McMaster Scholars Call for a Cohesive Public Development Bank Ecosystem to Advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), convened on July 2, 2025, in Seville, Spain, brought together leading global experts to advocate for the transformation of the international financial architecture through the creation of a coordinated global ecosystem of public development banks (PDBs). The event, titled “A Global Public Development Bank Ecosystem, Climate-Aligned Finance, and the Right to Development,” highlighted the urgent need for climate-aligned financing strategies grounded in human rights and global equity.

Co-organized by Professor Thomas Marois (Public Banking Project, McMaster University) and Professor Bonny Ibhawoh (Senator William McMaster Chair in Global Human Rights and Vice-Provost, International), the panel featured contributions from experts in international law, economic justice, and development banking.

The key message from the event was that a more intentional and accountable global Public Banking ecosystem is critical to delivering the scale and quality of climate-aligned finance needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), meet climate commitments, and fulfil the human right to development.

Speakers underscored that access to long-term, concessional finance is essential not only for climate mitigation and adaptation but also for ensuring fairness, participation, and accountability in global development. This event contributes to ongoing international conversations about reforming the global financial system to better support sustainable development globally.

Related stories:

• McMaster Faculty to Lead High-Level Dialogue at United Nations Financing for Development Conference – McMaster Global
• McMaster is granted organizational accreditation for the United Nation’s 4th International Conference on Financing for Development Conference in Sevilla, Spain – McMaster Global