SEVILLE — President William Ruto has called for fairness in global financial systems, urging world leaders to support climate and development efforts without creating a divide between the Global North and South. Speaking at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Ruto said the Pact for Prosperity, People and Planet (4P) is not a platform for blame, but a shared solution for sustainable growth.
President William Ruto co-chaired the high-level meeting alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders emphasized that solving the climate crisis and supporting economic development requires mutual responsibility and financial equity.
“The 4P is not about South versus North,” Ruto said. “We’re focused on practical answers that work for everyone. We now have 73 countries on board, united in action not in argument.”
The 4P pact aims to address structural inequalities in the global financial architecture that leave many developing countries unable to respond effectively to both poverty and climate threats. Ruto welcomed the growing support for reforming international financial institutions, which he said have often limited access to credit and investment for nations in the Global South.
“This initiative proves that countries should not be forced to choose between poverty reduction and climate resilience,” Ruto stated. “We must advance both.”
Ruto called for stronger domestic resource mobilization and urged governments to take the lead in addressing development gaps. “We cannot rely entirely on external support. Nations must develop local strategies and tap into private sector capacity, particularly in critical areas like healthcare,” he said.
He also underscored the need for balanced representation in multilateral institutions to ensure African voices shape the global financial agenda. “We are making progress toward fairer governance of these bodies, but we must push further,” he added.
President Macron echoed the message of collaboration, warning against framing the issue as a standoff between rich and poor nations. “The only way forward is cooperation built on mutual respect,” Macron said.
The 4P pact continues to gain momentum as a joint climate-development framework, promoting financial reforms that allow all nations to pursue sustainable progress without sacrificing social or environmental goals. With backing from over 70 countries, the pact is shaping up as a major force in global policy conversations ahead of the next UN climate summit.
