Guterres calls for billions for sustainable development: Seville Conference 2025

Guterres calls for billions for sustainable development: Seville Conference 2025

On Monday, July 1, 2025, UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened the Fourth UN Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Seville, Spain. In front of almost 60 heads of state and government as well as delegates from more than 150 nations, Guterres called on the international community to take decisive action. The UN chief called for massive investments worth billions of dollars to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and close the alarming $4 trillion funding gap that developing countries need to achieve these goals.

In his opening speech, Guterres highlighted the growing hurdles on the path to sustainable development, characterized by inequalities, climate chaos and conflict. He described the current global situation as worrying and warned that the “engine of development” – financing – was stalling. He also stated that around two thirds of the SDGs agreed in 2015 were significantly off track.

The Sevilla commitment

One of the key outcomes of the conference is the “Seville Commitment,” which represents a global pledge to support the least developed countries. The commitment includes, among other things, a requirement to double the lending capacity of development banks and predictable financing for social spending. Guterres stressed that more than four trillion dollars are needed annually to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The conference attracts a wide range of participants, including more than 4,000 representatives from business, civil society and financial institutions. However, the absence of a US delegation remains notable, which is interpreted as a withdrawal from international development cooperation. President Donald Trump has already cut more than 80 percent of funding for USAID programs. This is happening in a context in which other rich countries such as Germany, France and Great Britain have also cut their development funds.

The role of Germany and the international community

The German delegation is led by Alibali-Radovan. Given the financial challenges plaguing many developing countries, Guterres noted that the crisis in international aid could lead to negative impacts on children, education and nutrition. In addition to the “Seville Commitment”, the conference will also focus on reforming the international financial order and redesigning the international financial architecture.

Overall, the Seville conference emphasizes the urgency of investing in the future of developing countries and actively addressing the accumulated challenges. Global efforts toward sustainable development are in jeopardy, and Guterres' appeal to the international community makes it clear that it is time to change course.

UNRIC reports that the development sector financing gap poses a serious threat to progress in many countries. The prospect of effective support is crucial to develop long-term solutions and achieve the ambitious goals set. The ongoing uncertainty in international politics significantly complicates these efforts, and the responsibility to address these challenges lies in the hands of all nations and stakeholders involved.