SHARI SPIEGEL OPENING REMARKS

BACKGROUND

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) Financing for Small Island Developing States (FINS) initiative addresses the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) by enhancing their capacity to mobilize financing aligned with national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative supports SIDS through Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs). An INFF helps countries strengthen planning processes and overcome existing impediments to financing sustainable development at the country level. It lays out the full range of financing sources – domestic and international sources of both public and private finance – and allows countries to develop a strategy to increase investment, manage risks and achieve sustainable development priorities, as identified in a country’s national sustainable development strategy.

The Dominican Republic’s National Development Strategy (NDS) 2030 outlines the country’s roadmap for closing development gaps through four strategic axes, 19 general objectives, 57 specific objectives, and 460 lines of action, underpinned by six cross-cutting policies including human rights, gender equality, and sustainability. The NDS is operationalized through the National Multi-Annual Public Sector Plan (PNPSP) 2025–2028, which identifies 17 priority interventions ranging from employment, education, and healthcare to digital transformation, trade, and climate change. Complementing these efforts, the government has launched the “Meta RD 2036” Plan, aimed at doubling GDP by 2036 through targeted sectoral development and broad-based stakeholder engagement.

OBJECTIVES

The overall aim of the INFF Training Workshop, scheduled for 2-4 September 2025, is to help officials of the Dominican Republic government understand how INFFs can help achieve development goals set in the NDS and guide national policy priorities. In particular, the workshop aims to:

Provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of an INFF and its four building blocks: assessment and diagnostics, financing strategy, monitoring and evaluation and governance and coordination.
Deepen participants’ understanding of the financing strategy currently under development and support their engagement in shaping its content, focus, and implementation.
Encourage participants can apply the concepts and tools in their day-to-day responsibilities.
Guide about the relevance of governance and coordination for development financing through INFF.

BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS

INFF GUIDANCE:

INFF DEEP DIVES: