As part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening the global financial system and advancing sustainable development in low- and middle-income countries, UNU-CPR will actively contribute to critical policy dialogues during FfD4.
Through high-level side events, UNU-CPR will address pressing challenges related to sovereign debt, credit ratings and the mobilization of private finance, offering practical insights and evidence-based recommendations for more inclusive and resilient economic governance.
FfD4 is an opportunity to reshape global financial systems and catalyze the investments needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Taking place at the Conference and Exhibition Centre of Seville, FfD4 brings together leaders from Governments, international organizations, the private sector, civil society and the United Nations to strengthen global cooperation and drive meaningful reform in international financial architecture.
High-level side event: accelerating EMDEs investment – the role of credit ratings
In collaboration with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) | 1 July, 12:30 – 14:00 PM CEST
This policy dialogue will explore the disproportionate influence of credit rating agencies on emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs), and how opaque methodologies can constrain development. Convened as part of the FfD4 International Business Forum, the session will examine how credit ratings can be transformed into instruments that promote sustainable finance, supporting ongoing reforms for greater transparency, fairness and long-term financial resilience. Dr. Nicole Goldin, Head of Equitable Development at UNU-CPR, will open the session with framing remarks. She will be followed by a panel featuring UNU-CPR Senior Fellow Dr. Daniel Cash, alongside senior representatives from S&P Global, Moody’s Corporation, Citi, UN DESA and national governments.
High-level side event: mobilizing private finance for development – making SGDs private sector investable
Co-hosted with the Governments of Zambia, Kenya and Sweden, along with UNCTAD, DESA and other partners | 1 July, 14:30 – 16:00 CEST
This session will focus on addressing the persistent gap in private investment across the Global South. It will showcase successful strategies, financing instruments and cross-sector partnerships that can attract private capital to key underfunded sectors such as agriculture, energy and healthcare. The event aims to identify actionable solutions to increase private sector participation in achieving the SDGs. Dr. Nicole Goldin will moderate a panel discussion of high-level and expert representatives from governments, development finance institutions, the private sector and academia on what private finance can realistically deliver for development, and the models and partnerships required.
High-level side event: rethinking debt sustainability to kickstart growth
Hosted by UNU-WIDER, in collaboration with the Boston University Global Development Policy Center and the Chair of the International Committee of Experts for the FFD4 process | 3 July, 12:30 – 14:00 CEST
This session will explore the challenges and opportunities surrounding debt sustainability in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in the wake of recent defaults and ongoing restructuring efforts. It will examine how international financial institutions’ debt sustainability analyses impact countries’ ability to pursue economic growth and sustainable development. The discussion will highlight policy recommendations and financing reforms needed to support long-term, low-cost investment in LMICs. Dr. Nicole Goldin will chair the session, moderating a panel of experts from Governments, financial institutions and academia to unpack lessons from past restructuring processes and explore how rethinking the international financial architecture can better serve vulnerable economies.
Delivering Practical Solutions for FfD4
UNU-CPR’s engagement at FfD4 is grounded in the goal of turning policy commitments into practice. Through its events and research, UNU-CPR will offer concrete tools and policy proposals to address the structural challenges of sovereign debt and unlock opportunities through fiscal reform and data-driven solutions. These contributions are intended to support implementation of the FfD4 Outcome Document and accelerate progress on sustainable development.
Ahead of FfD4, UNU-CPR is releasing a series of papers, Reimagining Global Economic Governance, which evaluates current efforts to improve global economic governance and offers forward-looking perspectives on building a more inclusive, responsive and equitable financial system. The series is designed to inform discussions at FfD4 and guide reforms beyond the conference.
UNU-CPR's broader research agenda continues to address core themes relevant to the conference. Recent publications include:
- A blog exploring the evolving role of official development assistance and offering strategic recommendations for global leaders.
- A report analysing the influence of credit rating agencies within the international financial system, particularly on the Global South.
- A blog advocating for greater UN engagement in supporting Global South countries to navigate the credit rating landscape, an effort that could ease debt burdens and unlock development opportunities.
These contributions build on UNU-CPR’s 2024 flagship report on reforming the international financial architecture in response to reform calls from the Global South.
