[Video Message]
Distinguished co-chairs,
Stakeholder Representatives,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I congratulate you on the successful convening of this multi-stakeholder hearing in preparation for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development.
I commend you, co-chairs, for your initiative and leadership in steering an inclusive FFD4 preparatory process.
I also extend my warmest welcome to all the stakeholders present today.
I am encouraged by the diversity of your delegations. You represent the breadth of stakeholders, including international organizations, national development banks, CSOs, academics, private companies, foundations and philanthropic organizations.
As we prepare for FfD4 and its outcome document, we must harness the full potential of the diverse opinions from the dynamic ecosystem that you represent.
Time and again, I have witnessed the enormous impact stakeholders have made in global policymaking and delivery on the ground.
You have overcome obstacles and found innovative solutions in the communities you represent.
We need to be informed by your front-line knowledge, creativity and persistence.
We need your support to inform governments on actions to take.
We count on your ability to mobilize communities and shape effective financing strategies that prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable.
Your voice matters.
Member States have taken note. The General Assembly, in its FfD4 modalities resolution, stressed “the importance of the effective participation of all relevant stakeholders in the Conference and its preparatory process.”
The hearing today aims to do just that.
Dear colleagues,
The success of FFD4 will be measured by the ambition of its outcome and what it delivers to countries and people, particularly the most vulnerable.
We have a strong foundation. The Pact for the Future reflects the collective desire of Member States to advance financing for development and reform the international financial architecture.
The Pact has tasked the Secretary-General to advance the SDG stimulus with urgency; explore new approaches to access concessional finance; review the sovereign debt architecture and engage credit rating agencies. It calls on able countries to rechannel at least half of their SDRs, including through MDBs, and calls on the IMF to explore additional uses for SDRs in response to future shocks, including automatic issuances and rechannelling.
Fulfilling these mandates demands closer collaboration among stakeholders. And it demands a bold and ambitious outcome at FFD4, built on the pact for the Future. Your ideas and experience can help to get us there.
I wish you fruitful deliberations.
Thank you.