Global Citizen NOW, the summit that drives action to end extreme poverty,is heading to Seville, Spain, for the first time on June 29, 2025.
These unique thought leadership events bring together a dynamic mix of the brightest minds and most influential decision-makers in conversation to create a global agenda for bold, urgent action.
Global Citizen NOW: Sevilla will convene world leaders, advocates, artists, and changemakers in the run-up to the United Nations (UN) Fourth Financing for Development Conference (FfD4), hosted by the Government of Spain and taking place from June 30 to July 3 in Seville.
Building on our Protect the Amazon and Scaling up Renewables in Africa campaigns, Global Citizen NOW: Sevilla has one primary goal: to push for stronger financial commitments to tackle extreme poverty and spur economic development on the eve of the FfD4 conference.
What Exactly is the Financing for Development Conference?
The world is at a pivotal crossroads. Budgets for global aid are being cut by wealthy countries all around the world, stalling progress on the climate crisis, global health, and poverty alleviation. The annual financing gap for sustainable development currently sits at $4 trillion, with some estimating this figure could rise to $6.4 trillion by 2030 if left unchecked.
That’s why the FfD4 Conference matters. Held roughly every ten years, the summit offers an opportunity for global leaders to push for bold financial reforms that fight poverty, inequality, and the climate emergency.
The trouble with international finance today isn’t that there aren't enough resources to go around — it’s that they’re not reaching those who need them most. We know that vast sums remain untapped within the private sector and the global financial system — capital that could drive transformational change in the world if redirected towards social welfare. Official Development Assistance (ODA) (or international aid) is critical, but it accounts for just a drop in the ocean of what’s available.
We’ve seen what’s possible when we shake things up. Governments mobilized trillions of dollars in mere months during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023 alone, global military spending surged to $2.2 trillion. It’s obvious: We have the money. All we’re missing is the political will to spend it wisely.
“Our global financial system was not designed to meet today's challenges. It must evolve to reflect the realities of a world in crisis,” said H.E. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. “From unsustainable debt burdens to the escalating climate emergency, too many nations are being asked to do more with less. The Global Citizen NOW: Sevilla summit is a vital platform to champion equitable financing, accelerate renewable energy transitions across Africa and SIDS, and advance the systemic reforms our world urgently needs. Now is the time for cooperation and decisive action for people and planet.”
Who’s Going To Be There?
Global Citizen NOW: Sevilla will feature a distinguished lineup, including Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government of Spain; Ursula Von Der Leyen, President of the European Commission; Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda; Alexander De Croo, Former Prime Minister of Belgium; Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); Maria Fernanda Espinosa, GWL Voices Executive Director and former President of the UN General Assembly; Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, President-Designate of COP30 and Brazil’s Climate Ambassador; Binaifer Nowrojee, President, Open Society Foundations; Daouda Sembene, Founder and CEO of AfriCatalyst; Mark Suzman, CEO, Gates Foundation; Laura Thompson, ILO Assistant Director General; Prof. Jayati Ghosh, Member of the UN High-Level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs; Prof. Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation, the co-lead of the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force Secretariat and Special Envoy to Europe for COP30;and Duncan Ward, Co-Founder and Managing Director, TransEnergy Global.Additional names will be announced before the event, so stay tuned for more details.
Global Citizen NOW: Sevilla will be hosted by Nomzamo Mbatha, actress, humanitarian, and Global Citizen Ambassador.
What’s Going to Happen?
From June 29 to July 3, Seville will be at the center of the global conversation between world leaders, changemakers, and creative voices on the future of international aid and climate action.
Global Citizen NOW: Sevilla will feature powerful stories highlighting the real-world impact of economic development efforts, as well as inspiring fireside chats with heads of state, advocates, and business and philanthropic leaders. Throughout the evening, dynamic panel discussions will explore innovative ways to unlock money stuck in the system and close the financing gap.
What Are We Advocating For?
2025 is proving to be a defining year for global development and climate action.
Global Citizen NOW: Sevilla is just one crucial moment in a year with some of our biggest campaigns to date, including Protect the Amazon and Scaling Up Renewables in Africa, spotlighting the deep connections that exist between funding sustainable development and climate action.
At Global Citizen NOW: Sevilla, we’re calling for urgent action at the FfD4 summit, including:
- Debt relief for low- and middle-income countries to free up resources for public services and climate action.
- Massive scale-up of innovative finance tools, including reallocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), climate bonds, and blended finance of public and private money.
- Binding commitments to international aid that meet at least 0.7% of countries’ spending — no more broken promises.
- Fair representation for Global South countries in development institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
- Concrete follow-up mechanisms with timelines, accountability, and full transparency.
Building on the momentum kicked-off in Seville, we’re also looking forward to major moments for Global Citizens everywhere at theUN Climate Change Conference (otherwise known as COP30) in Belém, Brazil, as well as the G20 Summit in South Africa, both in November.
Take Action With Us
By hosting Global Citizen NOW: Sevilla, we’re amplifying public pressure and voices to governments, multilateral organisations, and civil society in a critical moment in history.
You can add your voice to the conversation by taking action right here on our website or on the Global Citizen App. Sign our petition calling on governments attending FfD4 to deliver on our policy asks, and take this quiz to learn more about the global financial system and how to create a fairer, more just future for all.