Nations Meet in Spain for UN Effort to Raise Trillions to Combat Poverty Without the U.S.

1 day ago The world’s nations are gathering in Spain for a high-level conference to tackle the growing gap between rich and poor countries and drum up the trillions of dollars needed to close it. The United States, previously a major contributor, has pulled its participation, so finding funding will be tough. The four-day Financing for Development meeting starting Monday in the southern city of Seville is taking place as many countries face escalating debt burdens, declining investments, decreasing international aid and increasing trade barriers. Co-hosts the United Nations and Spain believe the conference is an opportunity to reverse the downward spiral, close the staggering $4 trillion annual financing gap to promote development and bring millions of people out of poverty.