our partners, and we will be in favor of an ambitious human-centered agenda. Thank you.

I would like to thank you very much for your statement. The next speaker on my list is the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, the OECD is proud to partner in FFD4, a once in a decade opportunity to reshape the global financial architecture to meet today's challenges. We congratulate Spain for its leadership and thank the co-chairs Portugal and Burundi and the co-facilitators Mexico, Nepal, Norway and Zambia.

For their work in delivering.

The Seville Commitment, which represents a tangible commitment for multilateralism in a challenging global context. The global development landscape is at a critical crossroads. Declining ODA, unsustainable debt, crises and shocks, and a deepening financing gap are threatening progress towards not just the SDGs, but threatening to reverse the hard-won gain in development over the past 50 years.

The OECD estimates that ODA.

Is set to fall by between 9% and 17% in 2025, coming on top of a 9% drop in 2024. The projected cuts will impact the poorest countries hardest.

With least developed countries projected to see a 13 to 25% fall in net bilateral ODA.

From DAC providers, while countries in sub-Saharan Africa could face a 16 to 28% decline.

The range of these projections depends on the final extent of cuts by the United States and others.

This is why the reforms in Seville aimed at restoring trust, enhancing coherence, and unlocking more development capital at lower costs are so critical.

The OECD will work to make.

This a reality, bringing rigorous data and unlocking more development capital at lower costs, convening using its evidence-based policy solutions, its convening power, and multidisciplinary expertise. We are contributing to over 20 initiatives under the Seville Platform for Action.

On issues ranging from domestic resource mobilization to quality FDI and sustainable infrastructure, to developing the metrics for measuring beyond GDP.

To outcomes-based financing. We are committed to working with countries across all regions to deliver actions that will improve lives and drive measurable impact. With official development finance mobilizing only 70 billion US dollars of private finance in 2023.

The OECD will work with others to tackle the barriers to mobilization. from the lack of reliable data that inflates perceived risks in developing countries and the policy.

And regulatory barriers to the need to enhance the catalytic use of ODA to unlock additional flows.

But we are not here just to speak, we are here also to listen.

We are working with partner countries to ensure our tools reflect their realities and priorities.

Members of our Development Assistance Committee have also announced the launch of an inclusive review.

Thank you very much for your statement. The next speaker is the Common Fund for Commodities.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Hola, Sevilla, Spain.

Wonderful job, thank you. I would like to begin by a special shout out to those countries who already achieved 0.7%.

Thank you. We are grateful to you. In Seville, higher olive groves stretch centuries.

We speak of smallholders, SMEs, commodities. The hands harvesting Andalusian olives, those tending Sudanese shagum share stories of exclusion. Geography differs, but injustice persists.

Unless we rewrite trade and finance rules to value those at our food systems, we will repeat history.

With more data but less dignity. We thank Spain and co-facilitators for including CFC in their outcome document. We congratulate FFDF4 for delivering the most commodity-friendly outcome document. With 67% of developing countries, over 80% of LDCs being commodity dependent, CVA agenda links value chain to dignified livelihoods. The CVA commitment is a lifeline for 3 billion smallholders and millions of SMEs. By championing value addition, fair finance, we affirm Commodities are not abstract exports. They are farmers' daily bread. From Dhaka to Dakar, Bogota to Khartoum, our finance works, our roots grow. our technical assistance adding value to their commodities in a climate, biodiversity, and now increasingly UDR compliance way. We created humanizing value chains using blockchain and AI to return value transaction by transaction. We thank European Union for their complementing efforts in DPP, UDR, CS3D, all the likes. Our humanizing value chain is not charity, it is restorative justice. Yet commodity markets remain oligopolies with vague, if not questionable outcome for smallholders. Meanwhile, Gen. Z and millennials hold 60% of global demand. They are not asking for sustainability, they are demanding it. Business and brands are ours to be the force of doing good by doing good. Our door is open to the agricultural commodity transformation fund.

We serve those called too small, too poor, and too risky.

The world must see them differently. Concessional finance must reach the driest soil. Guarantee schemes, innovative insurance, foreign currency hedges must flow from those financing plantation and agriculture to grassroots. For many of us who are not in Addis Ababa, and surely many of us will not be in the next one, we would only like to request one thing when you make next development journey, please bring your journey back to the gates of the smallholders.

Make sure that they get the right price.

If they get the right price, your development finance, ODA, many of the discussion become superfluous. Thank you.

Give the right price.

Thank you very much for your statement. The next speaker is the Inter-American Development Bank.

