NEWS – The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) was held from 30 June–3 July 2025 in Seville, Spain

HIGHLIGHTS

• It was supported by UN DESA and ECOSOC; the USA did not participate.
• The Sevilla Commitment aimed to bridge the $4 trillion SDG financing gap in developing countries.

Historical Context

• First FfD: 2002 Monterrey Consensus
• Follow-ups: 2008 Doha & 2015 Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA)
• FfD4 builds on AAAA to realign global financial flows with SDG targets.

Major Outcomes of FfD4

• Launch of Sevilla Platform for Action:
  • Tackle unsustainable debt burdens
  • Enhance crisis/climate resilience & digital/local economies
• Debt-for-Development Swaps:
  • Spain–World Bank Debt Swaps Hub
  • Italy’s €230M African debt conversion initiative
• Effective Taxation Initiative for High-Net-Worth Individuals led by Brazil & Spain
• Establishment of Sevilla Forum on Debt for knowledge sharing

Global Concerns

• 3.4 billion people in countries spending more on interest than health/education
• 2025 debt servicing for developing nations: $947 billion
• FDI to developing nations fell to $435 billion in 2023 (20-year low) – World Bank
• India’s gross FDI rose to $81.04B, but net FDI fell to $353M

India’s Stand at COP29

• Criticized $300B climate finance target by 2035 as “paltry”
• Warned of developed nations’ “abdication of responsibility”