UN General Assembly adopts revolutionary Pact for the Future

In a groundbreaking resolution made at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Secretary-General António Guterres termed the Summit of the Future as a moment to consider deep reforms to make global institutions more legitimate, fair and effective, based on the values of the UN Charter. 

On Sunday, Guterres noted that the world is heading “off the rails – and we need tough decisions to get back on track.” 

“Conflicts are raging and multiplying, from the Middle East to Ukraine and Sudan, with no end in sight. Our collective security system is threatened by geopolitical divides, nuclear posturing, and the development of new weapons and theatres of war,” said the UN chief. 

The Secretary-General further noted that multilateral institutions today are unable to respond in to political, economic, environmental and technological challenges.

“Huge inequalities are a brake on sustainable development. Many developing countries are drowning in debt and unable to support their people.We have no effective global response to emerging, complex and even existential threats. The climate crisis is destroying lives, devastating communities and ravaging economies,” he told delegates at the Summit of the Future. 

Pact for the future 

Adopted on September 22, 2024, the Pact for the Future aims at protecting the needs and interests of present and future generations. 

Heads of State and Governments upheld a recommitment to international cooperation based on respect for international law, with a pact for sustained international cooperation guided by trust and solidarity for the benefit of all and harnessing the power of those who can contribute from all sectors and generations.

World leaders recognised the need for restructuring of multilateral system to match the pace of the changing world. 

“They must be fit for the present and the future – effective and capable, prepared for the future, just, democratic, equitable and representative of today’s world, inclusive, interconnected and financially stable,” the leaders reached an accord. 

The realisation of Sustainable Development Goals also took a centre stage in the pact, with a resolve to “free the human race from the tyranny of poverty hunger and want and to heal and secure our planet.”

“The Pact for the Future is about turbocharging the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, accelerating a just transition away from fossil fuels, and securing a peaceful and livable future for everyone on our planet. It includes a groundbreaking commitment by governments to listen to young people and include them in decision-making, at the national and global levels,” remarked Guterres in his opening remarks. 

On the other hand, the Global Digital Compact is established on a principle to ensure technology benefits everyone. It paves way for a universal agreement on the international governance of Artificial Intelligence, and gives way for an independent international Scientific Panel on AI and initiating a global dialogue on its governance within the United Nations.

In addition, the adopted Declaration on Future Generations echoes the call of the United Nations Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, with a  call for partnerships between civil society, the private sector, local and regional authorities.