Innovative financing pathways for SDGs

On the invitation of the Sustainable Development Council, a two member delegation from ESCAP’s Macroeconomic Policy and Financing for Development Division undertook a three day mission to Sri Lanka to discuss various financing options for SDGs in the context of the current macroeconomic situation in the country. Through stakeholder consultations and bilateral planning discussions, a technical support plan was identified to support Sri Lanka with various policy options including innovative financing pathways for SDGs while also supporting its economic recovery efforts. Alternative financing options for the SDGs beyond Sri Lanka’s traditional approach of loans, grants and national spending measures (such as (debt-for-development swaps, thematic bonds, blended financing) were discussed at length during the consultations.