Distinguished Delegates,
Dear Colleagues,
It is my pleasure to join this side event on technical assistance and capacity-building for development finance, organized by OECD and Portugal at the margins of 2nd FfD4 PrepCom.
The elements paper being discussed this week underlines the importance of this critical topic.
Reflecting the calls from Member States and stakeholders for strengthened capacity support, the elements paper includes proposals to enhance capacity-building across the action areas of the Addis Agenda.
It reiterates a clear request of developing countries to strengthen their capacity to access development finance.
It also reflects the importance of ensuring that capacity-building and technical assistance is tailored to specific country needs and priorities.
At the UN, we believe that Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs) can support governments to identify gaps in resources and capacities, and to articulate clear asks for support.
This will help ensure coherence and alignment of international support with country-determined needs and priorities.
Our experience with INFFs reveals that countries seek support for innovative instruments, such as sustainability bonds or debt swaps to mobilize resources for SDG investments.
There is a demand for such capacity support, and to deliver it at scale.
The elements paper for the FfD4 outcome proposes establishing a facility ¨C or strengthening an existing facility -- to provide systematic support for countries in using innovative instruments and in proactively managing their debt portfolios to align with sustainable development considerations.
I urge you to consider how FfD4 can advance this agenda and encourage a concerted effort to enhance sustainable development prospects globally.
Thank you.