A/79/PV.3 General Assembly
The meeting was called to order at 9.25 a.m.
123. Strengthening of the United Nations system
I declare open the Summit of the Future.
This Summit is held in accordance with resolution 76/307, of 8 September 2022, and decisions 78/555, of 10 July 2024, and 78/564 B, of 6 September 2024.
The draft resolution before the Assembly contains the Pact for the Future and its annexes, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. They represent the conclusion of many months of negotiations and embody compromise on the part of all sides. No internationally agreed document is perfect. However, I strongly believe that the Pact, the Compact and the Declaration represent the broadest support of Member States. I urge all States to support the adoption of the Pact for the Future and its annexes.
I give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation to introduce draft amendment A/79/L.3.
When resolution 76/307 was adopted almost two years ago, we all agreed unequivocally that the final document of our Summit — the Pact for the Future — should be “agreed in advance by consensus through intergovernmental negotiations” (resolution 76/307, para. 4). Unfortunately, that task was not fulfilled. The text submitted for adoption today, in violation of the
* Reissued for technical reasons on 18 February 2025.
Today we will certainly hear many words of praise for the Pact, the United Nations and those who were responsible for the negotiations. We want our colleagues to understand that all this will sound hypocritical. The truth is that there were essentially no intergovernmental negotiations on the Pact. There was not a single meeting at which delegations gathered at one table and negotiated the text of the draft resolution by section and paragraph. From the onset, the coordinators of the text preparation included provisions that were dictated to them mainly by Western countries. Controversial points accumulated and were not resolved from the very beginning to the very end. Not a single request of ours to sit down at the negotiating table and discuss them was satisfied.
That is not what is commonly considered and called multilateralism, which many people love to talk about. What happened is a huge defeat for the United Nations, because the principle of the sovereign equality of States, prescribed in the Charter of the United Nations, was cynically sacrificed for one group of countries, whose interests were carefully protected all these months. The negotiation coordinators unilaterally decided what and in what form should be included in this or that document, and what should not. We do not recall any prior instance of such lawlessness at the United Nations. We have heard from many delegations, not only those that broke the silence procedure but also those who have supported the draft Pact, that they are not satisfied with many things in it. But what about the principle of leaving no one behind, which the Secretary-General loves so much? In essence, no United Nations Member is satisfied with the text. This is a document about the future. Can the future be built on such a foundation? Is that the limit of what we can demonstrate to future generations?
The best option would be not to try to adopt a raw and non-consensual text today, but to decide to continue negotiations until the document acquires a character that suits everyone without exception — specifically, direct negotiations between delegations and not manoeuvres by the coordinators. That would not be a defeat for anyone; on the contrary, it would be our common victory — victory for multilateralism and the United Nations Charter. We hope that you, Mr. President, will have the courage to offer us such a procedural solution; its details can be polished in parallel with the progress of our Summit.
If the Assembly should decide to move forward and push through a non-consensual text, then on behalf of a group of States — the Republic of Belarus, Nicaragua and the Russian Federation — we would like to introduce an amendment to the draft Pact for the Future and its annexes.
Our amendment is based on the principle of non-interference in internal affairs outlined in paragraph 7 of Article 2 of the United Nations Charter, which the Organization is obliged to follow. That is one of the fundamental principles of international law, which has not been reflected in the Pact. The draft amendment contained in document A/79/L.3 emphasizes the key role of the intergovernmental nature of decisions taken at the United Nations. The amendment emphasizes the need to avoid duplication of efforts and maximize the efficiency of the use of United Nations resources, all of which is especially relevant in the context of the Organization’s current budget crisis.
The draft amendment does not ignore the aspirations of the countries of the global South; on the contrary, it seeks to protect them from further pressure from the
Given the content of our amendment and the circumstances of its introduction, we count on the support of all delegations. Those who put our amendment to a vote are essentially seeking to undermine the intergovernmental nature of the United Nations and challenge its Charter. If the amendment we propose does not make it into the text of the Pact, Russia will disassociate itself from the consensus on the text and the Global Digital Compact, especially with regard to provisions on disarmament, the participation of non-governmental organizations in the work of the United Nations and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
In any case, we consider it necessary to emphasize that the Pact is not a document that automatically creates new mandates and obligations for Member States. It is simply a declaration, and a very vague one at that. New mandates and obligations can emerge only as a result of intergovernmental processes that are carried out in a fundamentally different way from how the work on the Pact and its annexes was organized.
I now give the floor to the representative of the Congo on a point of order.
I have the honour to take the floor on behalf of the Group of African States, of which my country holds the current chairmanship.
The African Group warmly congratulates you, Mr. President, the co-facilitators and the Secretary-General on the tireless and collective efforts that have led very difficult and complex negotiations to fruition. The African Group believes that it is our collective responsibility to ensure and guarantee a better future for current and future generations at a time when we find ourselves at a crossroads. Given that what is at stake will define our common future, the African Group believes that we need to show our unity and ability to provide shared and concerted answers to the multiple and complex challenges that we are facing today.
The African Group firmly believes that the adoption of amendment A/78/L.3 will not help us achieve our legitimate hopes and aspirations. The African Group therefore strongly supports the leadership of the President of the General Assembly and all his efforts to ensure the adoption of the Pact for the Future (A/79/L.2).
To conclude, the African Group would propose that no decision be taken with regard to draft amendment A/79/L.3.
The representative of the Congo has moved, within the terms of rule 74 of the rules of procedure, that no action be taken on draft amendment A/79/L.3.
Rule 74 reads as follows:
“During the discussion of any matter, a representative may move the adjournment of the debate on the item under discussion. In addition to the proposer of the motion, two representatives may speak in favour of, and two against, the motion, after which the motion shall be immediately put to the vote. The President may limit the time to be allowed to speakers under this rule.”
Does any member wish to speak?
Mexico seconds the motion for no action and invites all Members to vote in its favour. The text of draft amendment A/79/L.3 before us was never raised during negotiations, which prevented its due
Mexico, too, would have liked to put forward amendments on matters that are close to our hearts and a priority for our foreign policy, but we believe that the draft text before us now is the best result possible and lays the foundation for the future work of the Organization. We reiterate our willingness to continue to participate in constructive, transparent and good-faith negotiations.
The delegation of Cameroon supports the motion for no action introduced by the representative of the Congo on behalf of the Group of African States. Cameroon firmly and fully supports draft resolution A/79/L.2.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has the honour to take the floor on behalf of the delegations of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Syrian Arab Republic and my own country with regard to the motion for no action that was introduced by the representative of the Congo.
The procedural manoeuvre we are witnessing is a further demonstration of the arrogant view of certain Western States that, unfortunately, we had to put up with during a very long and complex negotiating process. It is also a manoeuvre that demonstrates, among other things, the fact that the provisions of resolution 76/307 have not been complied with, given that the text of draft resolution A/79/L.2 was not approved previously and was certainly not approved by consensus. If we have differing interpretations of the meaning of the phrase “agreed in advance”, contained in paragraph 4 of resolution 76/307 on modalities, it might be prudent for the Office of Legal Affairs to provide us with immediate guidance.
Those countries understand that there is no consensus on the Pact for the Future, largely because of their own lack of political willingness to enter into good-faith negotiations over the past 18 months on various issues that are as controversial as they are critical to many of us. They continue to prefer to drive forward a course of action that overlooks the very existence of those divergent opinions, rather than allowing Member States to freely express their points of view on the substance of draft amendment A/79/L.3, which is very direct and based on the issues of language and principles that are before us now.
In our opinion, the amendment would contribute to achieving our legitimate national aspirations. We would also point out that the substance of the amendment was indeed raised in the negotiations but was never taken into account. In its current form, the Pact is selective in the way in which it addresses the various principles addressed in the Charter of the United Nations and makes no reference whatsoever to the sacred principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of States outlined in Article 2, paragraph 7, of the United Nations Charter.
Aware of that reality and in accordance with rule 74 of the General Assembly’s rules of procedure, we would respectfully ask all Member States to vote against the motion for no action and to vote in favour of the amendment contained in document A/79/L.3
The delegation of Belarus asks members of the Assembly to consider the substance of the draft amendment contained in document A/79/L.3.
We have heard an objection to the motion by the representative of the Congo.
A recorded vote was taken.
The motion for no action on draft amendment A/79/L.3 was adopted by 143 to 7, with 15 abstentions.
