Debt and development finance
Public debt can be a powerful tool for development, allowing governments to invest in their people and economies. But when debt grows too large or becomes too costly, it turns into a heavy burden.
This is especially for developing countries, whose public debt has grown twice as fast as that of advanced economies since 2010. They have also been borrowing at higher average rates than many advanced economies, making it harder to invest in schools, hospitals, infrastructure and other sectors critical for sustainable development.
Developing countries must not be forced to choose between servicing their debt or serving their people. There’s a pressing need to reform the international financial architecture to end the debt trap and unlock long-term investment and finance. We support countries in managing their public debt effectively.
Debt and development finance
Public debt can be a powerful tool for development, allowing governments to invest in their people and economies. But when debt grows too large or becomes too costly, it turns into a heavy burden.
This is especially for developing countries, whose public debt has grown twice as fast as that of advanced economies since 2010. They have also been borrowing at higher average rates than many advanced economies, making it harder to invest in schools, hospitals, infrastructure and other sectors critical for sustainable development.
Developing countries must not be forced to choose between servicing their debt or serving their people. There’s a pressing need to reform the international financial architecture to end the debt trap and unlock long-term investment and finance. We support countries in managing their public debt effectively.
Se prevé que el crecimiento global se desacelere al 2,6% hasta 2026
Las proyecciones sitúan el crecimiento aún más por debajo del promedio anterior a la pandemia del 3% y muy por debajo del promedio del 4,4% registrado antes de la crisis financiera de 2008-2009.
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External debt sustainability and development
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Areas of work
- Debt and Debt Sustainability
- Responsible Sovereign Lending and Borrowing
- Sovereign Debt Restructuring
- Debt Management and Financial Analysis System
Projects
- Climate Finance for Development
- Financing green and sustainable development in small island developing States
- Mobilising financial resources for development in the time of Covid-19
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Meetings
1 – 3 diciembre 2025
Grupo Intergubernamental de Expertos en Financiación para el Desarrollo, 9º período de sesiones
Ginebra, Suiza30 junio – 3 julio 2025
ONU Comercio y Desarrollo en la 4ª Conferencia Internacional sobre Financiación para el Desarrollo
Sevilla, España20 – 21 marzo 2025
Grupo Consultivo del Programa del Sistema de Gestión y Análisis de la Deuda (SIGADE), 14ª reunión
Ginebra, Suiza17 – 19 marzo 2025
Conferencia Internacional sobre la Gestión de la Deuda, 14ª sesión
Ginebra, Suiza25 – 27 noviembre 2024
Grupo Intergubernamental de Expertos en Financiación para el Desarrollo, octavo período de sesiones
Ginebra, SuizaDocuments
02 Dec 2025
Trade and Development Report 2025: On the brink - trade, finance and the reshaping of the global economy
14 Nov 2025
Enhancing policy options for countries to finance their development goals sustainably
30 Oct 2025
All roads lead to reform: A financial system fit to mobilize $1.3 trillion for climate finance
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