External publications

The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development: A review of key disagreements and outcomes

Berensmann, Kathrin / Yabibal M. Walle
External Publications (2025)

Bonn: Welternährung - das Fachjournal der Welthungerhilfe 6/2025

Deutsche Version:
Die 4. internationale Konferenz zur Entwicklungsfinanzierung: ein Überblick über die wichtigsten Kontroversen und Ergebnisse

Volltext/Full text

On 17 June, two weeks ahead of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), to be held from June 30 to July 3, 2025, in Seville, Spain, the conference’s Outcome Document was endorsed by all participating countries—except the United States. While the absence of the U.S. is concerning, reaching consensus despite its opposition can be viewed as a pragmatic success. Given that the U.S. was following an increasingly obstructionist stance throughout the negotiation process and renounced its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), moving forward without its participation was likely the only path to a worthwhile agreement. However, the implications of U.S. non-participation cannot be overstated. Without U.S. engagement, advancing key reforms in development finance will be challenging—especially in areas where the U.S. holds considerable influence, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, where it retains veto power. Similarly, efforts to achieve progress in international tax cooperation are likely to face major obstacles. This paper reviews the key contentious issues that arose during the year-long negotiation process and examine how they were addressed—or compromised—in the final outcome document.

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