Since the motion for no action on the draft amendment is adopted, the Assembly will proceed to take action on draft resolution A/79/L.2.
I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.
The present oral statement on draft resolution A/79/L.2 is made in the context of rule 153 of the rules of procedure. The full statement has been distributed to Member States.
Pursuant to requests contained in paragraphs 34 (c), 41 (c), 57 (a), 81 (a) and (b), and 83 (e) of the Pact for the Future, additional resources in the range of $1.5 to $1.8 million, excluding staff assessment, would be required for 2025, for which details would be included in a revised estimates report to be presented at the main part of the seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly.
Additional resources which may be required for 2026 and in subsequent years, pursuant to requests contained in paragraphs 37 (f), 41 (c), 42 (b), 57 (a), 74 (a), and 81 (b) of the Pact, would be presented in the proposed programme budgets in the applicable years.
With regard to the requests contained in paragraphs 48 and 72 of the Global Digital Compact, it is envisaged that additional resources would be required for 2025. The Secretary-General would, following consultations, including with Member States, submit a proposal on the resource requirements for 2025 for consideration by the Assembly during its seventy-ninth session.
With regard to the requests contained in paragraphs 56 (a), 56 (b) and 74 of the Compact, it is not possible to estimate implications at this time in the absence of modalities. When the modalities are determined, the Secretary-General would assess implications in accordance with rule 153.
Additional resources that may be required for 2026 and in subsequent years, pursuant to the requests contained in paragraphs 48 and 72 of the Compact, would be presented in the proposed programme budgets in the applicable years.
With regard to the request contained in the third subparagraph of paragraph 43 of the Declaration on Future Generations, it is not possible to estimate implications at this time, owing to the absence of modalities. When the modalities are determined, the Secretary-General would assess the implications in accordance with rule 153.
Pursuant to the request contained in the fourth subparagraph of paragraph 43 of the Declaration, additional resources would be required for 2028, for which details would be included in the proposed programme budget for 2028.
Before proceeding further, Members are reminded that, pursuant to decision 78/555, any explanation of vote on the outcome document shall be incorporated into national statements instead of being made in the opening segment.
Furthermore, as indicated in the letter from the President of the General Assembly dated 4 September 2024, Member States are encouraged to use the debate on agenda item 123, scheduled for 7 October 2024, to put on record any further views on the elements of the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.
The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/79/L.2, entitled “The Pact for the Future”.
May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/79/L.2?
Draft resolution A/79/L.2 was adopted (resolution 79/1).
Vote:
79/1
Consensus
I would like to express my sincere thanks to Ms. Antje Leendertse, Permanent Representative of Germany; Mr. Neville Gertze, Permanent Representative of Namibia; Ms. Anna-Karin Eneström, Permanent Representative of Sweden; Mr. Chola Milambo, Permanent Representative of Zambia; Mr. Brian Wallace, Permanent Representative of Jamaica; and Ms. Yoka Brandt, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, who ably and patiently conducted the discussions and complex negotiations on the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.
Finally, I wish to recognize the hard work of the teams that supported the six co-facilitators over multiple sessions, including Agnes Julin, Audrey Gantana Namases, Cornelia Jarasch, Ernst Roeder-Messell, Jan Busch, Johannes Shekeni, Julia Fielding, Marcus Kreft, Moses Jere, Rogelio Voges, Sevelina Ashipal, Tilmann Sherf and Yanique DaCosta, and many more.
I am sure members of the Assembly will join me in extending to them our sincere appreciation.
Statement by the President
We gather today representing the peoples of the world, united by our shared aspirations for the future. Our future is in our hands. We have the power to make important choices for the future. We stand at a crossroads of global transformation, facing unprecedented challenges that demand urgent, collective action. From conflict and climate change to the digital divide, from inequalities to threats against human rights, together we all face profound challenges.
Yet, alongside those challenges, there is hope. There is hope because challenges come with opportunities. The opportunity for renewal, innovation and global cooperation is within reach. Our Summit of the Future has given us a pact. The Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), just adopted, represents our pledge not only to address immediate crises, but to lay the foundations for a sustainable, just and peaceful global order for all peoples and nations.
The commitments embodied in the Pact and its annexes reflect the collective will of Member States and must guide our actions and encourage us to promote international peace and security, invigorate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, foster just and inclusive societies and ensure that technologies always serve the common good of humankind. We must move forward, together, in a spirit of solidarity and multilateral cooperation.
The Summit of the Future is a call to action. We must shape our future to protect ourselves and our planet Earth through action that recommits us to the principles of international law, the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the promise of the Charter of the United Nations to save future generations from the pain of war. The path we choose must lead to a future where human dignity is respected and human rights are upheld — a future where peace transcends the mere absence of conflict and is grounded in justice, inclusion and equity.
Our mission is to eradicate poverty in all its forms, tackle inequalities and promote peace and security, tolerance and respect for diversity. The Summit offers a historic opportunity to ensure that progress is shared equitably across all nations and communities everywhere. We have an obligation to harness the power of science, technology and innovation in order to prepare the future of humankind. It is also important that we reproduce our human successes across generations all the time. Let us continue our efforts to reform and strengthen global institutions that support peace, security, sustainable development and financial stability.
Meaningful progress requires that all voices be heard and that all nations, regardless of size or wealth, have a seat at the table. The United Nations is the Organization where all nations have a seat at the table. Throughout, we must recognize that none of our goals will be achieved without the full participation of women and girls. Advancing gender equality across all sectors of society will be of decisive significance.
I now give the floor to the Secretary-General.
Welcome to the Summit of the Future.
I thank the co-facilitators, the former and current Presidents of the General Assembly and all Member States for their strong engagement, creativity and spirit of compromise, and all my colleagues for their invaluable efforts over the past three years.
We are here to bring multilateralism back from the brink. I called for this Summit to consider deep reforms to make global institutions more legitimate, fair and effective, based on the values of the Charter of the United Nations. I called for this Summit because twenty-first century challenges require twenty-first century solutions — frameworks that are networked and inclusive and that draw on the expertise of all humankind. I called for this Summit because our world is heading off the rails and we need tough decisions to get it back on track.
Conflicts are raging and multiplying, from the Middle East to Ukraine and the 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. Resources that could bring opportunities and hope are invested in death and destruction. 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.
We all know the solution — a just phase-out of fossil fuels — and yet emissions are still rising. New technologies, including artificial intelligence, are being developed in a moral and legal vacuum, without governance or guardrails. In short, our multilateral tools and institutions are unable to respond effectively to today’s political, economic, environmental and technological challenges.
And tomorrow’s will be even more difficult and dangerous. When the United Nations was established nearly 80 years ago, it had 51 Member States. Today there are 193. The global economy was less than one-twelfth of its current size. As a result, our peace and security tools and institutions and our global financial architecture reflect a bygone era. The Security Council is outdated, and its authority is eroding. Unless its composition and working methods are reformed, it will eventually lose all credibility.
The international financial architecture was established when many of today’s developing countries were under colonial rule. It does not represent the realities of today’s global economy and it is no longer able to resolve global economic challenges, such as debt, climate action and sustainable development. It does not provide the global safety net that developing countries need. Meanwhile, technology, geopolitics and globalization have transformed power relations. Our world is going through a time of turbulence and a period of transition.
But we cannot wait for perfect conditions. We must take the first decisive steps towards updating and reforming international cooperation to make it more networked, more fair and more inclusive now. And today, thanks to Members’ efforts, we have.
On sustainable development, those agreements represent major progress towards groundbreaking reforms of the international financial architecture. They will help to make its institutions more representative of today’s world, capable of mounting a stronger response to today’s challenges and able to provide an effective global safety net for developing countries at a time when many of them are suffocating in debt and unable to make progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Pact for the Future is about turbocharging the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, accelerating a just transition away from fossil fuels and securing a peaceful and liveable future for everyone on our planet. It includes a groundbreaking commitment by Governments to listening to young people and including them in decision-making at the national and global levels. And it commits to stronger partnerships with civil society, the private sector, local and regional authorities and more.
The Global Digital Compact is based on the principle that technology should benefit everyone. It includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of artificial intelligence (AI). It commits Governments to establishing an independent international scientific panel on ai and initiating a global dialogue on its governance within the United Nations. The Global Digital Compact represents the first collective effort to reach agreed interoperability standards essential for consistent measurement. And it supports networks and partnerships to build capacity on AI in developing countries.
