(3rd meeting) Fourth Preparatory Committee for the FFD4 Conference (4th PrepCom)
Conferences
Date: 17 June 2025
Language: English
Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/en/asset/k1z/k1zwawbsmu
Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations.

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Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [0:09]:

Good afternoon, distinguished colleagues. I call to order the third meeting of the fourth session of the Preparatory Committee for the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, On behalf of my colleague, the co-chair, Ambassador Marie Vinas, and on my own behalf, I welcome all participants to this closing meeting of the Preparatory Committee of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. I will now proceed to deliver some opening remarks. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, dear colleagues, On behalf of the co-chairs, I wish to welcome you to this resumed fourth session of the Preparatory Committee in the run-up to the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. I would like to welcome all of the delegations present here. Your unwavering commitment and your active participation over the last 18 months are very much appreciated. We are gathered together here with a clear goal: to finalize this preparatory process and to recommend for adoption at the conference in Seville the final document presented to us. That document is not an end in itself. Rather, it is the beginning of a new stage, and its success will largely turn on our collective capacity to ensure rigorous follow-up of its implementation. Allow me to express, on behalf of the co-chairs, our deep gratitude to all of the stakeholders that contributed to this process, the member states, civil society, NGOs, international financial institutions and other partners. Your involvement was critical to reach the current stage. I wish to thank in particular the co-facilitators, Zambia, Nepal, Norway and Mexico, for their unwavering commitment, their enlightened leadership and the inclusive and transparent approach that they applied throughout these negotiations. I also thank the Secretariat for its sterling support throughout the process. Multilateralism is not merely a principle, it is a choice. And you have made that choice by remaining committed despite differences which were sometimes deep. The document submitted to us today may not reflect all aspirations, but it incorporates a sound compromise which is ambitious and realistic. It proposes accelerated and better coordinated mobilization of financing from all sources. It also proposes specific reforms of the international financial architecture, the G20 common framework for debt treatments, including the special drawing rights. It proposes as well a new approach to cooperation for development grounded in multidimensional vulnerability in a departure from past obsolete logic. This text is a political declaration. It aims to strengthen the commitments undertaken in Monterrey, Doha, and Addis Ababa, while incorporating the perspectives of the pact for the future and the specific needs of countries in special situations. The text is not perfect, but no multilateral compromise is. If we choose to join it, then we are choosing more than a document, we are choosing to continue to forge a common future by moving forward together toward the achievement of the sustainable development goals. I encourage all members and all stakeholders to take full ownership of this document and to redouble their efforts to ensure its effective implementation. Let us move forward with a spirit of cooperation, responsibility and consensus. Before proceeding further, I would kindly remind delegations to respect the announced time limit of five minutes for statements in connection with action on the draft proposals before the Preparatory Committee this afternoon. I now invite the Preparatory Committee to consider agenda item six, consideration of the draft outcome document of the Conference. I recall that the General Assembly, in paragraph 29 of its resolution 78/231, decided that the Conference should, inter alia, assess the progress made in the implementation of the Monterrey Consensus, the Doha Declaration and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, identifying obstacles and constraints encountered in the achievement of the goals and objectives agreed therein. as well as actions and initiatives to overcome these constraints and to address new and emerging issues, including in the context of the urgent need to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and to support reform of the international financial architecture. I recall that in our letter dated 19th of June, 2024, we appointed the permanent representatives of Mexico, Nepal, Norway, and Zambia as co-facilitators of the outcome document of the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. Since their appointment, the co-facilitators have been working tirelessly over the past several months to reach agreement on an outcome document to be recommended to the conference for adoption. By cover of the letter of the co-facilitators dated 16 June 2025, they transmitted the draft outcome document of the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in an informal paper also dated 16 June 2025. I now invite Ambassador Lok, Babdur Tapa, Permanent Representative of Nepal, and Ambassador Alicia Buenrostro Massieu, Deputy Permanent Representative of Mexico, to introduce the draft outcome document, also on behalf of Ambassador Merete, the Permanent Representative of Norway, and Ambassador Chola, Permanent Representative of Zambia.

Ambassador of.

Nepal, you have the floor.


Nepal · Permanent Representative · Lok Bahadur Thapa [8:31]:

I think firstly Mexico will start.


Speaker 3 [8:35]:

Okay.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [8:37]:

Ambassador of Mexico, you have the floor.


Mexico · Deputy Permanent Representative · Alicia Buenrostro Massieu [8:43]:

Distinguished co-chairs, Secretary General of the Conference, USG, Mr. Lee, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, good afternoon. We, as the co-facilitators of the outcome document of the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development presented yesterday to the co-chairs of the FFD4 Preparatory Committee, our final draft outcome document, Compromiso de Sevilla. This draft reflects the dedication, perseverance and constructive engagement of the entire membership and a wide range of stakeholders and our determination to bring the full diversity of perspectives into a shared vision. Exactly a year ago, on 16 June 2024, we had the great honor and privilege of accepting the assignment of co-facilitators of the outcome document of the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development by our co-chairs. Over the course of this year, And since last June, we have endeavored to conduct an inclusive, transparent, balanced, productive, and forward-looking process to prepare an outcome document that reflects the aspirations and priorities of the entire membership and that responds to the financing challenges that the world is confronted with. Following the first PrepCom in Addis Ababa at the end of July last year, we called for written inputs for the Elements Paper. We were energized to see the interest of all stakeholders by receiving more than 300 such inputs from member states, civil society, and the private sector, and from many UN and other international organizations. The conference has come to be seen as a test of multilateralism, a test whether we as an international community still have the capacity to solve global challenges together, collectively and in a spirit of solidarity. We believe that we have passed this test. We have made every possible effort to condense such rich material into an elements paper, which we issued and circulated on 22nd November last year. The elements paper set out the overall framework and the main areas of action that we saw in your written inputs, along with a broad set of proposals that reflected the high level of ambition for impactful solutions. We were pleased to receive positive, constructive and ambitious feedback on the Elements paper during its discussion at the second session of the Preparatory Committee in December of last year. Further ideas and inputs from the academic day then informed the zero draft of the document, which we shared on 17 January. Over the next several months, this document was further revised, first by us in the first draft table on 10 March, and then in three rounds, extensive intergovernmental negotiations in intercessional consultations, as well as numerous briefings and discussions with stakeholders. We also conducted consultations at the first part of the fourth session of the FFD4 Preparatory Committee and the 2025 FFD Forum. Moving forward, we also held several rounds of informal consultations in different compositions, which took us closer to agreement. Based on these negotiations, we placed a final draft outcome document under silence procedure last June the 6th, last June 11th, six days ago. After two more revisions, you now have in front of you a final draft text for adoption. This summary of our deliberations shows all the hard work we have collectively put together in this common purpose. As co-facilitators, we have done our utmost to listen, reflect and balance the diverse views expressed, bridging not only technical differences but also political distance. We believe the outcome before you today is a balanced, ambitious and forward-looking compromise. One that addresses the needs of developing countries in meaningful and tangible ways, while also offering value and assured foundation for continued international and effective development cooperation. Seville is not a new agenda. It is a strengthening and of what already exists. It renews our commitment to the Addis Ababa action agenda. And aligns fragmented efforts under a single reinvigorated framework. It focuses on implementation, coherence, and measurable impact, especially for those furthest behind. And it is not just about today. The commitments we adopt here set the stage for a financing framework that will outlast the 2030 agenda, one that evolves with the global economy, supports countries through transition, and ensures that no voice, north or south, is left out of the conversation. I will briefly switch to Spanish.

The Compromisso de Sevilha matters. It sends a clear message multilateralism can yield results, including in a world which is fractured. Even then, we can work and come together on what matters the most, namely financing the development of our peoples.

Not just for the commitments it contains, but for the spirit of cooperation that made them possible and for the impact that this will have on the people that we serve. Let it stand as proof that when we choose to listen, to compromise, and to act, multilateralism delivers. And now, I wish to hand over to Ambassador Luck to continue. I thank you.


Nepal · Permanent Representative · Lok Bahadur Thapa [15:13]:

Thank you.

Distinguished co-chairs, U.S. D. Lee, excellencies, distinguished delegates, On behalf of the co-facilitators, Mexico, Norway, Zambia and Nepal, we deeply appreciate your unwavering support and constructive engagement throughout the negotiations. We are equally thankful to all stakeholders for their contributions and continued engagement. Colleagues, today is the unique and historic opportunity for all to demonstrate our strong political will. This draft reflects our best efforts to arrive at consensus. More than that, this is the result of dedicated and hard work by the entire membership and a number of other stakeholders. The final draft outcome, Compromisso do Sabia, reflects our best efforts to arrive at consensus. We firmly believe that it will respond to the major challenges we face today and in the face of significant obstacles and challenges, it will deliver a real boost to the SDG and to multilateralism. The draft outcomes sets out a renewed global financing for development framework that respond to the difficult moment the world is in. It recognizes the $4 trillion SDG financing gap to respond to the challenges The Subia outcome launches an ambitious package of reforms and actions to close this financing gap with urgency and catalyze sustainable development finance investment at scale. It also commits member states to continue reform of the international financial architecture, enhancing its resilience, quarrance, and effectiveness in responding to present and the future challenges. We see three major areas of progress in the Compromiso de Soya. First, catalyzing investment to close the four trillion SDG financing gap in developing countries. There are many concrete actions that will give real hope to the world that can make real progress on our global goals through tripling MDB lending to finance social investment and transformative growth. doubling the support to countries to achieve at least 15% tax to GDP ratio so countries can fund health and education and improve people's lives, and leveraging private investment, dynamism, and innovations for decent jobs for all. Second, we are committing in this document to a real push to address the debt and sustainable development crisis. Major actions include lowering the cost of borrowing to reduce debt service and free up resources for development, preventing future debt crises, including through greater transparency and giving more voice to debtor countries in the debt architecture. Third, we commit to reforms of the international financial architecture to make it both more inclusive and more effective. Major actions include giving developing countries a seat at the table so their needs are addressed in international financial decision-making and increasing access to emergency funding to better protect countries during shocks and crises. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, We all know that reaching consensus on many contentious issues in the financing agenda is far from easy. We do not underestimate how far delegations have had to move from their stated priorities to come together. But an ambitious outcome is within our grasp now, in the spirit of the compromise and with a shared commitment to deliver on our global goals. to catalyse investment and to close SDG financing gap. We hope that you can adopt this SBI commitment as table. We highly commend your unparalleled and extraordinary flexibility during the negotiations of this outcome document. We would like to request that you will provide the same level of support and flexibility this time. Our hopes are remain in your hands. Finally, Excellencies and distinguished delegates, ESCOP facilitators, we thank you all once again for your commitment to the process, the ambitions you have brought to it, and the flexibility and collaborative approach you have exhibited. Also allow me to have this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to the distinguished co-chairs of the FFD4. my colleagues, peers of Burundi and Portugal, USAID also for their support to us. We'd also like to extend our deep appreciation and thanks to the whole team of FSDU for their hard work, for their dedication and their support. You have been extremely helpful throughout the process. I thank you.


Burundi · Co-Chair · Marie Vinas [21:05]:

I thank Ambassador Tappa and Ambassador Puigdemostre Masieu for introducing the draft outcome document on behalf of the co-facilitators. On behalf of the co-chairs and of the Preparatory Committee, I sincerely thank all four co-facilitators and their teams for working tirelessly and skillfully in guiding the complex consultations and negotiations on the draft outcome document over the past few months. I also thank the secretariat for their support in this process. I now will give the floor to my colleague co-chair Ambassador Rui Viegas, Permanent Representative of Portugal. Ambassador, you have the floor.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [21:46]:

Thank you, co-chair.

It's a challenge. Excellencies, delegates, colleagues, the Preparatory Committee will now proceed to consider the draft outcome document of the Conference. As circulated in our letter dated 17 June 2025, the draft decision that we, as co chairs, propose for adoption today reads as follows The Preparatory Committee approves the draft Compromisso de Sevilha, as contained in an informal paper dated 16 june two thousand and twenty five and decides to recommend it to the fourth international conference on financing for development for adoption. the preparatory committee will now proceed to take action on the draft outcome document. Before we proceed to action on the draft decision to approve the draft outcome document of the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, as contained in an informal paper dated 16 June 2025, and to recommend it to the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development for adoption, does any delegation wish to make a comment or statement? I note that there will be an opportunity to make statements in explanation of vote opposition after the approval of the document. Before giving the floor to the first speaker, I would kindly remind delegations to respect the announced time limit of five minutes. I see that the first speaker in my list of speakers is the European Union, so I will give the floor to the distinguished representative of the European Union. Ambassador, the floor is yours.


