Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, speaking in Seville, Spain;
Credit: MAE Luxembourg
From Monday 30 June to Tuesday 1 July 2025, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Xavier Bettel, attended the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), which took place in Seville, Spain.
As reported by Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, this high-level conference brought together various heads of state and government, ministers, and representatives of international financial institutions. It provided the opportunity to adopt the "Compromiso de Sevilla", an intergovernmental agreement that establishes the foundations for a renewed global framework for financing for development. This commitment includes concrete measures to close the $4 trillion financing gap needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), address the debt crisis and place the needs of populations at the heart of reforms to the international financial system.
During his general debate speech, Minister Bettel stated: "We are gathered today around a shared objective: to build a fairer and more inclusive future. Yet, poverty remains a persistent reality. At the same time, we are seeing a decline in the commitments of many countries to development cooperation, which primarily affects the most vulnerable populations. In a world where crises are multiplying, international solidarity is more essential than ever. Furthermore, respect for and promotion of human rights must remain at the heart of our dialogue with our partners and guide all of our action. Luxembourg, for its part, remains a resolutely committed partner". He added that the Grand Duchy will maintain its contribution of 1% of gross national income (GNI) for official development assistance - "a clear commitment to a fairer and more sustainable future."
Minister Bettel also stressed the imperative to never turn a blind eye to the most urgent crises. Regarding Gaza, he emphasised the need to reestablish a lasting ceasefire, the urgent need to release all hostages and the vital importance of enabling an immediate, massive and unhindered resumption of humanitarian aid. He denounced the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe, recalling that the people of Gaza, trapped in a brutal conflict between the Israeli army and Hamas, have been burdened by more than a year and a half of suffering and have endured nearly three months of a total blockade of humanitarian aid. Regarding Ukraine, Minister Bettel strongly condemned Russia's aggression, emphasising that civilians continue to pay a heavy price, and reaffirmed Luxembourg's support for Ukraine.
Moreover, at the Seville conference, Luxembourg and Spain announced increases in their respective commitments to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The Global Fund is the world's leading provider of grants in global health, having disbursed more than $65 billion between 2002 and 2024 to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and reducing mortality rates by 65% in 130 recipient countries worldwide. Luxembourg has pledged €13.8 million for the 2027-2029 implementation period.
Minister Bettel stated: "Luxembourg reaffirms its strong commitment to combating communicable diseases, strengthening health systems and promoting equitable access to quality health care for all. Through our renewed contribution to the Global Fund, we are investing in multilateral action that removes barriers related to human rights and gender inequality for the most vulnerable populations. But we are also investing in the health security of all and in better preparedness for future health threats."
On the sidelines of the conference, Luxembourg co-organised, together with South Africa, UN Women and the European Investment Bank (EIB), an official high-level side event entitled: "Financing for Gender Equality: Accelerating Action Towards 2030." The event, which brought together numerous high-level representatives, including Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Nadia Calviño, President of the EIB, aimed to mobilise the international community in favour of increased financing for gender equality, an essential condition for achieving the SDGs.
Luxembourg's Foreign Ministry added that the Grand Duchy has a long-standing commitment to gender equality and sustainable finance. It is convinced that effective financial inclusion is essential to ensuring true gender equality. Luxembourg, in partnership with UN Women, supports two recent programmes that translate this commitment into concrete actions.
On the sidelines of the general debate, Minister Bettel held bilateral meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, Carlos Ramiro Martínez Alvarado, the Vice President of Malawi, Michael Usi, and the CEO of the Gates Foundation, Mark Suzman, as well as Senegal's Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation, Abdourahmane Sarr, and the Andorran Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Xavier Espot Zamora and Imma Tor Faus.
With Guatemala, he signed a Political Consultation Mechanism agreement, marking an important step forward for bilateral relations between the two countries.
