Nations Adopt “Seville Commitment” to Tackle Debt Crisis, Fund Sustainable Development

As the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) opens in Seville today, global leaders have announced the adoption of the “Seville Commitment,” a significant step aimed at addressing mounting debt burdens in developing nations and unlocking critical funding for sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The agreement, reached by UN member states on June 17 ahead of the conference, focuses on boosting financing for key sectors including energy, food systems, and digital industries. According to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the commitment seeks to tackle the spiraling debt crisis that has left many developing countries spending more on debt interest payments than on essential public services, severely constraining their paths to sustainable growth.

“The Seville Commitment recognizes that without decisive reforms and support, vulnerable countries will remain trapped in cycles of debt distress and underinvestment,” Guterres said in remarks released ahead of the conference. “We must ensure resources flow where they are most needed—to sustainable energy, resilient food systems, and the digital economy that can unlock jobs and innovation.”

The FFD4 conference, taking place from June 30 to July 3 at the FIBES Sevilla Exhibition and Conference Centre, brings together heads of state and government, senior officials from international and regional organizations, financial and trade institutions, private sector leaders, civil society, and the UN system. It is the only global platform dedicated exclusively to aligning international financial flows with sustainable development objectives.

Delegates are expected to discuss comprehensive reforms of the international financial architecture and explore mechanisms to mobilize investment, particularly for developing economies grappling with intersecting challenges including climate change, food insecurity, and technological divides.

“The world stands at a crossroads,” said Guterres. “Financing our future means transforming how we invest today to secure prosperity, equity, and sustainability for generations to come.”

The outcomes of FFD4 are anticipated to shape global financial priorities in the crucial final stretch toward achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.