(KPL) Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith led a high-level Lao delegation to the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), held in Seville, Spain, from June 30 to July 3, 2025.

The conference opened with a keynote address by His Majesty King Felipe IV of Spain and was co-chaired by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The event brought together leaders and senior representatives from more than 179 countries out of 193 UN member states.

The conference featured general discussions, six high-level roundtables, and multiple breakout sessions. The aim was to identify priorities, address financing challenges, and accelerate efforts toward sustainable development, culminating in the adoption of a new international cooperation framework and the Seville Declaration.

On June 30, Mr. Saleumxay delivered remarks at the roundtable on domestic budget mobilization and allocation. He stressed the critical role of effective domestic resource mobilization in reducing reliance on external aid particularly for least developed countries (LDCs) like the Lao PDR. He outlined Laos’ public finance reforms, including tax system modernization, improved revenue collection, and the use of digital technologies, with a goal of increasing tax revenue by 20% by 2030.

He also called on development partners to step up technical and financial support for LDCs, particularly in building tax capacity and enhancing international cooperation in taxation.

On July 1, speaking on behalf of ASEAN and the Lao PDR during the General Debate, the Deputy Prime Minister welcomed the Seville Declaration of Commitments, which reinforces international pledges to finance development. He emphasized three key priorities: building a resilient, inclusive economy; supporting a rules-based multilateral trading system under the WTO; and mobilizing resources for regional industrial growth and energy connectivity.

In a national statement, Mr. Saleumxay highlighted Laos’ progress toward graduating from LDC status and its strategy for regional integration aligned with global development goals. He reaffirmed Laos’ commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and urged continued international cooperation and support.

FfD4 follows previous conferences held in Mexico (2002), Qatar (2008), and Ethiopia (2015). The Seville Declaration, to be formally adopted on July 3, 2025, outlines concrete measures to bridge the global financing gap, reduce inequality, and promote sustainable development through multilateral action.

The Lao delegation is scheduled to participate in further high-level discussions until the conference concludes.

KPL