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More than a 1,000 civil society representatives gathered in Seville this week for a major United Nations conference on development financing, but many said they left feeling side lined and frustrated, with expectations already low before the event began.
The four-day summit aimed to mobilise funding to help developing countries close a $4.3 trillion gap needed to address debt, climate challenges, and inequality. However, wealthy nations’ growing focus on defence spending and shrinking aid contributions cast doubt on the feasibility of the summit’s goals.
Civil society organisations (CSOs) criticised the final 'Seville Commitment' as diluted by richer countries unwilling to commit fully, and many objected to the emphasis on private sector-led solutions. ActionAid’s secretary general, Arthur Larok, said that Global South nations were leaving with nothing, while Global North governments avoided accountability.
Some proposals, such as a global wealth tax and levies on luxury travel, were welcomed by CSOs. Still, many were frustrated by limited access to the event, reporting difficulties with accreditation and exclusion from key talks. This led to a protest by civil society delegates on the summit’s final day.
Oyebisi Babatunde Oluseyi of the Nigeria Network of NGOs said civil society voices were systematically ignored and called for a new system to ensure their input. U.N. Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed acknowledged these concerns and promised efforts to widen their participation.
Oxfam’s Hernan Saenz warned that if the U.N. continues to restrict civic space, it risks losing its credibility. In a joint declaration, CSOs called the global financial system unjust and demanded a complete overhaul.
Despite the disillusionment, all interviewed CSO delegates affirmed their belief in the U.N., with Hirotaka Koike of Japan’s NGO Center for International Cooperation stating that, despite its flaws, it remains the only platform where all nations have equal standing.
The United States has rescinded licensing restrictions on ethane exports to China, allowing shipments to resume after a temporary halt and signalling progress in efforts to ease recent trade tensions.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off Japan’s Tokara Islands on Wednesday, with no tsunami warning issued but residents advised to remain vigilant.
The European Commission is set to propose allowing carbon credits from other countries to count towards the EU’s 2040 climate target, according to a leaked internal document.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
Italy plans to grant approximately 500,000 work visas to non-EU nationals between 2026 and 2028, as announced in a cabinet statement. The initiative aims to address labor shortages by expanding legal immigration pathways
In Denmark, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov signed an agreement with the U.S.-based company Swift Beat LLC to establish a long-term strategic partnership focused on drone production.
Indonesian rescue teams continue to search for 30 people missing after a ferry sank near Bali, with six confirmed dead and 29 rescued, amid difficult weather and sea conditions.
Russia has become the first country to formally recognise the Taliban government by accepting the credentials of a new Afghan ambassador, marking a significant diplomatic shift.
An explosion at a gas station in eastern Rome on Friday has injured multiple people and forced the closure of a nearby metro station, according to local media reports.
U.S. President Donald Trump said early on Friday he came away disappointed from a telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin because it does not appear the latter is looking to stop Russia's war against Ukraine.
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