Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has arrived in Spain to participate in the 4th United Nations International Conference on Financing for Development, taking place in Seville.
The event is expected to culminate in the adoption of the “Seville Commitment”, a new global financing strategy aimed at advancing the 2030 Agenda, centered on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During his five-day stay, the Mozambican Head of State will hold high-level meetings with the King of Spain, the President of the Spanish Government, and authorities from the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, a region with which Mozambique maintains active cooperation.
“It is truly an honor, as not all heads of state will have the privilege of meeting His Majesty,” emphasized the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Maria dos Santos Lucas, in a press release issued by the Presidency of the Republic.
Mozambique’s participation in this conference takes place in a strategic context: the country is positioned among Spain’s five priority African partners for cooperation and seeks to expand its integration into the new dynamics of global financing, explained the minister.
The minister also confirmed that the Head of State will meet with European Council President António Costa and representatives of the Mozambican community in Spain.
“We are referring to representatives because we are in Seville, which is somewhat distant, so we will have some representatives from the Mozambican community here today,” she noted in the statement.
When asked about the possibility of signing bilateral agreements with Spain during this visit, the minister clarified: “This is a courtesy visit. It’s specifically to participate in this summit. But it is customary to meet with the host country’s leadership. […] We are among Spain’s five priority countries on the African continent.”
The 4th Seville Conference brings together political, financial, and commercial leaders to address global development challenges, including fair trade, public debt, and financial flows.
According to Finance Minister Carla Loveira, Mozambique arrives at the conference with a clear and structured agenda.
“Our country must reposition itself by listening to the new international dynamics related to financing and development, so we can identify new financing windows,” she said, emphasizing that six major topics of national interest will be discussed, including budget support mobilization, strengthening micro, small, and medium enterprises, and public debt sustainability.
The minister also highlighted that Mozambique will share its experience in three main areas: financial inclusion, energy transition, and climate financing.
“We are working toward the creation of a development bank,” she stated, also noting progress in green financing, adherence to Debt for Climate Swap mechanisms, and the implementation of climate insurance.
Regarding the Debt for Climate Swap strategy, Loveira explained: “It’s an approach where existing debt service can be redirected to finance climate-related actions, such as climate-resilient infrastructure. […] We’ve already signed an agreement, including with Belgium.”
In terms of long-term international commitments, the Finance Minister assured that Mozambique is aligned with the 2030 Agenda and the National Strategy for Economic Development. “We are already five years away from the end of the 2030 agenda. Our national strategy is structured around five pillars that encompass the 17 goals of the 2030 agenda,” she concluded.
Source: AIM
