Statement by Sweden at the First FfD4 Prep Com Meeting in Addis Ababa

Chairperson, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Sweden aligns itself with the statement made by the EU.

• Financing is a key challenge in reaching the SDGs, but also provides an opportunity to improve development cooperation. Effective development cooperation must become a central focus within discussions on financing for development.
  
  
• Ahead of FfD4 we must strengthen our efforts to fulfil our joint commitments. Allow me to make three points.
  
  
• Firstly, Sweden is proud to be one of the largest bilateral providers of ODA and a leading contributor of climate finance, humanitarian assistance and support to the development banks and the UN system. However, we all know that ODA alone will never be enough to fill the existing needs. We must ensure that our aid is truly catalytic and contributes to mobilize additional resources, including private capital, on a whole new scale.
  
  
• We now know how to do blended finance, now it is time to benefit from our experiences to multiply de-risking of investments for sustainability, not least through increased use of joint platforms and an extended use of guarantees.
  
  
• Secondly, we must maximize synergies between development cooperation, private investments, trade and innovation. Strong partnerships with private actors, like Global Investors for Sustainable Development, are crucial. Sweden is stepping up ambitions on private sector collaboration, from an already high level.
  
  
• Thirdly, driving and supporting national reforms to create favourable conditions for development is key. It is a responsibility for all of us - every government. This involves promoting good governance, transparent and accountable institutions, attracting private capital and addressing corruption. Sweden is advancing innovative solutions through technical assistance and capacity building to improve tax systems and enhance domestic resource mobilization.

• The Integrated National Financing Frameworks have the potential to strengthen both public and private financing for sustainable development in line with countries' own priorities.

Excellencies,

• Together we can – and must – ensure an ambitious FfD4 outcome. You can count on Sweden’s constructive engagement throughout the process.

Thank you.