At the Hamburg Sustainability Conference on June 29, 2026, UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo called for greater global cooperation, investment, and decisive action to address mounting economic, geopolitical, and development challenges. Speaking at the official high-level opening, he said the world is experiencing unprecedented wealth and innovation alongside growing instability, making international collaboration more important than ever.
De Croo warned that ongoing conflicts, economic uncertainty, and shrinking development finance are placing significant pressure on developing countries. He noted that many governments have spent heavily to shield their populations from economic shocks, leaving fewer resources available for long-term investments in healthcare, education, renewable energy, and digital transformation.
Highlighting the financial challenges facing developing nations, De Croo said rising debt servicing costs are limiting their ability to invest in sustainable growth. He also pointed to increasing fossil fuel subsidies and stressed the importance of shifting investment toward clean energy to strengthen both economic resilience and energy security.
The UNDP Administrator outlined the organization’s “Day After Agenda,” a strategy focused on restoring countries’ fiscal capacity, accelerating the renewable energy transition, and strengthening multilateral cooperation. He said rebuilding development finance will require stronger domestic revenue collection, greater access to international capital, and broader sources of financing beyond traditional development assistance.
De Croo also defended the value of multilateralism, arguing that global issues such as climate change, migration, illegal drug trafficking, and violent extremism cannot be addressed by individual countries alone. He emphasized that interconnected global challenges require coordinated international solutions, with the United Nations playing a central role in bringing nations together.
Concluding his address, De Croo urged governments, businesses, and development partners to move beyond discussions and focus on practical action. He said the UNDP remains committed to creating stability through sustainable development, investment, and international cooperation, calling on all stakeholders to work together toward a more resilient and inclusive future.
