UNITAR Jeju International Training Center
(JITC) organized an online Workshop on "Financing for Sustainable
Development" on December 8, 2023. With 420 participants from 38 countries,
the Workshop focused on gaining insights into innovative approaches for
securing sustainable development financing in developing countries, aligning
with the principles outlined in the 2015 Addis Ababa Action Agenda. The three
sessions covered topics such as the 2015 Addis Ababa Action Agenda, Domestic
Resource Mobilization, and Impact Investing.
In session 1, representative from the UN
DESA discussed key international considerations for sustainable development
financing, highlighting the seven action areas of the Addis Agenda: Domestic
Public Resource, Private Business and Finance, Development Cooperation, Trade,
Debt, and Technology and Capacity. He also pointed out the challenges posed by
the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the difficulties developing countries face
in securing recovery funds due to high debt and interest rates. The session
underscored the importance of effective debt and resource management within
these action areas, especially in the context of pandemic-related economic
recessions.
In session 2, representative from UNCTAD
addressed issues related to phantom FDI and strategies for utilizing FDI
effectively. She emphasized the need for robust FDI regulations to foster
economic development and called for transparent oversight of corporate data and
assets to ensure responsible and productive use of funds in developing
countries.
In session 3, representative from the Korea
Social Investment Foundation focused on Impact Investing, which seeks both
financial returns and societal benefits by funding companies addressing social
and environmental challenges. She highlighted successful examples of Impact
Investing in sustainable energy and eco-friendly packaging. Overall, the Workshop
offered participants with insights into development financing mechanism.