On 27 April 2020, at the United Nations in New York City, consensus was reached in the intergovernmental process on conclusions and recommendations related to financing for development outcomes and the means of implementation of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). Discussions were led by Latvia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Andrejs Pildegovičs, and the Permanent Representative of Barbados to the UN, H.E. Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, acting as co-facilitators of the agreement process. These conclusions represent the first process with universal participation of UN Member States to reach consensus on a common approach to action on financing solutions to the problems and consequences of the COVID-19 crisis as well as longer-term recovery. This was the first time in the history of the UN Economic and Social Council that discussions took place as part of virtual meeting, remotely, in lieu of the usual direct consultations that are not possible at the moment and, as alluded to, these discussions took place with Latvian leadership.
In their conclusions, the UN Member States underlined their pledge to stand together in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences, restore sustainable global growth, promote sustainable and inclusive recovery, and to strengthen resilience against similar crises that could arise in the future. The UN Member States reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral cooperation and to coordinated decisive action to suppress the pandemic, emphasizing the initiative taken and role played by the United Nations Secretary General and UN agencies including the World Health Organization. The conclusions stressed the commitment to continue implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on development financing. UN Member States acknowledged the need to address systemic challenges that impact countries that are least developed and most vulnerable, with weak health systems and limited fiscal space to invest in health systems and social protection. UN Member States pledged to continue offering support to such countries, for example, in the form of development cooperation. The conclusions underlined the need for a period of recovery from the pandemic while continuing to implement the SDGs (sustainable development goals) taking into account considerations related to climate change and gender equality and recognizing the crucial role played by digitalization and digital technologies.
The intergovernmental conclusions and recommendations on development financing are usually agreed at the UN’s Economic and Social Council Financing for Development Forum. Each year at the forum, full and timely implementation of development financing under the Addis Ababa Action Agenda is reviewed and evaluated. This year on 23 April, representatives took part in a virtual meeting of the forum where the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on development financing was discussed and where conclusions were adopted on the basis of consensus reached. Latvia was elected to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the years 2020 to 2022. Find more information on the Forum on Financing for Development and the agreed conclusions here.