EU · EU [23:39]:

Thank you, Mr. President. Excellencies, dear colleagues, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union and its member states. I would be remiss if I did not begin by expressing a sincere appreciation and thanks to the co-facilitators Mexico, Nepal, Norway, and Zambia for the enormous effort in delivering the negotiations and ensuring an outcome document. What at times looked like mission impossible, you have achieved. Thank you. A big thanks also goes to the co-chairs who have steered the process and to the secretariat for their support. Colleagues, the European Union has repeated time and again that this process is about more than financing for development, more than the 2030 agenda or about achieving the SDGs. It's about all those things, of course. But it is also, especially in today's turbulent world, fundamentally about showcasing that multilateralism works and delivers. We face existential global challenges, poverty, inequalities, including gender inequality, a triple planetary crisis that is devastating livelihoods and ruining lives. Not to mention wars, conflict, fragility, and divisive geopolitical tensions and attacks on international law and the UN Charter. And an enormous gap in financing for sustainable development. And yet today, here we are together as the UN membership to recommend the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, a new vision document on financing for development, one that sets an ambitious path forward building on its predecessors. Colleagues, multilateralism is a choice, and we are here today confirming together that we choose to pursue and support multilateralism. The document that we are recommending today is ambitious. It contains forward-looking aspirations and goals. The EU and its Member States have engaged constructively and actively in the negotiations. To give but a few examples, We have strived to build the necessary bridges and helped include ambitious and unprecedented language in many cases across all of our joint priorities. There is strong language on reform of the international financial architecture, on stepping up efforts to rechannel SDRs to countries in need, including through MDBs. And we underscored the need to enhance the voice of developing countries in global financial governance. In a comprehensive and ambitious package on debt, there are numerous actions addressing all aspects of debt challenges and lowering the cost of borrowing. We pledge our support to operationalizing the Debt Sustainability Support Service for the SIDS. We establish a Borrowers Club, and we lend strong political support to the G20 Common Framework, improving it, and expanding access to coordinated debt treatments to countries not covered by current initiatives. The text also reflects a strong collective commitment to enhancing gender equality and fostering transparency, accountability, rule of law, good governance, and sound policies at all levels. We commit to integrate anti-corruption as a cross-cutting issue to enhance public sector integrity and public trust. reduce inequalities, ensure fair domestic resource allocation, and increase private investments and economic growth. Dear colleagues, not everything is perfect with the text, of course, but we support it, and I am pleased to announce that we will join consensus. We will also elaborate further in our explanation of position. Colleagues, beyond the words on paper, The European Union and its Member States remain fully committed to Europe's role as leading supporters and partners in sustainable development, ensuring that no one is left behind, and striving, striving to shape a fairer, more inclusive global financial system. FFF4 will be a critical opportunity to accelerate global efforts to finance development, strengthen domestic revenue, catalyse private business, and finance continue to reform the international financial framework and address growing debt challenges. Now, if we are to succeed, this must become a joint effort. Every source of finance has to be mobilized, public, private, domestic, and international. Other potential donors have to increase their own commitments and support to this effort. Mere words, frankly, are cheap. National ownership, National strategies and domestic resources will be at the heart of each country's sustainable development. International solidarity is needed to support those furthest behind. The EU and its member states are and will remain stable and dependable partners in that respect. Now, looking at scale and scope, private business and finance is what will go the furthest in providing decent jobs, economic transformation, and ultimately, domestic revenue and financing for direly needed investments. The EU's toolbox of instruments and billions in guarantees, grants and investment under Global Gateway will support these efforts. The commitment of our partners to the creation of mutually beneficial and transparent partnerships will be imperative to achieve results. Colleagues, the next stop is Seville. And congratulations to our Spanish colleagues in the room. The EU and its Member States will be present at the highest political level to deliver and showcase concrete commitments. As to New York, we are committed to continue building mutual trust, solidarity, and values-based partnerships to advance a common agenda. Let's do it together, dear colleagues. Thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [30:04]:

I thank the distinguished Ambassador of the European Union for his statement, and the next speaker in my list is Morocco, followed by South Africa and the United States.

You have the floor, Ambassador.


Morocco [30:21]:

Thank you very much, Chair. I'd like to echo my colleague from the European Union in congratulating you and the Ambassador of Burundi for the work you have carried out to date. My gratitude also goes out to my colleagues from Mexico, Nepal, Zambia and Norway. I think that they have reached a mission which was indeed at the start deemed to be mission impossible, but thanks to their effort, selflessness, imagination and their bringing together of different positions and balancing interests and building bridges between delegations and groups, we have before us a text which I think we'd all be very happy to adopt. I'd like to just make three or four observations explaining why we throw our weight fully behind this text. First of all, I would like to say that this text does not meet all our expectations, however, it does allow us to find a landing zone for the bulk of our States' concerns and the concerns of our partners. My second observation, as pointed out by my EU colleague, is that this is a compromise text. and it does not satisfy all delegations, but it is a text where we identify the major expectations of the majority of Member States and the common denominators which bring us together and which allow us, most of all, to go beyond our divergences, which in our view are minimal in comparison to our convergences, which are fundamental. My third observation now. The ownership of this text by all of us is of the utmost importance. It's a strong signal of our collective awareness of the challenges facing financing for development, not just in the scope of the Seville Conference, but also in five years, the conference which will be held for the development goals in 2030. My last observation now, we support this text and I think that's the only option to make progress and to make progress together in Seville so that the Seville stage is a stage which brings us together, which is coherent and which shows collective commitment. on all of these development financing issues, which I won't go into now. But all this to say, if we use this word alternative, we don't have the right to fail, whatever our divergences are. On the contrary, we must create the best possible conditions for success, not just in Seville, but also for 2030. I'd like to congratulate our friend and colleague, the Ambassador of Spain, for the good news, which is that we now have a consolidated text, which we hope is consensual, which will enjoy the support of one and all. A very final point, Chair, as the co-chair, the Ambassador said, we've been asked to make a choice. Well, our choice is very clear. We are in favour of multilateralism. Our choice is the adoption of this document. Our choice is opting for collective action so that we can demonstrate that the United Nations cannot fail, that the UN, in times of challenge, difficult days and at a time when the international system is attacked, when multilateralism is critiqued, well let us all move forward together. Multilateralism will not fail and it will find a ground for success in the economic sphere, because it's in the economic sphere that will allow the world to be more peaceful, more prosperous and allow us to take firm, commitment as we move towards 2030, I hope. Thank you very much.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [35:09]:

I thank the distinguished Ambassador of Morocco for his intervention.

I give the floor to the distinguished representative of South Africa. Madam Ambassador, the floor is yours.


South Africa [35:23]:

Distinguished co-chairs, South Africa wishes to express its deepest appreciation to the four co-facilitators and their teams, to you co-chairs, and to the secretariat for the truly exceptional work you have done to bring us to this point. We join others in commending you for leading a process that stands out as a model for how negotiations at the UN should be conducted. We would also like to commend Spain, the host country, for the powerful role that they have been playing to champion the FFD process. Coaches, the world is facing a sustainable development emergency that can only be resolved through collective action. This is a moment that calls for more multilateralism, not less. We are therefore extremely pleased that we have collectively negotiated a concrete and detailed roadmap that rises to the occasion and which holds the promise of making a significant inroads into the sustainable development financing gap to help us get the SDGs back on track. We believe that the adoption of this document will send an important signal to the world that multilateralism can and does deliver, as well as solely needed message of hope and solidarity, including that we will keep fast to our solemn commitment to leave no one behind. Co-Chairs, one of the many treasures that Africa has gifted to the world is the philosophical concept of Ubuntu, roughly translated as, I am because you are. The belief in interconnectedness and interdependence, that a universal bond of sharing connects all of humanity. And in a world faced with existential threats that can only be solved through international cooperation, we need more than ever to tap into our own common Ubuntu and foster each other so that we can build a world for future generations that is in a much better state than in which we found it. In this spirit, South Africa fully supports the draft compromise de Sevilla and calls on all States to join us in recommending it to the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. I thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [38:05]:

I thank the statement of the distinguished representative of South Africa, and I also would like to thank the constructive approach of South Africa in the Bureau of this PREP COM. I will now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United States, followed by Cameroon. The floor is yours, sir. Thank you.


United States of America [38:24]:

Thank you, Chair, and thank you to the co-facilitators from Zambia, Norway, Nepal, and Mexico for their extensive efforts. Chair, our commitment to international cooperation and long-term economic development remains steadfast. However, the United States regrets that the text before us today does not offer a path to consensus. We have called for a concise text that does not propose new, costly, and duplicative mechanisms or initiatives that will only undermine the effectiveness of existing efforts. and we no longer reaffirm the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals as a matter of course. Specifically, the text presented here crosses many of our longstanding red lines. Chair, we cannot support a global development financing framework that interferes with the governance structures and mandates of the international financial institutions. The International Monetary Fund, the multilateral development banks, and other intergovernmental development finance institutions are independent bodies governed by their respective shareholders and decisions regarding their resources, financing terms, and allocations must be made within those established frameworks. We firmly reject the proposals in the outcome document that call for tripling MDB annual lending capacity or imply the UN can consider MDB capital increases. Such measures are not only beyond the purview of this conference, but they also risk undermining the foundations of these independent institutions. Colleagues, on the matter of debt, we must be clear. The proposals that envision a role for the UN in the global debt architecture are unacceptable. Creditors and borrowers themselves should remain at the core of sovereign debt discussions supported by the expert advice of the IMF and World Bank. We reject the injection of third party interference, including a UN intergovernmental process on sovereign debt or a working group to develop a duplicative set of borrowing and lending principles. We reject the proposals related to the sovereign debt architecture, including for a UN intergovernmental process on the debt architecture that will call dis- that will cause disorder in the existing architecture, reduce trust and predictability, and increase the cost of already limited financing. On trade, we underscore our position that trade language negotiated or adopted by the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, or under their auspices, has no relevance for U.S. trade policy, for U.S. trade obligations or commitments, or for the agenda at the World Trade Organization, including discussions or negotiations in that forum. While the UN and the World Trade Organization share common interests, they have different roles, rules, and memberships. We also have concerns about the calls to adopt approaches that may undermine incentives for innovation, such as calls for technology transfer that is not both voluntary and on mutually agreed terms. Similarly, we reiterate that the negotiations related to a UN framework convention on international tax cooperation are inconsistent with US priorities and represent unwelcome overreach. We intend to reject the outcomes of that process and oppose them. Further, FFD4 is not the appropriate venue for discussions on financial regulation and should not seek to direct the work of regulators or standard setting bodies or private entities such as credit rating agencies. UN engagement with payments innovation should be technology agnostic. We stress that there are pre-existing international standards, including through the Financial Action Task Force, that are applicable to illicit finance, and we reject any attempt to establish alternative duplicative processes that are beyond the scope of the UN's mandate and limit the sovereignty of member states. Finally, the United States does not support the use of the term gender when discussing sex-based distinctions, and we do not support sex-based preferences in any event. We are committed to merit-based decision-making and equality of opportunity. The policies and actions in multilateral frameworks should be promoting principles of fairness, efficiency, and accountability. The foregoing is not exhaustive. We will elaborate on our concerns in the coming days and in the General Assembly. Colleagues, after careful consideration and evaluation of the text before us, the United States withdraws from this preparatory process, including with regard to the outcome document for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, and will not participate in FFD4 in Seville, Spain. The United States sought throughout this process to work toward a concise outcome document that could capture shared ambitions for development finance rather than one that imposes new requirements, creates duplicative new structures, and impinges on the sovereignty of member states. We regret the missed opportunity. Thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [43:37]:

I thank you for your statement. The next speaker in my list is Cameroon. Ambassador, you have the floor.


Cameroon [43:49]:

Thank you very much, Chairman. We have a limited amount of time. You have asked us to be brief. I will be, because if time turns against us, we will be lost. However, I cannot simply take the formula all protocols observed' I must give credit where it is due. Chair, we have for a number of years reached agreement on the intentions and objectives, and the majority of these objectives can be found in the 2030 Development Programme. And we have just now adopted the Pact for the Future quite recently. We said that to make headway towards these goals, we needed the means for implementation. And in these means of implementation, there are essentially two key strategic factors the implementation means which are financial and those which are technological well here we are in the first implementation category finance we are approaching Spain and Seville and we need before we head off there to find consensus around these financial measures. And the four co-facilitators as well as yourselves have just proposed a text for us. Hello Spain, hello Seville. Multilateralism is on its way and with a goal of financial consensus insight. Chair, The text we have before us, what is it? Well, it's the outcome of more than a year of work. Is it the case that the co-salutators and yourselves have worked? Chair, I think you have and I think it's been excellent.

To the maximum extent possible.

