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2025 ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development & 4th PrepCom for FFD4
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The ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development will be held on 28 to 29 April 2025, followed by the Fourth Preparatory Committee (4th PrepCom) Session for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) from 30 April to 1 May 2025 at Trusteeship Council, UN Headquarters, New York.
On 28 April, in an exceptional joint effort by the President of ECOSOC and the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Preparatory Committee of FFD4, Ministers and high-level officials will have the opportunity to express their views and foster political momentum for the FFD4 Conference.
The Forum this year assumes added importance and a critical role in mobilizing momentum and concrete solutions for FFD4. Held back-to-back with the 4th FFD Preparatory Committee session, the deliberations of the forum will feed into the discussions on the outcome of the FFD4.
Both events bring together ministers and high-level government officials as well as senior officials of international organizations. Civil society organizations, the business sector and local authorities will also be represented.
The 2025 Forum and the 4th PrepCom will be livestreamed on UN Web TV.
Please click on the category in this Participate page that best describes your organization to find the suitable registration portal.
Programme of FFD Forum and 4th PrepCom
Click here for the pdf version of the FFD Forum programme.
Click here for the pdf version of the 4th PrepCom programme.
Click here for the pdf version of the FFD Forum & 4th PrepCom programme of Side Events or click here to view the Side Events on the UN Journal
Programme for 28th April, 2025
ECOSOC FFD Forum Opening session: Our joint ambition for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development
Chair: H.E. Mr. Bob Rae, President of ECOSOC
Opening and welcome remarks
- H.E. Mr. Bob Rae, President of ECOSOC
- H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
- H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang, President of the General Assembly
Introductory remarks by the Co-chairs of the Preparatory Committee of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development and the Host of the Conference
- H.E. Mr. Zéphyrin Maniratanga Permanent Representative of Burundi
- H.E. Mr. Rui Vinhas Permanent Representative of Portugal
- H.E. Ms. Eva María Granados Galiano, Secretary of State for International Cooperation of Spain
Ministerial fireside chat 2: Mobilizing private investment to drive impact
Domestic and international private business and finance are major drivers of economic growth and job creation. Yet, despite increased emphasis on innovative financing instruments and the adoption of sustainable finance and business legislation, private investment has yet to reach its full promise in financing sustainable development. Unlocking greater private investment requires stronger enabling environments, targeted policy and regulatory reforms at both national and global levels, and enhanced risk-sharing instruments to incentivize investments that prioritize sustainable development impact.
This session will explore the key barriers to private investment in sustainable development and the policies, partnerships, and financial instruments needed to unlock greater capital flows.
Framing questions:
- What key policy frameworks are needed at the national and global levels to attract and scale up private investment in sustainable development?
- What steps need to be taken to make blended finance more effective in attracting private capital that maximizes sustainable development impact?
- What actions or incentives can countries take to align investment with the SDGs, accelerate sustainable development investment strategies and deploy innovative financing instruments to mobilize resources for the SDGs?
Chair: ECOSOC President/Vice-President
Moderator: Mr. Claver Gatete, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa
- H.E. Mr. Jozef Síkela, Commissioner for International Partnerships, European Commission
- H.E. Ms. Diana Janse, State Secretary for International Development Cooperation
Swedish, Sweden - H.E. Ms. Tatiana Rosito, Secretary for International Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Brazil
Civil society response from the floor (2 minutes)
Ministerial interactive discussion
Programme for 29th April, 2025
Closing of the Forum
Chair: President of ECOSOC
- Closing remarks by Ms. Amina Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary General
- Closing statement by the President of ECOSOC
Dialogue with Senior Representatives of the WBG and IMF
- Chair: H.E. Mr. Bob Rae, President of ECOSOC
- Mr. Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director, The World Bank Group [virtual]
- Mr. Bo Li, Deputy Managing Director, IMF
Special High-level Meeting with Bretton Woods Institutions, WTO and UNCTAD
Chair: H.E. Mr. Bob Rae, President of ECOSOC
10:30 – 10: 45 Opening Remarks by intergovernmental representatives
- H.E. Dr. Ryadh Alkhareif, IMFC Deputy Chair, IMF (confirmed)
- Representative of the Development Committee (tbc)
- H.E. Mr. Paul Bekkers, President, Trade and Development Board, UNCTAD (video message)
- H.E. Mr. Ambassador Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel, Chair of WTO General Council (tbc)
Interactive Dialogue between UN Permanent Representatives and the Executive Directors of the World Bank Group and IMF
10:45 – 11:40 Topic 1: The IMF’s Contribution to Financing for Development Agenda: Its Role in strengthening global macroeconomic and financial stability – a deep dive
The IMF has a strong role in helping countries maintain or restore macroeconomic and financial stability and implement sound policies that support sustainable and inclusive growth.
