28 February 2025
Speaking at the 9th Trade Union-DAC Forum, Olivier De Schutter challenged the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) (Seville, Spain, 30 June-3 July 2025) and Second World Summit for Social Development (Doha, Qatar, 4-6 November 2025), to confront the perverse incentives in the international financial order which see developing countries prioritise debt repayments over social investment.
“Governments who invest in healthcare, education and social protection for the long-term prosperity of their population should be rewarded, not penalised by financial actors. Governments who uphold workers’ rights should not face the threat of investors leaving the country, but supported by investors who should be made aware of the reputational risks they take in paying workers and suppliers below the living wage.”