Report of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Financing for Development

The global economic recession and financial turmoil from Covid-19 are derailing implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Even before the pandemic, this report of the Inter-agency Task Force noted that there was backsliding in many areas. Due to the Covid-19 crisis, global financial markets have witnessed heavy losses and intense volatility. Particularly worrisome is the prospect of a new debt crisis. The report highlights both immediate and longer-term actions, including arresting the backslide, to respond to the global pandemic.

The Inter-agency Task Force Report assesses progress in the seven action areas of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda: (i) domestic public resources; (ii) domestic and international private business and finance; (iii) international development cooperation; (iv) international trade as an engine for development; (v) debt sustainability; (vi) addressing systemic issues; and (vii) science, technology, innovation and capacity building. The 2018 edition focuses on investments in water, energy, ecosystems, and cities in particular. The report primarily targets Member States, particularly policymakers from ministries of finance, trade, foreign affairs and development cooperation, as well as central banks, local authorities, regulators and parliaments.

The Inter-Agency Task Force Report will assess progress in the seven action areas of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, such as (i) domestic public resources; (ii) domestic and international private business and finance; (iii) international development cooperation; (iv) international trade as an engine for development; (v) debt sustainability; (vi) addressing systemic issues; and (vii) science, technology, innovation and capacity building. The 2016 report lays out the commitments contained in the Addis Agenda in a systematic manner, and presents options for monitoring these commitments. The report primarily targets Member States, particularly policymakers from ministries of finance, trade, foreign affairs and development cooperation, as well as central banks, local authorities, regulators and parliaments.