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Turning ambition into action will require systemic reform of trade, investment and finance to meet today’s development challenges.

Since 2010, developing countries’ debt has grown twice as fast as that of advanced economies. Today, 3.4 billion people live in countries spending more on interest payments than on health or education.

Rising debt burdens are threatening the world’s already fragile path to sustainable development, warns the UN ahead of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development.

The conference will return to the city where the 1st UN Conference on Trade and Development was held in 1964, sixty years ago.

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Launching the World Investment Report 2025, Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan warns that foreign direct investment is drifting away from the countries and sectors most in need.

Foreign investment flows to the region were down 12% in 2024, but sectoral and country-level gains signal underlying resilience and long-term potential.

Foreign investment in Africa surged by 75% to reach an all-time high of $97 billion in 2024, bolstered by liberalization and facilitation efforts across the continent.

UN Trade and Development alerts that uncertainty is affecting global investment and warns of the impact insufficient financing has on developing countries to achieve the 2030 Agenda.

The region cements its status as the largest recipient of global foreign investment, but trends vary across economies and sectors.