The ECOSOC Financing for Development Ministerial Forum (28–29 April 2025) and the Fourth Preparatory Committee Meeting for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (30 April–1 May 2025, New York) have concluded, marking another step forward in the global Financing for Development process.
Greece was represented at both meetings by Ms. Eleni Nikolaidou, Deputy Director-General of the General Directorate for Development and Humanitarian Aid of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
These two international meetings, which saw broad participation by a majority of UN Member States, constitute the final sessions ahead of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), to be held in Seville from 30 June to 3 July 2025.
ECOSOC Financing for Development Ministerial Forum
Key themes of the Ministerial Forum included:
Reducing borrowing costs and promoting development-oriented debt solutions
Mobilizing private investment
Revitalizing development cooperation
Leveraging trade and technology for sustainable development
Investing in data to accelerate development
High-level Special Meeting with the Bretton Woods institutions, the WTO, and UNCTAD
The contribution of the World Bank Group (WBG) to the development financing agenda, poverty reduction, and the promotion of sustainable development
4th Meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4)
During the meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, discussions continued on the thematic areas of the draft Outcome Document.
The Co-Chairs of the Preparatory Committee, Mr. Zefirín Maniratánga (Burundi) and Mr. Roúi Vínias (Portugal), stressed the need for compromise among UN Member States in order to make progress on the text. They also welcomed the participation of relevant stakeholders from civil society and the private sector, and called for dialogue, flexibility, and determination to overcome the remaining challenges in the document.
On behalf of Greece, Ms. Nikolaidou, in her national intervention, noted that private financing has not met expectations in terms of making a meaningful contribution to the achievement of the SDGs. She emphasized the need to establish risk mitigation mechanisms and to create enabling business environments in developing countries.
She also made extensive reference to the national project “GR-Eco Islands Initiative”, which promotes public-private partnerships for the sustainable development of Greek islands and the advancement of renewable energy sources.