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.
2025 : les articles les plus lus reflétant les forces clés de l'économie mondiale
Des flux commerciaux records et des progrès rapides de l'intelligence artificielle au ralentissement des investissements et à la pression croissante de la dette, l'année 2025 a envoyé des signaux forts et souvent contradictoires sur l'état de l'économie mondiale.
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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
Programmes
Meetings
1 – 3 décembre 2025
Groupe intergouvernemental d’experts du financement du développement, 9e session
Genève, Suisse30 juin – 3 juillet 2025
ONU commerce et développement à la 4e Conférence internationale sur le financement du développement
Séville, Espagne20 – 21 mars 2025
Groupe consultatif du programme du Système de gestion de la dette et d'analyse financière (SYGADE), 14ème réunion
Genève, Suisse17 – 19 mars 2025
Conférence internationale sur la gestion de la dette, 14ème session
Genève, Suisse25 – 27 novembre 2024
Groupe intergouvernemental d’experts du financement du développement, huitième session
Genève, SuisseDocuments
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
Secretary-General Statements
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