The President of the Andalusian Government, Juanma Moreno Bonilla, delivered a powerful call for a systemic transformation in global development financing during a side event at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), hosted in Seville. Speaking before international leaders and high-level representatives from UNDP, the OECD, CAF, and regional governments worldwide, Moreno stressed the essential role of local and regional authorities in making the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) a reality.
“This is a decisive moment,” President Moreno stated. “With less than six years until 2030, we are not on track to meet the SDGs. Local and regional governments are not just implementers of global goals — we are key drivers of innovation, resilience, and real impact.”
Andalusia: A Committed Partner in Sustainable Development
Andalusia, one of the most populous regions in Europe and a historical bridge between continents, showcased its leadership in sustainable development and international cooperation. Moreno highlighted that over the past five years, Andalusia has implemented SDG-aligned cooperation projects in 28 countries, directly benefiting over 5.7 million people, 64% of whom are women and girls.
“We are a Mediterranean region with an Atlantic vocation — and that gives us a deep connection with both Africa and Latin America,” said Juanma. “We take our international role seriously and invest in building partnerships that deliver results.”
Earlier in the day, Juanma Moreno met with the President of Mozambique, underscoring Andalusia’s active diplomacy and commitment to global cooperation.
Concrete Proposals for SDG Localisation
In his intervention, Moreno outlined eight key proposals to strengthen the localisation of the SDGs:
- Strengthen funding for regional and local governments, with predictable and flexible intergovernmental transfers.
- Include new actors, beyond traditional development stakeholders, to broaden SDG ownership.
- Invest in public management, technology, and human capital.
- Direct more international cooperation funds to local communities in developing countries.
- Improve coordination and reduce fragmentation in global aid — the “Seville Commitment.”
- Enhance data quality to drive targeted action, including through initiatives like Regions 2030.
- Ensure policy coherence across all levels of government and sectors.
- Empower local and regional authorities to lead climate adaptation, especially in areas like water and transport.
“There is no development without strong local and regional governments,” Juanma Moreno emphasized. “We must rethink the global governance architecture to make it more effective and inclusive.”
Climate Action and Fairness at the Core
Moreno also underscored the need to ensure that climate policies are socially and ecologically just, citing Andalusia’s efforts to strengthen resilience and fairness in adaptation strategies. He reiterated that regions must not only be seen as policy implementers but also as markets for innovation and green transformation.
His intervention echoed the broader discussions held during the Assembly of Regional and Local Governments organized within the FfD4 framework, where Andalusian Minister of Social Inclusion, Youth, Families and Equality, Loles López, also highlighted the importance of territorial equity and solidarity in achieving sustainable outcomes.
A Global Call from Seville
Moreno closed his speech with a call for renewed multilateralism, innovation, and inclusion:
“This conference must become a window of hope — to overcome the stagnation in SDG financing and to build a future where no region, no community, and no person is left behind.”