Among the issues under discussion are promoting sustainable development and reforming decades-old institutions, including the United Nations. Security Council and the international financial system.
On Wednesday, UN Under-Secretary-General for Policy and head of the summit, Guy Ryder, briefed journalists on the conference’s “very ambitious agenda.”
A more ‘networked’ multilateralism
“The idea of Summit is to make the United Nations, the multilateral system, more effective in carrying out its mandate; to make it more participatory, more networked. This, in the face of the very clear global challenges that we are facing,” he said.
“The reality is that the world has changed rapidly, and the reality is that many of our governance structures date back to the founding of the United Nations when it had 51 member states rather than the 193 member states that will meet at the Summit.”
Interest rates rise
More than 130 heads of state and government are expected to attend the key event, which takes place from September 22 to 23, just ahead of the annual high-level debate at the United Nations General Assembly.
There will be two “action days” preceding it, where non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academics and private sector representatives will engage on key topics. So far, more than 7,000 people have registered to take part.
The summit is expected to adopt a Treaty for the futurewith one Global Digital Pact and the Statement on Future Generations is attached.
United Nations Volunteers in India. They are part of 10 talented young professionals supporting UNICEF’s YuWaah – Generation Unlimited programme to connect young people to socio-economic opportunities.
Vision of the future
Mr. Ryder has provided a summary of the Treaty that he calls the “mother text.”
It will include five chapters on sustainable development and related finance; peace and security; science, technology and innovation; youth and future generations, and transforming global governance.
The chapter on science, technology and innovation “is where the annex on the Global Digital Compact comes into play,” he said.
“The goal of the Global Digital Compact is to make technology work for people in an equitable way,” he explained, stressing the need to take action to close the digital divide and create artificial intelligence (AI) governance systems, among other goals.
Meanwhile, the Declaration on Future Generations aims to ensure that decisions made today take full account of the needs and interests of tomorrow.
Trust and consensus
“The ambition of this Summit is as high as ever,” said Mr. Ryder, adding that with just 10 days to go, UN member states are working to reach the necessary consensus on three outcome documents.
“We need consensus to pass, but I think there is good reason to believe that a successful conclusion of these negotiations will produce a Treaty with two annexes that really make a difference,” he said.
“This is not just something worth having. This is something we need to secure for the future.”
