The World Gathers in Seville to Finance the Sustainable Development Goals Towards 2030
Press release | Date: 30/06/2025 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs
"To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, more resources must be mobilized, both from public and private sources. At the same time, development aid must be used more efficiently. In Seville, I am working to ensure that countries commit to concrete actions so that we can combat poverty, hunger, and climate change, and ensure that everyone has access to education and healthcare," said Norway’s Minister of Development Åsmund Aukrust.
This week, the world's countries are gathering in Seville, Spain, for the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4). The global community faces a significant financing gap for the Sustainable Development Goals of 4,000 billion USD. The goal of the conference in Seville is to find common solutions for how the world will finance future development.
With less than five years left until 2030, the deadline the world set to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, there is growing concern that progress is too slow and, in several areas, reversing. At the same time, there is a significant need for increased investments from both public and private sources.
Norway in a Key Role
Norway, represented by UN Ambassador Merete Fjeld Brattested, along with Mexico, Nepal, and Zambia, has held the important role of facilitator for the negotiations leading up to Seville. This role has involved proposing text, leading negotiations, and bridging different positions among UN member states.
A draft final declaration was adopted by consensus in New York on June 17, but only after the USA had withdrawn from the negotiations and the declaration. The declaration will be formally adopted in Seville today.
"The fact that the declaration was adopted by all UN member states except one shows that international cooperation is still possible – despite a challenging international backdrop. Having reached an agreement on the declaration in advance, we can now focus on discussing how the declaration will be implemented in practice," said Minister of Development Aukrust.
More Than Just Aid
Although development aid remains important, better tax systems, responsible debt policies, combating illicit financial flows, and increased mobilization of private capital are crucial for the world to succeed in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The conference in Seville is also a platform to strengthen global cooperation on reforming the international financial architecture. This includes representation from developing countries in the decision-making bodies of multilateral organizations, improved access to crisis management, and lower borrowing costs.
"I am very pleased that several of Norway's main priorities are included in the declaration: We have included work on anti-corruption as a cross-cutting concern, there is agreement to develop global standards that ensure responsible borrowing and lending. There are plans to strengthen national tax collection and international tax cooperation, and we have worked to promote women and gender equality in the text," said Mr. Aukrust.