UN General Assembly
2025

Madam President, From five years to the year 2030, only 17% of SDGs are on track. We also note that several developing countries remain fiscally constrained in directing sufficient resources towards SDGs on account of increasing debt burdens, highlighting the need to strengthen mechanisms for resolving debt crises. Against this backdrop, Zambia was privileged to have co-facilitated the outcome document of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, which unanimously adopted the Sevilla Commitment. This outcome has renewed global consensus to close the $4 trillion annual SDG financing gap. It is now time to move from commitments to action. We call on all nations, development banks and the private sector to align their policies and investments with the SDGs. Official development assistance, a lifeline for less developed countries, must be protected. There is a need to scale up domestic resource mobilisation, embracing innovative financing mechanisms, tackling illicit financial flows and promoting private sector involvement. Madam President, for too long the current international financial architecture has perpetuated structural inequalities, particularly for developing countries.