Delivered by Mr. Saeed Alyammahi

New York, 9 October 2025

Mr. Chair,

With five years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, closing the $4 trillion financial gap is perhaps our most urgent task. First of all, in a world of increasing economic uncertainty, we must remain committed to the economic fundamentals. The UAE will continue to resolutely support the free flow of trade and investment as catalysts for development.

In line with the UAE’s belief in the importance of supporting international financial institutions, we also welcome the Seville Commitment and its ambition to establish new ways of thinking and innovative financing to provide the necessary capital. As we look toward implementation of the Commitment, we must ensure equitable representation for the Global South within these institutions. This will also help us find better solutions on punishing debt burdens, illicit financial flows and international tax cooperation. We also hope implementation will move quickly and efficiently, in line with the UN80 reform initiative.

The forward-looking approach of the Seville Commitment is embodied by the UAE’s own ongoing efforts and initiatives, including the Green Investment Initiative in Africa, and the establishment of the Alterra Fund, which aims to mobilize USD 250 billion from the private sector by 2030 for climate-related investments.

However, in this context we lament the global decline in overseas development assistance. The UAE believes that finance for development is not only a responsibility, but also one of our greatest investment opportunities. In the past five years, the UAE’s foreign aid has exceeded $16 billion, covering a wide range of sustainable development goals across the Arab States, Africa and Small Island Developing States.

We welcome stronger South-South financial cooperation and we embrace new models of triangular cooperation, as embodied through our pledge of USD 100 million to the Rome Process Financing, launched in partnership with Italy and the African Development Bank, to support economic development projects across Africa.

In conclusion, the UAE reaffirms its commitment to working with all Member States to strengthen macroeconomic stability, and emphasizes that cooperation based on effective partnerships and innovative financing is the optimal path to building a prosperous and sustainable future for all.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.