Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), participated in the session ‘Powering the Investment Push for Sustainable Development through International Financial Architecture Reform’ on Wednesday, 2 July 2025, during the Fourth International Conference on Finance for Development (FfD4) held in Seville, Spain from 30 June to 3 July 2025.
In her remarks, Dr Khatun emphasised, ‘Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture where two interlinked challenges demand urgent and large-scale investment. First, addressing its core development needs, particularly in infrastructure, energy, and human capital, and second, adapting to the growing risks of climate change.’
She further stated, ‘The climate finance landscape in Bangladesh reveals a significant gap between the required and committed funds. In this context, the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) must play a larger role.’ Dr Khatun also explained how MDBs can help, saying, ‘They can utilise their capital and creditworthiness to de-risk private investment in climate projects.’
She went on to highlight the importance of increasing climate finance to vulnerable countries, stating, ‘MDBs should increase the share of concessional climate finance directed to climate-vulnerable countries like Bangladesh. More funds should be allocated to adaptation efforts in these nations.’
The session, moderated by Marilou Jane Uy (Boston University), also featured key figures such as H.E. Minister Rania A. Al-Mashat (Egypt), H.E. Minister Ryan Straughn (Barbados), and Dr Daniel Titelman (Boston University). The panel discussed the role of international financial institutions in mobilising investments for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing climate challenges.