The Declaration on Future Generations echoes the call of the Charter of the United Nations to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, committing Governments for the first time to taking the interests of our descendants into account in decisions we take today.
Respect for human rights, cultural diversity and gender equality are woven into all three agreements. In the face of a surge in misogyny and a rollback of women’s reproductive rights, Governments have explicitly committed to removing the legal, social and economic barriers that prevent women and girls from fulfilling their potential in every sphere.
(spoke in French)
I welcome those three landmark agreements, which represent a step-change towards more effective, inclusive and networked multilateralism. I have been fighting for the ideas in them since the first day of my mandate, and I will be totally committed to their implementation until the very last day. We have unlocked the door. Now it is our common responsibility to walk through it. That demands not just agreement but action.
I challenge Members today to take that action; to implement the Pact for the Future by prioritizing dialogue and negotiation, ending the wars tearing our world apart, and reforming the composition and working methods of the Security Council;
Throughout my life, whether as a political activist or at the United Nations, I have learned that people never agree on the past. To rebuild trust, we must start with the present and look to the future. People everywhere are hoping for a future of peace, dignity, and prosperity. They are crying out for global action to solve the climate crisis, tackle inequality and address new and emerging risks that threaten everyone. And they see the United Nations as essential to meeting those challenges.
All this was confirmed during the past two inspirational action days. The Summit of the Future sets a course for international cooperation that can meet their expectations. I congratulate all Member States on playing their part as we take those first important steps together. Now, let us get to work.
I thank the Secretary-General for his statement.
In accordance with resolution 76/307, we will now hear from youth representatives.
I now give the floor to Mr. Ghanim Mohammed Al Muftah from Qatar.
Mr. Al Muftah: I am Ghanim Al Muftah, a United Nations youth representative from Qatar and a political science graduate with a noteworthy passion for global rights for all. I am honoured to meet with leaders, Heads of State and individuals in high positions at the Summit of the Future.
If I may, I will share some personal insights, addressing representatives not as leaders but as fathers, mothers and guardians — family-focused people who care deeply about the future of all children and the generations that follow.
The decisions we make today are not just about policies and strategies. They are about shaping a world where all children can thrive in an inclusive, safe and sustainable future. I am a perfect example of living my parents’ dreams for me 22 years ago. I stand here today proudly representing hope from yesterday’s dreams, which will continue to carry me into my future. I have been raised with strong family values in a model home that was built on believing in oneself to manifest confidence for one’s future.
As person with a disability, I have learned that true progress comes not from overcoming personal challenges alone, but from how we as a society embrace each other’s differences. As I look around the Hall, I do not see anyone else like me, but today’s participants have accepted my differences without prejudice as to gender, nationality, race or religion. They have accepted all of me. That must be the way we conduct our tomorrow, where inclusivity is a fundamental right, not a luxury; where every individual can contribute to the common good of the future, no matter our differences.
It was my destiny to be born with a disability. I chose to accept it, but sadly there is no choice for children for whom wars and conflicts cause unnecessary injuries and lifelong disabilities. The future for those children and families can tear away hope. Twenty-two years ago, when my mother was told that I was hopeless and going to die, she listened only to her heart. She wrote a book, I am Here, and 22 years later I am still here, sharing my life’s experiences to lend others hope and to give a voice to the unheard.
There are more than 1 billion people with disabilities in the world. If they will allow me, I unite with them to say that we raise our voices to stop those unexpected disabilities worldwide, where peace is unseen. It is in our hands to stop the global trends of violence, in Gaza and around the world We must end that suffering today
The future belongs to our young people. We must ensure that they are prepared to take on leadership roles in order to be the change-makers. We must be the change we wish to see in the world. I wish all representatives and special guests a successful Summit as we move forward together to a new day of possibilities.
I now give the floor to Ms. Niria Alicia Garcia from the United States.
Ms. Garcia: With the permission of the Creator, the Lenape ancestors of these lands and with the permission of all hearts present, it is an honour to address participants today — my dear relatives. First and foremost, I want to give thanks to the spirit world, to Father Sun and Mother Earth, and gratitude to the plants and animals, the sacred waters and sacred places that gave humankind the sacred knowledge and understanding that made it possible for us to coexist in balance with creation for thousands of years.
I bow to all here and their ancestors because we all descend from people who once walked on Mother Earth in a good way. And I am calling on them today for guidance. Why? Because our Mother Earth is hurting, and she needs our help. Worldwide, our waters and sacred places are being desecrated. Corporate greed and war are pushing life to the verge of extinction. Global Governments and politics are void of spirituality, morality and basic respect for life. My generation’s hearts are breaking as we survive the impacts of climate disasters that could have been prevented; breaking as we watch the genocide of our Palestinian relatives live on our phones, despite global calls for a ceasefire.
The Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) mentions the words “sustainable” and “development” nearly 300 times, yet words like “children”, “Earth” and “future generations” are mentioned fewer than 60 times. That is green colonialism, and it needs to stop. Only once are local communities mentioned. There are zero mentions of plants and animals, zero mentions of frontline communities and zero mentions of indigenous rights. So I ask today: Do indigenous peoples still not exist for our leaders? Are we not the stewards of 80 per cent of the world’s biodiversity? I guarantee that the continued exclusion of indigenous peoples, local and frontline communities will inevitably lead to more destruction, pain and suffering.
Yet there is hope, because we are still here, and the world needs the leadership of indigenous peoples and young people now more than ever. Collectively, we have the ancestral technologies, indigenous knowledges and spiritualities to create real intergenerational solutions. Our cosmologies have the wisdom and power to guide humankind towards the good path again, but in order to do that indigenous peoples must have equal representation as Member States in all United Nations bodies.
So I say to our global leaders, let them go home and ratify the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Let them acknowledge, apologize and build authentic relationships with their indigenous peoples. Let them begin to meaningfully engage their young people. Let them go home and cut their military budgets and allocate those funds to climate solutions, to pay reparations, to pay for the losses and damages we have experienced as a generation that is inheriting a devastated Mother Earth. Let them go home and ask their indigenous youth and respected elders how much money we need to bring our solutions to life and then let them go home and create unrestricted funds to support indigenous peoples in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. May our global leaders go home and give indigenous peoples our land back.
Make no mistake that we have the medicine that this world needs and that, with the help of Creation, we will turn the tide for good for the next seven generations of all life forms to come.
I now give the floor to Ms. Monicah Malith from South Sudan.
Ms. Malith: I am Monicah Malith. It is both an honour and a privilege to address the General Assembly today at the opening of the Summit of the Future.
As I begin this speech, my question to everyone is: What visions encounter their eyes when they talk of the future? What voices overwhelm their ears? What tastes lie on their tongues? Are they ones of hope, of action, of collaboration, of inclusion or of transformation?
Our world is at a crossroads, confronted by uncertainties and challenges that cross borders, regions and communities. Among the most pressing issues are the escalating refugee crises. If left unaddressed, they will destabilize societies, hinder growth and sow divisions.
Reflecting on my own experiences, living in South Sudan with only one language to speak, I had to struggle in a classroom with people who were three years older than me. Kenya, a land of refuge, turned out to be a land where I thrived. Through the gates of education, Kenya opened its heart. The University of Nairobi gave me a chance to rise, to lead and to speak for the voiceless, not just as a student, but as a student president and a refugee crowned with the trust of a nation. My journey was one not just of books and lectures, but of forging a path where the silenced speak. With the right resources, I secured the Albert Einstein German scholarship The support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Kenya granted me access education. They allowed me to thrive, pursue knowledge and turn dreams into tangible realities.
Now, with the weight of my law degree, I stand as a voice for the young, for refugees and for all those who have been forgotten. Through my journey, I have learned that it is not enough to receive degrees. We need to exemplify leadership if we are to thrive. We lose out when we allow young people, refugees in particular, to go unnoticed, unsupported and unchampioned.
The plight of refugees underscores our collective responsibility. Individuals like me — displaced by conflict, environmental disasters or economic instability — seek refuge, security and a chance for a better life. We do not seek to be pitied. It is our collective duty to provide not just immediate assistance but also long-term compassionate solutions that uphold the dignity of refugees and enable their meaningful contribution to society.
Education remains a powerful tool for progress, regardless of the constant cutting of education funding across the world. It equips individuals with the skills and knowledge to navigate a complex world with limited opportunities. For developing nations and emerging economies, investing in education is crucial to sustainable growth. We must ensure that education is accessible, equitable and aligned with future workforce demands. To that end, I want Governments and key stakeholders in the education sector to think big about funding for education.
