Lesotho Highlights Financing Development at First Biennial Summit for a Sustainable Global Economy

Dr. Retselisitsoe Matlanyane, Minister of Finance and Development Planning of the Kingdom of Lesotho, delivered a keynote speech at the First Biennial Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive, and Resilient Global Economy. The Summit, held under the theme “Implementing commitments on financing development,” gathered global leaders to advance dialogue on financing sustainable development.

In her address, Minister Matlanyane expressed gratitude to the United Nations and international partners for convening the Summit. She emphasized that financing sustainable development is not merely technical but a moral imperative, essential to ending poverty, reducing inequality, and protecting the environment.

The Minister highlighted the uneven progress made since the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) and stressed that developing nations, including Lesotho, face significant gaps between ambition and implementation. She called for the prioritization of FfD4 outcomes in national development plans, including the integration of the Seville outcomes, the expanded Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) Facility, and the Global Financing Playbook.

Minister Matlanyane also addressed systemic barriers to sustainable financing and urged exploration of innovative instruments, such as diaspora bonds, blended finance, and outcome-based financing models. She emphasized that no country should be left behind in global development efforts.

The Summit provides a platform to elevate the financing agenda at the highest level. The Minister commended the efforts to foster inclusive dialogue between Heads of State, multilateral institutions, and stakeholders. She underscored that strengthened cooperation between the United Nations, international financial institutions, and global economic governance structures is essential to achieving sustainable development goals.

Lesotho reaffirmed its commitment to multilateralism and inclusive participation. Minister Matlanyane stressed the importance of ensuring the voices of small and developing nations are heard in shaping global economic policies. She highlighted Lesotho’s proactive engagement in global processes, including COP30, the G20 Finance Track through African partners, and African Union Agenda 2063 financing mechanisms.

The Minister concluded by calling for concrete action to translate commitments into results. She emphasized the need to build a global economy that is sustainable, resilient, and inclusive, prioritizing the most vulnerable and leaving no one behind.

Lesotho’s participation at the Summit signals the country’s dedication to advancing sustainable development, strengthening international partnerships, and ensuring its voice is heard in shaping the global economic agenda.