麻豆传媒

Mr. President,
Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues,

I thank you for this opportunity to address the 2025 Development Cooperation Forum. [And] Mr. President, I thank and commend you for keeping the LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS high on your presidency’s agenda.  

This Forum convenes at a pivotal moment. Geopolitical tensions are escalating, economic uncertainties are deepening, and the world faces interlinked crises - from persistent poverty to climate shocks, and growing debt vulnerabilities. 

The 2030 Agenda remains our blueprint for global development cooperation, yet we are far off track. Widening financing gaps and political fragmentation threaten progress on the SDGs, particularly for the most vulnerable countries - LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS. 

And the numbers speak for themselves.  

?    Extreme poverty in LDCs rose from 32% in 2019 to 35% in 2022. 
?    Half of the world’s poorest 30 countries are landlocked. 

?    Public debt in LDCs surged by 50% since the pandemic, reaching 54% of GDP by 2023.  11 LLDCs are already in or at high risk of debt distress. 40% of SIDS face similar challenges.

?    FDI flows to these countries remain woefully low, accounting for about 5% of global FDI collectively for these countries.

?    And, despite a recent rise in ODA, disparities in allocation persist, leaving many vulnerable countries behind.

?    And, the digital divide continues to widen, restricting access to transformative technologies that could drive sustainable growth. Only 33% and 39% of the LDCs and LLDCs, respectively, are online. 

Excellencies, 

If we are serious about ‘leaving no one behind’, we must enhance the quality, effectiveness, and impact of development cooperation, especially to these countries in special situation. 

Let me outline five critical priorities: 

First, it will be critical to fulfill ODA commitments and expand access to concessional finance, to ensure economic stability, climate resilience and human development in these countries.  

Developed countries must meet the 0.7% ODA/GNI target and ensure at least 0.2% for LDCs. 

Further, the decline in grant-based financing is alarming. Grants and concessional loans must remain central to prevent further debt distress. In this regard, the MVI would be a useful instrument, especially to ensure enhanced access to concessional financing.

Second, it is imperative to tailor development cooperation to the needs of vulnerable countries and ensure national ownership. 

Development cooperation must be responsive, predictable, and aligned with national priorities. 

 
Third, it is critical to ensure high-impact cooperation that reaches those most in need.

LDCs, LLDCs and SIDs face structural constraints that require targeted investments. Development cooperation should tackle the priority areas of the Programmes of Action of LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS to ensure limited resources reach the most in need and drive catalytic impact on sustainable development. 
 
Flagship initiatives such as the International Investment Support Centre for LDCs, the Infrastructure Investment Financing Facility for LLDCs, the SIDS Center of Excellence need sustained financing, capacity building, and technology transfer to succeed.

Fourth, recognizing the specific realities of fragile, conflict-affected, and climate-vulnerable countries is highly important. 

Over half of the 44 LDCs are in conflict or post-conflict situations. A third of LLDCs are fragile states. For SIDS, climate vulnerability poses an existential threat.

These realities demand adaptive financing models, crises responsive mechanisms, and more concessional resources -including grants, low-interest loans, and debt-relief. Blended finance and de-risking mechanisms can help bridge adaptation finance gaps.  

Finally, we cannot stress enough the importance of strengthening aid effectiveness through national-level reforms. 
To maximize impact, development cooperation must support institutional, policy and financial management reforms. 

Stronger public financial management systems will improve the tracking, allocation, and reporting of aid flows, ensuring that resources reach those who need them most. Peer learning and capacity building must also be scaled up.

Excellencies, 

As we approach the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, your discussions and recommendations will be critical in shaping an ambitious and forward-looking outcome. This once-in-a-decade opportunity must build on the momentum achieved so far to drive tangible progress.

Your insights will help refine our collective understanding of how development cooperation can be more effective, responsive, and fit for purpose in addressing the evolving needs and structural challenges of developing countries.

In an era of constrained development assistance, we must make a compelling case for scaling up and improving financing for the most vulnerable. The lives and livelihoods of millions in LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS depend on it.

This requires a reformed development cooperation architecture - one that is inclusive, responsive, and aligned with the needs of those most at risk.

Vulnerable countries must be at the center, supported by partnerships that deliver real and lasting impact. 

I wish you a productive and successful meeting.

I thank you.