Here’s what we learned at the once-in-a-decade financing conference : Elissa Miolene / Devex

Shared by Maie Ayoub von Kohl

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Summary
At the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), 15,000 delegates gathered in Sevilla amid a projected 17% drop in global aid and the formal dissolution of USAID.

Despite the U.S. absence, over 50 leaders endorsed the “Compromiso de Sevilla,” launching 100+ initiatives focused on debt relief, progressive taxation, and climate finance. Outcomes included a U.N. borrower’s club, new debt swap programs, a global debt registry, and levies on private aviation and wealth. The private sector pledged support but stressed the need for stronger data and de-risking tools. As detailed in this follow-up Devex analysis, the EU, African, and Latin American nations are now taking the lead in a more decentralized development landscape.

Quotes
“Am I hopeful about the results... Yes. I have to be hopeful.” — Maria Elena Agüero
“The show goes on.” — Amina Mohammed
“There are empires that are dying... like the U.S.” — Martha Bekele
“We do not want to default on development.” — Carlos Cuerpo
“There has to be action.” — Maria Elena Agüero