June 13, 2023
The highly anticipated recently concluded UNGA week and Summit of The Future was a busy and fulfilling week for many and we are still absorbing all that transpired. As our friend Salih Booker from the For Foundation powerfully reminded us, “We are tired of the pageantry; bold action is needed.” His words resonated throughout the week, shaping the discussions on how we move forward.
At the Ford Foundation, we had the privilege of engaging with fellow civil society organizations (CSOs) on the important and elusive topic of decolonizing aid. We explored the transformative potential of Global Public Investment (GPI)—an approach that shifts the power dynamics in development finance and fosters shared learning and shared action.
Later, alongside our colleagues from the Club de Madrid, we co-hosted a Summit of the Future Impact Coalition Side Event, focused on the future of development finance and the path toward a successful Financing for Development Conference. There, government representatives from around the world reaffirmed a shared understanding: creative, sustainable sources of finance are critical. We reflected on the 2015 Addis Conference, acknowledging that ambition without concrete action remains a challenge—and agreed that the time has come to match our words with deeds.
These themes carried through to our roundtable at the Clinton Global Initiative’s Annual Meeting, where participants echoed the call for innovative financing and real accountability in delivering on the promises made.
The Summit of the Future was envisioned as a space for civil society to voice their hopes, fears, and aspirations to world leaders. While the summit had its challenges, one thing is clear: civil society remains the backbone of global development. This truth continues to fuel our determination to advocate for more equitable, effective, and accountable public finance.
In closing, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, without whom this network wouldn’t exist. We are also deeply grateful to all our partners and allies. Your support makes all our achievements possible.
The work ahead is significant. But together, we can deliver the transformative change that the world urgently needs. Let’s keep pushing forward.