To world leaders, I say that I am very grateful to stand before them today and to address them directly. The gaps are growing wider. The structures are rusting. While leaders talk of reform, our future deliberations must not be rehearsed platitudes but revolutions of thought. This Summit, this moment, is supposed to mend the fractures in our trust and to build a future where cooperation thrives.
And to the young, I say the future is ours to forge, not theirs to cling to, not theirs to pass down like spoils of war. It belongs to the bold, to those who speak even when silence is expected. It belongs to those who demand more justice, more equity, more humanity.
In accordance with decision 78/564 B, the opening segment also features statements by the President of the Republic of Namibia and the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany in lieu of their national statements from the plenary list of speakers.
Address by His Excellency Mr. Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany
I invite His Excellency Mr. Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, to address the Assembly.
I would like to thank all the previous speakers, especially the youth representatives, for their important input. It is for them, the young people around the world, that we have come together today. It is about their hopes for a better world. It is about their future.
A special word of gratitude goes to you, Mr. President. Your leadership has proven of vital importance. At a time of great tension and uncertainty, we need the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) more than ever.
The previous speakers have already explained how deeply our fates are linked by the global challenges we are facing — war, climate change, poverty and hunger, impediments to free and fair trade, global health threats and technological developments such as artificial intelligence — which, in addition to huge opportunities, also harbour the potential for abuse and for exacerbating economic imbalances. The Pact does not just acknowledge those challenges; it expresses our commitment to confronting them, not alone, not one by one, but together, East and West, North and South. The Pact for the Future can serve as a compass for us — a compass whose needle points towards more cooperation and partnership instead of towards more conflict and fragmentations; a compass guiding us to a more just, inclusive and cooperative world.
The Pact shows our determination to restore trust in our common institutions. It shows that all the talk of division, polarization and uncertainty will not be the end of the story of the United Nations because we still cooperate, we still place trust in one another, we are still committed to the principles of the Charter and we are still willing to treat each other with respect and fairness.
Respect and fairness — those principles have also been guiding us, Namibia and Germany, as co-facilitators of the Pact. We come from different continents.
The Pact outlines what those steps are. There over 50 of them. It is not only history that would judge us if we did not take them; young people around the world would judge us too. The road is rocky, but when was that ever any different? Germany will extend its hand to anyone who wants to walk this road with us. Let us get moving. The future starts now.
I thank the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Nangolo Mbumba, President of the Republic of Namibia
I invite His Excellency Mr. Nangolo Mbumba, President of the Republic of Namibia, to address the Assembly.
President Mbumba: Today we gather at the Summit of the Future to adopt, as we have already, the Pact for the Future, which our countries have painstakingly negotiated over the past 18 months. We all are differently impacted by the weight of this historic moment for our global community under the United Nations.
There is an African proverb that says, “Tomorrow belongs to the people who plan for it today”. The Summit of the Future is a pivotal moment in our quest to shape a brighter, more just, sustainable and peaceful common future for all humankind. It is a further commitment to bequeathing to the current and future generations a world at peace with itself, a world in which all countries and peoples are prosperous and a world that is more loving, inclusive and tolerant.
At this critical juncture, the scale and degree of the compounding challenges of poverty, hunger, climate change, economic inequality, conflict and public health crisis may seem unsurmountable. However, the Summit also presents a historic opportunity for the nations of the world to combat, to combine their strength and resources, and to confront those crises head on.
Today the world is at a crossroads. One path leads to an environmental catastrophe, widening inequality, global conflict and destruction, and the rise of dangerous technologies that threaten our security and civil liberties. The other path offers hope — hope for climate action, global peace, the eradication of poverty and hunger and the responsible harnessing of digital technologies for the benefit of all humankind. Therefore, the Summit of the Future is a timely and urgent call to action, urging us to choose the path of peace, prosperity and sustainable development for all.
The world of 1945, when the United Nations was established in San Francisco to promote unity among nations under the under the rubric “We the peoples”, was contrastingly different from the world of 2024. So much has changed. As a result, we as leaders are once again called upon by destiny to come together and forge a brighter future for our peoples. To forge a brighter tomorrow for people and planet, we must be courageous in reforming international organizations, including the United Nations and its Security Council.
A new multilateralism, one that truly works, must rest on four key pillars of United Nations reform. First, the United Nations must empower nations and regions to adopt comprehensive pathways to provide economic opportunities and prosperity,
The Pact for the Future sets out key global priorities for humankind, which are sustainable development and financing; international peace and security; science, technology and innovation; the empowerment of youth and future generations; and global governance. I extend heartfelt congratulations to the respective facilitators and all States Members of the United Nations for that profound accomplishment. The Summit of the Future, under the able leadership of the Permanent Representatives of Germany and Namibia, has been a collective effort over the past 18 months to build consensus, restore trust and reinforce the principles of dialogue, cooperation and shared responsibility.
We need the United Nations because at the heart of this institution is a simple yet profound principle — global problems require global solutions. That remains the most effective way to achieve peace, security and prosperity. The Namibian Government recognizes the profound significance of the Summit of the Future for our planet to meet the targets set forth in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Sustainable development must be our guiding principle, summarized by the five P’s: people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership. “People” signifies our commitment to leaving no one behind. “Planet” signifies the urgent need to live within planetary boundaries. “Prosperity” calls for extending the benefits of modern education and technology to all. Peace in the nuclear age requires nations to live together under international law and the Charter of the United Nations. Partnership among Governments, civil society and business is essential to achieving our shared goals.
We must leave the Summit with renewed commitments and concrete action plans to eradicate poverty, eliminate hunger, tackle climate change and build a global economy that works for all. Future generations will judge us not by our words, but by our actions.
Guided by the principles of the United Nations Charter, we must reaffirm our commitment towards peaceful coexistence and shared development. We have the tools, the knowledge and the opportunity to shape a better world. I am confident that, together, we can rise to the occasion and seize this moment in history for a brighter future that is peaceful, just and sustainable.
I thank the President of the Republic of Namibia for the statement he has just made.
We have heard the last speaker for the opening segment.
Before giving the floor to the first speaker on the list of speakers, delegations are reminded that statements are limited to five minutes for participating States and three minutes for other statements.
Pursuant to rule 72 of the rules of procedure, when a representative exceeds her or his allotted time, the President shall call the speaker to order without delay, which will be done by means of automatic microphone cut-off.
I would like to appeal to speakers to deliver their statements at a reasonable pace so that interpretation into the other official United Nations languages may be provided properly.
The list of speakers for each meeting shall be completed and no speakers will be rolled over to the next meeting. Speakers who are not present when their speaking turn comes will be automatically moved to the next available speaking slot within their category at the same meeting. Finally, after the Secretary-General’s departure, the Secretary-General’s seat on the podium may be occupied by his representative.
If I hear no objection, we shall proceed accordingly.
It was so decided.
Members are also reminded that, in accordance with resolution 76/307, four interactive dialogues will take place in the Trusteeship Council Chamber in parallel to the plenary meetings. The first interactive dialogue will start at 10 a.m. today.
Address by Mr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone
I invite His Excellency Mr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, to address the Assembly.
President Bio: I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of Seven Plus (g7+) countries, a group of nations bound together by a shared history of experiencing the horrors of conflict and the challenges of fragility with an unwavering commitment to peace, stability, resilience and sustainable development.
This Summit represents an important moment for reflection, collective action and renewed commitment to building a sustainable, just and equitable future. As countries deeply affected by conflict and post-conflict circumstances, we understand all too well the cost of instability. The urgency of a united global response to build a future of peace, prosperity and justice is a shared responsibility that cannot be overstated. For us, those challenges are neither theoretical nor distant. They are the stark reality that we contend with every day. Our countries have endured and continue to endure fragility, conflict and violence. Still, we stand here united by a shared hope and common purpose — the pursuit of sustainable peace and development.
Today, we stand at the crossroads of history as the Summit of the Future offers us an opportunity to adopt the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), a transformative road map for a more inclusive, secure and sustainable world. The Pact gives us hope and inspiration for a better future. Allow me to put forward six points to help in situating the g7+ plus countries in the Pact for the Future’s implementation.
First is the call for national ownership and inclusive governance. The g7+ was founded on the principle that peace and development must be driven from within. We advocate for national ownership of development processes and insist that efforts to address fragility must be grounded in dialogue reconciliation and inclusive governance.
