The 13th Steering Group meeting of the International Development Finance Club (IDFC) took place in Seville, Spain, from 30 June to 1 July 2025, hosted by CAF on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4).

Held over two days in emblematic locations, the Fundación Cajasol and the Real Fábrica de Artillería, the meeting provided a crucial moment to strengthen strategic alignment and reaffirm IDFC’s role as a leading force in development and climate finance.

Strategic Vision & Global Cooperation
The gathering opened with welcome remarks from IDFC Chairman Mr. Serge Ekué and CAF’s Executive Vice President, Mr. Gianpiero Leoncini. Members engaged in a roundtable about the international agenda, sharing institutional updates and evaluating the global context. A central focus was placed on IDFC’s contribution to FfD4 and the Club’s key input to the Finance in Common Summit’s joint report to UN-DESA, emphasizing the untapped potential of public development banks (PDBs) in financing sustainable development. In the meantime, IDFC expressed its strong commitment to reinforce climate and biodiversity finance, in an international context of resource scarcity.

High-Level Contributions & Exchanges
Notable interventions enriched the proceedings, including keynote addresses from:

• José Antonio Ocampo, Chair of the UN High-Level Experts Committee for FfD4,
• Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition at the European Commission.

These high-level exchanges reinforced the catalytic role of PDBs and the importance of global solidarity in sustainable development finance.

Driving Forward the IDFC Agenda
The second day focused on IDFC’s internal strategic work with:

• The Climate and Biodiversity Working Groups presented progress and next steps in the lead-up to COP30, including the Making Finance Work for Climate initiative and the 2025 Green Finance Mapping.
• An update from the Rules, Regulations and Standards Sub-Group addressed interactions with CRAs, GEMs, and MIGA.
• Reviews of activities across the Gender Equality, SDG Alignment, and Cooperation for Development Working Groups reflected IDFC’s continued commitment to inclusive and effective sustainable finance.
• The IDFC Facility presented the evaluation of its pilot phase and strategic options for its next cycle, alongside a new reporting framework that enhances visibility into key metrics.

A Club Positioned for Impact
Once again, the IDFC Steering Group meeting delivered a collaborative roadmap aligned with the Club’s strategic vision: reinforcing the role of PDBs in shaping a global financial architecture fit for sustainable development and climate action.

The Seville gathering concluded with strong momentum as members prepare for IDFC’s active participation at COP30 and the upcoming Sherpa Meeting in Rome.

IDFC at the Heart of FfD4

In parallel with the Steering Group, IDFC had a strong presence at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4). The Club organized four official side events, advocating the vital role of Public Development Banks (PDBs) in scaling up sustainable finance to meet global development and climate goals.

While coordinating the Steering Group and FfD4 in the same week posed logistical challenges, it proved to be a strategic opportunity to reinforce IDFC’s voice in the global conversation and ensure that the priorities of its members were visible and influential in shaping the future of development finance.

Looking Ahead

As global challenges intensify and multilateral cooperation becomes more critical than ever, IDFC is stepping confidently into a packed agenda of high-level gatherings. These upcoming milestones will be key to advancing the Club’s strategic priorities, reinforcing its leadership in climate and development finance, and deepening collaboration:

• 2nd Sherpa Meeting in Rome – September 15–16, 2025
  Hosted by Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), this working-level session will serve as a springboard to consolidate progress across IDFC’s workstreams and prepare key contributions ahead of global discussions in the final quarter of the year.
• IDFC Annual Meeting 2025 – October 19, 2025, Washington DC
  This meeting will convene the CEOs of member institutions to assess strategic direction, adopt key decisions, and strengthen IDFC’s collective voice on the global stage.
• COP30 in Belém, Brazil – November 10-21, 2025
  At this pivotal COP, IDFC will operate its own official pavilion, offering a platform to showcase the Club’s leadership on climate and biodiversity finance, promote member’s initiatives, and engage global partners in advancing a just and sustainable transition.
• 1st Sherpa Meeting in Tokyo – February, 2026
  Hosted by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It will be the opportunity to discuss IDFC’s roadmap for 2026, the latest developments and the international agenda.
• Steering Group Meeting in Cotonou, Benin – Summer 2026
  Hosted by BOAD, the next Steering Group Meeting will take place in the heart of West Africa. It will be a defining moment to elevate African development priorities, reinforce regional leadership, and carry forward IDFC’s agenda of inclusive, climate-aligned finance.