In 2020, amidst the global pause induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations marked its 75th anniversary. This significant milestone kickstarted a worldwide dialogue about our collective hopes and fears for the future.
This conversation sparked a journey leading to the Summit of the Future, a transformative event slated for this September at the UN Headquarters, just before the high-level debate of the General Assembly commences.
“The problems that we faced, the threats, but also the opportunities and the imperfections in how we respond.”
Responding to a mandate from UN Member States, Secretary-General António Guterres crafted “Our Common Agenda,” a landmark blueprint envisioning renewed global cooperation. This agenda sets the stage for a summit that will navigate through five critical paths: sustainable development and financing; peace and security; a digital future for all; youth and future generations; and global governance, addressing pressing issues like human rights, gender equality, and the climate crisis.
The culmination of the summit will see the adoption of a Pact for the Future, including a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration for Future Generations, poised to guide international efforts in the coming years.
Why This Summit is a Game-Changer
Despite past efforts like the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, there remains a pervasive sense that the UN’s structures, many established decades ago, no longer reflect today’s global fairness or effectiveness.
The Summit of the Future offers a platform to reaffirm commitments and prepare for future challenges, aiming to restore global trust. “The most important ingredient in international cooperation is trust,” says Michele Griffin.
“Trust in each other. A sense of our shared humanity, our interconnectedness. And the summit is designed to remind all of us, not just governments and not just people who will be at the UN in New York in September, but everyone, that we have to work together to solve our biggest shared problems”.
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Prior to the summit, two Action Days will also take place at UN Headquarters, drawing in diverse participants from civil society, the private sector, academia, and more. “You look at the UN and you think governments are the key players,” Griffin notes.
“And that’s true. They’re the ones sitting around the table, but they do so on behalf of their people.”
“Civil society actors, young people have been involved throughout and will be at the summit”, explains Ms. Griffin. “Private sector will be here in recognition of the massive role they have in shaping people’s lives and opportunities today. This summit is for and by everyone, and everyone should see themselves reflected in it”.
What Comes After the Summit?
The summit is just the beginning of a broader dialogue and commitment.
“Most of the seeds that we plant at this summit will take some time to grow and flourish,”
Michele Griffin states, emphasizing the ongoing role of global citizens in holding governments accountable. Post-summit, the focus will shift towards implementing the strategies laid out, with significant international meetings like COP29 in Azerbaijan and the UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Botswana on the horizon.
Join the Movement
The UN’s Act Now campaign inspires global citizens to advocate for a sustainable and peaceful future. In the buildup to the summit, the UN Youth Office is rallying support through the #YouthLead campaign, calling on world leaders to ensure global policies reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.
This September, the Summit of the Future promises to address critical global challenges and rekindle faith in what can be achieved when the world unites for a common cause. Join us as we take a step towards a future where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.