With only six years remaining to achieve the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the world stands at a critical juncture. The agenda, signed by all 193 UN member states in 2015, encompasses 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets aiming to eradicate extreme poverty, combat inequality and injustice, and address climate change.
Despite annual meetings at the UN headquarters to assess progress, the SDG Progress Report 2024 revealed that “the world is failing to deliver.” In response to this pressing concern, the UN convened the Summit for the Future on September 22-23. The summit aimed to unite world leaders in forging a new international consensus to safeguard the needs and interests of both present and future generations.
Facing escalating catastrophic and existential risks, there is a global yearning for tangible actions rooted in cooperation and mutual respect. The summit’s objectives were twofold: to accelerate efforts toward existing international commitments and to take concrete steps in addressing emerging challenges and opportunities.
Key discussions centered on recommitting to international cooperation in tackling current global challenges such as climate change, nuclear proliferation, and the unregulated advancement of artificial intelligence. Emphasis was placed on strengthening collaborative efforts to create a safer and more equitable future for all.
In his address to the summit, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized, “All countries, regardless of their size and strength, are equal members of the international community. International affairs should be handled through consultation by all countries. We need to build an equal and orderly multipolar world and defend the UN-centered international system, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.”
A significant outcome of the summit was the adoption of the “Pact for the Future,” an action-oriented document negotiated by governments throughout the year. The pact addresses critical areas including sustainable development and financing, international peace and security, science and technology innovation, digital cooperation, youth and future generations, and global governance. Additionally, a global digital compact and a declaration on future generations were adopted, signaling a unified commitment to proactive and collaborative global stewardship.
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Seeking hope from uncertainty to forge consensus for future of mankind
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