Dr. Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane Represents Lesotho at 2025 ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development
The Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr. Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane, recently joined global counterparts at the 2025 ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development (FFD Forum) held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This crucial event provided a platform for world leaders to discuss strategies and solutions to tackle some of today’s most pressing development financing challenges.
The Forum, which was followed by the Preparatory Session for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), brought together global leaders, policymakers, and experts to build momentum for the upcoming FFD4 Conference scheduled to take place from June 30 to July 3, 2025, in Seville, Spain.
Dr. Matlanyane was an active participant in a series of Ministerial Fire-chats, where she engaged in meaningful discussions on a variety of critical topics. These included lowering borrowing costs and promoting development-oriented debt solutions, revitalizing development cooperation for inclusive and impactful growth, mobilizing private investment for sustainable development, harnessing trade and technology for development, and investing in data to accelerate both national and global development.
Of particular significance was Dr. Matlanyane’s contribution to a High-Level Dialogue on Financing the Energy Transition in Least Developed Countries (LDCs). This discussion aligns with Lesotho’s Just Energy Transition initiative, which is championed by His Majesty King Letsie III. The initiative aims to attract investment in renewable energy and sustainable growth, addressing the pressing energy needs of Lesotho while promoting environmental sustainability.
Throughout the Forum, Dr. Matlanyane highlighted the importance of supporting LDCs like Lesotho in navigating the challenges of energy transition and financing sustainable growth. Her contributions underscored the urgency of global cooperation to ensure that the most vulnerable countries can access the resources they need to foster economic development and combat climate change.
To conclude her mission in New York, Dr. Matlanyane held a productive meeting with the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Her Excellency Ms. Amina Mohammed. The two leaders discussed ongoing developments in Lesotho amidst the shifting dynamics of the global economy. They also reviewed progress following the historic visits of both the Deputy Secretary-General and the UN Secretary-General to Lesotho in 2024, which marked a significant moment in strengthening Lesotho’s relationship with the United Nations.
Dr. Matlanyane’s participation in these high-level discussions reflects Lesotho’s ongoing commitment to addressing global development challenges and securing the necessary financial support for sustainable growth. As the world prepares for the FFD4 Conference in Seville, the discussions held at the 2025 ECOSOC Forum will help shape the future of development financing, with a particular focus on the needs of LDCs.
Lesotho’s engagement in these global conversations demonstrates the country’s active role in international development dialogues and its determination to position itself as a key player in the global movement towards sustainable, inclusive growth.
