World leaders from around the globe are set to convene at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City for the highly anticipated UN Summit of the Future. This inter-governmental gathering, taking place on September 22-23, aims to produce the Pact for the Future, an actionable roadmap to address pressing global issues and secure a better present and future for all.
The Summit of the Future is being hailed as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to forge a new consensus on the direction of humanity and nature, and to take decisive action to tackle critical challenges. With high-level political support, this event marks a critical step towards reinvigorating multilateralism and enhancing global cooperation.
The urgency of the Summit is underscored by the pressing need to rescue the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The world is currently falling short in delivering on these 17 goals, which aim to end poverty, fight inequality, and protect the planet by 2030. The Summit seeks to jump-start progress on the SDGs by mobilizing more investment in developing countries, addressing global debt, and finding innovative ways to fund green recovery and sustainable energy transitions.
In addition to the development emergency, the world is facing a uniquely dangerous geopolitical moment. Ongoing wars, terrorism, nuclear threats, and the emergence of cyber warfare and militarization of outer space have heightened the risk of a major global conflict. The Summit proposes a New Agenda for Peace, focusing on war prevention, peacekeeping, and addressing root causes such as poverty and inequality. Discussions will also revolve around the regulation of emerging domains like cyberspace and outer space.
Technological advancements have transformed our lives, but they also present significant risks. Misinformation, digital divides, and the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) are serious threats that demand attention. The Summit will introduce a Global Digital Compact, a set of shared principles and guidelines for governing the digital world. Key topics of discussion will include data governance, closing the digital divide, and managing the risks associated with AI and other emerging technologies.
Youth participation and empowerment will be at the forefront of the Summit’s agenda. With the youth leading movements for climate action and social justice, their voices and perspectives are crucial in shaping the global development agenda. The Summit aims to provide opportunities for youth engagement and ensure their concerns are addressed. A Declaration on Future Generations will be adopted to safeguard the interests and needs of future generations in decision-making.
The Summit also seeks to address the shortcomings of the current global governance model. The existing institutions and systems were designed decades ago and are ill-equipped to handle the complexities of today’s world. Discussions will focus on reforming the global governance system to make it fairer, more inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all nations. Reforms to the UN Security Council and the international financial system will be explored, along with the creation of an Emergency Platform to strengthen the international response to global shocks.