World Leaders Adopt Historic Pact for the Future at UN General Assembly
At the Summit of the Future on 22 September 2024, world leaders adopted the Pact for the Future and its annexes: the Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations. This historic agreement is the culmination of years of inclusive dialogue and collaboration aimed at modernizing international cooperation to address today’s realities and prepare for tomorrow’s challenges.
The Pact for the Future is the most comprehensive international agreement in decades, covering entirely new areas while also resolving issues that have long stalled consensus. Its primary objective is to ensure that international institutions are equipped to navigate a world vastly different from the one in which they were created. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres observed, “We cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with a system built by our grandparents.”
A Vision for Global Collaboration
The Pact reaffirms global commitment to the United Nations, the international system, and the principles of international law. It envisions a world where the international system delivers on its promises, reflects the diversity of today’s global landscape, and leverages the collective strength of governments, civil society, and other key partners.
“The Pact for the Future, together with the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations, unlocks new opportunities and untapped potential,” said Secretary-General Guterres during the Summit of the Future. The President of the General Assembly hailed the Pact as a foundation for “a sustainable, just, and peaceful global order – for all peoples and nations.”
Key Deliverables of the Pact for the Future
The Pact addresses a wide array of critical global issues, with commitments to:
Peace and Security
- Security Council Reform: The most significant commitment to reforming the Security Council since the 1960s, prioritizing greater representation for historically underrepresented regions, especially Africa.
- Nuclear Disarmament: A recommitment to nuclear disarmament, including a clear goal to eliminate nuclear weapons.
- Space Governance: Strengthening international frameworks to prevent the weaponization of outer space and ensure equitable access to its benefits.
- Regulating Emerging Technologies: Affirming that international humanitarian law applies to new technologies, such as autonomous weapons, to prevent misuse.
Sustainable Development and Climate Action
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A renewed drive to achieve the SDGs, backed by actionable commitments.
- Financial Reform: Agreement to reform international financial systems to better serve developing countries, including:
- Enhancing their voice in decision-making at financial institutions.
- Mobilizing financing to support sustainable development.
- Reforming sovereign debt systems to ensure sustainable borrowing.
- Strengthening global safety nets to protect vulnerable economies.
- Climate Finance: Accelerating support for climate adaptation and renewable energy transitions, with a commitment to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Rethinking Progress: Introducing metrics that go beyond GDP to assess human and planetary well-being.
Digital Cooperation
- Global Digital Compact: A groundbreaking global framework for digital cooperation and AI governance, focusing on:
- Universal Internet access for all people, schools, and hospitals.
- Ensuring online safety, especially for children.
- Regulating artificial intelligence with clear ethical guidelines.
- Promoting open data and standards.
- Establishing global commitments to data governance by 2030.
Youth and Future Generations
- Declaration on Future Generations: Introducing mechanisms to account for future generations in decision-making, including a potential envoy for future generations.
- Youth Engagement: Expanding opportunities for young people to influence global decision-making.
Human Rights and Gender Equality
- Strengthening global commitments to human rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women.
- Protecting human rights defenders and promoting civil society engagement.
A Collaborative and Inclusive Process
The Pact for the Future represents a bold step forward for international cooperation, aiming to create a world that is more equitable, sustainable, and prepared for the challenges of the coming decades.
For more information, visit https://www.un.org/en/summit-of-the-future.
The United Nations Foundation helps demystify the Pact for the Future
It’s important to understand how the pact came to fruition: when, where, and how world leaders adopted the agreement, and what comes next. We’re answering these key questions and more, which young people around the world are rightfully asking.
1. What is Our Common Agenda?
Our Common Agenda is a report presented by the UN Secretary-General, responding to Member States’ calls for stronger global cooperation during the UN’s 75th anniversary. It outlines a new vision for multilateralism, guiding efforts toward a more equitable, just, and sustainable world, further detailed in 12 policy briefs that propose key strategies for achieving these goals. The report aims to revitalize trust and address the needs of all people, regardless of their location, with innovative solutions for current and future challenges, serving as a roadmap for a brighter tomorrow.
In response to the Secretary-General’s call for youth input on the report, the UN Foundation’s Our Future Agenda program was established. The Next Generation Fellows, a group of changemakers under 30, engaged with over 600 young people globally and consulted with UN leaders to refine the ideas in Our Common Agenda. Their standalone report, Our Future Agenda, presents an ambitious vision and plan for young people and future generations, acting as a manifesto for the ongoing work of the program.
2. What is the Summit of the Future?
The Summit of the Future, held in September 2024, was a crucial gathering where world leaders discussed and adopted the Pact for the Future, a plan proposed under the UN’s Our Common Agenda. This was an opportunity for leaders to unite in tackling climate change, inequality, and other urgent global challenges. It emphasized the need for cooperative efforts, showcasing the vital role of young people’s voices in shaping the discussions and decisions. The Summit underscored the message that we must act now to create a sustainable future for everyone.
3. How were the Pact for the Future and its annexes agreed upon by world leaders?
The Pact for the Future and its annexes were developed through an intergovernmental negotiation process that involved engaging discussions among Member States. Namibia and Germany took the lead as co-facilitators for the pact, while the Netherlands and Jamaica led the negotiations for the Declaration on Future Generations, and Sweden and Zambia did the same for the Global Digital Compact.
Throughout the process, multiple drafts were created and refined, incorporating feedback from various stakeholders, including civil society and young people. Notably, the 2024 United Nations Civil Society Conference played a crucial role by convening diverse voices to inform and shape the intergovernmental negotiation process. This collaborative approach enriched the discussions and ensured that the final agreement reflects a comprehensive commitment to addressing global challenges.
4. What happens next?
Post-Summit of the Future, focus shifts to putting the commitments made into action through the Pact for the Future. World leaders are expected to take these agreements and turn them into tangible strategies that make a real difference in people’s lives. Key milestones through 2025 to secure action and assess progress in executing the commitments include Beijing+30, the International Conference on Financing for Development Conference (FFD), and the World Summit on Social Development. The UN will continue to play a critical role through these moments, fostering international cooperation to achieve the goals outlined in the Pact for the Future. This ongoing effort aims to create a lasting impact, paving the way for a more equitable, sustainable, and peaceful world for current and future generations.
5. Why is the pact important for young people and young countries?
The Pact for the Future directly addresses the unique challenges and opportunities of young people and young countries in a rapidly changing world. In many young countries, where 50–80% of the population is under 30, the need for sustainable development, education, and health care is urgent. By 2100, 7 of the 10 largest countries will be among today’s young nations, with Africa projected to have the highest number of young people.
This demographic shift presents a golden opportunity for these countries to harness their youthful energy to drive innovation and economic growth. It also requires strategic investments to ensure that young people are not left behind. The Pact for the Future and its annexes empower young people to participate actively in shaping policies that will influence their futures, ensuring they can thrive and contribute to global progress.