The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) took place in Sevilla, Spain in July 2025. It was a critical moment where governments, UN agencies, civil society, and the private sector came together to reshape how global development is financed in order to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In today’s difficult global situation with many overlapping crises, we are very concerned that the final draft of the Outcome Document does not give enough attention to global health. The outcome document sets new global rules for how health and development are funded. Civil society needed to act fast to make sure our priorities—especially community leadership in health—were included.
The #FfD4 Outcome Document — Compromiso de Sevilla — calls on UN Member States to scale up and enhance the impact of debt swaps to finance critical investments and accelerate progress toward the SDGs. In response, The Global Fund, the Government of Indonesia, and the JLI Center for Global Health Diplomacy convened a high-level dialogue with country leaders to explore ways to streamline debt swaps, reduce transaction costs, strengthen country ownership, and improve transparency.
Solange Baptiste, Executive Director of ITPC, joined the panel to bring a community perspective, emphasizing the need for equity, accountability, and community leadership in how debt swaps are designed and implemented.
Unlocking the Power of Debt Swaps for Health, Climate & Development Wednesday, 2 July 2025 8:30–10:00 AM
In this powerful intervention, ITPC brings the voice of communities to the heart of the debt and health financing debate. Speaking on an all-women panel, the statement calls for debt swaps to be reclaimed as tools of justice—not just finance. Drawing from real-time data gathered through community-led monitoring, it exposes how underfunded health systems are failing those most at risk, and how debt swaps—if designed with equity, transparency, and community leadership—can be a bridge from crisis to opportunity. Grounded in Global Public Investment principles, the message is clear: the real risk isn’t complexity or cost—it’s inaction.
Use debt swaps to move from promise to practice – FfD4
In a world facing rising inequality, collapsing health systems, and mounting global threats, this speech makes a compelling case for why Global Public Investment (GPI) is not just timely—it’s essential. Speaking to the urgent need for structural transformation in how global health is financed, Solange Baptiste outlined five ways GPI can move us from charity to justice: through predictable contributions, equitable governance, recognition of community leadership, alignment of national and global priorities, and institutional reform. This vision isn’t about tweaking broken systems—it’s about redesigning them to serve everyone, everywhere. As Solange Baptiste reminds us: the real risk is inaction.
Strengthening Principles for Global Cooperation in the Financing for Development (FfD) IV Outcome Document, Wednesday 2 July 2025, 12:30 pm-2:00 pm.
⚠️ ACTION ALERT: Communities Are Experts – Join the White Coat Action at FfD4 in Sevilla! ⚠️
What is FfD4?
The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4)is happening in Sevilla, Spain. It’s a critical moment where governments, UN agencies, civil society, and the private sector are coming together to reshape how global development is financed in order to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In today’s difficult global situation with many overlapping crises, we are very concerned that the final draft of the Outcome Document does not give enough attention to global health.
Why does it matter?
The outcome document will set new global rules for how health and development are funded. Civil society must act fast to make sure our priorities—especially community leadership in health—are included.
What can you do?
👕 If you’re in Sevilla:
Join us to pick up a white lab coat and decorate it with markers, slogans, or graffiti that show communities are health experts. We’ll wear them during the Sunday (29th) evening March.
Meeting point & start of the March: Jardines de Cristina 19:30
Final destination: Las Setas says 21:20.
GFAN Team and ITPC Global Team will wait for you with placards and white coats to show that #CommunitiesAreExperts and #FundingGapsKill to bring visibility and pressure.
Together, we will identify other key moments during side events and the main conference.
📸 Anywhere in the world:
Wear a white coat (or anything white), take a photo, and post it on social media.
No coat? Write “Communities Are Experts” or/and any key messages you would like to amplify on a piece of paper, hold it, and snap a photo.
Post: Share with the social media networks where you are active, such as LinkedIn, BlueSky, and Instagram
Tag: @GFAN @itpcglobal
Use hashtags: #CommunitiesAreExperts #FundingGapsKill #InvestinginOurFuture #AllEyesOnSeville #FfD4
Download the White Coat Campaign Toolkit to learn how we can change this and why community expertise must lead the future of global health.
