THE INTERNATIONAL Labour Organization (ILO) will present its call for greater investment in social justice at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), to be held in Sevilla, Spain, from 30 June to 3 July.
The conference provides a critical platform to reform global financing systems and address funding gaps that impede progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
This year’s discussions will set the stage for the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled for 4–6 November 2025 in Doha, Qatar.
Led by ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, the ILO delegation will highlight the importance of integrated financing strategies that enable countries to invest in people by strengthening social protection systems, expanding decent work opportunities, and fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
These efforts are essential for achieving SDG 8 and meeting SDG target 1.3, which urges nations to implement nationally appropriate social protection systems to reduce and prevent poverty.
Director-General Houngbo will play a key role in the conference, moderating the first high-level roundtable on 30 June (15:00–18:00 CET).
The session will convene Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs, and leaders of multilateral banks to discuss how domestic resource mobilization can enhance social protection coverage and job creation through sustainable economic growth.
The discussion will be livestreamed on ILO Live.
Later that evening, the Director-General will participate in the official launch of the Sevilla Platform for Action on Financing Social Protection (18:30–19:00 CEST).
This initiative aims to assist countries in developing tailored financing strategies to address social protection gaps.
The launch will feature remarks from the ILO, the Government of Spain, and representatives from South Africa, India, and Brazil, followed by a press conference.
On 1 July, Director-General Houngbo will moderate a high-level joint special event, “From Seville to Doha: Financing Inclusive and Sustainable Social Development,” co-hosted by the ILO, the Governments of Spain and Qatar, and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).
The session will examine how commitments made in Sevilla can translate into concrete financing strategies for social development, with a focus on full employment and decent work. It will also build momentum for the 2025 World Summit for Social Development in Doha by reinforcing the need for people-centered financing frameworks.
