UN Secretary-General: Financing for Development Is About More Than Economic Progress

Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the opening session of the 2026 ECOSOC forum on financing for development follow-up in New York, in April 2026: This Forum marks the first major gathering on financing for development since Member States adopted the Sevilla Commitment last year.

At a time when multilateralism is under multiple threats, Member States made a choice to stand together. To overcome geopolitical divisions and chart a common course. And to keep their promises to developing countries, which are starved of investment and drowning in debt.

He said “The task before us is steep. We are living through a moment of profound turbulence. Geopolitical divides are deepening. Millions are caught in prolonged cycles of suffering, instability and displacement.
On top of these challenges, we face a major new shock: the conflict in the Middle East. The violence and economic fallout are spilling across the region — and around the world. We are seeing in real time the war’s impacts on the cost of fuel, fertilizer and food — as well as trade, transportation and tourism.

Government finances are stressed through rising energy costs, slower growth and currency depreciations — adding even more pressure to the debt burdens shouldered by developing countries. Meanwhile, aid is declining, while military spending skyrockets. Governments are spending more on the instruments of death than the foundations of development and peace.

Through it all, the global financial system is struggling to meet the needs of developing countries, and still reflects the economic and power structures of the past. One by one, these shockwaves of instability and unrest are contaminating development prospects at a time when they’re needed most.
The financing gap to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals now stands at over $4 trillion annually — and growing fast. This Forum is an opportunity to scale up — and speed up — the finance required.