Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Welcome to the Fourth Session of the Preparatory Committee for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development.
With just two months until we gather in Sevilla, I deeply appreciate the remarkable level of ministerial participation and engagement from capitals, demonstrated throughout this dynamic preparatory process. Your active participation is a testament to our shared commitment in shaping a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable global financing framework.
We meet at a complex moment. Rising tariffs, trade barriers, severe aid budget cuts among major donor countries, and persistent systemic challenges have threatened hard-won development gains. Climate change, economic instability, deepening inequalities, and geopolitical tensions are exacerbated, and multilateralism itself is under strain.
In this context, we urge the highest level of participation in Sevilla. Our objective is not limited to achieving an ambitious outcome but embraces collective displays of action through initiatives in the Sevilla Platform for Action, and the multitude of commitments, proposals and projects that will be presented in the plenary, multi-stakeholder round tables, and hundreds of side events.
Commitment is demonstrated through the robust and meaningful participation of diverse stakeholders, and critically, our determination to implement the Sevilla outcome.
Over the past two days, under the auspices of the ECOSOC Financing for Development Forum, ministers and senior officials from Member States and international organizations have engaged in a candid, action-oriented dialogue. This valuable exchange provided an opportunity to address the pressing financing challenges and policy gaps that must be tackled to accelerate our collective progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Today and tomorrow, we have a valuable opportunity to build on these discussions, with the enduring goal of catalyzing bold and decisive measures that deliver transformative, lasting results.
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
As the second intersessional consultations approach later this week, this 4th Preparatory Committee session offers a timely opportunity for dialogue to constructively inform and nurture the negotiation process.
We must envision a world where development delivers. One where the global financing architecture is attuned to countries¡¯ specific needs and priorities. One where developing countries are fully integrated into global trade and are empowered to absorb and apply emerging technologies through trade and innovation.
We must envision a future where international private finance meaningfully support public goals. This alignment requires innovative instruments such as blended finance with development impact at its core and sound regulatory frameworks, while fairly sharing risks and rewards.
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
At a time when unmet financing needs for the SDGs and climate action are estimated in the trillions of dollars annually, our conversations must move beyond dialogue to bridging solutions and concrete actions. We have no time to spare. The urgency grows with every missed opportunity to deliver development.
Let us seize this moment ¡ª not only to exchange ideas, but also to forge bold commitments, embrace innovative solutions, and foster renewed partnerships capable of delivering transformative and lasting impact.
Thank you.