Final statement of the International Forum on SDG Financing, adopted as a document of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly

United Nations General Assembly

Seventy-fourth session

Agenda item 19

Sustainable development

Concluding statement of the international seminar on the theme “Financing to implement the Sustainable Development Goals: the role of integrated national financing mechanisms”

1. We, the participants of the international seminar on the theme “Financing to implement the Sustainable Development Goals: the role of integrated national financing mechanisms”, having gathered on 28 May 2020 by video conference to discuss overcoming, in particular, the economic, social and financial difficulties caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, have adopted the present statement.

2. Pursuant to the outcomes of the fifth Economic and Social Council forum on financing for development follow-up, held by video conference on 23 April 2020, the first Caspian Economic Forum, held in the city of Turkmenbashi on 12 August 2019, the first regional Sustainable Development Goals summit on the theme “Mobilizing financial resources for sustainable development”, held in the city of Almaty on 15 and 16 November 2019, and the international conference on development financing entitled “Partnership for Development Financing at the Heart of the Great Silk Road”, held on 20 and 21 June 2018 in the city of Ashgabat, we express our determination to continue to step up our joint efforts for the full and timely implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, which builds on the 2002 Monterrey Consensus and the 2008 Doha Declaration on Financing for Development and is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

3. Welcoming the High-level Event on Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond, convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations via video conference on 28 May 2020, we note that the present international seminar has focused in more detail on the regional financing for development agenda, addressing synergies between global, regional and national priorities to sustain economic growth in the context of the pandemic.

4. Stressing that the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may have serious implications for the stable implementation and financing of the Sustainable Development Goals globally and, in particular, in the countries participating in the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia, we note the need to take urgent measures to address the socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic and to support vulnerable groups in the countries of the region that are particularly at risk of being negatively impacted by the pandemic.

5. In this regard, stressing the importance of systematic coordination among countries participating in the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia in implementing the 2030 global development agenda, as well as the consistent implementation of initiatives by Special Programme member countries, we note the need to consider in the near future the proposal to establish a Special Programme secretariat as a mechanism for institutionalization.

6. We recognize that vulnerable groups, including women and girls, young people, children, persons with disabilities, older persons, refugees, displaced persons, migrants and other vulnerable groups, can be most affected by the socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic, and resolve to implement and expand social protection and other support programmes for these groups, in accordance with the principle of “leaving no one behind”, and to support investment in social services, including health care and education, which are of critical importance for the socioeconomic well-being of the countries of the region now and in the future.

7. Noting in particular that the global economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed existing socioeconomic deficiencies in all countries of the world, we emphasize the commitment to sustainable recovery by continuing to pursue sustainable development policies that address all inequalities, mitigate climate change, further promote digital solutions and narrow the digital divide.

8. Concerned about the financial instability caused by the spread of COVID-19 amid falling commodity exports and an uncertain economic outlook, we conside r it critical to implement immediate monetary and fiscal responses in order to ensure liquidity for businesses and households, avoid debt overhang, minimize volatility and support the stability of trade and financial markets and the national currencies of the region.

9. Stressing the special vulnerability of landlocked developing countries in ensuring sustainable and stable socioeconomic development, as well as the active role of Kazakhstan, the country chairing the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries for 2020–2021, in raising awareness of the problems of the States members of the Group and in addressing the challenges faced by these countries, such as marginalization in international trade, weak transit transport links and insufficient infrastructure development.

10. Recalling the Ashgabat Initiative on reducing barriers to trade and transport using United Nations legal instruments, norms, standards and recommendations while bolstering connectivity in the region of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia, adopted by the Special Programme Governing Council on 21 November 2019, we emphasize the need to further develop international communications through all modes of transport, which is vital to ensure unimpeded trade and supply chains between countries of the region and the rest of the world, thereby facilitating the swift recovery of national economies, particularly of landlocked developing countries, as a result of the impact of the pandemic.

11. We welcome the initiative taken by Turkmenistan in establishing legal mechanisms to ensure sustainable and reliable international transport in emergency situations, and in hosting the international Ministerial Transport Conference for Landlocked Developing Countries.

12. Considering that short-term actions have a direct impact on medium-term results, we emphasize the importance of ensuring that any responses to the crisis take into account long-term consequences and are consistent with the global Sustainable Development Goals.

13. While continuing to exchange experience on mitigating the immediate socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 in the countries of the region, and on assistance for the establishment of integrated national financing mechanisms for the Sustainable Development Goals, we call upon United Nations entities and international financial institutions to continue their enhanced support to the countries of the region of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia through the provision of the necessary technical assistance and accessible funding, in order to support the phased implementation of Goal 17 (Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development).

14. Reaffirming our commitment to the implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, we call upon all countries to establish integrated national financing mechanisms for the Sustainable Development Goals, and we note that consultations at the international seminar have highlighted the importance of coordinated and integrated approaches to financing for development through measures that help to mobilize resources from all possible sources of financing, including public -private partnerships, especially in the light of the financial constraints caused by the current global economic crisis.

15. We emphasize the importance of national financing strategies for the Sustainable Development Goals as part of efforts to establish integrated national financing mechanisms, which includes the establishment of transparent, efficient and results-oriented public financial management systems. We also note the important role of private domestic and international finance, the use of innovative financial instruments and digital finance, the establishment of pooled funds, and the mobilization of international financial resources from financial institutions and foundations.

16. We recognize the important role of the private sector in financing the Sustainable Development Goals and therefore reaffirm our commitment to promote more public-private partnership opportunities, where applicable, and to expand long - term financing mechanisms for the private sector in order to accelerate the achievement of the Goals in countries of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia.

17. We take note of the outcome of the briefing by the Economic Commission for Europe on the establishment of the trust fund of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia as a subregional funding instrument and express our intention to consider various options for the establishment of such a fund, encouraging international financial institutions and the private sector to participate in a series of consultations on this issue.

18. We have agreed to continue exchanging experience and discussing financing for development and the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in this format, as well as in various international forums.

19. We thank the Government of Turkmenistan for its initiative to hold this international seminar, the outcome of which should serve as a good basis for holding the International Conference on Financing for Development in the coming years.