From June 30 to July 3, 2025, the fourth International Conference on Development Finance (FfD4) will take place in Seville, Spain. Expectations are high, as the conference aims to mobilize the means to close the enormous financing gap in climate and sustainable development, and to advance the reforms in the international financial architecture.
However, current global developments counteract these goals. The U.S. administration fundamentally questions multilateralism. Several European governments are drastically cutting official development aid (ODA) due to economic pressure or fundamental policy shifts. At the same time, geopolitical tension between the U.S., China, and Russia over spheres of influence, resources, and markets are intensifying. In this new landscape, the EU and Germany seek to assert themselves as key actors. FfD4 offers Germany and the EU an opportunity to strengthen partnership with countries in the Global South and to build alliances to tackle global financing shortfalls. It could be a milestone in strengthening Germany’s and the EU’s role as a reliable partner for sustainable development. Systemic reforms must be central to these efforts. Financial contributions should not be seen as budgetary burdens but as strategic investments in sustainable development, enabling long-term, equitable partnerships. German and EU development policy must be guided by values —beyond economic and security interests—to promote human rights and sustainable development for the well-being of all.
Our conference brings together leading political and civil society representatives to discuss the challenges and opportunities of FfD4 amid current geopolitical shifts.
Please register here for the Live Stream and here for in-person participation.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Nadine Mezger
(n.mezger@venro.org).
We are very much looking forward to your participation!
