SECOND INTERSESSIONAL OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT (FFD4)
Statement on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand (CANZ)
Delivered by H.E. Mr James Larsen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
5 May 2025
Thank you, Ambassador, good morning excellencies, colleagues,
I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of Canada, New Zealand and my own country Australia.
Let me begin by reiterating CANZ’ sincere appreciation to the co-facilitators for your ongoing dedication and hard work in leading negotiations on the FFD4 outcome document.
We recognize the challenge of reconciling such a wide variety of perspectives and interests. You can count on our collaboration to identify a path that will guide your efforts towards a successful FFD4 in Seville, and beyond.
I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate three key points for FFD4.
First, FFD4 must drive a lean and effective multilateral system, demonstrating effective use of scarce concessional resources for sustainable development and building an irrefutable case for benefiting the most vulnerable and the most in need.
Second, FFD4 needs to back countries willing to undertake difficult domestic reforms to enable progress on clear and identifiable pathways to sustainable development. This includes highlighting the importance of domestic policy reform to achieve sustainable development. Scarce concessional resources should be used sparingly to unlock much larger sources of financing to meet SDG financing gaps, including from domestic and private sources.
Third, FFD4 must focus on impact. Aspirations have their place, but if they are too lofty, they will never be realized. Pragmatic actions, implemented steadfastly and consistently, will yield results. By taking a holistic approach, we can undertake steps to address both immediate financing needs and enable longer-term, transformative policy actions.
Applying a holistic approach also encourages us to harmonize initiatives and optimize existing mechanisms to avoid costly duplication and further fragmentation. We are concerned with the number of proposals in the outcome document which seek to create new processes, expand roles beyond mandates, and organize additional meetings or events to host discussions which are already taking place across other forums.
We are of the view that a successful FFD4 will seek to streamline efforts and promote alignment and collaboration across sectors.
CANZ remains committed to supporting an action-oriented outcome document and looks forward to working with all of you towards FFD4 outcome that reflects our shared interest to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, builds on progress achieved since the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and leaves no one behind.
Thank you.