“Finance Is the Fuel to Get Ahead” on Sustainable Development Goals, Secretary-General Tells International Forum

Following is the text of UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ video message to the International Finance Forum 2024 annual meeting, in Hong Kong, special administrative region of China, today:

I am pleased to take part in the International Finance Forum.

Thank you for coming together in the spirit of reigniting global cooperation.  Our world needs this more than ever.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are veering off-track — along with our promise to leave no one behind.  Finance is the fuel to get ahead — but huge gaps are paralysing progress.  Debt service is crowding out SDG investments.  And economies are repeatedly rocked by external shocks that our financial system cannot contain.

This undermines people’s trust in Governments and faith in multilateralism.  We need urgent action.

The good news is that we have a globally agreed plan:  the recently adopted Pact for the Future.

It calls for accelerating reform of the international financial architecture.

To raise the voice and representation of developing countries.

To dramatically scale up development finance, including by expanding the lending capacity of multilateral development banks.

To promote sustainable borrowing.

To adopt necessary forms of debt relief.

And to strengthen the global safety net so that all countries are shielded in times of crisis.

Of course, change cannot happen overnight — but we have a strong foundation to ignite action around the world.

All these issues will be at the heart of next year’s Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development.  Once again thank you for your leadership.

Together, let’s help reignite cooperation and build a sustainable, equal and just future for all.

I wish you a productive Forum.