- What lessons can be learnt from the IMF’s continued policy advice, capacity development and lending efforts to support countries facing balance of payment needs?
- What past and current country examples would participants emphasize in highlighting the Fund’s support for strengthening countries’ macroeconomic frameworks, which are essential for sustainable development?
Speakers
Moderator: Veda Poon, IMF Liaison Committee Chair
- Discussant: Member State
- Discussant: Stakeholder - CSO
- Executive Director, IMF
- Interactive discussion: Questions/comments from the floor
11:40 – 12:35 Topic 2: The WBG’s Contribution to Financing for Development Agenda Reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development
Over the last 20 years, WBG’s annual financing grew fivefold to $120 billion in 2024, driven by shareholder support, capital framework reforms, and IDA financial transformation. The WBG Evolution has further expanded lending headroom, enhanced efficiency, introduced a new scorecard, and strengthened partnerships.
- Over the next years, what are the priorities the WBG should focus to further increase its effectiveness and development impact? How should knowledge contribute to this?
- In the new global context, what are the most realistic and effective avenues to further increase financial resources for development and emerging countries?
- Which specific sectors and structural reforms should the WBG focus on when providing advice and financial support to client countries?
Speakers
Moderator: Mr. Matteo Bugamelli, Dean, Board of Executive Directors, The World Bank Group
- Discussant: Member State
- Discussant: Stakeholder - CSO
- Executive Director, WBG
- Interactive discussion: Questions/comments from the floor
12:35 – 12:45 Summary remarks
- Mr. Matteo Bugamelli, Dean, Board of Executive Directors, The World Bank Group
- Ms. Veda Poon, Chair, Liaison Committee, IMF Executive Board
Programme for 1st May, 2025
Mobilizing Private Finance
Programme
Panel discussion 7 on specific actions in the first draft of the outcome document on ‘II.B. Domestic and international private business and finance’
Introductory remarks and moderation
H.E. Ms. Merete Fjeld Brattested, Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations
H.E. Mr. Chola Milambo, Permanent Representative of Zambia to the United Nations
Panelists
Mr. Ramon Boone, Ministry of Finance, Belgium
Mr Anthony Swan, Director, Development Finance and Economics, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia
Discussants
Mr. Thomas Beloe, Director, Sustainable Finance Hub, UNDP
Interactive discussion (2-minute time limit)
Background and Guiding Questions
Private business activity, investment, and innovation have acted as significant drivers of sustainable development since the adoption of the Addis Agenda. Nonetheless, global investment growth has decelerated in recent years. Despite increased attention to innovative finance instruments such as blended finance and the growing adoption of sustainable business and finance legislation, investment in sustainable development has fallen short of expectations, nor have companies and investors adequately prioritized sustainable development.
The first draft of the outcome document commits to actions to address key barriers: underdeveloped financial and capital markets in many developing countries; insufficient access to concessional and affordable finance, particularly for women, marginalized groups, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises; and the continued misalignment between short-term financial incentives and long-term sustainable development impact. Actions include enhanced capacity support, and adoption of policy frameworks and incentives for sustainable private investment at national and global levels.
Panelists in this session are invited to pay particular attention in their interventions on the proposals on SME and local currency financing, on private capital mobilization for sustainable development impact and standardization of relevant instruments, and on the business case for sustainable business and finance and relevant regulations. They are invited to address the following questions:
- What practical steps can be taken to strengthen domestic financial markets and local economies - including local banks - to expand MSMEs’ access to affordable credit, particularly in developing countries? (action 27g)
- How can the availability of local currency lending be increased to mobilize additional private capital for sustainable development, and what role should MDBs and DFIs play in scaling these efforts, including in improving impact? (action 28l, 31n)
- How can innovative financing mechanisms (e.g. blended finance, impact investment, and thematic bonds) be scaled and made more accessible to investors, to support sustainable development investment? (action 28g)
- How can governments and regulators build the right enabling environments and regulatory frameworks for sustainable business and finance, in alignment with both national development priorities and international standards for cross-border investment? (action 29 d-g)