Secondly, we must promote sustainable development in conflict-affected countries. The Sustainable Development Goals represent a shared vision for a better world, but for the g7+ countries progress remains hindered by persistent challenges of fragility. Sustainable development and financing for development are essential to addressing the unique needs of fragile and conflict-affected States. Therefore, we
Thirdly, we must foster international peace and security. International peace and security form the bedrock of global development. For countries recovering from conflict, achieving peace is not a singular event, but a continuous process of strengthening institutions, promoting the rule of law and addressing the root causes —
I thank the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, President of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen
I invite His Excellency Mr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, President of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen, to address the Assembly.
President Al-Alimi (spoke in Arabic): This is a precious opportunity to address the Assembly at this important event, where we renew together our shared commitment to the principles of international solidarity, mutual respect and close cooperation on which the Organization was founded.
Yemen’s journey over the past decade has been fraught with suffering and difficult challenges brought about by the war waged by the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militias that have wreaked havoc and caused massive destruction in all aspects of life. Therefore, our priorities may seem different from those of most of the countries represented here, especially those that enjoy peace and stability, but our aspirations are the same in yearning for the promising future that all our peoples deserve. Yemen today is host to one of the greatest humanitarian crises in the world and the repercussions of the war are weighing on it at various levels, including the failure to fulfil its commitments related to the Sustainable Development Goals and achieve sustainable development.
Despite those enormous challenges, the Yemeni people remain steadfast and determined in their quest for a better future. Part of that steadfastness is anchored in the strength of our people, women and men, in confronting the militias and in the continuous support received by the Yemeni Government from the countries of the Arab Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, its regional and international partners and the relevant funding organizations, especially the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
In the midst of those difficulties and calamities, I would like to share some good news that our country has recently witnessed. Our efforts have been crowned with success in contracting with the global company Starlink to provide satellite internet services to our citizens. Yemen has thereby become one of the pioneering countries of the region in offering such services, which we are counting on to enhance the exchange of information and knowledge and to enable girls and boys to receive remote education and to protect them from being recruited by violent groups and extremist organizations.
I wished to share that news to reiterate our strong resolve to withstand the challenges of war and to kindle hope in our work where, along with the Government, we are striving in three different areas. First, we are confronting violence, extremism and backwardness inherited from the past. Secondly, we are working to remedy the disastrous effects of the war caused on our lived reality. Thirdly, we are seeking to keep pace with the future as much as possible because we believe that generations
Today, we are participating in the Summit of the Future full of hope that, with the international community’s support and encouragement, countries that are enduring wars and institutional fragility can keep up with global progress so long as there is the will and the innovative thinking to do so. The Presidential Leadership Council has been working with the Government for two years to keep pace with the Summit of the Future agenda, whether by enhancing the role of technology as a human right or by empowering women and young people, for whom we have launched an ambitious programme to develop capabilities in the interim capital, Aden, and held an extensive conference in the city of Ta’iz in that context.
Despite the severity of the war and the financial crisis, exacerbated by the terrorist Houthi attacks on oil facilities, we are demonstrating amazing resilience, with the support of our brothers, in fulfilling our obligations and promoting ideas and qualitative projects to achieve a degree of sustainability. In that context, we are also working with the rest of the members of the international community to formulate a new strategy towards Yemen, based on moving from relief to sustainable development, and dealing seriously with the youth agenda and the future, just as we are focused on the agenda to stop the conflict and achieve comprehensive peace.
In Yemen, the humanitarian crisis is also exacerbated by the effects of climate change, as my country suffers from extreme weather phenomena such as drought, floods and high temperatures —
I thank the President of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil
I invite His Excellency Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, to address the Assembly.
President Lula da Silva (spoke in Portuguese; English interpretation provided by the delegation): I thank Secretary-General António Guterres for his initiative to promote the Summit of the Future.
I congratulate Germany and Namibia, through Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Nangolo Mbumba, for leading the process that brought us here.
Almost 20 years ago, the then Secretary-General Kofi Annan invited us to think about how to reinvigorate multilateralism to face the challenges of the new millennium. On that occasion, I highlighted in this very Hall the need for reforms so that the United Nations could fulfil its historic role. That joint reflection bore such fruit as the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council. Other ideas never got off the ground.
We have two great responsibilities to those who will succeed us. The first is to never go backwards. We cannot back down from promoting equality between men and women or from the fight against racism and all forms of discrimination. We cannot live with nuclear threats again. It is unacceptable to regress to a world divided into ideological borders and zones of influence. Naturalizing the hunger of 733 million people would be shameful. Going back on our commitments is calling into question everything that we have worked so hard to build.
The Sustainable Development Goals were the biggest diplomatic undertaking of recent years and are on track to become our biggest collective failure. At the current pace of implementation, only 17 per cent of the Sustainable Development Goals will
At the twenty-eighth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), the world took stock of the global implementation of the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The current levels of greenhouse gas emissions reductions and climate financing are insufficient to keep the planet safe. In partnership with the Secretary-General, as part of its preparation for COP30, Brazil will promote a global ethical stocktaking, bringing together different sectors of civil society to think about climate action from the perspective of justice, equity and solidarity.
Our second common responsibility is to pave the way in the face of new risks and opportunities. The Pact for the Future shows us the direction to follow. The document addresses important topics, such as the debt of developing countries and international taxation in a groundbreaking manner. The creation of a forum for dialogue between Heads of State and Government and leaders of international financial institutions promises to place the United Nations at the centre of the global economic debate. The Global Digital Pact is a starting point for inclusive digital governance, with the potential to reduce asymmetries in access to the benefits of an economy based on data and to mitigate the impact of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence.
All those advances are commendable and significant, but we still lack ambition and boldness. The global governance crisis requires structural transformations. The pandemic, the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, the arms race and the climate crisis have revealed the limitations of multilateral forums.
Most bodies lack the authority and the means of implementation to enforce their decisions. The General Assembly has lost its vitality and the Economic and Social Council has been gutted. The legitimacy of the Security Council shrinks every time it applies double standards or remains silent in the face of atrocities. The Bretton Woods institutions disregard the priorities and needs of the developing world. The global South is not represented in a way consistent with its current political, economic and demographic weight. The Charter of the United Nations makes no reference to the promotion of sustainable development.
We need the courage and political will to change, creating today what we want for tomorrow. The best legacy we can leave for future generations is a governance framework capable of responding effectively to the challenges that persist and those that will arise.
I thank the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi and Commander-in-Chief of the Malawi Defence Force
I invite His Excellency Mr. Lazarus Mr. McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi and Commander-in-Chief of the Malawi Defence Force, to address the Assembly.
President Chakwera: This is an historic gathering, for rarely do we make time to reflect on the tomorrow we are creating by our choices today, and rarely do we focus on creating multilateral solutions for problems that have not occurred yet.
As things stand, we are not likely to meet the targets we set for the Sustainable Development Goals, because we seem more interested in moving with speed towards destroying the future than we are in replenishing it. So now, we must reflect on the extra gear we need to engage between now and 2030 to sustain the hope of young
Let me be blunt. Sustainable development is untenable without sustainable financing. As such, I call for urgency in remodelling development financing. I call for financing facilities that are more robust, inclusive and humane. I call for financing that will catalyse global development in developing countries, because the underdevelopment of the least developed countries (LDCS) is a drain on the potential of the global South and the global North alike. What that means is that we must shift from the mere provision of aid to the cultivation of self-sufficiency through robust private sector engagement.
I am deeply concerned that many conflicts around the world not only remain unresolved, but are actively being stoked towards escalation, even here at this seventy-ninth session of the Assembly. I am sure that no one in the Hall still lives under the naive illusion that we live in a world where a war can be won, for that world does not exist anymore. We must pursue a rules-based approach that seeks peaceful resolutions to disputes, for it is evident that the current multilateral system has proven significantly inadequate in resolving conflicts.
We recognize the global utility of artificial intelligence in terms of improving productivity and decision-making processes. However, the least developed countries are faced with significant challenges in coping with that unprecedented technological advancement. It is therefore imperative that the global world make deliberate efforts to improve the capacity of LDCs to reduce the digital divide.
In Malawi, and invariably in the rest of Africa, the young are not just our future, but they are our present as well. We therefore must exploit that demographic dividend by developing technical skills and harnessing the enormous potential of youth in order for us to achieve the fourth industrial revolution.
