Zambia Leads High-Level Event on Financing for Development at UNGA
On the margins of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, Zambia co-hosted a high-level side event alongside Mexico, Norway, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations Foundation, highlighting the country’s commitment to advancing sustainable development through multilateral finance.
The event, themed “From Commitment to Action – Accelerating the FFD4 Implementation,” focused on implementing the Sevilla Commitment, a landmark framework endorsed by Heads of State and Government in Spain just three months ago. The Commitment provides a coordinated roadmap to bridge the estimated $4 trillion global financing gap hindering the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Attendees included senior global leaders and stakeholders, such as UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, ECOSOC President Ambassador Lok Thapa, Norway’s Minister of Economic Development Åsmund Aukrust, Botswana’s Minister of International Relations Dr Phenyo Butale, and the UK’s Minister of State for International Development Baroness Jenny Chapman.
Representatives from the World Bank Group, including Dr Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director for Development Policy and Partnerships, the International Finance Corporation, private sector actors, civil society, and academia were also present.
Speaking on behalf of the Zambian Government, Honourable Mulambo H. Haimbe, SC, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, emphasised that global financing must complement national development priorities.
He underlined Zambia’s commitment to multilateralism and strategic partnerships as vital tools to achieve transformative outcomes for people and the planet.
The event showcased Zambia’s proactive approach to economic diplomacy, aiming to attract investment, strengthen partnerships, and promote inclusive development. Through its co-facilitation of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development and leadership in this high-level dialogue, Zambia reaffirmed its call for more inclusive, responsive, and equitable financing frameworks that empower all countries to achieve sustainable development aspirations, particularly low-income nations most affected by the global financial system.
