51吃瓜

Amb. Lok Bahadur Thapa
Amb. Antonio Manuel Lagdameo
Amb. Chola Milambo, 
USG Li Junhua,  
Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues,

We are very pleased to organize this event with the Permanent Missions of Nepal, the Philippines, Zambia, and UN DESA/FSDO, on aligning international development cooperation with country needs and priorities.

The event's theme is very relevant.  We are in the midst of multifaceted global crisis, yet financing gap for SDGs is widening.  With the 2030 fast approaching, recalibrating development cooperation is more urgent than ever before.

Excellencies,

The 92 most vulnerable countries - the LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS -face immense structural challenges. Economic shocks, mounting debt, and geopolitical tensions compound their vulnerabilities. Climate change adds another layer of crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic reversed hard-won progress. Extreme poverty in LDCs rose from 32% in 2019 to 35% in 2022. 

Debt levels are alarming. Median public debt in LDCs surged to 56% in 2022; while 40% of SIDS are now in debt distress.  And about a third of the LLDCs are facing serious debt challenges. 

For many, debt servicing exceeds critical investments in health, education, and climate resilience. 

Food insecurity is another pressing challenge.  60% of LDC populations face hunger. By 2025, 258 million people could experience acute food shortages. And over half of the population in the LLDCs - 58% - face moderate to severe food insecurity.

Meanwhile, development financing remains grossly inadequate. The SDG financing gap in developing countries has reached $4 trillion annually, with LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS facing acute shortfall. 

ODA commitments remain below target, and alignment with country priorities is insufficient.

Excellencies,

To address the ongoing and emerging challenges, we must ensure that development cooperation is responsive, predictable and effectively aligned with national priorities. Allow me to highlight a few specific points: 

First, fulfilling the ODA commitments is crucial. Meeting the 0.7% ODA/GNI target, with at least 0.2% allocated to LDCs could mobilize over US$ 100 billion annually. Equally important is to increase concessional finance for the LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS.  The MVI can be a useful tool in this regard.  

Debt also remains a critical challenge requiring a comprehensive solution. The SIDS Debt Sustainability Support Service (DSSS) has the potential to drive meaningful change. Expanding its scope to include LDCs, LLDCs, and other vulnerable developing nations would further strengthen global efforts toward sustainable debt management.

Second, strengthening alignment with national priorities is essential. Development cooperation must be country-led, with robust mechanisms for inclusive dialogue. The DPOA commits to ensuring ODA commitments with LDCs’ national priorities.   Studies show that this can enhance effectiveness by 2-3 times. This is also true for LLDCs and SIDS.

Third, enhancing predictability and long-term partnerships is necessary. We must move away from short-term, project-based aid towards long-term, programmatic approaches that ensures stability and sustained impact.  Innovative financing solutions must be explored.

Fourth, reducing fragmentation will enhance efficiency. Expanding pooled funds and strengthening country-led coordination can reduce transaction costs, which consume up to 30% of aid flows in fragmented environments. 

Finally, increasing budget support to country systems can strengthen institutions and enhance sustainability. This approach can improve public financial management and service delivery.

Excellencies, 

FFD4 offers a critical opportunity to drive these reforms. We must ensure that development cooperation is fit for purpose - anchored in country needs, effectively delivered, and capable of accelerating SDG progress. 

We stand ready to support your efforts to build a more effective, inclusive, and sustainable development cooperation framework - one that truly responds to the challenges faced by the LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS.

These three groups of countries have their dedicated POAs which need urgent and collaborative efforts for implementation by all stakeholders, at all levels – national, regional and global.  My Office has taken specific measures to ensure that these POAs are strongly aligned with their national plans and priorities, as well as in the strategic priorities of the UN development system.   

I am very pleased to see that the zero draft of the FFD4 have recognized the enhanced financing needs of these countries, including the priorities outlined in their POAs.   We must not forget, that we cannot win the battle of SDGs without first making progress on the ground in these countries. 

I thank you all.