MATCH TO SCALE: Bilateral and foundation co-financing for one billion persons with disabilities

Organizers

Sponsors

High-level exchange on advancing co-financing for disability inclusion.

Building on the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development and Sevilla Commitment, this roundtable moves from pledges to implementation by positioning bilateral–foundation co-financing as the default model to scale disability-inclusive investment. Meeting the needs and rights of one billion persons with disabilities amid pressure on official development assistance (ODA) requires complementary, time-bound commitments: bilaterals to bring scale, policy leverage, and predictable public finance; foundations to bring catalytic, risk-tolerant capital and convening power.

In strategic partnership with IDA, GDF will demonstrate how its new strategy converts Sevilla’s disability commitments into investable, OPD-led country pipelines and concrete milestones toward the Second World Summit for Social Development, while aligning with organizations such as the Green Climate Fund and Development Finance Institutions and Multilateral Development Banks to crowd in private and domestic finance.

Featured speakers



H.E. Mr. Åsmund Aukrust Minister of International Development, Norway.	H.E. Mr. Pasi Hellman Vice Minister, Secretary of State for Development Policy, Finland.	H.E. Mr. Tareq M. A. M. AlBanai Ambassador of Kuwait to the United Nations.	H.E. Mr. Archie Young C.M.G. Ambassador of the UK to the United Nations.	H.E. Ms. Alicia Buenrostro Massieu Ambassador of Mexico to the United Nations.

Ms. Emily Luck Assistant Secretary, Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.	Mr. Michael Gaffey Director General, Development Cooperation and Africa Division, Ireland.	Mr. Volker Oel BMZ Director for MENA, Middle East, Southern Europe and Latin America, Germany.	Ms. Tala Al Ramahi Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity.	Dr. Ola Abualghaib Director, Global Disability Fund (GDF).

	Ms. Stephanie Speck Director of External Affairs, Green Climate Fund (GCF).	Ms. Louise James Managing Director, Accenture.	Mr. José Viera Executive Director International Disability Alliance (IDA).

Indicative Agenda

3:30 – 4:00 PM | Guest Arrival & Registration

4:00 – 4:10 PM | Opening & Introductory Remarks

4:10 – 4:20 PM | The Proposal: A Co-Financing Model for Scale

4:20 – 5:00 PM | Round 1 – Bilateral Donors: Political Leadership & Protecting the Disability Agenda

5:00 – 5:30 PM | Round 2 – Foundations: Climate & Private Sector: Financing & Scaling Systemic Inclusion

5:30 – 6:00 PM | Synthesis & Next Steps

6:00 – 6:10 PM | Closing Remarks

6:10 – 7:00 PM | Reception & Networking

Roundtable Objectives

Safeguard disability rights amid ODA cuts: Assess risks and identify practical measures to protect disability rights and close funding gaps across inclusive development, climate action, and humanitarian response.
Build momentum toward WSSD2 (Doha, Nov 2025): Confirm ministerial/ambassador-level leads and invite priority bilateral, foundation, and OPD leaders to attend a pre-WSSD2 dedicated disability session on Monday 3 November 2025, hosted by GDF & IDA.
Discuss and shape new financial and policy commitments: Define concrete actions to be taken before and during WSSD2 to deliver sustained commitments and financing for disability inclusion, consistent with the Sevilla Commitment.
Catalyse innovative partnerships: Highlight country-level opportunities for public–private–philanthropy partnerships (PPPPs) with OPD leadership and gender-transformative approaches.
Elevate political support: Build high-level backing for disability inclusion within the UN and Member States, including inputs to WSSD2 negotiations and the Political Declaration.

Expected Outcomes

Review the proposed co-financing model: Participants will provide strategic input on a draft framework for new ‘co-financing compacts.’ The goal is to get in principal support to develop these compacts in the 90 days following the roundtable.
Coalition building for the WSSD2 session in Doha: Secure commitments from key governments and foundations to champion the disability inclusion session in Doha and confirm high-level participation for the event on 3 November.