Thank you.

Let me thank our host country, Spain, and the United Nations for hosting this Financing for Development Conference. This conference takes place amid a new global development landscape. countries need more resources and new form of cooperation that reflects today's world, not yesterday's. This is reflected in the conference outcome document, El Compromiso de Sevilla, which calls for reinvigorating the development cooperation architecture. The compromise also pays attention to the role of multilateral development banks in financing development respecting their own governance. and notes the importance of balancing ambition with actionable and concrete solutions. That's exactly what we are doing at the Inter-American Development Bank, where we are reinvigorating the financial architecture by innovating, and we are doing this together with other MDBs, as we offer concrete solutions to the people and countries we serve. This week, we announced three concrete initiatives to bridge the gap between ambition and action. FX Wedge, a global platform to reduce currency risk and attract private investment. FIRR, a regional program to strengthen disaster resilience. And the Amazonia Bond Issuance Program to promote a new bond market focused on the Amazon region. These initiatives highlight how our work to bring both the public and private sectors together, which is key because the public sector cannot do it alone. Mobilizing private capital is essential. That's why MDBs are becoming the bridge between the public and the private sectors. That's why, that's what we are doing at the IDB. We are becoming a true private sector MDB, leveraging more than 65 years of experience with governments to generate synergies that benefit everyone. Today, over 44% of our financing goes to the private companies through IDB Invest and IDBLav, our private sector branches. And with IDB Invest capitalization process, we are on track to reach parity with our public sector financing by 2030. We are acting on multiple fronts to mobilize more private capital, and we are working with governments to create the enabling conditions investors need, stability, predictability, infrastructure, strong institutions, and rule of law. We are also using innovative financial instruments like currency risk tools and debt swaps. And we are implementing an innovative business model, Originate to Share, at IDB Invest that lets us originate projects and share them with investors, freeing our capital for new projects, distributing risks and deepening markets. We are also doing this with partners. We are working with other MDBs as a system to increase our impact and scale. This week, we announced new initiatives with the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the Development Bank of the Council of Europe, Spain's government and La Caixa Foundation, including innovative financing instruments, risk sharing mechanisms, and more. I want again to thank Spain's government and the UN for bringing us together as we work together to help countries meet their development needs.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. And I now give the floor to the International Development Law Organization.

Excellencies, it is a pleasure to address you this afternoon on behalf of the International Development Law Organization. My message is simple but urgent. We cannot finance or achieve sustainable development or deliver on the SDGs commitment without the rule of law. For over four decades, IDLO has worked in some 100 countries to advance peace and sustainable development through justice and the rule of law. And drawing on our experience, I want to share three reasons why the rule of law and access to justice are central to our deliberations on financing for development. First, the rule of law can help countries attract and sustainably manage investment. Economies thrive when the law is clear, rights are protected, and institutions are accessible and impartial. Investors, foreign and domestic, need confidence that contracts will be enforced, disputes resolved fairly, and assets protected. IBLO supports governments to build legal environments that inspire confidence, simplifying regulations, resolving complex disputes, and building the capacity to negotiate and implement investment agreements. We also work with civil society and engage the private sector through innovative public-private partnerships, including international law firms, which provide support on investment-related matters to LDCs. Secondly, the rule of law provides a framework for the integrated solutions needed to deliver the SDGs. Financing development is not just about raising resources, it's about using them transparently, fairly, and to maximum effect. And as countries confront new challenges from climate change to digital transformation, they need modern legal frameworks and responsible and accountable institutions to ensure that political ambitions translate into results.

Rule of law also helps.

Governments to combat corruption and reduce illicit financial flows to increase public trust, reduce inequalities and stimulate investment. Third, ignoring the decline in the rule of law can wipe out development gains. Today over five billion people face unmet justice needs. They are denied equal access to opportunity, healthcare, education and jobs, fueling inequality and instability. And research shows that unresolved legal issues can reduce GDP by as much as 3%. Take gender equality. We know that when women can access justice, claim their rights and live free from violence, they contribute more fully to society and the economy. And in some countries, GDP could rise by as much as 35% with greater female participation.

Yet.

As IDLO's recent report with UN Women, UNDP and other partners highlights, most countries invest far too little in justice for women and this underinvestment undermines both justice and development. And we see here that women's leadership in financial and economic governments is a smart investment leading to stronger economies, better development outcomes and climate resilience. Excellencies, justice is not a luxury, it is a foundation for inclusive growth, peace and sustainability. People-centered rule of law solutions can bring legal services closer to communities, empower excluded groups, make development funds go further, and most importantly, rebuild trust. ARILO looks forward to continuing to work together to build stronger foundations for financing, governance, and inclusive development through investment in justice.