Excellent work, sterling work. The text before us is excellent. Well, the text itself isn't excellent. Is it bad? No, of course it's not bad either. It's, you know, on the borders between the good and the bad. And it respects all commitments in being so, namely navigating the frontiers imposed upon us by the political reality we find ourselves in. to turn to an image which is very much something we like to use in Africa. It's almost like a calabash we've found. There are a few holes around the calabash, but none at the bottom of it, which allow us, it might allow us to find three trillion dollars which we need in private business. in major pension funds, in insurance, in national coffers. These holes around the calabash allow us to dig deep and get what we need. And once we've gone through that process, I'm sure once we've plugged those gaps that we will find success in this calabash which is sufficiently robust and we'll make sure that we can fill this calabash with water and that's why in my view this is a rather acceptable tool, a rather strong one I venture to say, which the co-facilitators have proposed. Let us not reject it, let us take up this and try and fill it up in Spain and after Spain.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [48:34]:

Thank you.

Thank you very much to the distinguished representative of the Chamber for his statement.

We will now move to action. May I take it that the Preparatory Committee approves the draft Compromisso de Sevilha as contained in an informal paper dated 16 June 2025 and decides to recommend it to the fourth international conference on financing for development for adoption. I hear no objection. It is so decided. That was a good one indeed. We will move now to the statements after the adoption. Does any delegation wish to make a statement after the approval? I have the list of speakers. Before me, and the first speaker in my list is Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China. Please, sir, you have the floor, Ambassador.


Iraq · G77 + China [50:22]:

Thank you, co-chairs. I have the honor to deliver this explanation of position on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. In the interest of time, I will deliver a shortened version of our statement. The full version will be submitted to the co-facilitators for inclusion in the record. I would like to sincerely thank the co-facilitators for their tireless efforts and the transparent, inclusive, and line-by-line negotiation process that led us to this outcome. We recognize the complexity of the task, and appreciate the balance you have sought to achieve in the final text. The group supports the adoption of the outcome document, while it is not perfect reflection of all our priorities, it represents a forward looking and constructive step in many critical areas of financing for development, particularly for the global south to address the financing gap, advance the reform of international financial architecture, and to accelerate the achievement of 2030 agenda. On the global financing framework section, the group appreciates the inclusion of the reference to the principle of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, in particular the principle of CBDR, as well as the right to development principle, which are fundamental for financing for development. At the same time, the group regrets the omission of the previously agreed commitment to leave no country or person behind, a guiding principle under the FFD framework, that we believe must continue to guide us all. On domestic public resources action area, the document offers a balanced framework that values both country ownership and international cooperation. It rightly recognizes that international tax cooperation must evolve to reflect the realities of developing countries, particularly LDC, LLDC, SEEDS, and MIC, as well as those in conflict and post-conflict situations. The reaffirmation of national sovereignty in fiscal policymaking further strengthens this section. On private sector finance, we welcome the strong recognition of the need to mobilize additional private resources at scale and speed for developing countries and the concrete steps to support MSME through regulatory reform. The call to enhance DI in developing countries aligned with national priorities, including in infrastructure and renewable energy, is timely and relevant. On international development cooperation, we welcome the reaffirmation of ODA as a central pillar of international development cooperation, as well as the commitments to increase grants. The group values the reaffirmed central and coordinating role of the UN and international development cooperation and the commitment to revitalize the Development Cooperation Forum. We also highlight the group's flexibility in referencing the upcoming OECD-DIS review process and call for the process to be inclusive transparent and responsive to developing countries concerns with its recommendations to be presented within the UN framework. While the group deeply regrets the omission of explicit reaffirmation of climate finance obligation under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, On trade, we welcome the call to member states to refrain from promulgating and applying any unilateral economic, financial, and trade measures not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations that impede the full achievement of economic and social development, particularly in developing countries. The group retreats that all unilateral coercive measures must be eliminated if we aim to achieve an international economic order that promotes development and economic growth. At the same time, we regret that key priorities of the group were not retained in the final text, including references to non-tariff measures. the development impact of environmentally motivated unilateral trade actions, and our proposal on investment agreement reform aimed at aligning international investment frameworks within the sustainable development goals. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China endorses this outcome document, recognises its potential to advance the global financing for development agenda and we look forward to its meaningful, full and timely implementation. I thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [56:00]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Iraq for his statement on behalf of the G77 and China. And I will now give the floor to New Zealand on behalf of CANZ. I remind again of the encouragement about the time limit five minutes. Thank you very much. Ambassador, the floor is yours.


New Zealand · CANZ [56:26]:

Thank you, co-chair. I'm pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of Canada, Australia, and my own country, New Zealand. We also take the opportunity to thank not only the co-chairs, but the Secretary-General of the conference and your teams for guiding this process. And of course, we also wish to reiterate our sincere appreciation to the co-facilitators and their teams for their tireless leadership throughout this process. Reconciling diverse perspectives is never easy, and we commend you on the submission of the final outcome document. Its adoption by consensus today marks a significant achievement for our shared commitment to financing sustainable development and for multilateralism. We wish to make three points as CANS. First, acknowledging that the context today is very different to that of Addis, we must ensure that FFD4 serves as a catalyst for a leaner, more effective multilateral system, one that mobilizes all sources of finance, maximizes the impact of scarce concessional finance, targets support for those most in need, and delivers tangible progress for the most vulnerable. Second, FFD must incentivize countries' willingness to undertake bold domestic reforms to accelerate sustainable development. At a time when we are challenged to do more with less, generating finance is but one part of the equation. We need to optimize financing flows already in place, including by reducing inefficiencies and fragmentation. while also fostering good governance and building strong institutions and robust fiscal systems. One of the most urgent of these reforms is the transition to green economies and renewable energy systems. We were deeply disappointed that, at the eleventh hour, a greedily language on climate change was removed from the outcome document. This is a difficult concession, particularly for those at the front line of climate impacts. We also wish to put on record that we view the Rio principles as a package with no single principle taking precedent. And our third and final point is that FFD must focus on impact. In this context, we remain concerned about proposals that seek to create new processes, expand institutional roles, or convene new dialogues where existing forums already exist. In our view, this approach overlooks processes already in place and undermines efforts elsewhere, which continue to advance progress in critical areas, such as debt. More must be done to address debt sustainability, but we are not convinced that duplicating processes will produce better results. We remain of the view that a convention on debt risks being ineffective and costly. We are also of the view that any new debt initiatives need to be grounded in clear mandates, avoid fragmentation, and add demonstrable value. CANZ also wishes to recall that development financing is more impactful when it promotes gender equality and empowers women and girls. Regrettably, successive rounds of negotiation weakened references to gender equality and women and girls' rights in the outcome document. CANZ remains committed to empowering women and girls to achieve their full potential. co-chair, as others have said, CANS II looks forward to a productive and impactful FFD in Spain. Thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [1:00:36]:

I thank the distinguished representative of New Zealand, and I will now give the floor to Angola, a distinguished representative of Angola on behalf of the African group. You have the floor, Ambassador.


Angola · Africa Group [1:00:48]:

Distinguished.

Co-chairs, excellencies, I have the honour to deliver these remarks on behalf of the African Group. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of G77 and China. Let me start by sincerely thanking the Co-facilitators and their teams for all their outstanding efforts and unwavering diligence throughout this important process. We acknowledge and appreciate that the line-by-line negotiation process throughout this past month has been fully transparent and inclusive. The African Group support the adoption of the outcome document and acknowledge that it includes action-oriented proposals that tackle numerous priorities for the continent in several important areas of financing for development, including in relation to debt. These include support for the African Union Agenda 2063 long-term development plan, the African Development Bank's SDR-based hybrid capital solution, which has the potential to raise up to $80 billion in low-cost finance, the African Development Fund, technical and financial assistance for the African Continental Free Trade Area and the African Legal Support Facility, as well as the creation of a new regional financial arrangement, to enhance the global financial safety net in Africa, including Africa Financing Stability Mechanism. In the debt section, the group appreciates the inclusion of reference to addressing high debt premium of borrowing countries, especially in Africa, that pay significantly higher interest rates compared to their peers despite similar risk ratings. In addition, we sincerely welcome the inclusion of mandates to establish a platform for poorer countries to strengthen their voice in the global debt architecture, and initiating an intergovernmental process at the United Nations to make a recommendation for closing gaps in the debt architecture and exploring options to address debt sustainability. While the group would have welcomed stronger language on reforming the G20 common framework for debt treatment, and on requesting credit rating agencies to reform their methodologies. We appreciate the overall balanced approach taken by co-facilitators in this section. In conclusion, the African Group is pleased to support this outcome document and look forward to its implementation. I thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [1:03:42]:

Muito obrigado, Ambassador. I thank the distinguished representative of Angola for his statement on behalf of the African Group, and I will now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Philippines on behalf of the like-minded group of middle-income countries. Ambassador, you have the floor.


Philippines · LMG [1:04:02]:

Thank you, co-chair. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the like-minded group for middle-income countries. composed of Armenia, Belarus, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and my own country, the Philippines. The LMG Mix thanks the co-facilitators for their hard work in producing the draft Compromiso de Sevilla and the inclusive process of the negotiations. We consider this agreement a pivotal landmark to finance sustainable development and close the financing gap to achieve the SDGs and implement the 2030 Agenda. The text has a clear recognition and commitment to address the specific challenges faced by middle-income countries, which gives compelling reasons for the elaboration of a system-wide response plan for MICs by the UN development system. The group appreciates the reaffirmation of the importance of ODA, concessional finance, and non-debt creating instruments for developing countries. We appreciate the reiteration of the action in the Pact for the Future for MDBs to present options and recommendations on new approaches to improve access to concessional finance for developing countries, including projects with positive externalities in middle-income countries. Although we would have wished to further unpack these projects with more concrete ideas and action-oriented calls. We also appreciate that the text remains faithful to the commitment in the pact on the development of measures of progress that go beyond GDP to inform access to development finance and technical cooperation. Although we would have preferred that the context of the Beyond GDP metrics and the process to advance its elaboration through the high level expert group be reflected as one package instead of splicing them into different chapters. MIX believes in leveraging regionally driven development cooperation. Hence, we welcome the reaffirmation of the impact of South-South cooperation and its guiding principles. and the calls to enhance South-South cooperation reporting and strengthen triangular cooperation. The group likewise appreciates the commitment to support MIX by modernizing their trade-related infrastructure, expanding logistic network, and enhancing regional trade corridors to reduce trade cost and improve global competitiveness. We also support the encouragement of targeted investment facilities for middle-income countries. This is in line with mixed efforts to strengthen the productive capacity as they transform their economies. The text takes into account the long call for mixed to be included in the current debt treatment mechanism, such as the G20 common framework. This answers for the lack of a specific debt sustainability support service for mixed. We appreciate the move to refine that sustainability assessment. of the IMF and the World Bank by taking into account the impact of climate and nature action. The original formulation, climate and nature risk, would have been more ambitious. We welcome the reference to the work of the expert review on debt, climate and nature, which conveys openness to new information with regard to debt and climate nexus. We appreciate the decision to establish a concrete mechanism to provide support to all developing countries to scale up and simplify the use reference to debt swaps for SDGs, particularly for climate and nature. We hope this creates fiscal space for many MICs to remain ambitious in their nationally determined priorities to contribute to global efforts at protecting global public goods. We welcome the launch of an intergovernmental process at the UN with a view of making recommendations for closing gaps in the debt architecture. We see this as a step in the right direction in making the debt architecture truly inclusive and effective for all developing countries. We appreciate the calls for reform of the international financial architecture through IMF and World Bank reforms on effective representation of developing countries. review of policies on surcharge, the role of SDRs, an increase of quota shares, among others. The group believes we could have done more in terms of definitive actions with clear timelines and to better align the work of these institutions with sustainable development. In conclusion, the LMG mix finds the text to be balanced, comprehensive enough to tackle new and continuing challenges, and sets direction for the multilateral system to deliver on the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs. We are therefore glad to have supported its adoption as a whole and without amendments. Thank you very much.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [1:09:00]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Philippines and I will now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Poland. The floor is yours, Madam.


