4th International Conference on Financing for Development special event: Investing in global solidarity

Excelencia, Pedro Sánchez, Presidente del Gobierno

Excelencias, Distinguidos Jefes de Estado y de Gobierno,

Es para mí un honor co-presidir este evento junto al Presidente del Gobierno

que ha hecho de España un sinónimo de solidaridad,

de compromiso con el desarrollo,

con valores fundamentales de justicia y equidad

y de compromiso con la lucha contra la pobreza

Agradezco profundamente que España nos invite a este encuentro para hablar de solidaridad global, en un momento donde esa opción que otrora considerábamos ineludible, parece hoy debilitarse.

Allow me to continue in English.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

We meet at a crossroads.

Our latest report on official development assistance presents a troubling picture.

Aid is declining when it's needed most

For three consecutive years, official assistance to developing countries has declined.

Last year alone, it fell by 2%, and there are some forecasts suggesting that in 2025, the decline could reach nearly 20%

Today, in a world in debt distress, one-third of all development assistance comes as loans, not grants

And, at the same time, we see that aid in essential sectors such as health has dropped.

At a time when 3.4 billion people live in countries that spend more servicing their debt than on health or education.

And we wonder, why is there no sense of urgency?

Because countries continue to pay.

They default on development, rather than defaulting on debt.

And there is no sense of urgency because markets are not in crisis.

But people are. People are in crisis.

However, funding for emergency response is growing which signals that underinvestment in resilience means that we need more funds to deal with the grave consequences of underinvestment.

So we forget, as I often say, that short and the long term begin at the same time.

We should stress also that we should not limit the discussion on financing for development to aid.

Aid is part of the mix, and very important for low-income countries but most of the developing countries in this room will tell you they do not just want assistance, they want a level playing field that opens opportunities for all.

They will tell you that sustaining development must be about tackling systemic issues that lock people and countries in poverty, inequality, lack of opportunities and suffering.

That investing in global solidarity is about building a world in which no one is left behind,

because countries and citizens can build their own future,

because the rules are fair and all voices are heard.

To do this we need to think about development in an integrated way where trade, investment, finance and technology reinforce each other as the Compromiso de Sevilla states.

So, in this retrenchment and inward-looking policies, Spain has been a champion of development and of multilateralism.

The Compromiso de Sevilla, which the President just talked about is an open door to hope.

While official development assistance from members of the Development Assistance Committee went down by 7.1% in 2024, Spain’s official development assistance grew by 12% in 2024, placing Spain as 12th among OECD members.

But Spain is also a leader of the new financing for development, of this turning point we are experiencing in this conference.

Much has been achieved.

Dialogue, negotiation and ultimately, agreement - when many thought it was not possible.

A clear, actionable plan for change.

So, thank you Spain, not only for gracefully hosting us in Seville but for pushing for ambition and helping us prove

that multilateralism that can deliver,

that cooperation matters and agreements can be reached.

This is why the Seville Platform of Action that was launched yesterday offers an invaluable opportunity to keep the momentum of Seville strong to 2030 and beyond and translates our commitments into actions.

Y, Presidente, de nuevo, el anuncio de hoy le da un impulso al Compromiso de Sevilla y al multilateralismo.

Nosotros vivimos tiempos de muchos déficits pero los que más nos preocupan son el déficit de la confianza y el déficit de la esperanza.

Hoy estamos construyendo confianza y hoy estamos construyendo esperanza. Muchas gracias.

Excellencies, in closing,

In a world facing deep challenges - from climate shocks to conflict, from displacement to debt - development cannot be an afterthought .

It is central to the world’s stability, security, and peace.

When we invest in sustainable development, we do not only build schools, hospitals, jobs and clean energy grids -

we build trust, prosperity, resilience, and hope for a future that can include us all.

And when we neglect these investments, the consequences reverberate across continents & generations.

I am confident that the Seville Commitment sends a clear message:

that global solidarity matters

that is a shared responsibility,

and the smartest investment we can make is in our collective future.

The choice is ours. And the time to choose is now.

I thank you.

Muchas gracias.