Thank you.

I thank the representative. of the international organization and I now give the floor to the Fund for the Development of the Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Thank you very much. Mr. President, I wish to convey to you the fraternal greetings on behalf of the Fund for the Development of the Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean and international a body that was established by the Ibero-American government with the indigenous peoples of the region. This was 30 years ago. During this period, the international community has stepped up its exercise and thought about the significant challenges for human survival and the planet's survival. In other words, climate change, the biodiversity crisis, and hunger, among others. Ladies and gentlemen, I do not think that there is any doubt among us within cultures and regions about the fact that climate instability of the planet is -- the climate stability is necessary for peace and justice. Indigenous peoples have, for thousands of years, been contributing to climate -- to global climate stability. Their territories protect nearly 80 percent of remaining biodiversity on the earth and 25 percent of carbon sinks and have thousands of effective knowledge systems related to life in all of its forms.

In spite of all of this, indigenous peoples are on the front lines in the fight against climate change and the environmental disasters brought about by activism. And this is something that affects some 54% of projects focusing on the energy transition. Financing for development as it currently stands has major gaps in the international domain. It fails to acknowledge the rights of indigenous peoples. If we don't change the state of affairs, then the 2030 agenda will be difficult to achieve and will leave indigenous peoples even further behind than before. That is why in the Seville Platform of Action, the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples must be a key indicator, and it must be an initiative that the parties must be fully mindful of. They must also ensure that indigenous peoples participate in the next steps to reform the international financial architecture. We have the mandate and willingness to cooperate with all to achieve these goals. I would like to conclude by reiterating our thanks, and I would like to convey a message that I'm sure that all indigenous peoples would like to reaffirm. You can count on us for peace and never for war. Thank you.

Thank you very much for your statement. The next speaker is the Association of Caribbean States.

Distinguished heads of state and government, your excellencies, ministers, distinguished delegations, the great Caribbean is not isolated from global challenges. It's not a periphery. It is a region that is deeply interconnected with the crises and opportunities of our times. And we are willing to exercise leadership in trying to find solutions. I would like to greet you on behalf of the Association of Caribbean States, the only intergovernmental organization that has 25 member states and 10 associated members. States to promote consultation, cooperation and concerted action between countries who make up the Caribbean region. Ours is a united region, which is first of all united by our sea, but above all as a result of deep-seated historical, social and cultural ties. We are facing many crises and unfortunately we have normalized them: global warming, armed conflicts and food insecurity, to name but a few. We've also normalized the fact that even though the world has enough resources to ensure that everybody can live a dignified life, the resources remain concentrated in the hands of only a few people. But today we're here, clear in our minds that we cannot normalize this and we urgently need to change the state of affairs. We welcome the adoption of the Seville Commitment. This stresses the importance of continuing to strengthen economic global governance to ensure that it is in harmony with sustainable development, that it responds to changing challenges, and above all so that it responds to our people's needs. Mindful of the urgent task ahead of us, I would like to share three proposals with you to help us on our way. One, accelerate women's leadership. It is time to change the way things are done because clearly what we're doing at the moment is not working. The proposal is that we have more women defining how, for whom, and under which conditions resources are allocated for development. Another matter that should be at the heart of our efforts is to provide substantive support to the care economy and to make sure that it does not just go through the market, without which there would not be a market at all. Two, improve cooperation flows. South-South and triangular cooperation allow us to build united networks, to build solutions together, and to democratize technical and financial knowledge. Reforming the rules and broadening representation of the global south, strengthening the regional institutions that have shown themselves to be fully relevant is all critical if we are to have a more fair and representative system. And thirdly, we need to have more financing for the development of the Great Caribbean, which, as I said at the beginning of my statement, is no periphery. Our Great Caribbean is a region of peace that has the potential to contribute to development. To tap into this potential, we need to acknowledge that it's highly vulnerable to climate crises and that this vulnerability did not come about unilaterally, and therefore we're not able to address it on our own. That is why, in this new architecture, multidimensional vulnerability must be an operative principle. Your Excellencies, distinguished delegations, today the world needs renewed, effective, and people-centered multilateralism, and it needs it more than ever, one that understands that cooperation is based on shared responsibility, recognizing differences, and in shared commitments to the well-being of our peoples. From our organization, we are willing to act as a strategic partner to channel high impact investment. Thank you so much.