Poland · EU [1:09:09]:

Thank you, Excellency. Distinguished co-chairs, Excellencies, I have the honour to deliver this explanation of position on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The EU and its Member States have joint consensus on forwarding the draft document for endorsement by the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. However, we would like to put on record that we disassociate from the following two individual paragraphs of the document. First, from paragraph 50F, for the following reasons. Since 2020, creditor countries have aimed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of debt treatments. Although the process has been slow, an innovative approach to working together rather than bilaterally has been fostered. Restructuring agreements are now in place that involve almost 90% of all relevant creditors. Moreover, G20 members recently approved a process to improve the common framework informed by recommendations from a G20 note on the lessons learned from the common framework's first cases, which benefited from direct discussions with African countries organized by the G20 presidency. Existing mechanisms rely on the trust built up over the years between different classes of creditors through a complex process with the independence, expertise, and financing capacity of the IMF and the World Bank at its core. In a world of multiple actors and stakeholders, trust should not be jeopardized by non-consensual resolutions. We highlight the relevant risks that could result from the consequences of this decision, which would foster market uncertainty, reduce predictability, impact the cost of financing for countries, especially from the private sector. All in all, the proposed wording in paragraph 50 would lead to a duplication of existing debt frameworks, thereby complicating practices rather than improving them, and running the risk of splintering and fragmenting the architecture rather than uniting it or filling gaps. All of this would hinder progress rather than promoting it, and this would certainly not be in the interest of the concerned low-income countries. Second, the group disassociates from paragraph 16 in this outcome document. Namely, we regret that para 16, which is tackling climate issues, is not complemented with the principle set out in Article 2.2 of the Paris Agreement, which refers to equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances. Moreover, we would like to express the EU's position regarding other elements of the text on climate financing. From the start of negotiations, the EU insisted on reasserting agreed language, especially from UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, the latest COP29 and the new collective quantified goal. This, colleagues, is our agreed reference framework for international climate finance and it will remain so. On that basis, we strongly regret and express disappointment with the impossibility to rely on this agreed language in the climate change and environment parts. We would like to stress that the implementation of the NCQG requires engagement from all actors. It clearly emphasises the need to mobilise climate finance from all sources, calling on all actors to work together. While paragraph 41B mentions the Baku to Belem Roadmap, it regretfully fails to address the mobilization of all actors to scale up financing from all public and private sources. And this is the only way we will achieve our ambitions. The reference to the ambition in mobilizing climate finance is also missing in paragraph 15, which will obscure its criticality and will not be consistent with the provisions of the Paris Agreement. We request that the EU's disassociation from paragraphs 16 and 50F and their rationale be included in the records of this meeting and report of this preparatory committee. I thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [1:13:27]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Poland for her statement as presidency of the European Union. And I will now give the floor to Palau as chairman of the AOSIS. Ambassador, the floor is yours.


Palau · AOSIS [1:13:42]:

Distinguished co-chairs, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, AOSIS. We align with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of the Groups of 77 and China. At the outset, allow me to express my congratulations to both of you for your astute leadership and dedicated commitment in steering the work of our Preparatory Committee. We also express our appreciation to your experts and to the Secretariat for their tireless efforts, support, and cooperation. Distinguished co-chairs, over the last five months, EOS has engaged constructively and in good faith throughout the negotiations of the outcome document. We engage in the spirit of reaching a substantive, ambitious, and truly transformative global financing framework that will address the deeply entrenched inequities and shortfalls in our international financial architecture. The outcome document, Compromiso de Sevilla, approved by this preparatory committee, while not perfect, provides us with not only a roadmap to address the most pressing financial challenges of our time, but reinforces our commitment towards financing for development in a manner that strengthens multilateralism and inclusivity where it's needed most. In this regard, distinguished co-chairs, allow me to raise the following key points in explanation of position. First, in the 30 years since the recognition of SIDS as a special case for sustainable development, our countries have faced numerous external shocks and crises that have severely constrained or in some cases reversed our development gains. The SIDS situation has unfortunately remained largely unchanged since Addis Ababa. On this note, EOSIS welcomes the inclusion of language in the outcome that speaks clearly to countries in special situations, the LDCs, the LLDCs, and SIDS, and that we commit to address these needs and challenges. We appreciate that together, as an international community, we are continuing to send a clear message that no one will be left behind. AOSIS also welcomes the outcomes dedicated focus on specific issues and challenges facing SIDS, such as support for the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda agenda for SIDS, including the Center for Excellence, the SIDS Debt Sustainability Support Service, the Island Investment Forum and SIDS Data Hub, as well as the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index and improved trade capacity and market access for SIDS. As large ocean states, the inclusion of ocean finance in the outcome also marks a critical recognition of the ocean's central role in ensuring that no one is left behind. As SDG 14, life below water, is the least funded SDG, our efforts to mobilize financial resources for marine conservation and blue economy initiatives will place the ocean as a central pillar of our sustainable development. We are also particularly pleased to see a more nuanced reference to the issue of financial action task force standards and their unintended consequences, as well as the need to address the decline in corresponding banking relationships in SIDS. Distinguished co-chairs, second, at the beginning of this process, EOSIS stressed that this outcome document must not in any way renege, rewrite, or dilute the principles, commitments, and decisions agreed upon under existing legal frameworks, including the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement. It's for this reason EOSIS is deeply concerned by what is becoming a pervasive practice by some delegations to constantly use UN processes to try to renegotiate and reinterpret decisions of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Forum, particularly when it comes to climate finance. It's truly disappointing that we've had to spend the entire process defending the existing commitments under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, only to resort to the bare minimum just to safeguard the integrity of existing obligations and agreements under the UNFCCC Forum. The aspiration for climate ambition requires all states parties to meet their commitments, including those on climate finance, in line with their obligations under the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement, as well as the decisions of its states parties. We need developed countries to honor their obligations and fulfill their financial commitments. Lastly, distinguished co-chairs, on the issue of debt and debt sustainability, EOSIS reiterates that a substantial solution on the debt crises is urgently needed. We welcome that the outcome document contains many forward-looking proposals that will bring some relief to the situation. However, at the same time, we do believe in some areas the document has fallen short. We're disappointed that we did not achieve a stronger call to the G20 to urgently reform the common framework and to expand its support to SIDS. There's also considerable disappointment that we couldn't find an agreement on an international debt convention or a sovereign debt mechanism outright. While this was one of our major priorities, we do appreciate the co-facilitators wise approach that opens the door for an intergovernmental process on debt. We call on all the delegations to seize this opportunity to truly make a global sovereign debt architecture that's more inclusive and more development oriented. In closing, to the co-facilitators of the outcome document, the distinguished ambassadors of Norway, Nepal, Mexico, and Zambia, as well as your experts, EOSIS deeply appreciates your steadfast leadership, seemingly inexhaustible commitment, and tireless efforts in steering a transparent and inclusive line-by-line text-based negotiation. Distinguished co-chairs, EOSF welcomes the recommendation of the outcome document by the Preparatory Committee and look forward to its smooth adoption at the fourth international conference in Seville, as well as its future implementation. I thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [1:19:35]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Palau. And this was the last statement on behalf of groups. And I will now go into the national statements. And I would like to-- I have a list of speakers of 30. Member States to speak and we have one and a half hour until 6 p.m. So I would like to urge you to try to stick to three minutes each. I know there's lots of happiness and enthusiasm, but there are other ways also of celebrating. But anyway, I urge you to try to stick to three minutes. And the first on this At least now it's Cuba.

You have the floor, Ambassador.


Cuba [1:20:26]:

Coach, as I don't have much time, I'll cut down on my speech. Distinguished coaches, distinguished delegations, my delegation would like to align with the statements delivered by Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China and Palau on behalf of AOSIS. We would like to thank the permanent representatives of Zambia, Nepal, Mexico and Norway and their respective teams for their huge efforts as facilitators of the outcome document of the fourth international conference on financing for development, which led to the finalisation of the Compromiso de Sevilla. We highlight the transparency, the development of line by line negotiations and their commitment to the process, which allowed for genuine exchanges between Member States. The adoption of the Compromiso de Sevilla is a stride forward towards a shifting of the international financial architecture and making headway towards fairer financing, which is rooted in solidarity and genuinely geared towards meeting the needs of developing countries. The adoption of this document reaffirms trust in multilateralism against a backdrop where one member state isn't just showing its disdain for the UN, but for international law, the UN Charter and all those multilateral agreements, the goals of which are to bring about the welfare of humankind and sustainable development. We will refrain from addressing the limitations of the document, rather we'll focus on its potential in closing the financial gap as we seek to bring about the SDGs and bring about development in our countries more broadly. With that in mind, we welcome the inclusion of the principles of the Rio Declaration on the Environment and Development, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, for the first time in the FFD agenda. This inclusion restores key political balance to multilateral discussions, recognising that sustainable development cannot be uncoupled from differentiated responsibilities. With that in mind, we reiterate our call upon developed countries to abide by their commitments, not just in the field of climate financing, but also in terms of international cooperation for development. are encouraged by the reaffirmation of the vital role of ODA and call upon so-called developed countries to fully abide by their historic commitments, including the goal of 0.7% of GNI, as well as the recognition of the need to bolster concessional financing components for developing countries. Due to this, following adoption in Seville, we hope that we will see an increase in ODA commitments. We welcome the explicit rejection of economic, trade or financial measures which are unilateral in nature and which are therefore contrary to international law and the UN Charter and which halt the economic development of many countries, including our own. This is a step forward towards acknowledgement by the international community of the detrimental impact of these measures and as such it will be a question which should be given follow-up at the Financing for Development Forum or in other spaces where the implementation of this document is reviewed. Co-chairs, the proposal to initiate an intergovernmental process at the UN to issue recommendations on closing gaps in the debt architecture is a step in the right direction. This is a historic claim of developing countries who for all too long have faced debt crises without just, transparent and inclusive mechanisms for the resolution thereof. This process is a genuine opportunity for all voices to be heard. where sustainable development and the rights of our peoples can be placed above financial interests. Cuba reiterates its steadfast commitment to a systemic and structural solution to the problem of debt and will actively participate in this process. We support the call to democratise economic global governance and strengthen the role of the UN in such matters. This transformation should focus on the interests and needs of the global South. Actions contained in the section on systemic issues should be fostered and implemented. We will do so in a constructive fashion. We hope that implementation of this document will genuinely respond to the needs of developing countries. Thank you very much.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [1:24:51]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Cuba for his statement. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Chile. Madam Ambassador, you have the floor.


Chile [1:25:06]:

Thank you very much, Chairman. I would like to start by sincerely thanking the co-facilitators and their teams for their stewardship throughout this process, which has been open, transparent and has shown real commitment. It has been no mean feat and today the text we are adopting shows that even against a complex against a backdrop full of tensions multilateralism continues to be an effective tool which is able to yield real results. chile aligns with the statements delivered by iraq on behalf of the g seventy seven and china and the philippines on behalf of a like minded group of middle income countries and would like to add the following elements in our national capacity. We welcome the Compromisso de Sevilha, which we think is a politically meaningful and technically robust outcome. The document recognises the structural challenges facing developing countries and draws up a blueprint which bets on more inclusive, effective and action oriented responses. We think it is particularly important to see the explicit recognition of the needs and specific characteristics of middle income countries alongside the commitment to the development of metrics of GDP, which responds to the urgent need to have fairer and more representative instruments which encapsulate the complexities of development. These mentions don't just legitimate the long-held claims held by this group of countries, it's also a robust framework for making progress towards more effective policy. Similarly, we value the push for an effective reform of the international financial architecture, including the call to improve representation of developing countries in debt sustainability issues and we welcome the establishment of a mechanism to broaden and facilitate the use of debt for sustainable development swaps, especially those which are geared towards addressing climate challenges and nature conservation. While we still see major challenges, we note that this document is a sound foundation upon which to build over the next decade. We appreciate the acknowledgement of the urgency of closing the financing gap for development issues. With such limited time remaining to meet the SDGs, the gap between the commitments entered into and the resources effectively available is not sustainable. The Compromisso de Sevilha does not remove that disparity, but it does set forth a more coherent pathway to address it with tools which are better oriented towards a logic of structural cooperation and shared responsibility. Chile welcomes the fact that, despite these complex times, the international community has been up to the task of holding a respectful dialogue focused on shared objectives, which is action oriented. That is the very essence of multilateralism, which we need to breathe new life into. It cannot remain paralysed in the light of differences. Rather, it needs to build itself up around them, despite them, to find collective solutions. You can count on the commitment of Chile to find ambitious implementation of this agreement and to continue to fight for effective, person centred multilateralism. Thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [1:28:21]:

I thank the distinguished Ambassador of Chile. Next, allow me to give the floor to the distinguished Ambassador of Brazil.


Brazil [1:28:32]:

Thank you, dear co-chairs. My delegation associates itself with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China. I begin by warmly thanking the co-facilitators and you yourselves for the tireless efforts and leadership throughout this process. It has been transparent, inclusive, respectful, and guided by a clear bottom-up approach.

That ensured every Member State was heard.

There were no surprises, just careful, patient diplomacy that embodies the best of multilateralism. In particular, we commend the co-facilitators for their skillful navigation of very divergent views. On the substance, as usual, the text reflects a compromise, one that accommodates a variety of proposals and positions. And most importantly, it gives us a document we can take to Seville and later use as a point of reference for our work in the years to come. That said, we must be frank and clear. The document falls short of the ambition required by the moment, which I stress is not the responsibility of the co-facilitators. We are cognizant of the constraints that many developed countries are currently facing. But without meaningful new financial commitments from the global north, the 2030 agenda will remain a promise unfulfilled. This is not to deny or underestimate the importance of domestic resource mobilization, the role of the private sector, and the measures needed to increase them. However, such measures will likely take long to yield the results we urgently need. Meanwhile, again, increased financial flows must move decisively from north to south. Co-chairs, Brazil remains firmly committed to multilateralism, to development cooperation, and to an inclusive and just global order. We will continue to work constructively with all partners to build on the foundation laid in this document. I thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [1:30:52]:

Thank you to the distinguished.

