SC & IDEAs FfD4 Side Event, 2 July 2025

Reform of the International Debt Architecture: A Developing Country Perspective of Credit Rating Agencies and Financing for Sustainable Development

FfD4 Side Event Co-Organized by IDEAs and South Centre

2 July 2025, 12:30 – 14:00, Room Side Event 17,

FIBES Sevilla Exhibition & Conference Centre, Seville, Spain

This event is being co-organized by the International Development Economics Associates Limited (IDEAs) and the South Centre on the sidelines of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) to leverage the global focus towards reforming international financial systems and addressing inequities in financing for development for addressing the urgent needs and priorities of developing and least developed countries.

This side event attempts to address an important building block of the international debt architecture, namely the role and function of credit rating agencies (CRAs) which has drawn particular attention and criticism from developing and least developed countries in recent years for acting as barriers to accessing development finance at a fair price. The event will discuss reforms to the international debt architecture, in particular the role and impact of CRAs and the broader development financing landscape for generating equitable outcomes for global South nations.

Concept Note