His Excellency Vice President Uz. Hussain Mohamed Latheef is currently in Seville, Spain, representing the Maldives at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), a high-level United Nations initiative convened to address global economic challenges and development financing. The conference runs from June 30 to July 3, 2025, and brings together world leaders, senior government officials, development partners, international financial institutions, and representatives from civil society to explore comprehensive strategies for strengthening global economic cooperation.
The conference opened with a formal inaugural session, during which the Prime Minister of Spain was elected as the President of the Conference. This was followed by statements from heads of major United Nations bodies, underscoring the urgency of reforming international financial systems and expanding access to sustainable development finance for developing nations.
Vice President Latheef attended the opening segment of the conference on Monday, reaffirming the Maldives’ commitment to engaging in global economic dialogues that promote inclusive growth, resilient economies, and equitable access to financial resources. His presence reflects the Maldives’ active participation in global development forums and its ongoing efforts to ensure sustainable economic growth through international cooperation.
Following the opening ceremony, the conference transitioned into its General Debate, during which heads of delegations from across the globe presented their national perspectives on financial development, shared progress updates, and outlined strategic priorities for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Discussions focused on addressing key barriers that limit the ability of vulnerable countries to access concessional financing, manage debt sustainably, and build economic resilience in the face of climate-related and external shocks.
Throughout the four-day event, FfD4 will host a range of side events and multistakeholder thematic roundtables, covering topics such as reforming the global financial architecture, enhancing development cooperation, scaling up climate finance, and aligning international financial flows with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Maldives, as a small island developing state (SIDS), continues to advocate for fairer financing mechanisms that account for unique vulnerabilities, including exposure to climate change, narrow economic bases, and limited access to international markets. The Vice President’s participation in FfD4 strengthens the Maldives’ voice in ongoing global efforts to promote equitable development financing frameworks and sustainable economic transformation.
The Conference on Financing for Development plays a vital role in shaping global financial governance and building partnerships to support countries in mobilizing the resources required for their development ambitions. The Maldives’ engagement in this high-level platform signals its dedication to fostering international collaboration for long-term development and economic stability.
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