The next speaker is the Digital Cooperation Organization.

Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished guests, I speak on behalf of the Digital Cooperation Organization, DCO, an intergovernmental organization with 16 member states across Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Europe. Collectively, we are the home of 800 million people, and DCO is mandated to accelerate the inclusive, sustainable and resilient growth of the digital economy to enable prosperity for all. Our member states understand that digital transformation is no longer optional. With 2.6 billion people unconnected and 1.6 trillion digital infrastructure gap, digital transformation is foundational to economic growth and to achieve 2030 agenda and beyond. As an observer of the UN General Assembly, this year would like to commend the Kingdom of Spain for hosting this conference, the co-facilitators, Mexico, Nepal, Norway, and Zambia, and of course, the UN Secretariat and UN DESA, whose dedication and collaboration made the final adoption of the Compromiso de Sevilla possible. Their tireless efforts have delivered an ambitions and action oriented outcome that reflect shared priorities of the global development communities. DCO, in the spirit of this commitment, is there to advance practical solution to put global and South-South digital cooperation at the heart of development. We have announced, as part of the C4ISR Platform for Action, the Model Digital Economy Agreement, which will provide countries, especially emerging economies, scalable and adaptable policy blueprints to unlock cross-border digital trade and investment. We will also pursue public-private partnership And we will continue to leverage the Digital Economy Navigator to identify priorities for investment and cooperation. Mr. President, Excellencies, dear delegates, as we confront the financing gap threatening the SDG progress, digitalization must be recognized not just as a sector for investment, but as a force for multiplication, a catalyst, an enabler for all development goals. The Compromisso de Sevilla calls for new approaches and digital cooperation must be central to that collective response. The DCO stands ready to work with all partners to turn that vision into action. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much for your statement. I now give the floor to International Youth Organization for Ibero-America.

Distinguished representatives of states and multilateral organizations and civil society organizations, particularly the FFD youth who we've been interacting with over the last few days. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm speaking on behalf of the International Organization of Youth for Ibero-America and in particular young people who we represent with a clear message. The development agenda must be ultimately an agenda for youth. We make up half of the global population with more than 85 percent living in developing countries. Speaking about development means putting young people first. The many crises that we are facing today are affecting young people the most. Wars, hunger, unemployment, climate emergency, racism, indebtedness. And it is ultimately young people who go to war and who die in armed conflicts. But we're also diverse and social Markers for gender and race make these gaps even deeper. Young women and girls are structurally more affected.

It's a shocking fact. Only 0.12 of official development assistant goes directly to youth led organizations. These equations do not add up, neither ethically nor in development terms. Ladies and gentlemen, multilateral spaces are filled with debates on the urgency of the climate crisis, the immoral persistence of hunger and the challenges in achieving the SDGs, but the contradiction persists. This discourse does not translate into effective financing actions. In 2023, global military spending surpasses $2.4 trillion, more than 10 times the total official development assistance. Today, 50 countries spend more on debit interest than on health or education. The failure to meet the 0.7 ODA target for development assistance not only widens global youth inequality, but also puts regions like Africa and Latin America at risk of wasting their demographic dividend, the very key of their development. This disparity is a global choice, one that for centuries has blocked the balanced development of different parts of the world. That is why we add our voices to the urgent call for reform of multilateral institutions. This means deep changes in financial institutions and cooperation. We must expand global self representation in the boards of multilateral banks. Without this, we continue to perpetuate the regressive transfers of net resources from South to North. Even cooperation itself is plagued by excessive bureaucracy. Youth programmes are lost in reports, justifications and unattainable requirements. We need more coordination and trust in recipient countries. The debt issue is central And as it was in the negotiations for this conference, it is the youth who are paying for its country debts with their futures. This is why we join Pope Francis' call for a new jubilee, debt swaps for climate and education, fair restructuring, and mechanisms that prioritize well-being over hedge funds profits. Global tax justice must be a pillar of development financing. Austerity does not create stability, it deepens inequality. This is why we must put the state back at the center of development strategies. It is not enough to finance projects. We need to build a new architecture for collective well-being.

Ladies and gentlemen, youth are key to correct structural inequalities and to make the pact of the future a reality. We need to invest in technical academic training and in bringing about jobs for young people.

Thank you very much to the International Youth Organization for Ibero-America. The next speaker is the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.