Representative of Brazil. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the People's Republic of China.


China [1:31:04]:

Distinguished co-chairs, China associates itself with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of G77 and China. China commends the leadership of the co-chairs and the host country of the FFD4 PrepCom and thanks the co-facilitators for their diligent efforts in promoting the formulation of the outcome document. China would also like to thank its secretariat for the strong support for the meeting. China has always participated in the consultation process of the outcome document. actively and constructively, striving to bridge differences amongst all parties and committed to achieve a comprehensive balanced outcome document. The draft outcome document reaffirms the commitment to multilateralism, promote international cooperation, emphasizes the implementation of the SDGs, a poor people-centered approach and call for increased support to developing countries and enhance their representation and voice in global economic governance. It respond and It injects new momentums into the implementation of the 2030 agenda. China supports submitting the draft for the adoption by the GA and at the same time, we would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the following points. First, China supports the positive contribution made by individuals and groups outside the public sector in combating corruption and illicit financial flows while emphasizing that such work should be carried out in an orderly manner within the legal framework of each country. Second, the outcome documents should clearly indicate opposition to the arbitrary imposition of tariffs and other unilateral protection measures and takes effective measures to assist countries, particularly developing countries, in addressing the negative impacts. Thirdly, the monitoring and access of the fulfillment of the ODA commitments should be intensified. Relevant measurements standards should be developed through broad consultation and joint agreements. South-South cooperation report should continue to uphold the voluntary principle for China continue to support the reform and improvement of the G20 common framework. However, such reform should be comprehensive and effective and balanced, taking into full account factors such as equitable participation by multilateral and private creditors, stronger creditor assessments and improve information sharing. It should not Any revision of the common framework should be discussed within the G20 and should not be predetermined by the UN. The key of the outcome document lies in its implementation. China stands ready to cooperate with all parties to ensure thorough preparation for the fourth International Conference on Financial Development and contribute to a successful outcome. I thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [1:33:47]:

I thank the distinguished representative of the People's Republic of China. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Colombia, to be followed by Pakistan, Turkey, and Kenya.


Colombia [1:34:04]:

Thank you, Kocher. Colombia welcomes the adoption of the Compromiso de Sevilla, a meaningful landmark for multilateralism at a time when international community faces unprecedented challenges. This new agreement represents a vital opportunity to halt the increasing financing gap for the attainment of the sustainable development goals. The 2030 agenda continues to be our common roadmap and the Compromiso de Sevilla should be implemented with the steadfast commitment of fully implementing it without rollbacks or fragmentation. Before referring to the negotiation process, we'd like to express our thanks to the co-facilitators of this process at this session. In a context of global polarization, this outcome recalls that only genuine cooperation, such as that demonstrated by the co-facilitators, allows us to achieve lasting solutions for humankind's shared problems. Colombia particularly welcomes various major steps forward which have emerged from this process. We welcome the opening of a way forward for climate debt and nature swaps, and this has particular bearing upon developing countries. We welcome also a specific mechanism for supporting countries in redesigning debt for climate and nature swaps, and recommendation for a group of experts on this matter in analysing debt sustainability. We highlight the importance of bringing down capital costs so that there can be clean renewable source of energy in developing countries. which is vital for achieving a fair, sustainable energy transition. We also welcome the inclusion of metrics above and beyond GDP for accessing financing for development, which is a longstanding claim of the Global South. However, we must express our concern about certain critical issues. We regret that the agreement doesn't reiterate multilateral agreements geared towards reducing subsidies for fossil fuels and for making a decisive shift towards more ethical alternatives. We also note with concern the lack of political will we've seen in making progress for viable technical solutions such as changes to special drawing rights for the assistance of the developing countries, which rather than helping these countries actually increases their debt burden. Chair, Colombia reiterates its steadfast commitment to multilateralism and an international order based on equity, ambition and effective action. We urge all the parties to support this document by consensus and to implement it at national and regional level, using their national treasuries and all national departments to make this happen. Thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [1:37:11]:

The distinguished delegate of Colombia. I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Pakistan.


Pakistan [1:37:21]:

Distinguished co-chairs, congratulations. The applause said it all. Multilateralism delivers and it is here to stay. It is the spirit of constructive engagement that makes it work. And let's keep that alive. Allow me to begin by expressing my delegation's most sincere appreciation to the four co-facilitators, our friends, Ambassadors Alicia, Chula, Lok, and Meret, for their dedication with which they led this inclusive and transparent process. It has been a long and arduous journey, but we believe your efforts have borne fruit. Allow me to also commend the tireless efforts of your experts, Rodolfo, Boyd, Kaushal, and Marie, who worked in close cooperation with my own colleague, Alina, and other delegates. Co-Chairs, we align with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of G77 and China, and would add the following remarks in national capacity. The document before us today, while not perfect, represents a balanced, ambitious and action-oriented foundation on which to collectively scale up our efforts to bridge the SDG financing gap and shape a more development-oriented international financial and debt architecture. Pakistan had the privilege and responsibility of negotiating the international development cooperation chapter On behalf of the G77 and China, we take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to all delegations for the flexibility demonstrated during negotiations on this section that allowed us to agree on strong and ambitious language on the ODA, on the role of the UN in international development architecture, and on revitalizing the Development Cooperation Forum. At the same time, Allow me to also express that our delegation was perturbed by the refusal by some delegations to reaffirm commitments and respective obligations under the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement, as well as attempts to rewrite COP decisions. It is unfortunate that in the last phase of the negotiations, rather than collectively enhancing ambition for climate finance, the developing countries felt compelled just to ask for the bare minimum in order to protect the integrity of the existing obligations and decisions. In that context, we express our immense appreciation to the co-facilitators for safeguarding the integrity of work undertaken under the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement in the final text. On the issue of debt, the final document contains far-reaching proposals. While our delegation's preference had been to establish a multilateral sovereign debt mechanism, we appreciate the retention of the proposal for initiating an intergovernmental process for filling gaps in the debt architecture. We believe that the reflection of this proposal in the final text conclusively demonstrates that the Compromiso de Sevilla has indeed delivered on the issue of debt. In conclusion, Allow me to assure all delegations of Pakistan's continuing and full support for the successful adoption of the outcome document at the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. I thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [1:41:08]:

I thank the distinguished ambassador of Pakistan, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Turkey.


Türkiye [1:41:19]:

Thank you, Mr. Co-Chair. Like previous speakers, we would like to begin by extending our sincere thanks to co-facilitators of this difficult task from Zambia, Norway, Nepal, and Mexico, and their teams, as well as the UN Secretariat. We recognize their exceptional work, enormous effort, and dedication, which has kept this important process on track despite the challenging circumstances. Turkey is pleased with the adoption of the Seville outcome by consensus at a time where multilateralism is needed more than ever, UN being at its center. While the global challenges have tremendously increased over the last decades, posing serious difficulties for developing countries in achieving the SDGs, financing gap for development has continued to widen, reaching an estimated $4 trillion annually. Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development has been a decade in the making event where we are expected to establish a visionary agenda for the future of development finance with tangible deliverables. Accordingly, we have hoped its outcome document to be more ambitious compared to what we agreed in Addis Ababa 10 years ago, at when we embraced a blueprint for sustainable development for future. Turkey, with a view to achieving a consensus based tax on the grounds of fairness and pragmatism, has shown utmost flexibility throughout the negotiation process. While we are not fully content with some elements of the outcome document, we have decided to go along with the proposed text of the co-facilitators on almost every except. Yet, despite our constructive engagement in the process, para 28G was not drafted in the way Turkey can support, and accordingly, Turkey disassociates herself from para 28G of the document. Taking into account the fact that the implementation of a global beneficial ownership registry, as noted in para 28g, may pose data security and confidentiality risks, the jurisdictions should endeavour to develop beneficial ownership registries within their respective legal frameworks and continue to share such information in accordance with the context and limitations of existing international legal instruments. For us, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, as set out in the principle seven of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, is key in implementing the outcome document. Thus, Turkey, as a developing country and a reliable development partner in the context of South-South cooperation, stands ready to implement the outcome document of the conference in line with its national circumstances and capabilities, with the ultimate aim of achieving SDGs both nationally and globally. We would like to thank to our chairs of the PrepCom, Pierrezo Burundi and Portugal for steering this complicated journey in due course. Lastly, we wish all the success to Spain as the host of the conference in Seville. I thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [1:44:24]:

I

thank the distinguished representative of Turkey and I now give the floor to the distinguished ambassador of Kenya to be followed by the United Kingdom, the Russian Federation, Argentina, Canada and Egypt.


Kenya [1:44:41]:

Thank you, co-chairs, co-facilitators. Kenya aligns itself with the statements delivered by the distinguished representatives of Iraq and Angola on behalf of the Group of Seven and China and the African Group respectively. Let me begin by joining other colleagues in thanking you and congratulating you for the outcome document. Kenya would like to make the following points. our national capacity first. From the outset, Kenya has regarded the FFD4 negotiations process as a unique opportunity to ensure that today's fiscal decisions and development imperatives do not compromise the well-being of future generations. To us, financing for development is ultimately about building sustainable and equitable financial systems that that address present needs while safeguarding tomorrow's possibilities. Alongside fellow African countries, we hoped that the process would respond to the following priorities of the continent. First, the urgent need for structural reforms to the international debt architecture, the formulation of a just and inclusive global tax system, the robust mechanisms to tackle illicit financial flows, and the transformation of credit rating methodologies that have perennially disadvantaged African economies. We maintain that the meaningful and constructive transformation of these critical areas will determine whether developing countries can create and provide jobs, protect the environment, and invest in their vast youthful populations. Ultimately, these changes will determine whether the future generations are not represented in these halls will inherit a dignified future or a legacy of inequality and exclusion. Mr. Chair, second, Kenya joins fellow African countries in welcoming the inclusion of language that recognizes the need to address the high debt premium paid by African countries. I emphasize We particularly support the commitment to establish a platform that amplifies borrower voices in the global debt ecosystem and the proposed intergovernmental process to explore gaps in the current architecture. While we had hoped for ambitious outcomes, we recognize the value of pragmatic pathway. Third, on climate finance, Kenya joins others in acknowledging the inclusion of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. For Kenya, the cost of inaction on climate change, which is already undermining global development, is simply too high to bear. Finally, Chair, Kenya is particularly pleased with the provision on private sector finance that I included in the text and intends to join hands with other delegations to ensure that these commitments receive the sustained attention they deserve both in severe and beyond. I thank you. I thank the


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [1:48:01]:

distinguished ambassador of Kenya and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom.


United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [1:48:10]:

Thank you, co-chairs. I'd like to begin by extending the UK's sincere thanks to the co-facilitators for their hard work. FFD4 is a once in a decade opportunity to set the direction of financing for development. The conditions today are significantly different from where we were in 2015, and the challenges facing developing countries are stark. That is why going into the process to negotiate this document, we were clear that things needed to change. Through the negotiations, we advocated for and are pleased to see references to increased voice and representation for developing countries and more action to build countries' resilience to shocks through scaling up prearranged finance. This text helpfully highlights the role of the private sector and domestic resource mobilization in financing development. We are also pleased to see the focus on tackling illicit financial flows. Through this negotiation process, there was considerable debate around the role of the UN on debt. Our concern throughout has been to ensure that whatever comes from FFD4 is practical and implementable. And looking ahead, we will want to ensure relevant actors are fully involved and given the opportunity to consider how new processes can be effective, do not duplicate existing work, including in the G20 and Paris Club, and support ongoing reforms. We would strongly advocate for the UN-led dialogue on debt to be situated in the existing annual Financing for Development Forum. We hear the call that much faster progress must be made in improving current mechanisms, including the G20 Common Framework. And to be clear, we thought there was scope for this document to go further on expanding the Common Framework to middle-income countries. On climate and nature, this text dilutes ambition at a time when it is more important than ever, especially for those most vulnerable to climate change. This text does not reflect the approach agreed under the Paris Agreement, which stresses the urgency for all countries to deliver their highest possible ambition in line with best available science and different national circumstances. The removal of this language does not reflect the global consensus we reached in Paris or the summit of the future. Moreover, the reference to principle seven of the Rio principles does not reflect the form of common but differentiated responsibilities that was agreed under the Paris Agreement. We consider the reference to this principle as relevant and applicable in its historical context only. We are also concerned that paragraph 41b and d misrepresents agreed language on climate finance and technology transfers from other processes. We do not consider these referenced paragraphs to set precedent or carry interpretive weight in this or any other forum. All that being said, we are pleased to have been able to reach consensus on this important document. We look forward to Seville and to taking forward the ambition we have collectively set out to accelerate delivery of the sustainable development goals. Thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [1:51:33]:

Thank the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation.


