UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

Today, 3.3 billion people live in countries that spend more on debt interest than on education, healthcare, or climate investments.   Developing countries shouldn't have to choose between paying off debt and serving their people.   From 17 to 19 March, the 14th UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) International Debt Management Conference will bring together global experts to address the mounting debt crisis and explore solutions for resilience and sustainable financing.   That same week, on 21-22 March, policymakers and partners will assess UNCTAD’s DMFAS software — designed to support countries in managing their public debt — to shape its future direction.   With the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development #FfD4 approaching, these conversations are more urgent than ever. Join us:   ▶️ International Debt Management Conference: https://ow.ly/HF2U50Vgtgm   ▶️ DMFAS Programme Advisory Group: https://ow.ly/8a4P50Vgtgu

“Debt management is about time – drawing resources from future selves to meet urgencies for today.” – Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) At the 14th International Debt Management Conference, global leaders discuss why responsible debt management matters now more than ever. Follow the conversation. ▶️ https://ow.ly/HF2U50Vgtgm

Debt management is a matter that weighs heavily on governments worldwide, particularly for developing nations. “Many developing nations are spending more on debt service than they spend on education, health care, and job creation — all of which are vital not just for long-term economic system sustainability but for national stability and, indeed, for people’s well-being,” says Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. The current system must evolve to ensure that resources flow equitably and reach those who need them most, Ms. Mottley added. “The status quo must be disrupted to create a new, sustainable norm. It is within our reach if leaders, financial institutions, and multilateral organizations act decisively. Multilateralism must be strengthened, not weakened.” “I commend UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) for its tireless work in supporting developing nations through research, technical assistance, and, indeed, global advocacy. This is our moment to turn conversation into action,” the Prime Minister of Barbados added. Follow the conversation ▶️ https://ow.ly/HF2U50Vgtgm Photos ▶️ https://ow.ly/qTvN50ViXzF

How can countries restructure debt while continuing to invest in development? What policies and financial innovations are needed? At the 14th International Debt Management Conference, global leaders are exploring how to prevent debt from undermining sustainable growth. Mahmoud Mohieldin, United Nations Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, makes it clear: the world doesn’t need more discussions — it needs practical solutions to address the global debt crisis. As liquidity issues spiral into solvency crises, the real challenge extends beyond financial markets to its human impact — on those bearing the brunt of economic instability, social spending cuts, and climate inaction. Paolo Gentiloni, Former European Commissioner for Economy, underscores the urgent need to lower financing costs, improve debt sustainability, and develop new mechanisms for relief. While debt remains essential for funding development, climate transition, and social needs, rising costs — largely driven by external factors — are making it increasingly unsustainable for many countries. Guilherme Patriota, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Brazil to UNCTAD, WTO, and other international economic organizations in Geneva, outlines the shifting landscape of global development financing. With declines in official development assistance, rising geopolitical tensions, and weakening climate commitments, many countries must rely less on external support and more on domestic resource mobilization to drive sustainable development. Follow ▶️ https://ow.ly/HF2U50Vgtgm Photos ▶️ https://ow.ly/qTvN50ViXzF

This isn’t just a debt crisis — it’s a development crisis. Over 3 billion people live in countries paying more on debt than on health or education. That means fewer teachers, weaker hospitals, stalled economies. We need debt relief, fairer burden-sharing, lower capital costs and a transparent, predictable and stable mechanism for debt restructuring. Fixing debt isn’t charity — it’s smart economics. 🔗 https://ow.ly/YYzW50Vj92r

Debt pressures continue to mount, forcing many countries to make difficult choices: allocate resources to debt repayment or invest in people, infrastructure, and sustainable development? With financing gaps threatening progress on the #GlobalGoals, finding effective solutions for sovereign debt management is more urgent than ever. At the 14th Debt Management Conference, global leaders are assessing key international initiatives — G20, the Pact for the Future, and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development — to identify sustainable pathways forward. “No government should have to choose between paying its debt and protecting human lives,” says Christian David Duarte Chavez, Secretary of State of the Office of Finance, Honduras. He calls for fairer financial systems, global tax reforms, and debt justice, as the Global South bears the cost of crises it did not cause. Thirong Pen, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Cambodia, advocates for fairer, more flexible financing for developing nations as Cambodia moves toward net-zero emissions by 2050 and LDC (least developed country) graduation by 2029. Cambodia’s post-pandemic recovery is a success story — but financing climate action and sustainable growth remains a challenge. Rindra Hasimbelo Rabarinirinarison, Minister of Economy and Finance of Madagascar, highlights the country’s dual challenge: being one of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world while contributing the least to global emissions. “Debt should be a lever for growth, not a constraint on the future,” she emphasizes. xolisa mabhongo, South Africa’s G20 representative, underscores that half of Africa’s population lives in countries that spend more on debt payments than on social development. This imbalance is undermining efforts to achieve sustainable development and economic resilience. “Debt and development must go hand in hand — but for many countries, debt servicing is taking priority over progress,” he adds. Follow ▶️ https://ow.ly/HF2U50Vgtgm Photos ▶️ https://ow.ly/qTvN50ViXzF

The UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)'s 14th International Debt Management Conference starts today, bringing global experts together to explore solutions for sustainable #debt management & resilient economies. With #FFD4 ahead, this is a key moment to shape the financing for development agenda. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/eyifZYx3

Many developing countries are sinking into a debt-driven development crisis, with their external debt reaching a record $11.4 trillion in 2023 — equivalent to 99% of their export earnings.   Starting today at United Nations Office at Geneva, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)'s 14th International Debt Management Conference is examining the drivers of this crisis and exploring potential solutions, along with innovative debt management strategies.   The focus is on building resilience, managing risks, and navigating the complexities of global crises.   Photos ▶️ https://ow.ly/qTvN50ViXzF Follow ▶️ https://ow.ly/HF2U50Vgtgm UN SDG Action Campaign

“Debt management is about time – drawing resources from future selves to meet urgencies for today.” – Rebeca Grynspan, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) secretary-general.   At the 14th International Debt Management Conference, global leaders discuss why responsible debt management matters now more than ever.   Follow the conversation. ▶️ Link in the comments.

Governments are grappling with soaring debt costs that are squeezing public finances and stalling development. As the world heads toward the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development #FfD4, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s biennial debt conference will set the stage for urgent solutions. The 14th International Debt Management Conference, kicking off today in Geneva, will serve as a platform for discussing and sharing experiences on critical developments and challenges that developing countries face in managing public debt within the current global economic context. The conference brings together governments, senior debt managers, academia, businesses, civil society and international organizations, to tackle one of the biggest economic challenges of our time: how to manage public debt without stalling development. Full story ▶️ https://ow.ly/iC2050ViccJ Register here ▶️ https://ow.ly/HF2U50Vgtgm