Investments need to grow from the present $3 trillion globally spent each year to at least $3.5 trillion a year to meet demand. Some studies indicate that demand for infrastructure, especially in the developing world, could call for investment funds reaching $6.9 trillion a year. Governments are increasingly weighed down by debt, budgets are increasingly constrained by new emergencies and earlier commitments. To meet the financial needs, governments need to enable private sector investments through innovative financing, blended financing, and various guarantee programs. The multilateral development banks have extraordinary talent and experience in dealing with this question and can lead the way towards a wiser pathway to enable greater collaboration in funding from governments and the private sector. Certainly, funding disaster resilient infrastructure could drive poverty reduction goals. Inclusive economic development that focuses on providing for the daily needs and services of people in all walks of life who are vulnerable to change would act as a unified agenda for change and lift the quality of life, especially for those in the so-called bottom billion.
