In a world where financial decisions shape development outcomes, the platform gives developing countries stronger tools and a more coordinated voice in managing their financial future.
What's the Borrowers' Platform?
The Borrowers’ Platform is a dedicated space enabling developing countries that are borrowers to come together, share knowledge, exchange experiences and speak collectively on debt issues.
It allows countries to:
- Share experiences and practical solutions.
- Learn from each other.
- Strengthen their capacity to manage and respond to debt challenges.
- Engage more effectively in global financial and debt discussions.
The Borrower’s Platform marks a new chapter – one built on collaboration, shared knowledge and peer learning.
Why is this needed now?
This has been long overdue, and the rising debt pressures only underscore the urgency. Debt isn't just a financial issue – it's a constraint on development.
- Developing countries’ external debt burden reached $11.7 trillionin 2024.
- Costs to service debt in developing countries have exploded over the last decade.
- In 2024, they spent almost 10% of their government revenue on interest payments to creditors abroad.
- Least developed countries pay nearly a quarter of their revenue to external creditors.
- 54 countries (home to 3.4 billion population) now spend more on debt than on health or education.
What problem does the platform address?
Debt conversations have always been creditor-driven with well-established mechanisms. Borrowers have never had an equivalent space. Until now:
- The existing creditor-driven coordination and negotiation mechanisms have been insufficiently responsive to the collective needs of borrowers.
- The Borrowers’ Platform helps close this gap in the global financial architecture.
What will the platform not do?
The platform is:
- Not a crisis-coordination mechanism.
- Not a forum for collective debt-restructuring negotiations.
- Not a standard-setting or collective bargaining entity.
Rather, it's a forum for borrower countries, both large and small, with different experience, stages of development, levels of indebtedness and debt-sustainability profiles, to engage in peer learning, share experiences, and advance collective advocacy, all in a voluntary and non-binding manner.
How will it work in practice?
The platform is a member state-led forum, supported by UNCTAD as the secretariat.
It will be governed by ministers of finance of participating countries. They will be supported by technical officials responsible for debt.
It will operate as:
- A peer learning channel, enabling sharing experiences on what has worked and what hasn't.
- A technical assistance hub to provide targeted and timely support.
- A shared knowledge repository on debt and development finance.
- A network for dialogue on success stories, emerging risks and common challenges.
Who is participating?
Borrowing countries from all developing regions around the world.
What will happen at the launch?
The platform will be formally launched on 15 April 2026 during the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings.
The launch will:
- Endorse the platform.
- Invite further countries to join.
- Set interim leadership arrangements.
- Define next steps for implementation.
The event will bring together Ministers of Finance, Central Bank Governors and the United Nations.
What role does UNCTAD play?
UNCTAD has been appointed secretariat of the platform. With this capacity, it provides technical and administrative support for the Borrowers’ Platform
How does it fit with existing debt initiatives?
The platform complements existing frameworks – it doesn't replace them.
By strengthening coordination and preparedness among borrowers, it helps countries:
- Engage more effectively in current processes.
- Improve outcomes within existing mechanisms.
What impact is expected?
- Stronger debt management capacities across developing countries
- A positive market signal by strengthening debt-sustainability practices and improving data transparency.
- A more balanced global debt architecture where borrowers can shape discussions, not just respond to them
- Improved development financing outcomes
How can countries join?
- Countries were invited based on eligibility criteria in the Draft Modalities document (circulated March 2026)
- A first round of invitations was sent to borrowing developing countries.
- Countries without an invitation but wishing to confirm their eligibility should contact the UNCTAD secretariat: borrowers.platform@unctad.org
- Membership is voluntary
What is the longer-term vision?
A permanent, empowered voice for borrowing countries.
In a world where financial decisions shape development outcomes, the Borrowers' Platform aims to give developing countries stronger tools, better information and a more coordinated voice in managing their financial future.
Overtime, it will reduce financial risks for the benefit of both borrowers and creditors.