A significant regional exchange event held in Colombo this week underscored the European Union’s ongoing commitment to fostering intra-regional cooperation across South Asia, particularly in the crucial area of Public Finance Management (PFM). The initiative aims to ensure government budgets translate directly into improved well-being for children and families.
The EU is actively supporting logical and efficient mechanisms for the sharing of expertise and promoting peer-to-peer (P2P), business-to-business (B2B), and government-to-government (G2G) collaboration on key issues across the region. This broad support is epitomized by the regional EU–UNICEF Public Finance Facility, which is currently aiding eight Asian countries, including Bangladesh, in transforming their public finance commitments into tangible realities.
From September 3rd to 4th, 2025, officials from the Ministries of Finance of participating Asian countries, alongside representatives from the EU and UNICEF, convened in Sri Lanka for the event titled “Financing What Matters: Strengthening PFM for Inclusive Social Outcomes for Children and Families.” The gathering provided a critical platform for delegates to share and discuss pivotal reforms in budget processes and analyze the trends of investment dedicated to children and their families across South and Southeast Asia.
A central theme emerged from the discussions: government budgets are profoundly more than mere numerical allocations. They represent fundamental commitments to safeguarding the rights and ensuring the holistic well-being of every child and their family. This key takeaway highlights the moral imperative behind robust and inclusive public finance management, positioning it as a cornerstone for equitable social development in the region.