Malawi reiterates its call for comprehensive United Nations reforms in order to create a United Nations that is fit for the future through fair representation and enhanced capacity to deal with complicated global challenges, while promoting sustainable development. Additionally, reforming the global financial architecture is crucial to creating a sustainable future amidst rising debt levels.
The future we build depends on our collective efforts. We urge all Member States to turn the tide towards a brighter and more just world.
I thank the President of the Republic of Malawi and Commander-in-Chief of the Malawi Defence Force for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Sadyr Zhaparov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic
I invite His Excellency Mr. Sadyr Zhaparov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, to address the Assembly.
President Zhaparov (spoke in Kyrgyz; English interpretation provided by the delegation): Today, we gather at a critical moment in world history, when the international system is facing difficulties. In an era of global change, we must reconsider the previously established methods of multilateral cooperation and take fundamental measures that will not only address current challenges, but also lay a solid foundation for the well-being of future generations. As the Secretary-General has said, universal problems require universal solutions. The Summit of the Future is a unique platform that will lay the foundation for a new global architecture that works for all, not just a privileged few.
My views align with the document “SDG Stimulus to Deliver Agenda 2030”, presented by the Secretary-General in February 2023, which outlines three main actions: tackling the high cost of debt and rising risks of debt distress, scaling up massive affordable long-term financing for development, and expanding emergency financing for countries in need.
To build strong bridges between the present and the future, we must strengthen connections among nations. The coronavirus pandemic clearly demonstrated that the current mechanisms of cooperation do not respond to modern challenges. Therefore, the Summit of the Future is considered an important platform for rethinking global relations.
Today, the international community is facing many challenges: an increase in the number of forced migrants, the increase in climate threats and the inequitable distribution of resources and wealth. The successes we have achieved often do not reach the most vulnerable sections of society. We need new approaches to multilateral governance based on justice. That is why we need to start taking decisive action as soon as possible; we do not have time to wait.
The Kyrgyz Republic is ready to contribute to that great work. We support the adoption of the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1). We also support the adoption of the Declaration on Future Generations, because it is future generations who will bear the brunt of our decisions today. We must significantly accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. We have made significant progress in eradicating extreme poverty, developing infrastructure and digitalization. Our experience in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals has shown that, with the right vision and political will, even small countries with limited resources can succeed.
The decisions we make now will determine the fate of more than one generation. Let us remember that the future is not an abstract concept; it is our collective responsibility. It is what we leave as a legacy to our children, grandchildren and all who come after us. The world we are building today will be the source of their hopes and dreams. I invite world leaders to be the architects of a future based on mutual trust, mutually beneficial cooperation and impeccable justice. We cannot leave here without decisive action. The future requires us to act bold and ambitious steps from us without delay.
I thank the President of the Kyrgyz Republic for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa
I invite His Excellency Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, to address the Assembly.
President Ramaphosa: Let me start off by congratulating Namibia and Germany on the excellent work they have done in guiding us all to this moment of reaching consensus on the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1).
We meet at a time when the world faces many challenges and threats. Wars, conflict and the spectre of emerging conflicts are ever-persistent and ever-present features of our time. Climate change and public health challenges are not only an existential threat but are also reversing economic growth and development gains in
Through the Summit of the Future, we must therefore forge global consensus on how to implement the solutions that are embedded in the Pact. The Pact must breach the development divide. It must provide practical solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow. The Pact for the Future is a great opportunity to change and reinvigorate the multilateral system so that it is fit for purpose to address the challenges that the world faces. It is an opportunity also to make good on the promises to reform the global governance architecture, including the international finance institutions and the Security Council. Placing the fate of the world’s security in the hands of a select few, when it is the vast majority of the peoples of the world who bear the brunt of the various threats, is unjust, unfair and unsustainable.
We agree with the Secretary-General that the Summit of the Future is a once-in- a-generation opportunity to forge global consensus and make progress on priorities such as the Sustainable Development Goals. For African countries, the Summit must focus on global action in support of the continent’s development agenda, the African Union’s Agenda 2063. To be meaningful, the Summit of the Future should reinforce the work towards ending poverty and realizing the fundamental right to development. The Summit, therefore, must accelerate our collective efforts to advance development.
The key element of the Summit is working towards an agenda for peace. That must involve strengthening the multilateral actions that need to continue taking place. We do believe that this is the time to recommit ourselves to adopting concrete actions, so we should leave the Summit with a more ambitious, clearer and concrete call to action to build a world for future generations that is far better for young people and for women than the world that we live in today. Our failure will in the end be a betrayal of future generations and I do believe that we dare not fail. Action is what is required now.
I thank the President of the Republic of South Africa for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of the Republic of Liberia
I invite His Excellency Mr. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of the Republic of Liberia, to address the Assembly.
President Boakai: I extend my warmest greetings to the General Assembly. I am pleased to bring the heartfelt greetings of the people of Liberia, who with great anticipation look forward to the outcomes of these discussions.
As representatives may know, our recent presidential and general elections, conducted in the spirit of peace and democracy, paved the way for a smooth transfer of power just eight months ago and set the objective path to development. In light of that, we have introduced an ambitious agenda focusing on agriculture, roads, the rule of law, education, sanitation and tourism as the foundation for achieving our Sustainable Development Goals.
We are gathered here with a common mission to find ways to work together to make the world a better place for everyone. Although we are facing difficult challenges, I believe that we are more determined than ever to overcome them, Liberia has encountered significant obstacles and is making progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. We are determined and dedicated to overcoming those challenges.
Recent reports show a concerning trend in global development. The Human Development Report 2023/2024 reveals that the world’s poorest countries have fallen behind, leading to greater inequalities and political divisions. Additionally, the Financing for Sustainable Development Report 2024 indicates that least developed countries now spend 12 per cent of their revenues in interest payments, which is four times greater than a decade ago. That highlights the urgent need for reform in the global financial system. The current situation requires us to take decisive action. We need to address a common challenges together and overcome the obstacles that are holding back our progress. As Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized, we must see those reports, especially the Human Development Report, as a call to action during this important Summit.
In Liberia, we have made significant efforts to promote good governance, reduce waste and corruption and ensure that all resources are used effectively for our country’s development, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, it is crucial to transform global governance. We need to advocate for a financial system that prioritizes liquidity and reduces the burden of developing nations. By promoting international cooperation and accountability, we can create a fairer financial environment that empowers all countries to pursue their development goals.
I urge the international community to take drastic measures to alleviate the economic pressures faced by vulnerable nations. Let us work together to remove the barriers that hinder our potential and enable us to advance our shared vision for sustainable development. The prevailing development challenges send us the valuable message that if countries are to achieve the SDGs, the financial system needs to be reformed.
Finally, I want to express my deep appreciation to the international community and the —
I thank the President of the Republic of Liberia for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Alar Karis, President of the Republic of Estonia
I invite His Excellency Mr. Alar Karis, President of the Republic Estonia, to address the Assembly.
President Karis: Estonia expresses its gratitude to the President of the General Assembly for convening this important meeting. We also commend Germany and Namibia for their enormous work in co-facilitating the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) and bringing it successfully to a conclusion. The Pact is aimed at bringing much-needed efficiency and reliability to what we do in the United Nations and the multilateral arena. It is now our guidebook for a better, more peaceful and just future.
By adopting the Pact, we also reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the rules, norms and standards set by international law, including — in particular as I am speaking in the General Assembly Hall — the Charter of the United Nations. However, at the end of the day the Pact for the Future is simply a document with words and, I hope, good intentions. How we implement that document is what will determine our common future. Whatever we do, the human rights, fundamental freedoms and international law must always be at the heart of our global coexistence and cooperation, because if we fail to uphold the United Nations Charter and the rule of law, many of us may be deprived of any future at all. Focusing on the Pact, we must first reform the Security Council. It is important to deter and delegitimize aggression as a rogue tool of statecraft in order to deter crimes against humanity and war crimes. All United Nations Members need to demand more accountability from the Council to make sure that no one can exercise the veto to shield their own punishment for a crime. In that context, it is also high time to strengthen the General Assembly’s role and responsibility in the maintenance of international peace and security. Secondly, let us make every effort, from additional finance to capacity-building, to bridge all divides between and within countries, particularly, the digital divide, so that we can all as equals — and here I emphasize our girls and women — step into the future. Thankfully, we have the Global Digital Compact to guide us to that. One of the consequences of inaction within the United Nations is the strong waning of multilateralism. Let us revive it. We have to find more opportunities for cooperation on fundamental issues among all States. Let us open doors for meaningful engagement by civil society and young people in all our discussions and decision-making, as it is they who hold the key information from the ground. That is crucial for avoiding deeper crises and wars. Former Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld once said, “The United Nations was not created to take mankind to heaven, but to save humanity from hell”. Perhaps we cannot achieve perfection, but we must ensure that we save people from war, famine, torture and injustice. Fruitful discussions and good intentions alone will not get us there. If we do nothing and stay paralysed, nothing will happen, and we will see further erosion of trust in the United Nations and multilateralism. Nothing can be taken for granted. For a world to be peaceful and just, non-stop hard work is needed, even if we do not see immediate results. Only by staying focused and moving forward with practical steps in implementing the agreed actions of the Pact for the Future will we prove to our people that the United Nations still provides the layer of security we all need.
