The 2nd IDFC Sherpa Meeting of 2025 took place in Rome, Italy, on 15–16 September, hosted by Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP). Building on the momentum of FfD4 and the Steering Group Meeting in Seville, the gathering was an important moment to strengthen coordination, debate strategic directions, and prepare the Club’s contributions to COP30 in Belém.

Strategic Priorities & Future Outlook

The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from IDFC Secretary General Nicolas Picchiottino and from CDP’s International Cooperation and Development Finance Director, Paolo Lombardo. Participants also heard a video message from Dario Scannapieco, CEO and General Manager of CDP. Sherpas were invited to reflect on the global political context post-FfD4, sharing how their institutions are adapting and how IDFC working groups can best support their priorities.

A central focus of the discussions was the IDFC Facility, launched in 2019 as the Club’s operational arm to scale and accelerate members’ action on climate and biodiversity finance. Members reviewed the evaluation of the Facility’s six-year pilot phase and drew lessons to strategically position it for the next five years as a key vehicle for IDFC’s operational work on climate and biodiversity.

High-Level Contributions & Exchanges

The agenda was enriched by several important contributions:

• CDP shared its experience in building international development finance operations, underlining the importance of partnerships and blended finance, and presented its innovative work on geopolitical analysis and scenario planning, highlighting the value of foresight for development banks.
• BOAD and the West African Alliance on Carbon Markets provided insights into regional initiatives and practical opportunities to strengthen access to climate finance.
• SIDBI offered perspectives on their activities to support SMEs in India.
• The UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) presented its work on climate technology deployment and potential synergies with IDFC members.

On the Road to COP30

Sherpas dedicated significant time to preparations for COP30, reviewing IDFC’s deliverables and positioning. Discussions covered the upcoming 2025 Green Finance Mapping, the drafting of a new State of Ambition, the Green Guarantees Platform, biodiversity initiatives, and a position paper on access to loss and damage funds.
These exchanges reinforced the central role of Public Development Banks in mobilizing resources, delivering impact at scale, and advocating for systemic reforms in the global financial architecture.

Working Groups & Governance

Sherpas also reviewed progress across IDFC’s working groups:

• The SDG Alignment WG presented updates on the SDG Integration Grid and encouraged members to participate in the 2025 assessment which will lead to the creation of a mentoring programme.
• The Cooperation for Development WG advanced work on the secondment initiative ,the upcoming IDFC Investment Forum and the activities of the sub-group on Rules, Regulations and Standards
• The Gender Equality WG shared progress on the Gender Finance Mapping 2025 and upcoming advocacy actions.

On governance, Sherpas prepared key decisions to be taken at the Annual Meeting in Washington DC on October 19, including the renewal of Steering Group mandates and the election of the IDFC Chairperson for 2025–2027.

A Meeting with Momentum

The Rome Sherpa Meeting reaffirmed IDFC’s role as a platform for collective ambition and action. With strong exchanges, new perspectives, and clear deliverables ahead, members left Rome with renewed determination to strengthen the voice of Public Development Banks in the run-up to COP30 in Belém.