UN SUMMIT OF THE FUTURE
The United Nations’ Summit of the Future took place on September 22-23, 2024. It is a crucial gathering of world leaders aimed at addressing pressing global challenges through a new framework of multilateral cooperation. The summit will focus on the adoption of the Pact for the Future, which includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations.
UN Secretary General António Guterres has called the Summit a “once-in-a-generation UN Summit”. It is being projected as an important milestone in the history of the UN as it enters the 80th year of its establishment in 2025.
CONTEXT & BACKGROUND
- Proposal: The summit was proposed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his Our Common Agenda report in September 2021, responding to calls from Member States for innovative approaches to current and future global issues.
- Objectives: The summit aims to reinvigorate global action and develop multilateral frameworks suited for contemporary challenges.
- Participation: Over 4,000 participants are expected, including heads of state, government representatives, and members of civil society and NGOs.
KEY FEATURES OF THE PACT
The Pact comprises 56 actions designed to enhance progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on:
- Peace and Security:
- Security Council Reform: A progressive commitment to reform the UN Security Council to enhance its effectiveness and representativeness, especially addressing Africa’s historical under-representation.
- Nuclear Disarmament: A reaffirmation of multilateral commitments to eliminate nuclear weapons, marking the first such commitment in over a decade.
- Outer Space Governance: Strengthening frameworks to prevent an arms race in outer space and promote safe exploration for all nations.
- Sustainable Development and Climate Action:
- Turbo-Charging the SDGs: The Pact is designed to enhance the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Financial Architecture Reform: Detailed agreements for improving representation and support for developing countries in international financial institutions.
- Climate Commitments: Affirmation of the goal to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 °C and transition away from fossil fuels by 2050.
- Digital Cooperation:
- Global Digital Compact: A comprehensive framework for digital cooperation and AI governance, emphasizing technology’s benefits for all, including commitments to internet connectivity and safe online environments.
- Data Governance: Establishing the first global commitment to data governance, promoting open and accessible data.
- Youth and Future Generations:
- Declaration on Future Generations: Initiatives to ensure the consideration of future generations in decision-making, including potential appointments of envoys.
- Youth Engagement: Enhanced opportunities for young people to influence global decisions impacting their lives.
- Human Rights and Gender:
- Strengthening Human Rights: Emphasis on protecting human rights defenders and promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women.
WHY IS THE SUMMIT IMPORTANT?
- Climate Crisis Response: The summit is timely as the climate crisis continues to trigger extreme weather events, disproportionately affecting less developed countries. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports significant casualties and economic losses due to climate-related disasters.
- Global Risks: Climate change is identified as the foremost global risk over the next decade, interlinked with other challenges like conflict, economic crises, and public health threats.
- SDG Progress: With only 17% of SDG targets currently on track, the summit aims to address these gaps and reaffirm global commitments to sustainable development.
- Geopolitical Tensions: The current geopolitical landscape presents significant barriers to achieving the SDGs, necessitating renewed collaboration and dialogue.
- Scientific Innovation: The UN has declared 2024-2033 as the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, emphasizing the role of scientific solutions in enhancing SDG outcomes.
SOME RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
- The UN convened the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in July 2024, setting the stage for the summit.
- Despite a substantial investment gap of $4 trillion to meet the SDGs, notable advancements have been made in areas such as:
- Renewable energy consumption increasing from 16.7% in 2015 to 18.7% in 2021.
- A 27% reduction in HIV infections from 2015 to 2022.
- Child mortality under five reaching a historic low of 4.9 million in 2023.
- Internet access now covering 95% of the global population.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF PM’s SPEECH
- Collective Strength Over Conflict:
- He stated that achieving global peace requires cooperation instead of war, stressing the importance of unity in tackling common challenges.
- Emerging Threats:
- He pointed out that cyber, maritime, and space are new areas of potential conflict, alongside traditional threats like terrorism. He called for global digital rules to protect national sovereignty.
- India’s Commitment:
- Speaking for 1.4 billion Indians, PM Modi shared India’s success in lifting 250 million people out of poverty and expressed India’s willingness to share this experience with other developing countries.
- Reforms for Relevance:
- PM Modi stressed the need for changes in global institutions, particularly mentioning India’s desire for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council and highlighting the inclusion of the African Union in the G20.
- Technological Governance:
- He called for fair global rules to ensure the safe use of technology, suggesting that digital public services should help connect people around the world.
- India’s Global Vision:
- PM Modi shared a vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” which aligns with India’s efforts to promote global health and energy cooperation.
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