Mr. Da Cruz (Angola), Vice-President, took the Chair.
The President returned to the Chair.
I thank the President of the Republic of Estonia for the statement he has just made.
Address by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana
I invite His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, to address the Assembly.
President Akufo-Addo: We gather here as members of a global family, not pursuing narrow national interests. The future is not distant; it is here, and the choices we make here will determine the fate of generations to come. Our theme, “Multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow”, reminds us that no nation, no matter how powerful, can meet today’s challenges alone. The climate crisis, inequality, pandemics, terrorism and violent extremism — those are not local problems; they are global and demand global solutions.
We live in an era of division. Too often, we allow lines of wealth, geography or ideology to define our responses to global challenges. In doing so, we forget that standing apart leads to failure, whilst standing together ensures progress. The pandemic showed us how interconnected we are. It revealed that no nation can
At the heart of today’s crisis is the climate emergency, which threatens humankind’s very existence. Africa, whilst contributing the least to global emissions, bears the heaviest burden. From floods to desertification, we are already experiencing its devastating effects. Despite the promises, the vulnerable remain abandoned. We are told to adapt and be resilient, but how does one adapt to famine or build resilience when farmers cannot predict the seasons? Africa cannot continue to pay for a crisis it did not create. We demand fairness, not charity. Climate justice requires an economic system that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.
The vast gulf between rich and poor should be a stain on our collective conscience. Over 700 million people — that is, 8.75 per cent of the world’s population — still live in extreme poverty, deprived of the basic human rights to education, health care, housing and the dignity of work. The pandemic exacerbated that inequality, pushing millions more into poverty, while the wealth of the richest soared. That is unsustainable and it is immoral. We must build a new global economic order that promotes inclusivity and equity for all. The multilateral system, especially the United Nations, should be at the forefront of that effort.
That leads me to a critical issue — the reform of the Security Council, the organ charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. In its current form, the Council does not reflect the realities of today’s world. It remains an outdated, post-Second World War relic, with Africa, a continent of 1.4 billion people, grossly underrepresented. We cannot speak of multilateralism when the structures of global governance are rooted in an unjust and unequal world order.
The time for half measures is over. Bold reforms are needed to ensure that every nation — large or small, rich or poor — has an equal voice at the table. Only then can we achieve a fair and inclusive system of governance. History will judge us not by our words, but by our actions. The world is watching. The future is watching. We cannot be the generation that stood by as the world burned, whilst inequality widened and promises of justice went unfulfilled. That is why Ghana fully supports the Pact for the Future and its supporting documents.
I thank the President of the Republic of Ghana for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Denis Bećirović, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
I invite His Excellency Mr. Denis Bećirović, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to address the Assembly.
President Bećirović: It is my honour to address the United Nations Summit of the Future, which is aimed at charting a path towards a more prosperous future.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is firmly committed to the fundamental principles of the United Nations. We are aware of numerous global threats and challenges, which far exceed the capacities of any individual country to meet. We believe that global challenges can be addressed only through good-quality international cooperation, implying an efficient and coordinated global response. It is imperative to establish a strong multilateral system that ensures inclusiveness. We can create a world of security, justice and prosperity only through joint work, solidarity and mutual respect. It is time for concrete actions to ensure peace and stability for future generations.
The character of today’s challenges clearly identifies the path of our response. That is why multilateralism is the best response. Bosnia and Herzegovina is committed to the global goals of combating climate change. We support the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its road map. We are actively working to improve policies in that area.
International peace and the affirmation of human rights are preconditions for progress. It is only by strengthening human rights that we can build societies more resistant to conflicts, injustice and inequalities. The United Nations is a key Organization for international cooperation and a platform for preventive diplomacy. Diplomacy and dialogue are key to the peaceful resolution of disputes and overcoming divisions, but also as a means of improving cooperation. Bosnia and Herzegovina will work hard to strengthen such a role for the United Nations.
The future belongs to the young generations. I personally advocate for the comprehensive engagement of young people, not as symbolic inclusion but as a concrete involvement in the shaping of policies at the national and global levels. We can draw inspiration for a more secure future from the Charter of the United Nations. The Pact for the Future has enormous potential to reshape our multilateral system, ensuring concrete benefits for all.
I call on all of us to start the concrete and comprehensive implementation of the Pact for the Future adopted today. I believe that the Summit is opening a new chapter in a process of strengthening multilateralism that is needed by all of us together. Bosnia and Herzegovina is ready to cooperate with all the countries gathered at this Summit to preserve our planet and a safer future for new generations.
I thank the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Lâm Tô, State President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam
I invite His Excellency Mr. Lâm Tô, State President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, to address the Assembly.
President Lâm (spoke in Vietnamese; English interpretation provided by the delegation): Throughout history, humankind has marked its journey with considerable progress. Our intelligence has transformed the world, enhancing our lives with greater development and fulfilment. Yet, we also face challenges of our own making: climate change, epidemics, depleted resources and the threat of weapons of mass destruction. The decisions we make today will shape the landscape of our future.
In this era of rapid scientific and technological advancements, sustainable development and human interests must be placed at the front and centre of our agenda. Scientific and technological innovations must drive social progress. They should be human-oriented, promoting emancipation and all-round development, while enhancing the quality of life and ensuring the well-being of humankind for generations to come.
That progress should serve cooperation and never be weaponized against other nations or used to undermine the aspiration of nations to peace, development,
At this critical juncture, strengthening solidarity, cooperation and mutual respect is essential. We must uphold international law and the Charter of the United Nations and resolve disputes through peaceful means. Major countries must act responsibly and be willing to share science and technology advances to foster collective growth. The United Nations and regional organizations, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, must lead in advancing cooperation and coordinating efforts to tackle global challenges and leverage technological gains.
We stand before a historic opportunity to lead the world into a new era of greater growth, progress, prosperity, freedom and happiness for all people. That can be achieved only through joint efforts and collective action with close collaboration.
Viet Nam applauds the instruments signed at this Summit. We hope that those documents will be implemented vigorously and effectively. We trust that the United Nations and other international organizations will continue to make concrete, effective and robust efforts to counter threats to sustainable development, beginning today. Viet Nam is committed to actively participating in those collective efforts to build a world of peace and equitable development for the prosperity and happiness of all humankind.
I thank the State President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives
I invite His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives, to address the Assembly.
President Muizzu: Let us imagine a world where the United Nations is no longer an ivory tower, distant, remote and inaccessible; a world where the multilateral system is not resolution after resolution gathering dust, as is often believed, but a dynamic force shaping lives in real time. For decades at the United Nations, we have been crafting visions, yet they often remain unrealized. In May, we adopted the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States. The Agenda, along with the three outcome documents we have adopted at this Summit (resolution 79/1), have defined our vision and how we can realize it if we choose to do so.
It is time to deliver. It is time for the multilateral system to produce tangible results. It is time to turn the page to a chapter where multilateralism is more than a concept, but a lived reality. I offer three proposals on how we can do so.
First, we must empower our young people. Young people shape the world of today and they will lead the world of tomorrow. The declarations and the pacts we craft must inspire and engage young people. In Maldives, we understand that an enabling environment is key to true empowerment. We are investing in cutting- edge digital infrastructure to ensure that every young person has access to the latest technologies. Our vision is a Maldives where digital innovation is the engine driving economic opportunity and social equity. Those initiatives will enable our young people to seize the opportunities before them, unleash the power of their creativity and be the masters of their present and future.
