Guterres from Seville: It is time to change the path to save the sustainable development goals

Antonio Guterres launched his appeal at the opening session of the Fourth International Development Finance Conference (FFD4) held in the Spanish city of Seville – which is witnessing a record temperature rise in June. He pointed out that the sustainable development, which is supported by international cooperation, is now facing “stormy winds.” The Secretary -General said that pluralism itself suffers from pressure, while confidence between nations and institutions is eroded.

The conference will witness the presence of more than 50 world leaders, more than 150 countries, and about 15,000 delegates. The Secretary -General said that the world is burning and withed by disparities, chaos of climate and raging conflicts, stressing that “Finance is the engine of development, and at the present time, this engine stumbles.”

He continued, saying: “While we meet, the 2030 Agency for Sustainable Development – our global promise to turn our world towards a better and more just future – is in danger. “

About two -thirds of the ambitious sustainable development goals agreed in 2015 is very far from the right track – hence the need for a tremendous investment of $ 4 trillion to reverse this situation. Mr. Guterres said: “We are here in Seville to change the path. To fix and accelerate the development engine to accelerate the required size and speed.”

He described the closing document known as “Seville’s commitment” that was approved today, Monday, without the participation of the United States, which withdrew from the process earlier this month – as a “global promise” for low -income countries to promote it in the development ladder.

Three major areas of work

The Secretary -General of the United Nations has identified three major work areas:

• First, secure a rapid flow of resources locally to stimulate sustainable growth, and the rich countries must fulfill their pledge under the agreement to double aid to poor countries to enhance development. This includes doubling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks at a rate of three times and providing innovative solutions to open the way for private financing.
• Second, reforming the global debt system “unclean, unfair, and uncomfortable. Currently, poor countries spend only about $ 1.4 trillion on their huge debt service in the form of interest payments. Among the innovations, a forum for borrowers will work to ensure a more fair debt settlement and effective measures.
• Third, reforming the global financial structure, with the main shareholders playing their role to enable each country. “We need a more just global tax system that everyone constitutes, not a handful of them.”

Guterres added that the current crisis of the inability to bear the costs and the stopping of development is “Human crisis”Families are hungry, children are not immune, and girls are deprived of education.

He added: “This conference is not about charitable works. It is about restoring justice and facilitating the ability of all people to live in dignity. This conference is not about money – it is about investing in the future that we want to build together.”

Tangible and practical road map

King Felipe VI, King of Spain, spoke before the official opening of the conference, saying to the delegates that the city of Seville, multicultural, welcomes the world with “open arms.” He added that a new road map will emerge from the conference, based on what is “concrete, practical and implemented.”

He stressed the necessity of the success of the conference, because cooperation is one of our basic pillars in the world and “the supreme embodiment of the values ​​that support it – especially at this particular stage of history where certainty fades and many fears and doubts are formed.”

“Our time now”

In turn, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told delegates: “Our time now and our place here,” noting that millions of lives will depend on the options that will be made in Seville.

He continued, saying: “We must choose the ambition for paralysis, solidarity on indifference, and courage to rest.” Adding that “The world’s attention is directed towards this hall, to see what we are ready to do together, and in the face of this historical challenge we must prove our worth.”

He said that Seville was the sixteenth century New York diplomat – and a gift to globalization – “We all must achieve this legacy today.”

“Seville is not the end point”

In turn, Johuwa, Undersecretary of the United Nations Secretary -General for Economic and Social Affairs and the Secretary -General of the conference, said that the week in Seville is an essential moment to mobilize the resources necessary to build a just, comprehensive and sustainable future. He explained that the United Nations efforts to finance development were based on pluralism and solidarity – but today, the entire framework is “severe pressure.”

He said that sustainable development has not witnessed a test of this extent before, but the agreement that was in Seville re -puts people at the heart of attention. He went on, saying: “Seville is not an end point, it is a starting point for a new era of implementation, accountability and solidarity. “

He stressed that the United Nations Economic and Social Affairs Department is ready to support all countries to translate this commitment into international work.

The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Feltmon Yang, told delegates that we need to “lead the world’s direction towards a brighter and prosperous future for all, everywhere.” He said that the Seville framework will renew the global partnership of the next contract and will focus on the burden of debt that paralyzes the developing world.

As for the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, Bob Ray, he said that trust between the two countries must be strengthened, because its absence “creates chaos. What I would like to congratulate states is to offer ambition and deepen the engagement between financial institutions.” He added that the week represents a real commitment to work.

For his part, Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank Group, said that ending poverty is still its main task and that the ongoing population increase in developing countries require resources “with an unprecedented scale and speed.”

He said that everyone knows that governments, charitable institutions and institutions are unable to fulfill all expectations or promises – and for this reason the private sector is necessary for the Seville agreement in order for the flow of capital.

Mr. Banga added that the bank’s reforms in recent years aim to be a better partner for the private sector and government agents. He explained that improving response time, and strengthening capital and growth systems are essential – but a lot is needed to meet the needs of the next generation.

Exemption of less developed countries from penal customs duties

The conference is being held at an unprecedented time. After decades of positive contributions, the World Trade System is now “severe disturbance”, which resulted in strongly disabilities due to unilateral customs procedures and uncertainty in policies to the extent that the World Trade Organization strongly reduced growth expectations.

The additional customs barriers on July 9 – the deadline set by the American administration – will exacerbate the contraction in world trade.

She pointed out that the World Trade Organization called for the exemption of less developed countries and Africa as a whole of customs duties, “so that we can better integrate them into the World Trade system, and not exclude them more.” She said that the Seville Agreement acknowledges the right to international trade as a driver for development.

Toyyyyyyncoubs: “Therefore, we need to enhance stability and the ability to predict global trade,” By working on many levels, national resources can increase through exports.

The International Monetary Fund calls for the expansion of the tax base

The Deputy Director General of the International Monetary Fund, Nigel Clark, called for the expansion of the tax base, building strong financial management systems, coordination of support, and more sustainable debt processing.

He said that “Many countries are still suffering from high interest costs.”He called on the international community to improve debt restructuring operations. He added that the fund, by developing its capabilities, enables the members to draw their own paths, and also provides financial support when they are in need of it.