Albares calls on countries to meet the target of spending 0.7% of GNI on Official Development Assistance

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, speaks at the International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, has called on all countries attending the International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville to meet the target of allocating 0.7% of Gross National Income to Official Development Assistance (ODA).

During his speech at the general debate of the event in Seville, the minister reminded the audience that Spain has already incorporated this objective into its Cooperation Law. A law in which Spain reaffirms the multidimensional nature of sustainable development and advocates that development metrics should incorporate indicators beyond Gross National Income.

At the same time, Albares admitted that ODA, which he said has been and remains essential, alone will be insufficient. He therefore called for the mobilisation of domestic resources and private sector involvement, coupled with a focus on improving the effectiveness of actions and ensuring that resources reach the intended recipients.

With regard to domestic public resource mobilisation, Albares acknowledged that we must redouble our support for progressive tax systems and the fight against illicit financial flows. He also reaffirmed Spain's commitment to greater international tax cooperation.

All these issues are reflected in the 'Seville Commitment', the outcome document of the Conference, which also includes measures to improve debt sustainability, strengthen the financial safety net, the representativeness of international financial institutions and the potential of trade, together with technology and innovation, as drivers of sustainable development.

Gender equality

The minister also explained that in Seville, Spain seeks to promote a collective commitment to achieve gender parity in the decision-making bodies of international financial institutions and multilateral development banks, as well as to integrate a strong gender perspective in all financing mechanisms.

Albares also stressed that for progress to materialise, a follow-up mechanism that guarantees accountability and the effective implementation of the actions and commitments achieved will be essential.

To this end, the minister said that they can count on Spain in this collective effort to implement the Seville Commitment, the roadmap for the future that we have equipped ourselves with to renew the global framework for financing for development and ultimately contribute to a more equitable and sustainable world.

Other events

Minister Albares completed the day's intense agenda with a speech at the Spain-OECD-UNCTAD side event entitled "New approaches for a renewed international cooperation: beyond GDP". Another of the side events that Albares opened was "Financing the localisation of the SDGs", where the minister expressed the need to "mobilise more resources and use them in the most effective way possible"; he also closed a special event on Global Health where he proclaimed that we need a "renewed vision, a collective commitment and a roadmap that will lead us towards sustainable, equitable and better coordinated health financing".

Albares also had the opportunity to join the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, at the launch of the Global Health Action Initiative in coordination with WHO, Gavi and the Global Fund.

Non official translation