SEVILLE, SPAIN — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the international community to urgently reinvest in development assistance, warning that deepening global inequalities, climate disruption, and ongoing conflicts are threatening to reverse decades of progress.
Speaking at the opening of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville on June 30, Guterres appealed to global leaders to accelerate efforts to fund development programs that support health, education, and humanitarian needs in the world’s most vulnerable regions.
“We are here to repair and rev up the engine of development to drive forward investment in a time of massive headwinds,” Guterres told delegates. He cited a combination of stalled economic growth, rising geopolitical tensions, and shrinking aid budgets as major obstacles.
The UN chief warned that the global effort to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals is off track. According to Guterres, two-thirds of the goals are currently lagging behind, and over US$4 trillion (S$5 trillion) in annual investment will be needed to bring them back within reach.
Cuts in international aid, led by major donors such as the United States, are jeopardizing crucial support for developing countries. Many of these nations are already burdened with heavy debt and limited resources. These reductions, Guterres noted, have real consequences. Children are missing out on vaccinations, girls are dropping out of school, and hunger is on the rise in vulnerable communities.
The Seville conference, running from June 30 to July 3, brings together dozens of world leaders and development experts. It marks the most significant global forum on development financing in over a decade. Delegates are expected to adopt a policy document that reaffirms their commitment to ending poverty and hunger, advancing gender equality, and pushing for reforms in tax systems and international financial institutions.
Despite the urgency of the discussions, the United States, historically the largest donor of foreign aid, is not participating in the event. This absence has raised concerns about the future of global cooperation on development. Guterres concluded his remarks with a stark warning and a hopeful appeal. “We must change course now,” he said. “The lives and futures of millions depend on our action.”