Das Politikfeld Entwicklungszusammenarbeit befindet sich im Umbruch. In Deutschland wird im Vorfeld der Bundestagswahlen im Herbst 2017 die Rolle und Bedeutung der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit einen wichtigen Platz in der politischen Diskussion einnehmen. Fragen zu globalen Herausforderungen und politischen Entwicklungen wie der Agenda 2030 sollen auf unserer Blog-Plattform von unterschiedlichen Perspektiven unter dem Titel „Zukunft der deutschen Entwicklungszusammenarbeit“ öffentlich diskutiert werden. Bis zu den Bundestagswahlen werden dazu Stimmen von Vertreterinnen und Vertretern der Wissenschaft, der im Bundestag (derzeit und in der letzten Legislaturperiode) vertretenen Parteien, der Bundesregierung, des Europäischen Parlaments und der Europäischen Kommission, den entwicklungspolitischen Durchführungsorganisationen, der Zivilgesellschaft und der Privatwirtschaft beitragen.

From FfD4 commitments on digital finance to concrete policy action

Image of the Square in Seville, “4th International Conference on Financing for Development 30 June–3 July 2025 Seville, Spain”

Image by Gerhard Bögner on Pixabay

The Compromiso de Sevilla, the outcome document of the 4th Financing for Development Conference (FfD4) highlights the importance of digital technologies for financial inclusion. It outlines three central insights – concerning financial inclusion, consumer protection and regulations, and competition rules – that provide general guidance for policy-makers with regard to digital finance. These considerations point in the right direction as they adequately reflect the fine line between maximising benefits from access to digital financial services (DFS) and mitigating negative, unintended consequences. …

FfD4 Outcome Document: What should we make of the Compromiso de Sevilla?

Image of the Square in Seville, “4th International Conference on Financing for Development 30 June–3 July 2025 Seville, Spain”

On Tuesday, June 17, the FfD4 Preparatory Committee approved the Compromiso de Sevilla as outcome document of the FfD4 conference. The agreement came surprisingly early, arriving almost two weeks before the start of the conference in Seville. The document itself is lacking in many respects. However, achieving an agreement supported by all countries except the U.S. is, in the current situation, already an achievement.…

Image of the Square in Seville, “4th International Conference on Financing for Development 30 June–3 July 2025 Seville, Spain”

MDBs at FfD4: More Attention, Few Breakthroughs?

Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) have played a central role in financing sustainable development for over eight decades. Their growing prominence in international development cooperation is evident in the First Draft of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) Outcome Document, where they are mentioned over 40 times—a fourfold increase from the Addis Ababa…

Image of the Square in Seville, “4th International Conference on Financing for Development 30 June–3 July 2025 Seville, Spain”

Towards a stronger shared climate and development finance agenda: what role for the FfD4?

The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development comes at a critical moment for climate and development finance. Despite progress—such as increased climate funding over the past years, the establishment of the Loss and Damage fund, and the inclusion of climate targets in the World Bank’s mission—important challenges persist and remain unresolved. The negotiations on…

Images: Beach, Horizone, Reflection

Strengthening Climate Transparency for Climate Action

The world is falling short in keeping its climate commitment targets on track. Despite international commitments and national targets, progress remains slow, and many countries are struggling to implement measures that will keep global warming to below 1.5°C. One of the key tools to enhance climate action is climate transparency—as a foundation for evidence-based policymaking,…