Russian Federation [1:51:45]:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My statement is a means of getting underway with the voting quicker today. But rather, it's a way to avoid a vote today. That's the reason why I will be thankful if you listen to the whole thing. At the outset, I would like to note the serious and the thorough work by the coordinators, and I want to thank them for line-by-line negotiations and for considering the concerns of member states. I also would like to thank all of the delegations for their approaches and their instructive actions. The document that is on our table, it reflects substantial progress considering compared to the Addis Ababa action agenda and it considers the changed realities of global development. However, in joining the consensus, we believe that the outcome document of the Conference is declarative in nature and it is not legally binding. Given the fact that a number of our concerns, specifically on paragraphs 28, 48, 48, 48 were not considered, Therefore, in the implementation of the outcome document, primarily on these paragraphs, there we will act in accordance with Russian legislation and in accordance with our international commitments. We reserve the right to interpret the provisions of the document exclusively in accordance with our national interests, principles, and norms of our domestic legislation. I wish to stress separately that the use in the text of terms and concepts that were not agreed upon by Member States and do not have universal support in the UN, this fact cannot be viewed as a precedent or a basis for the reproduction of those terms and concepts in further work. we are going to provide the following comments interpreting our stance on specific provisions of the text. Paragraph 28g, in accordance with the standards of the FATF, maintaining beneficial ownership registries is one of a whole range of transparency tools. A separate mention of this tool is not appropriate. Furthermore, we do not support the idea of creating a global beneficial ownership registry. That's because its implementation would be extremely challenging given the substantial differences in national systems. Turning to paragraph 48a, we believe that this paragraph does not provide a mandate to revise existing principles of responsible lending and borrowing. Nor does it provide a mandate to develop new regulations in this area. Furthermore, we want to stress the fact that the reasons why debt burdens have accumulated in developing countries is much more comprehensive and those reasons run much more deeper. The reformulation of existing principles in and of itself is not going to improve the situation. Thus, we believe it would be useful to concentrate on principles that were already agreed upon before in terms of creating a mechanism for monitoring and development. Paragraph 48c, we strongly object to the creation of a centralized global debt register, which would involve the disclosure of detailed information on each debt agreement. although right now this information is voluntarily provided by the member states of the Paris Club to the World Bank. We also do not support the proposal to regularly compare data on indebtedness between creditors and debtors. First of all, this comparison is appropriate only when debt is being restructured, and second, the disclosure of the the conditions of debt agreements is against national legislation of the Russian Federation. Paragraph 48 we note that the use of so-called state contingent clauses is a new tool and enjoys limited approval in international practice. We are in favour of continuing to study this experience, but we think it's premature to enshrine it in the outcome document. Paragraph 50a, we disassociate ourselves from the mention of the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable Playbook because the very format of this mechanism is not inclusive, nor does it enjoy intergovernmental legitimacy. 29 and 29. We also disagree with the existing provisions in terms of the broader interpretation of the provisions of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which undermines the principles and obligations enshrined in that convention. In closing, I want to underscore Russia's staunch commitment to the process of financing for sustainable development and express our readiness to engage in further constructive cooperation. Russia is a reliable and responsible partner who, despite the ongoing global challenges, has consistently fulfilled its international commitments. Our assistance is carried out through bilateral cooperation and through multilateral and international mechanisms, including the use of innovative models of financing. The total volume of official assistance coming from Russia is over one billion US dollars a year. We believe that this assistance should not be politicized and in principle we don't tether that assistance to the fulfillment of any preconditions. the main goal of our efforts in ensuring financing for international development is to strengthen international peace and stability and also to support the aspiration of the entire international community to sustainable and comprehensive development of all states. Thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [1:58:54]:

I think We thank the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation. And we still have eight speakers on the list, and for 20 speakers on the list, we would like to encourage everyone to respect the time limit of three minutes so that we can hear as many people, as many delegations as possible. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Argentina. to be followed by Canada and Egypt.


Argentina [1:59:33]:

Thank you very much, Chairman. The delegation of Argentina acknowledges the work of the co-facilitators throughout the negotiation process as they have sought to take into account various visions in the outcome document, which in and of itself is an extensive, complex document which seeks to address various cross-cutting issues of the discussion surrounding financing for development. The Argentine delegation also recognises the work of the co-chairs and the Bureau of this Preparatory Committee, as well as that of the Secretariat over this year of work. Chairman, when it comes to the outcome document to be submitted to the consideration of the conference, the delegation of Argentina will evaluate the various proposals in it in keeping with our country's foreign policy guidelines. The Republic of Argentina embarked upon a new political path under the hallmark of an open market economy, the promotion of investment, strengthening the rule of law, promoting free competition for economic actors and full integration into the global economy, bringing out the potential for added value exports. In pursuance of these national goals, we have sought to ensure that international cooperation plays a central role in resolving common challenges so as to build a more prosperous future on the basis of progress, freedom and development. In this way Argentina seeks to uphold the guiding principles of the protection of life, liberty and private property. Argentina believes that capitalism and free enterprise as the economic system is the only tool at our disposal to ensure that we have development and to put an end to hunger, extreme poverty across the broad and depth of the planet. Chair of the Republic of Argentina recalls that it associated itself from the pact for the future and is of the view that the 2030 agenda for sustainable development is made-up of legally non-binding aspirations which each state, in pursuing its own sovereignty, has the right to interpret and pursue freely. With this in mind, Argentina reserves its national position on those aspects of the document, as well as those referring to climate change and gender. When it comes to gender, we understand this word in terms of international treaties which refer to the two sexes, masculine and feminine, in the context of each society. In terms of climate change, Argentina believes that we should hew to evidence based scientific progress without any form of dogmatism. Chair, as I conclude, Argentina would like to also extend national reservations to all paragraphs which go against the guiding principles of the protection of life, Thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of Argentina. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Canada.


Canada [2:02:53]:

I'm going to be extremely brief, so I'll save you two minutes. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by CANS, and we would like to add some remarks in our national capacity. Canada reiterates its thanks to the co-facilitators and to their team for their leadership and their resolve and their determination to foster a constructive, collaborative and significant process. While Canada was pleased to join consensus on this outcome document, we have an outstanding concern and disassociate from paragraph 50, which seeks to create new processes, encroach on institutional roles, and undermine important efforts that have already been undertaken. We request that our statement be reflected in the records. Canada remains steadfast in our commitment to advancing the financing for development agenda, and we look forward to a positive FFD4 conference in Seville.

Thank you.


Co-Chair [2:03:55]:

I thank Canada, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Egypt.


Egypt [2:04:08]:

Thank you, Mr. Co-Chair, and I congratulate you.

And all delegations here in the room.

Especially our colleagues who spent hours and nights negotiating this difficult document at a very challenging time. It is a testament that multilateralism still works, that we can rise up to the challenge, and that against the backdrop of conflicts and wars, development is still a priority.

We would like to.

Thank the co-facilitators sincerely and their teams for their exceptional efforts throughout the process and for the transparency and inclusivity that has been clearly characterized during, uh, throughout the process.

We recognize that it has been lengthy and challenging, but it has also been impeccably steered. We express also appreciation for the line by line negotiations that have taken place on this important document.

And we would like also to thank the DESA team and the Secretariat for their excellent work throughout the process. My delegation supports the adoption of this outcome document and recognizes.

That it encompasses a significant number of ambitious mandates and proposals in the different areas of financing for development.

It is a well balanced and action oriented document that represents a very good basis on which we can collectively work to scale up SDG financing. The principle of common but differentiated responsibility remains overarching in our work for development and we welcome that this is well recognized in the text. On the issue of debt, we appreciate the inclusion of ambitious proposals and mandates, including establishing a platform for borrower countries and initiating an intergovernmental process at the UN to close the gaps in the debt architecture and explore options to address debt sustainability. Egypt considers that the Compromiso de Sevilla has clearly delivered on debt. On the issue of climate finance, we acknowledge and appreciate the balanced approach.

Taken by the co-facilitators in the final text, including avoiding the reinterpretation of COP decisions.

In conclusion, I would like to.

Reiterate our support for the outcome document and we look forward to its actual implementation. Thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [2:06:19]:

I.

Thank the distinguished representative and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of India. They will be followed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, Switzerland, Israel, Armenia, and Paraguay.


India [2:06:42]:

Thank you, distinguished Chair. India aligns itself with statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of G77 and China and would like to make the following remarks in national capacity. India congratulates the co-facilitators for a comprehensive and timely blueprint for reinvigorating global cooperation on financing for development. We commend the transparent, inclusive and consultative process that led to this ambitious outcome. The document rightly reflects the urgency of action in light of the deepening financing gap for achieving the sustainable development goals, especially in developing countries. India believes that the path to achieving sustainable development must be anchored in strengthened multilateralism, respect for national ownership, and a commitment to equity. We welcome the document's reaffirmation of these principles. We reiterate our belief that international public finance, including ODA, must continue to play a critical role, particularly for countries most in need. We particularly appreciate the recognition of the following: Number one, the need to reform the international financial architecture to make it more inclusive, equitable and responsive to the realities of developing countries. Number two, the centrality of domestic resource mobilization supported by international tax cooperation and action to curb illicit financial flows. Number three, the specific and differentiated needs of countries in special situations, including LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS and middle income countries. and number four, the importance of digital public infrastructure, universal health coverage, education and gender equality as key enablers of sustainable development. The Compromisso de Seville sets the tone for urgent collective action and India looks forward to its formal adoption at Seville. Thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [2:08:30]:

I thank the distinguished delegate of India. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran.


Iran (Islamic Republic of) [2:08:40]:

Thank you, Excellency, for the floor. At the outset, allow me to join other colleagues and then commend your role and your fellow co-chairs for your leadership in all process. My delegation also would like to sincerely thank the -- all co-facilitators for their tireless efforts and their commitment. to the negotiation process and their esteemed team, as well as the DESA and the Secretariat. My delegation aligns itself with the statement and explanation of position delivered by the Republic of Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. The world more than ever needs strengthening global solidarity and multilateral cooperation with the leading role of the United Nations. We welcome the call upon member states to refrain from promulgating and applying any unilateral economic, financial, and trade measures that impede the full realization of economic and social development, particularly in developing countries. USMs are a threat to our multilateralism. Hence, my delegation reiterates that all unilateral coercive measures must be eliminated. Such measures are inhuman and violate fundamental human rights. They not only undermine the principle enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law, but also pose a serious threat to freedom of trade and investment, while violating the right to development, neglecting the priorities of more than two billion people in the affected countries. Mr. Chairman, the Islamic Republic of Iran underscores that this document is a non-legally binding and voluntary instrument. Accordingly, my country does not commit to any provisions that contradicts its national priorities, laws, rules, and regulations. We respectfully request that this statement be reflected in the official record of the meeting. I thank you.


Switzerland [2:10:51]:

I thank the distinguished representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Switzerland. Thank you, Mr. Chair. We thank the co-facilitators for their immense work. Switzerland engaged constructively throughout this process. We would like to make the following remarks. Multilateralism is vital to coordinate collective, fair, and efficient responses to global challenges which are beyond the capability of any state in isolation to cope with. More than ever, efficiency in cooperation for development is essential to maximize the impact of mobilized resources, to respond rapidly and appropriately to needs, and to build trust and accountability among development stakeholders. That is an element that could have been incorporated more. The text provides a major clear signal in favor of combating corruption as well as on asset recovery and restitution, and it quite rightly emphasizes transparency and accountability as pillars of our action. In this context, Switzerland supports the outcome document taken as a whole. While Switzerland recognizes that resolving the question of debt is essential, we regret nonetheless the passage dedicated to that, especially the mention of an intergovernmental process at the UN. Switzerland supports the strengthening of viability, transparency and the management of debt. are committed to an effective framework for debt restructuring on a case by case basis. Nonetheless, we believe that the IMF, the World Bank, the G20 and the Paris Club are capable and have the requisite expertise here. As for the paragraphs on international financial institutions, Switzerland is of the view that the proliferation of processes and the risk of overlap between the UN system and these institutions threaten the effectiveness and the coherence of the international financial architecture. Given scant resources, it is particularly important for the UN to refrain from duplicating existing work, and it is important for it to respect frameworks currently in place. One must also try to draw as well as possible on institutions and platforms that have complementary expertise. In terms of environmental financing, Switzerland regrets that major developments were not reflected in the outcome of negotiations, the principle of common but differentiated responsibility and respective capacities. in light of different national situations. These principles have been implemented and developed since the 1990s. All of the countries that have the means to do so should contribute to the attainment of a collective objectives for environmental financing. But let's look at the future. The conference of Seville will be a key conference for the UN in 2025 and an opportunity to agree on an updated plan for global sustainable development. We are already pleased to be participating in it constructively. I thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [2:14:11]:

I thank the.

