Mr. President,

Distinguished delegates,

It is my privilege to deliver this statement on behalf of the member states of ASEAN, a dynamic and rapidly growing region deeply committed to multilateralism and the pursuit of sustainable development.

ASEAN welcomes the convening of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) and joins by consensus the Compromiso de Sevilla as our renewed global f inancing framework, which builds on the previous commitments, whose aspirations of sustainable and inclusive growth are similarly articulated in ASEAN’s Community Vision 2045.

Amidst the impacts and opportunities of the rapidly evolving global environment, it is imperative that the international community renews its commitments to advance inclusive and sustainable development. Regional organizations, such as ASEAN, play a pivotal role in reforming the international financial architecture, advancing economic integration, catalyzing development finance, scaling innovative solutions, and enhancing coherence between national and global efforts to bridge the SDG financing gap.

In this context, ASEAN wishes to highlight three key points:

1. First, ASEAN envisions a single and future-ready economy for our region, anchored on sustainable growth and good governance, which will continue to narrow development gaps and promote inclusive, participatory and equitable access to economic opportunities. To this end, ASEAN agreed to three Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs), which include: (i) Catalyzing Access to Finance for Just Transition and Climate-Resilient ASEAN; (ii) Accelerating the Growth of a More Sustainable, Connected and Inclusive ASEAN Capital Market; and (iii) Fostering Inclusive Instant Payment Connectivity in ASEAN.
2. Second, amid global economic and trade uncertainties, ASEAN reaffirms its unwavering commitment to upholding the multilateral trading system and underscores the importance of a predictable, transparent, inclusive, free, fair, sustainable and rules based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core.
3. Third, ASEAN continues to mobilize public and private resources and investments to address its infrastructure development needs, accelerate regional connectivity and development, including through developing the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) and developing new financing facilities such as the Regional Connectivity Project Readiness Facility (RCF), the ASEAN Power Grid Transition Finance Facility (ASEAN TFF), and a pilot Islamic f inance facility. We are also scaling up sustainable finance towards a low-carbon future by finalizing the ASEAN Taxonomy 3.0 and launching key initiatives such as the ASEAN Transition Finance Guidance (ATFG) Version 2 and the ASEAN Sustainable Finance Support Hub.

ASEAN views the Compromiso de Sevilla as indispensable in achieving the SDGs. Its effective implementation will offer the international community a golden opportunity to foster trust, reinvigorate partnerships, unlock transformative finance, and ensure that the reform of international financial architecture effectively supports the unique and urgent needs of developing countries. ASEAN remains a dedicated partner in this endeavor. (End of ASEAN part)

Mr. President,

Allow me to also underline a few key issues in my national capacity. As both an LDC and an LLDC, the Lao PDR continues to face unique, multifaceted challenges, all of which require greater efforts and resources to transform our economy, ensure fair access to trade, and develop transit and transport infrastructures. Despite numerous obstacles, the Lao PDR remains committed to graduating from the LDC status and transforming itself from a landlocked into a land-linked country. Towards this end, the Government has streamlined the goals and targets stipulated in the Programs of Action on LDCs and LLDCs into the national strategies and plans. This includes, among others, the adoption of the Integrated National Financing Frameworks and Financing Strategy to increase access to international financing mechanisms.

On this note, the Lao PDR urges all development partners and the international financial institutions to continue providing additional support measures and closely collaborate with graduating countries in formulating integrated, coherent financing approaches aligned with the national development needs and frameworks, echoing Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' sentiment that: "graduation must be viewed as a reward, not a punishment".

In conclusion, I reaffirm the Lao PDR’s unwavering commitment to forging global partnerships for ensuring equitable, inclusive, and sustainable financing for development.

Thank you.