The Summit of the Future, held on September 22-23, 2024, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, marked a pivotal moment in global governance, with world leaders adopting the Pact for the Future, a comprehensive framework designed to address pressing global challenges and strengthen international cooperation. The Pact includes two critical annexes: the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations, both of which aim to recalibrate international efforts to meet the evolving demands of the 21st century.
The Global Digital Compact is one of the most ambitious aspects of the Pact. As digital technologies increasingly shape global economic and social landscapes, ensuring equitable access and governance of digital resources has become paramount. The Compact recognizes the importance of bridging the digital divide, especially between developed and developing nations. It outlines commitments to improve access to digital infrastructure, promote digital literacy, and support the development of innovation ecosystems in underserved regions.
One of the most significant outcomes of the Global Digital Compact is the establishment of an Annual Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance under the auspices of the United Nations. This dialogue aims to ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed ethically and inclusively. Furthermore, the Compact initiates a process toward international data governance, acknowledging the critical need for frameworks that protect privacy and prevent data misuse on a global scale.
Private sector involvement is also a key component of the Global Digital Compact. The Pact encourages public-private partnerships to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital domain. By creating conducive environments for investment in developing countries, the Compact seeks to stimulate economic growth and promote decent work through digital technologies.
The Declaration on Future Generations is another cornerstone of the Pact, providing a blueprint for safeguarding the rights and well-being of future generations. This Declaration is the first of its kind, outlining concrete steps for incorporating intergenerational dimensions and future-focused thinking into today's policymaking. One of its most notable provisions is the potential appointment of a UN Envoy for Future Generations, whose role will be to advocate for the long-term impacts of decisions made today.
A central theme of the Declaration is ensuring that future generations are at the heart of global decision-making. This includes commitments to addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and other environmental challenges that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, particularly in developing countries. The Declaration also emphasizes the need for stronger social protection systems to prevent future generations from falling back into poverty.
Moreover, the Declaration calls for greater youth participation in global governance, recognizing that young people are the key stakeholders in decisions that will shape the world they inherit. By providing meaningful opportunities for youth engagement, the Declaration aims to create a more inclusive and representative global governance system.
Political significance of the Pact for the Future is that it goes beyond merely an agreement; it represents a profound shift in how the international community approaches global challenges. The Pact emphasizes the need for a multilateralism that is more representative of today’s world and draws on the expertise of a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and the private sector. This collaborative approach is crucial to addressing issues like sustainable development, human rights, and gender equality, all of which are prominently featured in the Pact.
Importantly, the Pact lays out mechanisms for accountability and follow-up. A high-level review of the Global Digital Compact is scheduled for 2027, and a comprehensive review of the entire Pact will take place in 2028, ensuring that progress is monitored and commitments are upheld.
The upcoming global events, including the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development and the Second World Summit for Social Development, provide opportunities to build on the agreements reached at the Summit of the Future. These forums will be crucial for advancing the actions outlined in the Pact and addressing gaps, particularly in supporting developing countries.
While the Pact for the Future is a monumental achievement, it is not without its challenges. One criticism is that the Pact does not fully address the growing gap between developed and developing countries, particularly in terms of resources for combating climate change and supporting sustainable development. The lack of sufficient financial commitments and mechanisms for capacity building remains a point of contention, especially for developing nations that bear the brunt of environmental and economic crises.
However, the Pact also presents an opportunity to recommit to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. With only six years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Pact calls for a renewed focus on turbo-charging global efforts, ensuring that no one is left behind.
By and large, the Summit of the Future and the resulting Pact for the Future reflect a renewed commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation. Through the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations, world leaders have laid the groundwork for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable global order. While challenges remain, particularly in addressing the needs of developing countries, the Pact offers a clear path forward, with concrete actions and follow-up mechanisms that will shape the future of global governance for years to come. The outcomes of the Summit are promising, but the true test will be in the implementation of these commitments.
The outcome documents of the Summit are attached.
Sergei Zelenev, ICSW President-Elect and Special Representative to the United Nations
