STATEMENT by Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Mr. K P Sharma Oli, at the Closing Ceremony of Civil Society Forum for FfD4 Hotel Meliá Sevilla 29 June 2025, Seville, Spain

Statement
by Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Mr. K P Sharma Oli,

at the
Closing Ceremony of Civil Society Forum for FfD4
Hotel Meliá Sevilla

29 June 2025, Seville, Spain

His Excellency President of the Government of Spain,

Mr. Secretary-General of the United Nations,

Chairperson of African Union Commission,

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am happy to be among you this afternoon and address this closing session.  

Civil society is not just a stakeholder—it is a vital partner in advancing the 2030 Agenda.

You push progress beyond promises.

You ensure that equity and accountability are more than just aspirations.

You amplify voices that are often unheard—ensuring inclusion in both policy-making and implementation.

You are not just participants.

You are catalysts of change.

We deeply appreciate your unwavering contribution to the Financing for Development process.

Your presence strengthens the inclusivity of the UN process.

Your voice enriches the outcome document.

Your advocacy helps turn vision into tangible result.

Your continued engagement has found expression in the Sevilla Commitment.

We also appreciate your strong and consistent support for Nepal during our role as the co-facilitator of the outcome document.

Dear friends,

Ladies and gentlemen

The Sevilla Commitment, to be formally adopted tomorrow, offers a renewed framework to address the pressing challenges of development financing.

It recognizes the urgency of closing the $4 trillion SDG financing gap, and lays out bold steps to catalyze investment and reform.

Among its key highlights:

• Tripling MDB (Multilateral Development Bank) lending to support social investments and transformative growth;
• Doubling efforts to help countries achieve at least a 15% tax-to-GDP ratio;
• Mobilizing private capital to generate decent jobs and promote inclusive growth.

On debt, the document emphasizes:

• Lowering borrowing cost to reduce debt service and free up resources for development;  
• Preventing future debt crises, through greater transparency; and 
• Elevating the voice to debtor countries in shaping the debt architecture.

Further, it calls for inclusive reforms of international financial institutions by:

• Giving developing countries a seat at the table so their needs are addressed in global financial decision-making; and
• Expanding access to emergency financing to better respond to shocks and crises.  

We know that there are unmet commitments and unfinished agendas—

in development cooperation, debt sustainability, and international financial system reform.

Still, we recognise the progress we have made —and the momentum we must now sustain.

Let us not grow complacent.

Let us push together— for broader and deeper reforms.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Nepal remains firmly committed to good governance, transparency, the rule of law, human rights, and the principles of multilateralism.

We have created space for civil society to participate meaningfully—in national development, public policy dialogue, and democratic governance.

And we fully support your meaningful participation in global decision-making processes.

Indeed, your strong advocacy has helped strengthen the ambition of this outcome.

As we move from commitment to implementation, your continued engagement will be indispensable.

Together, let us turn words into an impact— for the people, for the planet, and for our shared prosperity.

To conclude - together, we can deliver better outcomes on our promises—

for a just, equitable, and sustainable future, leaving no one behind.  

Thank you.