The Sevilla Commitment (Para 48(i)) formalized the concept of the Borrowers’ Platform as part of the outcome of the Fourth International Financing for Development Conference in July 2025.
Following a Ministerial Roundtable held on the margins of the World Bank–IMF annual meetings in Washington DC in October 2025, a Working Group was formed to move forward on the establishment of the Borrowers’ Platform with UNCTAD as Secretariat.
The Working Group, comprising Egypt and Zambia (Africa), Pakistan and Nepal (Asia and Pacific), Colombia and Honduras (LAC) and the Maldives (SIDS), convened regularly and has prepared a Draft Modalities Document that outlines objectives, eligibility criteria and governance of the Platform. Egypt and Pakistan led the process as Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively.
The process to establish the Borrowers’ Platform was officially launched on 15 April 2026 in Washington D.C., in the presence of UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
The launch brought together representatives from 30 countries, including 2 prime ministers, 16 ministers and central bank governors, underscoring strong political momentum behind the initiative.
Member states agreed to expand participation, establish interim governance arrangements and define a work programme leading to the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in October 2026.
Objective of this meeting
The Borrowers' Platform addresses a critical gap in the global debt architecture by providing a dedicated space for borrowing countries to convene regularly, discuss debt-related issues, engage in peer learning, and build collective knowledge.
This meeting aims to inform Member States, Civil Society and colleagues working on debt and the FFD process about the updates regarding this initiative. The Secretariat appreciates feedback on the possibilities for future exchanges.
Panelists
- Pedro Manuel Moreno, Acting Secretary-General of UNCTAD
- Representative of Egypt (in their capacity of interim Chair)
- Ali Naseer Mohamad, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations
- Representative of Zambia (tbc)
Moderated by Penelope Hawkins, Acting Head of the Debt and Development Finance Branch, UNCTAD
