The global economic and financial environment poses formidable challenges to advancing sustainable development objectives. Investment in areas like sustainable infrastructure, education, health, the green economy, and climate action is key to achieving the SDGs. The SDG investment gap has grown from $2.5 trillion in 2015 to $4 trillion in 2023. Closing this gap requires a significant scaling up of both public and private investment, particularly in developing countries.

The United Nations Secretary-General recently released two ambitious proposals to raise financing for the SDGs. The SDG Stimulus calls for rapidly scaling up public and private finance for sustainable development by at least $500 billion per year. The Policy Brief on Reforms to the International Financial Architecture (IFA) presents a set of ambitious proposals on international financial architecture needed to achieve the SDGs. Both proposals require strong private sector contributions. 

At the virtual meeting, GISD CEOs will discuss with the Deputy Secretary-General on actions the GISD Alliance will take to increase the flow of capital towards sustainable development, in support of the Secretary-General's reform agenda.