March 2015: In an interview by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Lenni Montiel, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, described the Third International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD 3) as “so more than just another event” and called for high-level engagement going far beyond the outcome document of FfD 3, on the part of countries and organizations.

Montiel said a “Monterrey plus” approach would reflect a consensus already in place, and noted the need for some additional elements, such as a “recommitment” on official development assistance (ODA). He also called for agreeing on the facilitation of private sector engagement in development activities on the ground, including by improving conditions of governance and tax collection, and fighting illicit flows.

Montiel was appointed as ASG in DESA in November 2014 and took up the role on 16 January 2015. He oversees DESA’s FfD Office and the UN Statistics Division, among other areas. [Publication: DESA News, Volume 19, No. 03 – March 2015] [IISD RS Story on Montiel’s Appointment]