An in-person side event to the 2024 Financing for Development Forum and SDG Investment Fair
23 April 2024, 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Conference Room 8
UN HQ, New York

Over the last few years, the issuance of sovereign SDG bonds (in both use-of-proceeds and sustainability-linked structures) by governments to finance their sustainable development priorities has been increasing. Several countries have issued bonds that have targets, KPIs and projects aligned with the SDGs.

Sovereign SDG bonds are rooted in the need to finance sustainable development and an opportunity for countries to draw investments toward the sectors that need it most. Countries have started including SDG bonds in their Integrated National Financing Frameworks that lay out the country's overall sustainable development financing needs.

The potential to advance the SDGs through this instrument is huge. Nevertheless, there are challenges, such as concerns related to SDG-washing for example, as the market grows. It would be helpful for both countries and investors to understand lessons learnt, constraints, and best practices from the examples so far.

The Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD) Alliance, under the leadership of UN DESA and the United Nations Development Programme, has developed integrated guidance for the benefit of sovereign borrowers considering SDG bonds, and investors looking to scale up investments through these instruments. 

This side-event will launch the guidance with a presentation on the overview of the current state of the sovereign SDG bonds market. The presentation will include key recommendations in the guidance followed by a discussion on the challenges and solutions from the perspective of both the private sector and countries.

Registration to attend the event in person has now closed.
The event will be streamed live on UNWebTV.