Protesters braved extreme heat in Seville on Sunday to call for debt relief, fairer taxation, and climate action on the eve of a major United Nations summit on global development.

Activists marched through the scorching streets of Seville on Sunday, demanding debt cancellation, climate justice, and higher taxes on the super rich, just ahead of a key UN summit on financing development.

The four-day summit—held once every decade—aims to tackle global issues such as poverty, disease, and climate change by shaping the next development framework. But hopes for meaningful progress have been tempered by the United States’ withdrawal and a declining commitment to foreign aid from wealthier nations.

Greenpeace protesters carried banners reading 'Make Human Rights Great Again,' 'Tax Justice Now,' and 'Make Polluters Pay.' 

Beauty Narteh of Ghana’s Anti-Corruption Coalition called for a fairer tax system and “dignity, not handouts.” Ndiaye Bousso of the Africa Development Interchange Network urged both public and private sectors to show greater solidarity with developing nations.

Despite the challenges, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the mere fact the summit is taking place amid global conflict is itself a reason for hope.

Copied