Distinguished representative of Switzerland, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the State of Israel.


Israel [2:14:20]:

Thank you, Mr. Co-Chair. We wish to express our appreciation to the co-facilitators for their tireless efforts in navigating a wide array of perspectives to produce a draft that seeks to strike a careful and thoughtful balance. From our point of view, the final draft contains several constructive elements, such as the focus on entrepreneurship and MSMEs. However, we would like to raise a few points that remain of concern and would require our disassociation from. First, certain paragraphs appear to extend the role of the United Nations into domains that lie outside its mandate, sorry, particularly by addressing IFIs and entities in the private sector. We believe such language risks overstepping mandates. Second, as has been our consistent position, we cannot support references to unilateral coercive measures. The divisive nature of this issue is clear. Including such language in a document that aims for consensus is, in our view, counterproductive. In similar vein, Israel maintains its well-established position with regard to references to technology transfer. We believe that the sharing of technology must be conducted on a voluntary and mutually agreed terms, and the text should reflect this principle. This approach is what ultimately enables genuine cooperation and a meaningful exchange of know-how. We would also like to reiterate our position on the proposed framework convention on international tax cooperation. My delegation has voted against prior resolutions on this matter as our substantive concerns, particularly with respect to decision-making process, remains unaddressed. Finally, We wish to emphasize that there is much within this document that does enjoy broad support. We would have welcomed a sharper focus on those areas where consensus exists and where we can work together toward concrete and implementable outcomes in support of development finance and our shared vision for the future. Thank you, Mr. Co-Chair.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [2:16:23]:

I thank the distinguished representative of the State of Israel, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Armenia.


Armenia [2:16:31]:

Thank you, Chair.

At the outset, Armenia extends its congratulations and appreciation to the co-chairs of the preparatory committee for their successful leadership of this process. We also express sincere gratitude to the co-facilitators for their tireless efforts, inclusive approach, and steady guidance throughout the negotiations of the outcome document. Armenia considers this agreement a pivotal milestone that will guide our efforts towards more inclusive, equitable, and responsive framework for financing for development. that seeks to close persistent gaps, strengthen global solidarity, and reinvigorate international cooperation to deliver on the promise of 2030 agenda. As we were pleased with the reflection of the commitments to reform the international financial architecture, scale up development cooperation, including official development assistance, ensure debt sustainability, and increase access to affordable, predictable, and concessional finance for developing countries. We attach particular importance to the commitments to support the countries in special situations, including in infrastructure development and facilitation of inclusive, equitable, and affordable connectivity, building productive capacities, and enhancing access to basic services, especially for LLDCs, in order to enforce their full potential and promote integration into regional and global value chains. We likewise appreciate clear recognition and commitment to address the specific challenges of the middle-income countries. outlining much needed action to support their inclusive and sustainable development. Distinguished colleagues, this outcome document represents a significant collective achievement, reflecting shared resolve to respond to the urgent development challenges through practical and forward-looking commitments. As we move toward the fourth international conference in Spain, we look forward to the successful adoption of the document and call on member states and all stakeholders to embark on its effective implementation and follow up.

I thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [2:18:23]:

I.

Thank the distinguished representative of Armenia, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Paraguay, to be followed by Hungary, Belize, Saudi Arabia, Iceland, Singapore, and Indonesia.


Paraguay [2:18:41]:

Thank you very much, Chairman. Allow me to begin by congratulating both of you for the successful conclusion of our works and the adoption of the outcome document. We value your leadership and spirit of collaboration which has been promoted by you throughout this process. We also would like to extend our gratitude to the co-facilitators of the outcome document for their dedication, commitment and hard work in stewarding these demanding and complex negotiations which have culminated in document which represents aspirations where it was possible to find a common landing zone. Congratulations and thank you. Paraguay would like to align its statement with the one delivered by Iraq on behalf of G77 and China and take this opportunity to stress various aspects of the document on the understanding that the Republic of Paraguay believes is very important. First, in terms of the renewed global financing framework for development, My delegation notes the lack of the principles enshrined in the UNFCCC on climate change and the Paris Agreement, including that of common but differentiated responsibilities as well as equity when it comes to the need to accelerate climate action. We believe that we will miss that reference and that is a particularly sensitive issue, which has been vital in finding international balance and consensus in the field of climate change. As such, Paraguay understands that references to climate actions destined to abide by the objectives of these instruments should be read in conjunction with the guiding principles of climate action, which I have just touched on, ensuring fair, implementation that properly reflects the historic differentiated responsibilities and capacities of developed and developing countries. In the same way, we note that the document highlights the need to accelerate climate action and raise the levels of ambition, but the chapter on international cooperation for development does not include an explicit reference to the need to increase means of implementation for developing countries. We also I believe that the trade chapter is fundamental for development. In terms of the section on trade restrictive or distorting measures, my delegation is of the view that the constructive discussions on measures adopted with environmental purposes, including unilateral measures referred to in paragraph 43, should focus on the detrimental effects that these could have on developing countries and their sustainable development. In conclusion, we would like to express our steadfast support for the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development and we wish to see implementation of the outcome document in a way which is consistent with international obligations already entered into, so as to accelerate development, meeting the specific needs and priorities of each country. Thank.

You.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [2:22:00]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Paraguay, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Hungary.


Hungary [2:22:10]:

Distinguished co-chairs, excellencies, Hungary aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and wishes to add some remarks in its national capacity. First, I would like to express our sincere appreciation and thanks to the co-facilitators for their enormous efforts in guiding the negotiations. Hungary is firmly committed to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda. In light of this, Hungary was pleased to join consensus on this ambitious document as we believe that it is a quintessential tool for delivering much needed additional and timely financing to reach the SDGs by 2030. Nevertheless, we take this opportunity to reiterate Hungary's position that the causes of migration must be tackled at the root and development efforts must enable people to remain in their homes enjoying a safe and prosperous life. Hungary would like to recall its position that migration has no positive impact on including growth and development. For this reason, Hungary dissociates itself from paragraph 32 of the document. In conclusion, we would like to reaffirm Hungary's unwavering commitment to the FFD process and we are looking forward to the upcoming conference in this regard. I thank you. I.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [2:23:28]:

Thank the distinguished representative of Hungary, and I now give the floor to the distinguished ambassador of Belize.


Belize [2:23:35]:

It's sincere appreciation to you, the co-chairs of the preparatory committee, and to the co-facilitators for your leadership and tireless efforts in guiding this complex process. We align ourselves with the statements delivered by Iraq on behalf of the group of 77 and China, and Palau on behalf of AOSIS. The outcome document reflects many hard-won compromises. We believe the Compromiso de Sevilla can and must serve as a springboard for more ambitious, targeted and sustained action, especially for those furthest behind. We welcome that the document reflects broad recognition and support of SIDS and its initiatives. However, the level of ambition still falls short and Belize hopes this outcome document will reignite the political will needed to advance overdue reforms. We further take this opportunity to highlight Belize's position on the following paragraphs of the outcome document. As it relates to paragraph 28a and b on tax cooperation, Belize supports efforts to strengthen international tax cooperation that ensures the equitable and effective participation of developing countries in norm setting processes. We also emphasize the need to recognize the unique capacities and efforts of SIDS as it relates to compliance. While we welcome and support the ongoing discussions on a UN framework convention on international tax cooperation, any commitment should avoid duplication, seek to align with existing commitments on the other tax cooperation frameworks and safeguard national sovereignty and regulatory discretion. on paragraph twenty eight d regarding the implementation of pillar two of the oecd g twenty inclusive framework on base erosion and profit shifting while we acknowledge its significance we wish to stress that small states like belize require tailored impact assessments and enhanced technical support to ensure its implementation is consistent with national development priorities. On paragraph 28 F and G, while we support greater tax transparency, we must caution that for small jurisdictions, public databases must be accompanied by safeguards to ensure data protection, proportionality, and reciprocity, as well as ensure fair treatment and capacity-based timelines for the implementation. We should also carefully consider the feasibility of a global beneficial ownership registry and the demand it will have on small jurisdictions. As it relates to paragraph 29a, Belize fully supports robust regulation and efforts to combat illicit financial flows, but they must be balanced, recognizing the need for transition periods and support for regulatory modernization in developing countries. On paragraph 29b, we acknowledge the role media and civil society play in our efforts to combat IFFS. however to prevent misuse or reputational harm we must ensure that they uphold legal standards for transparency fairness and accountability. finally on paragraph twenty nine we urge that terms like safe haven not be used to mischaracterise jurisdictions that comply with international standards. Colleagues, we know what the challenges are. The gap is not in ideas or solutions. It is in delivery. Let this outcome document be more than words on paper. Let it shape decisions, guide our institutions, and inform policies that adequately support our sustainable development. I thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [2:27:03]:

I thank the distinguished ambassador of Belize, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Saudi Arabia.


Saudi Arabia [2:27:16]:

Thank you, Mr. Co-Chair. At the outset, we'd like to express our appreciation to the facilitators of the negotiation of this document, and we wish the government of Spain every success in hosting this important conference. We, Excellencies, Uh, while the Kingdom is joining a consensus recognizing the immense efforts that went into producing this document, we continue to hold serious reservation, reservations. These concerns are substantive in nature and touch on matters of national policy space, interpretive clarity, and the integrity of international processes. Actually, I have a list of these reservations, but due to the time constraints, I'll pick some of them. On paragraph 27f, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reserves its right to interpret this paragraph in such a way that taxation of natural resources is performed only at the national level to optimize domestic revenues with no prejudice to specific sectors of the economy. In paragraph 27h, we have raised concern over the detailed listing of policy instruments. And with a full respect to national sovereignty, national laws, and regulations, these fiscal policy options may be considered within the broader practice of national fiscal planning that considers competing national priorities. On, on 34F, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would like to register that sustainability is defined within national frameworks, practices and approaches, so does, uh, uh, and, and approaches, so does, so does greenwashing and impact washing. In absence of internationally agreed definitions, national framework should guide the interpretation and implementation of such terms. Regarding paragraph 50a, we believe that the specifics in the text oversteps the process of the common framework, which is subject to creditors committee under the common framework. Encouraging incorporation of temporary suspensions will create a negative incentive for applying to the CF. It also may prolong the process of reaching a debt treatment agreement among official and private creditors and borrowers. Concerning paragraph 50f, We have an existing inclusive mechanism, common framework, and efforts should focus on strengthening its implementation further, avoid duplication of efforts, and not retreat from progress made. On paragraph 51, the Kingdom would like to highlight many sustainability rating practice To highlight that many sustainability rating practices are immature and continue to fail to reflect diverse national approaches to sustainability and climate action on this basis, we consider the references in these paragraphs. to apply strictly to debt and debt sustainability. On paragraph 53, the Kingdom would like to express concern regarding the reference to increasing base in votes. We believe that such a proposal risks undermining the quota-based structure of the International Monetary Fund, which is central to both its governance model and resource mobilization framework. Therefore, the Kingdom reserves on these paragraphs, and we will also be sending a longer version of the statement to the Secretariat for the record. And thank you, Mr. Kocher.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [2:31:35]:

I thank the distinguished representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Iceland.


Iceland [2:31:46]:

Mr. Co-Chair, let me use this opportunity to thank you, the Co-Chairs and the Co-facilitators for the excellent work in steering this complex and challenging process. Iceland associates itself with the statement presented by New Zealand on behalf of Cairns. The document we have adopted today is ambitious and reflects a strong collective commitment. However, Iceland would like to emphasize that it is important that this process builds, where possible, on existing solutions. And we remain concerned about proposals that seek to create new processes or dialogues when there are processes already in place. Existing solutions are not static entities, and it is in our hands to work together to improve them and to make them more fit for purpose to deliver the development outcomes needed. A strong reference to gender equality and women's empowerment is a priority for Iceland, and we would have liked to see stronger language building on the Addis Ababa agenda. Gender equality and women's empowerment plays a key role across all the SDGs, and bridging the gender financing gap is of utmost importance. Mr. Co-Chair, we would also like to express our disappointment that agreed language on climate change was not included in the outcome document. Finally, the lack of reference to the UN Oceans Conference, third Oceans Conference, is also an unfortunate gap in our view. Despite these reservations, Iceland believes that the Compromiso de Sevilla is a strong text for recommendation to ministers in Seville and will be an important element in ensuring financing for development for the future. I thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [2:33:33]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Iceland, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Singapore.


