The revised Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) funding gap from private investments now stands at a staggering USD 4.2 trillion annually. With six years remaining to achieve the 2030 targets, we need new avenues for financing that can bolster resiliency across sectors. While international public financing for adaptation to emerging markets reached $28 billion in 2022, that did not lead to a paradigm shift for private investment in climate finance. As COP29 brings a new round of public financing commitments, we see the tremendous shortfall – and opportunity – for the private sector to fill this financing gap through sustainable, risk-adjusted mechanisms using a blend of public and private capital.
Our next Reimagining Private Capital for the SDGs session will explore innovative financial strategies to enhance resilience against global challenges. We'll examine investment vehicles for mobilizing larger pools of capital, including debt swaps, insurance, and blended transactions along with best practices for de-risking private capital. The discussion will address the climate finance challenge and highlight emerging private sector opportunities, such as rising consumer demand for nature-positive goods and financing sustainable supply chains.
We'll also cover the current resilience financing landscape, spotlight innovative financial tools, and share case studies from various regions and sectors. The focus will be on how private capital can drive resilience and how investors can integrate resilience into their investment strategies.
Moderator: Shane Mulligan, Inclusive Finance & Investment Lead, Abt Global
Panelists:
- Sashi Jayatileke, Blended Finance Advisor, USAID
- Tara Guelig, Director of Sustainability & Impact, The Lightsmith Group
- Fakri Karim, Climate Finance Expert, formerly with United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)