Australia is honoured to join this once-in-a decade gathering. We come together this week not just to reflect—but to act.
This conference must be more than a checkpoint. We need to chart a shared path forward.
The global development financing system is under strain. Inequality is deepening. Debt is rising. Conflict, climate change and the aftershocks of COVID have eroded hard-won gains.
Yet amid this turbulence, we have reason to hope. Consensus is rare—but we have it here.
The Compromiso de Sevilla is a commitment to a more inclusive, resilient and effective financing system. It reaffirms the 2030 Agenda as our collective roadmap and, critically, it rebuilds trust in multilateralism.
The outcomes will deliver tangible gains—especially for developing countries. Outcomes such as climate-resilient debt clauses, pre-arranged disaster finance and reducing remittances costs matter.
For vulnerable countries, such as those in the Pacific, these tools are critical for building resilience and avoiding setbacks from shocks. I am pleased Australia is doing our part to deliver on the Compromiso de Sevilla.This year, we are investing a record $5.1 billion in development assistance.
At a time of tightening budgets, Australia has increased our development assistance.
We have refocused activities in response to partner priorities and needs, strengthened multilateral institutions, and explored new and innovative ways to finance development.
And we remain the Pacific’s largest development partner—a partner our friends can rely on. But public and grant-based finance alone is not enough.
We need to use scarce concessional resources to unlock broader flows of public and private flow.
We call for renewed ambition in domestic resource mobilisation—so countries can drive their own development.
And we must also remember that gender-responsive and climate-responsive finance is not just smart development—it’s also smart economics.
Australia welcomes the strong recognition of multidimensional vulnerability—including its role in enabling fairer access to concessional finance for vulnerable countries.
If we are serious about leaving no one behind, we must reform outdated systems, like ODA eligibility, that disadvantage Small Island Developing States.
Colleagues, I can’t stress enough that this is a pivotal moment to ensure development financing delivers for people and planet.
There is momentum—but the onus is on all of us to maintain it. Let us protect hard-won gains on gender, on disability, and on climate.
Let us reaffirm the 2030 Agenda as the foundation for our collective efforts. Australia stands ready to work with all partners to share a principled, inclusive and effective global development finance system that delivers for all. Thank you.