Singapore [2:33:45]:

Thank you, distinguished co-chairs. Singapore aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the G77 and China and EOSIS. As many have noted today, the FFD4 is a landmark process and a recommitment to the 2030 agenda and multilateralism in these challenging times. Singapore expresses its sincere appreciation to the co-facilitators, Mexico, Nepal, Norway, and Zambia, and their teams for the stamina shown these past few months and for their transparency and wisdom in this process. It has been testament to their constructive diplomacy. We now have before us an ambitious and wholly achievable outcome. The Compromiso de Sevilla is a carefully constructed blueprint, a result born from our collective blood, sweat, and tears over the past year. It is ambitious in its vision to transform the international financial architecture, but grounded in the realism of achievable steps. This blueprint charts a critical course, but now we need the engineering to translate these commitments into concrete action. Together, we have called for a healthy suite of processes and deliverables, many of which have been mentioned by others, so I won't name them again. However, these are merely words on paper if we do not actively and constructively engage in what we have called for, both in and outside of the UN. All relevant actors involved in the financial ecosystem must work exactly as that, an ecosystem. Only through our collective dedication can we transform this blueprint building on the FFD outcomes before it into a resilient structure for a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable international financial architecture for all. Singapore is glad to have endorsed this document today and looks forward to engaging actively in the important discussions in Seville to take this FFD agenda forward. Thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [2:35:45]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Singapore. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia.


Indonesia [2:35:55]:

Thank you, Excellency. Indonesia associates ourselves with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China. Allow me to add a few points in our national capacity. We join others to express our sincere appreciation to the co-facilitators of the outcome document of the FFD4 for their tireless efforts and able leadership. as well as the inclusive and transparent manner throughout the negotiation in leading this important process that paves the way to a consensus-based outcome which demonstrates constructive and forward-looking commitments. As we move forward, allow me to highlight two key messages. First, this consensus-based outcome is indeed reaffirmation to our commitment to multilateralism. It will not only demonstrate our commitments to the financing for development, but also help restore much needed trust in the multilateral system. Second, the outcome must translate ambitions into actions. Aspirations alone will not close the financing gap. What we need is a renewed global financing framework that is bold, inclusive and implementable, especially for developing countries. The implementation must enable us to address the financing gap, to advance the reform of the international financial architecture and to accelerate the achievement of 2030 agenda. To conclude, the Compromisso de Seville has established a critical milestone for our future. The outcome must serve as a blueprint to turbocharge our efforts in the attainment of sustainable development by 2030 and beyond, by ensuring our financing systems that are adaptable, resilient and aligned with the aspirations of current and future generations. Indonesia remains committed to continue working constructively with all on the effective implementation of the Compromisso de Sefia by fostering synergy and strengthening solidarity and partnership in ensuring no one is left behind. Thank you, Mr. Chair.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [2:37:53]:

I thank the.

Distinguished representative of Indonesia, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ghana to be followed by the Republic of Korea and Japan. and Belarus. I give the floor now to the distinguished representative of the Republic of Korea.


Republic of Korea [2:38:33]:

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, my delegations would like to express our sincere appreciations to the co-facilitators and co-chairs for their tireless efforts throughout this process. We also extend our deep gratitude to all fellow delegations and stakeholders for their constructive engagement and to the Secretariat for its dedicated support during the negotiations. We welcome the adoption of draft outcome document of the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. The result is carefully balanced text and that reflects the diverse perspectives and shared priorities that underpin our common goals. Our consensus on the Compromisso de Sevilha stands as a testament to our collective resolve to advance sustainable development financing and to ensure that no one is left behind. In particular, my delegation underscores the importance of development effectiveness as a core pillar of our collective efforts, the principles of country ownership, Focus on results, inclusive partnership and transparency and mutual accountability must continue to guide our development cooperation and help maximize its impact. Furthermore, full potential of development finance can only be realized when the unique mandates, capacities and comparative advantages of each institution and actor are fully respected. We hope that today's adoption will serve as a meaningful step forward, a solid foundation upon which the international community can build renewed momentum toward a revitalized multilateralism. Lastly, while my delegation supports the overall outcome document of the outcome document, we are dissociating from the para 50F and request that our position is duly reflected in the record of meeting and the report of the FFP4 preparatory committee. We fully recognize the urgency of addressing debt vulnerabilities, however, we believe such issues are best addressed through existing mechanisms with established expertise. In closing, we also thank the Government of Spain for its leadership hosting this important conference. We wish Spain continued success as it brings this historic gathering to a close. My delegation stands ready to continue our constructive engagement towards successful implementation of the FFD4 outcome. Thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [2:41:02]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Korea, and I will now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Japan. You have the floor, sir.


Japan [2:41:12]:

Thank you, distinguished co-chair.

Japan pays tribute to the co-facilitators, Norway, Mexico, Nepal, and Zambia, for their tremendous efforts in bringing together this outcome document. And we also extend our sincere appreciation for the excellent coordination by the co-chairs of the Preparatory Committee, Portugal and Burundi.

Throughout the Preparatory Committee, Japan has consistently emphasized the importance of domestic resource mobilization and private finance mobilization, as well.

As key sectoral areas such as disaster risk reduction, universal health coverage, peacebuilding, and education. We highly appreciate that these priorities have been reflected in the outcome document. However, Japan must express deep concerns with regard to this document on debt issues. Constructive discussion between creditors and debtor countries based on the debt sustainability analysis of the IMF and the World Bank is necessary for achieving effective debt resolutions. From this viewpoint, Japan has been objecting to the proposal for initiating a new G20 process at the UN, as it would make the debt architecture more complicated and it will not be an effective solution for debt resolutions. Instead, we should focus our efforts to improve the existing mechanisms, particularly the G20 common framework. Therefore, regrettably, Japan must dissociate from paragraph 50F, so we kindly request this position to be reflected in the report of this meeting. Nonetheless, this dissociation does not preclude Japan's engagement with the intergovernmental process as a whole. Japan will closely monitor the process going forward while carefully assessing its future engagement. We will continue to contribute to the predictable, timely, orderly, and coordinated implementation of the G20 common framework. In closing, Japan remains firmly committed to achieving SDGs and protecting human dignity through the human security approach. I thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [2:43:07]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Japan, and I will now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Belarus. Madam, you have the floor.


Belarus [2:43:17]:

Thank you. Mr. Co-Chair, the delegation of Belarus endorses the statement delivered by the Philippines on behalf of the LAC-MID countries and medium-income countries, and we thank the Co-Chairs for their excellent work on preparing the text of the Compromisso de Seville and on stewarding the negotiations. We want to note that Belarus is committed to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and to effective action to ensure financing for sustainable for development and to close the financial gap in order to achieve sustainable development. Having supported the consensus on the text of the outcome document of the fourth international conference on financing for development, we note that the text does contain some references which remain controversial for a number of delegations. In this regard, Belarus reserves the right to interpret the provisions of 28G in accordance with its national priorities and the norms of its legislation. We would like for our position to be reflected in the record of this meeting, and I thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [2:44:31]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Belarus for her statement. We have just heard the last statement. The Preparatory Committee has thus concluded its consideration of agenda item 6. I now invite the Preparatory Committee to begin its consideration of agenda item eight, entitled Adoption of the report of the Preparatory Committee, for which the Committee has before it an advance, unedited version of the report, which will be issued with the document symbol A/CONF.227/2025/4. Unfortunately, the rapporteur of the preparatory committee, Ms. Rodolfo Retta Adad of Mexico, is not able to be present at today's meeting. I therefore invite Ms. Silvia Paola Mendoza of Mexico to introduce the draft report on behalf of the rapporteur. You have the floor, Madam.


Mexico · Silvia Paola Mendoza [2:45:35]:

Thank you very much, co—chairman, distinguished co—chairs, excellencies, distinguished delegates, I'm honored to present the draft report of the Preparatory Committee for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development on the following sections, organization, first of all, one, two, three, and four. The document is before you in A/CONF.227/20. 2025/4. The procedural issues include the following information: Chapter I, report on the organization of the sessions, including sections on opening and duration, officials, the agenda and organization of work, preparations for the conference, documentation and general statements. Chapter two contains consideration by the Preparatory Committee of the draft of the outcome document of the conference and will be complemented to take into account the deliberations of our meeting today. Chapter three refers to actions taken by the Preparatory Committee. This chapter also will be updated to reflect actions taken at the second session. Chapter four refers to the list of participants which will be submitted after the conclusion of the preparatory committee's work. Having introduced the document, distinguished co-chairs, I'd like to present the draft report to the preparatory committee for its consideration. I'd like to request the assistance to the secretariat in completing and finalising the report. I request that the committee support me in doing so. Thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [2:47:37]:

I thank Mr. Mendonça for the presentation. The preparatory committee wishes to approve the draft report as circulated in advance, unedited version dated 17 June 2025, and to entrust the rapporteur with its finalisation. with the support of the secretariat, with a view to its submission to the fourth international conference on financing for development for its consideration and appropriate action. I hear no objection. It is so decided. Now we move to the closing remarks, closing of the work of the preparatory committee. will now hear the closing remarks and I invite the Secretary General of the conference, Mr. Lee Jun-hwa, to make a statement. The floor is yours.


UN · Secretary-General of the Conference · Lee Jun-hwa [2:48:35]:

Thank you, distinguished co-chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. I'm pleased to join you today at this closing session of the Preparatory Committee for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. I would like to express our deep appreciation to the co-chairs for your very able steering of the process. I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to the co-facilitators, the Ambassador of Zambia, Ambassador of Norway, Ambassador of Nepal, and the Ambassador of Mexico. Your exceptional leadership helped us tide over all difficulties and arrived at an ambitious and action-oriented outcome document. I also extend my gratitude to Spain and other Member States whose generous support has been instrumental. I further extend my profound thanks to all Member States and stakeholders for your commitment, engagement and flexibility you have demonstrated along this whole exercise. Congratulations to all of you. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, we meet at a complex moment. Risks to the global economy have increased. Inequalities remain high and economic insecurity is on rise. Higher debt servicing poses serious challenges to SDG investment. Worsening trade tensions could further stifle growth. Financing lies at the heart of solving these pressing challenges. FFD4 presents a rare opportunity to prove the multilateralism can deliver tangible results. A successful FFD4 and strong outcome will help rebuild trust and confidence in the multilateral system by forging a renewed financing framework. Let first reaffirm the credibility, reaffirm the centrality of the 2030 agenda. Second, takes decisive steps to address the financing gap and tackle the challenges associated with a high level of the indebtedness and interest payments. Third, to chart the pathway to align development cooperation with the needs of the most vulnerable at the time of the policy reset and shift. Fourth, foster a global financial architecture that is inclusive and responsive to the national priorities and development needs. The initiatives within the SEVIA platform for action will also be crucial in amplifying the impact of the outcome document. excellencies, dear colleagues, let me end by revisiting the mandate you entrusted to this conference, identifying obstacles and constraints as well as actions and initiatives to overcome these constraints, addressing new and emerging issues, and supporting reform of the international financial architecture. The outcome document compromise of the DSAV that you adopted just now successfully fulfills this important mandate. The outcome that you adopted today once again has made magnificently clear that the multilateralism works for all and delivers for all. It has been an honor and a privilege for DSA to support you in this journey. We count on your continued commitment and leadership to ensure the upcoming FFD4 in Seville is a resounding success. Thank you.


Portugal · Co-Chair · Rui Viegas [2:52:36]:

I thank the Secretary General of the Conference for his remarks and I will now make my closing remarks very briefly. Excellencies, colleagues and friends, on behalf of the co-chairs, let me begin by thanking all of you once again for your active participation and thoughtful interventions throughout this process. Your engagement has been essential in bringing us to this point. A special and well deserved word of thanks to the co facilitators. They deserve it. They have done an excellent job. And the secretariat who assisted us in this process. As we look ahead to Seville, let us recall that the success of this conference and of the outcome document we hope to adopt will ultimately rest on more than what is written on paper. It will depend on our collective willingness as Member States and as stakeholders across society to take forward its implementation with seriousness, ambition and a shared sense of purpose. We are encouraged by the momentum we are seeing in preparation for the conference. The large number of side events registered and the growing list of initiatives under the Seville Platform for Action are clear signs that this agenda continues to resonate widely and deeply. These are not simply add-ons, they are a vital part of the ecosystem that will carry this process into practice. We are also encouraged by the high level of participation expected at the conference. This includes not only Member States, Portugal looks forward to participating at the highest level, but also a broad range of stakeholders whose engagement will be key to the success of the financing for development agenda, from civil society to the private sector, from multilateral development banks to philanthropic actors. Their contributions will be essential in transforming commitments into impact. So let us approach Seville not just as a conclusion of a preparatory journey, but as a renewed beginning. After a well-deserved pause and perhaps some tapas, sangria and flamenco, we look forward to seeing you all there, re-energised and ready to chart the path ahead together. I thank you very much. Closing the Preparatory Committee, a word of thanks also to the flexibility of the interpreters, The work of the preparatory committee for the fourth international conference on financing for development is thus concluded. I thank all delegations for their cooperation and constructive approach and look forward to seeing you in Seville. The meeting is now adjourned. flexibility is just for five minutes