The recent conclusion of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (Seville, Spain, 30 June–3 July 2025) marks a significant moment in the human rights agenda. The summit concluded with the signing of the Seville Commitment, which proposes new channels for financing and global tax reforms. However, these measures lack binding force, leaving critical uncertainties regarding their implementation and generating deep reservations and widespread disappointment among civil society organizations.
The document reaffirms the defense of multilateralism, human rights, gender equality, and the need to raise climate ambition—especially through increased investment in disaster prevention and climate change adaptation. It builds on the 2015 Addis Ababa Action Agenda and reaffirms commitments from the 2002 Monterrey Consensus. The text reiterates the commitment to achieving sustainable development, including the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and upholding all enshrined principles.
A key concern was the absence of the United States, previously responsible for nearly 40% of global humanitarian aid. This absence cast a shadow over the summit, as a critical question remains unanswered: where will these already insufficient funds now come from? The atmosphere among participants was somber, with some critics calling the final text “unambitious” and others labeling it “frustrating and disappointing.”
While the Seville Commitment outlines measures to strengthen development financing—such as tax reforms to broaden the tax base, combat evasion, and improve transparency—it also reiterates calls for wealthier countries to meet the long-standing commitment of allocating 0.7% of GDP to international aid, a target set as early as 1970.
To prevent debt from suffocating low-income and developing countries, a new debt architecture was proposed. This includes the creation of a global debt registry and a working group involving the UN, IMF, and World Bank to facilitate restructuring efforts, again leveraging UN financial mechanisms to coordinate strategies.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized in his closing statement:
“We need more ambition and political courage to redirect resources where they are most needed. Without genuine will, this commitment will not change the lives of millions trapped in inequality.”
He warned that the financing gap poses a direct threat to the 2030 Agenda.
At HRGH, we highlight the importance of Article 3 of the Seville Declaration, where signatory states reaffirm a long-standing demand of human rights organizations: that financing development must include the pursuit and enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms—civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, including the right to development—without any distinction or discrimination.
Equally vital is Article 10, which asserts:
“All our actions will be people-centered, and we will strengthen the path toward a more promising future for all human beings. We will take measures to combat inequalities within and between countries, including by investing in social protection systems, human development, and reinforcing international cooperation.”
We commend the explicit connection between gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls, emphasizing gender mainstreaming across the entire financing for development agenda. The declaration acknowledges the ongoing feminization of poverty and recognizes that eradicating poverty in all its forms is essential for women’s economic empowerment and sustainable development.
Development demands the elimination of all forms of discrimination, a major obstacle to social and economic progress. The commitment calls for increased efforts to promote tolerance, embrace diversity, and combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance in all their abhorrent contemporary manifestations. It also underscores the need to guarantee access to financing and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The declaration affirms a commitment to good governance and effective, inclusive, and accountable democratic institutions at subnational, national, and international levels. It calls for participatory and representative decision-making that meets real needs, the eradication of all forms of corruption, and the integration of anti-corruption strategies as cross-cutting issues to restore public trust, ensure fair resource distribution, and stimulate private investment and economic growth.
A peaceful, just, and inclusive society—free from fear and violence—is a prerequisite for sustainable development. As the declaration notes: “There can be no sustainable development without peace, and no peace without sustainable development.” Yet we are falling behind on the fight against climate change, biodiversity loss, and desertification—issues that must now become explicit focal points in development financing.
Disaster risk reduction is crucial to safeguarding development progress. Disasters increasingly hinder the ability of developing nations to achieve sustainable development. The declaration highlights the need to address food insecurity and malnutrition by investing in agrifood systems—particularly in developing countries—through long-term, strategic approaches. Creating a regulatory environment that encourages private investment in agriculture and food systems is essential, alongside public investment to de-risk and incentivize private sector involvement.
The document calls for expanded investment in universal health coverage and inclusive, equitable, affordable, resilient, and high-quality health systems. It promotes entrepreneurship—including social entrepreneurship—with a focus on women and youth, and supports the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises, cooperatives, and the social and solidarity economy, as well as inclusive and sustainable industrialization. Finally, it recognizes the crucial role of culture and the creative economy in advancing sustainable development.
At HRGH, we position ourselves at the forefront of efforts to support and promote the effective implementation of these measures. These commitments, already adopted, must become the guiding principles for the coming years.
Phd. Javier Esguevillas
Director.
