EU development ministers to seek solutions to international development funding

Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade  Ville Skinnari  will represent Finland in the meeting. He will also meet representatives of the EU and visit NATO Headquarters for the purpose of exploring opportunities for export promotion.

The development ministers will continue the discussion from their latest informal meeting regarding a reform of multilateral development banks that would enable the banks to better support the attainment of global development and climate goals.

“It is important that the reform of development banks takes into account the need to develop our partners’ other income sources, in particular private financing and taxation. This is essential considering the increasing debt burden in developing countries,” says Minister Skinnari.

The ministers will also address the global consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and exchange views with the Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD),  Rebecca Grynspan. They will discuss food security, debt issues and measures to halt the growth of inequalities.

The ministers will also discuss current affairs, such as support to Ukraine and the situations of Afghanistan and Sudan. Another item on the meeting agenda is the adoption of Council conclusions on corruption, among other others. The development ministers will also meet President of the European Investment Bank  Werner Hoyer.