Vienna: The OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund) is set to bring together global leaders, policymakers, and innovators for its fourth Development Forum on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. The Forum, which will be held in Vienna, Austria, is themed "A Transition that Empowers Our Tomorrow" and will focus on inclusive growth, climate resilience, and the power of South-South cooperation to advance equitable and sustainable development.
According to Emirates News Agency, OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa will inaugurate the Forum alongside President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania and Saudi Arabia's Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan. The event will see participation from senior government officials from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean, along with heads of multilateral institutions. The aim is to create solutions for some of the world's most pressing challenges.
President Alkhalifa emphasized that today's interconnected crises, such as climate change and economic volatility, require institutions that are agile and responsive. He highlighted that the OPEC Fund is committed to working with partners and the Global South. The Development Forum is intended to be more than just a dialogue platform-it is a catalyst for collective action and transformative impact, with the goal of turning adversity into opportunity.
The 2025 Forum will address four key themes: financing development, climate resilience, digital inclusion, and sustainable transitions for vulnerable economies. Sessions will aim to generate actionable ideas and partnerships to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. A series of cooperation agreements will be signed to strengthen South-South partnerships.
In addition to the Forum, the OPEC Fund will host the annual meeting of the Heads of Institutions of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) on June 16. The week's activities will conclude with the OPEC Fund Ministerial Council and Governing Board meetings on June 18, where new projects for supporting sustainable development will be approved.