Arab Voices on the Outcomes of FfD4

Writer: Hassan Sherry

Civil society organizations concluded their participation in the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), held in Seville between June 30th and July 3rd, 2025, affirming that the outcomes of the official conference, despite some partial positive steps, did not meet expectations. Whether in the discussions that took place during the conference or in the official final document “The Seville Commitment” (El Compromiso de Sevilla), the conference’s conclusions did not respond to the magnitude of the escalating global challenges, including rising inequalities, unsustainable debt burdens in the Global South, continued tax evasion and illicit financial flows, worsening climate and environmental crises, and the failure to provide decent work, amid shrinking civic space, escalating militarization and increased associated spending, while development aid declines and wealthy countries abandon their commitments. This comes at a time when Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators show stagnation and regression towards achieving them.

The Arab region is not isolated from these challenges, but rather lies at their heart, as 14 countries have not yet achieved a single Sustainable Development Goal. Estimates indicate that the absence of progress would extend the deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in 2030 by an additional 60 years. Therefore, these issues are not only technical or economic, but touch on the essence of social justice and human rights, and the absence of the desired change in the global financial and economic system means that the countries of the region, such as many countries of the Global South, will continue to face financial, economic, and social pressures that impede fair and sustainable development.

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