Mr. President, Your Excellencies, distinguished heads of states, ministers and development partners, it is my distinct honor to deliver this statement on behalf of His Excellency Dr. Workneh Gabele, the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, IGAD. Dr. Workneh deeply regrets that he could not possibly join you today due to pressing obligation and extend his sincere apologies. IGAD represents over 490 million people across the greater Horn of Africa, a region endowed with strategic geopolitical significance, vast human capital, and untapped economic potential. But we are also a region confronting some of the world's most complex challenges, where resilient is not a slogan, but a lived reality. Since 2019, IGAD has embarked on a transformative institutional reforms that have enhanced impact across all eight member states, our integrated one IGAD approach has broken down silos and delivered measurable results. Our climate prediction center, now operating with 87% forecast accuracy, enabled early action that saved 45,000 lives. Our conflict early warning mechanism helped avert 14% conflict last year alone, preserving over 1.2 billion in economic assets. The Horn of Africa Gateway Project is poised to boost Kenya-Ethiopia trade from $284 million to over $1 billion annually through infrastructure. These achievements underscore what is possible when regional institutions are empowered and resourced. Yet, the development financing architecture remains fundamentally misaligned with our needs. Climate finance is painfully slow, often taking over 36 months from design to disbursement, while climate shocks strikes within seasons. Debt framework still face to factor in climate vulnerabilities or fragilities. And while we are expected to respond to crisis, little is invested in prevention. To this end, IGAS calls for a shift in financing logic from fragmented project-based support to programmatic long-term partnership. Infrastructure in cross border areas have already boosted trade by over 400% where completed. Investing in resilience, early warning and regional institution is not clarity, it is a cost effective strategy for global and shared prosperity. We commend the Compromisso de Sevilla for recognizing multidimensional vulnerability and reaffirming the importance of regional cooperation. IGAD aligns strongly with its principles, however, global financing frameworks might go further by institutionalizing developing countries voices within global financial governance and by embracing regional institutions as a legitimate conduit for investment. Africa's time is not tomorrow, it is now, Ethiopia has maintained an average of 8% growth for two decades, Kenya is emerging as a regional financial hub, Djibouti has become a vital logistics gateway, despite these fragilities, these accomplishments shows regional trajectory. Imagine the scale of transformation possible with adequate financing, fair access and genuine partnership. Our young people deserve schools, entrepreneurs deserve access to capital and our farmers deserve innovation and market. These are not dreams. They are within reach if we match political commitment with financial resolve. On behalf of His Excellency Dr. Workneh Gabele, I reaffirm IGAD's commitment to implementing the Seville Principle. We invite the international community to work with us, not ahead of us or behind us, besides us, as equal partners. Together we can transform risk into resilience, despair into opportunity, and potential into shared prosperity. I thank you.

Thank you very much for your statement. The next speaker will be the last one for this session, the Economic Community of West African States.

Excellencies, ECOWAS is proud to be part of this global conference that seeks to renew global commitment to multilateralism and to financing for sustainable development. We are grateful to the government and the people of Spain for the facilities and the hospitality. Excellencies, leaders of ECOWAS member states have spoken earlier and we subscribe fully to their position relating to international financial system, the global trading arrangements, innovative finance as well as debt and climate crisis. What I want to do in the few minutes assigned to delegations is to focus on three critical conditions that are vital for us in our region. The first is peace and security. Excellencies, all that has been agreed in the Seville commitment would be of no value if peace and security are not assured. This is why financing for peace is crucial. In this regard, we at ECOWAS wish to renew our gratitude to the partners who have facilitated the adoption of resolution 2719 of the United Nations that seeks to support peace support operations through the United Nations assessed contributions. The effective implementation of this resolution, together with our own resources, will address the biggest challenge to peace support operations, especially in Africa. We therefore appeal for the smooth implementation of this resolution. The second condition, Excellencies, relates to stronger regional economic communities. Regional blocs offer members larger markets and the opportunity to attract investment. We cannot claim to be favouring development and prosperity while at the same time remain engaged in activities that undermine regional cohesion. Our regional communities must be strengthened, not weakened. The third excellence relates to governance. By governance, I do not mean regular elections. I mean accountability and stronger institutions. No amount of financial inflows will spur the type of social change we need without stronger governance. We may continue to see impressive GDP figures, but these figures can be translated into meaningful social progress only if accountability is entrenched through stronger institutions. In summary, In order to de-risk our economies and attract more development finance, we must foster peace, deepen regional integration and build stronger institutions in our economies. I thank you for your attention.

Thank you very much indeed for your statement. We have heard the last speaker in the general debate for this session. The general debate will continue tomorrow at 10 a.m. in this same room. The meeting stands adjourned.