Secondly, we must combat climate change. That is the biggest threat to present and future generations. Climate anxiety is not a hypothetical concern. It affects
Thirdly, financing is the key that will turn aspirations to reality. The Sustainable Development Goals financing and investment cap stands between $2.5 trillion to $4 trillion annually. The system that was meant to balance the scales has now been tilted. Maldives knows that pain first-hand. We need adequate, predictable and sustainable development and climate financing. It is time for a financial system that listens to everyone and works for everyone.
Future generations will judge our legacy not by the processes we initiate, but by the concrete actions we take. They demand a system that delivers a world where every challenge is met with courage — courage to halt the genocidal war in Gaza; courage to grant the State of Palestine full membership of the United Nations; courage to hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable. They want a system where the United Nations is closer to the people and listens to the people; a future that is defined by equity, innovation and real impact.
As we leave the Summit, let us commit to fully implementing the three outcome documents adopted here. For Maldives and for every island and for every soul dreaming of a better tomorrow, let us be the architects of that brighter future. Will we rise to the occasion? For the Maldives, the answer is yes — yes, we will.
I thank the President of the Republic of Maldives for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname
I invite His Excellency Mr. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname, to address the Assembly.
President Santokhi: As we gather at this Summit, we are called upon to transform our deeply interconnected world for the benefit of current and future generations. The theme of our Summit underscores a critical need and truth — “Multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow.
Today, I find myself recalling the reality that many of the commitments and declarations made today echo those that have been voiced time and time again. Therefore, our first, decisive action must be to deliver on the promises and pledges made. We must act now, with urgency, to make this world a better place. Inaction is not an option.
The Caribbean, to which, my own country, Suriname, belongs, is a region that is confronted with existential climate threats and financial-economic distortions, including high debt. Those nations struggle with enormous challenges in their pursuit of sustainable development, as they lack the financial resources to invest in critical sectors such as health care, education, and infrastructure. In 2022, low- and middle-income countries paid a record $443.5 billion to cover their external debt, as reported in the World Bank’s International Debt Report 2023. Those funds could have been directed towards building schools, hospitals and resilient infrastructure to mitigate the effects of climate change. Yet the global financial system continues to disadvantage and at times alienate those nations. Now that the multidimensional
Suriname, for instance, a carbon-negative nation with an abundance of resources, is burdened by significant financial and economic challenges. We are successfully implementing reforms and adopting innovative strategies to ensure fiscal stability, a sound economic and monetary outlook, and sustainable resource management; to protect biodiversity; and to promote renewable energy and food security. We also face challenges, such as inequality and the marginalization of certain groups, including indigenous and tribal communities, health-care access, quality education, particularly in rural and remote areas, and inadequate infrastructure.
All of those are bottlenecks in achieving sustainable development. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development remains our blueprint for a better future, yet we are acutely aware that progress has been uneven and, in some areas, alarmingly slow. It is incumbent upon us to accelerate our efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Small and vulnerable nations must be assisted in their sustainable development efforts, recognizing that the principal obstacles to growth and progress are not of their making. Let us include young people in designing the future as part of a whole-of-society approach based on multistakeholder partnership. Let us foster national and global consensus. Let us be a united force.
We must transition from fragmented and divisive approaches to comprehensive, inclusive and transparent global rules-based governance structures. In an increasingly multipolar world, burdened as we speak by globally impactful regional conflicts, war and humanitarian disaster, it is the responsibility of all of us to call for a strengthened multilateral system.
Suriname welcomes the adoption of the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1). More important now is the time to effectively implement the Pact to the benefit of all of us.
I thank the President of the Republic of Suriname for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. José Maria Pereira Neves, President of the Republic of Cabo Verde
I invite His Excellency Mr. José Maria Pereira Neves, President of the Republic of Cabo Verde, to address the Assembly.
President Neves (spoke in Portuguese; English interpretation provided by the delegation): It is a profound honour to address the Assembly. I bring warm greetings from the people of Cabo Verde, whom I am privileged to represent.
We are all cognizant of the journey that has brought us to this Summit, notably since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015. The review of the United Nations seventy-fifth anniversary in 2020 highlighted both the accomplishments of multilateralism and the path ahead in realizing the ideals of the Charter of the United Nations. That reflection inspired Secretary-General António Guterres to present his Our Common Agenda initiative and to convene this Summit of the Future, allowing us to chart a course for accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Our Summit of the Future must be ambitious. Indeed, the future we want and the United Nations we need must rise to the occasion with ambitious objectives to address the immense challenges the world has been facing — challenges that are increasingly global, with consequences that are disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable nations.
The absence of peace and security has been exacerbated by the proliferation of wars of aggression, intra-State conflicts and acts of terrorism across all continents. On the other hand, even where war is absent, instances of political tensions, unconstitutional seizures of power and human rights violations have been increasing, as has the inability to respond to people’s desires and aspirations. Furthermore, political and ideological divisions are hampering the normal functioning of global and regional multilateral institutions, undermining their ability to provide lasting solutions to those conflicts and tensions.
Unequal access to the benefits of science, technology and innovation, particularly for the global South, in addition to the risks associated with cybersecurity threats and the militarization of technologies, such as artificial intelligence, as well as the ability to respond to the questionings and dreams of young people and future generations of men and women are other global challenges underlining the imperative need for a more effective framework of international cooperation.
The challenge to global governance calls for a reform of the multilateral system that must encompass all three pillars of the United Nations: peace and security, human rights and sustainable development. Reforming the Security Council, in particular, is essential to making it more effective, especially if that includes expanding its membership, ensuring balanced regional representation and reducing the interference of vetoes in the decision-making process.
Nevertheless, it is equally important to underline that our commitment to reforming multilateral governance cannot and should not distract or relieve us from what we must do at the national and regional levels in relation to strengthening the democratic rule of law, upholding inclusive societies, deepening democratic practices and fostering regional integration and complementarity.
I thank the President of the Republic of Cabo Verde for the statement he has just made.
Address by Ms. Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation
I invite Her Excellency Ms. Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation, to address the Assembly.
President Amherd (spoke in French): The Charter of the United Nations entered into force almost 80 years ago. It established a general prohibition on the use of force and respect for human rights, and laid the foundations for international cooperation. This was accompanied by a solemn undertaking that States would work together for a more stable, just and peaceful world. At that point, the international community confronted the most pressing issues of its time. The Charter of the United Nations was visionary and remains so to this day.
Today more than ever, we must follow the example of our predecessors. The constant is multilateralism, with the United Nations at its core. In order to drive forward the necessary reforms, we need not only strong political will, but also to rebuild trust. I believe that this is urgently needed. Unfortunately, all our efforts were almost undone when the adoption of the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) was jeopardized today.
We must not be discouraged by those challenges — quite the opposite. It is a wake-up call for all of us to intensify our efforts and that, together, we can still succeed. Now is therefore the time to act with even more determination. Multilateralism needs that and we need multilateralism. We must not be deterred or give up, but must continue to move forward together.
Switzerland is ready to fulfil its responsibilities. We remain firmly committed to the values of multilateralism and are determined to continue on the path towards a more sustainable, just and peaceful world. Let us work towards a strong and focused multilateralism, multilateral agencies and organizations that focus on priorities and work together effectively, and a system that addresses current challenges efficiently and effectively. Switzerland invites all States to join in those efforts.
I thank the President of the Swiss Confederation for the statement she has just made.
Address by Mr. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, President of Mongolia.
I invite His Excellency Mr. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, President of Mongolia, to address the Assembly.
President Ukhnaa (spoke in Mongolian; English interpretation provided by the delegation): The Summit of the Future represents a pivotal opportunity to shape a path towards a peaceful, sustainable, inclusive, resilient and prosperous future, as articulated by Secretary-General António Guterres in his report “Our Common Agenda” (A/75/982).
I would like to express my profound gratitude to the Permanent Representatives of Namibia and Germany for their successful co-facilitation of the preparations for the Summit. I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to Secretary-General António Guterres for initiating the Summit of the Future, which is aimed at assessing the progress of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, reinvigorating its momentum and accelerating its implementation.
The documents we have adopted this morning — the Pact for the Future, the Declaration on Future Generations and the Global Digital Compact (resolution 79/1) — following extensive negotiations and consultations, mark a significant milestone in reaffirming our shared goals and political aspirations during these challenging times.
Mongolia adheres to a peaceful, open, independent and multi-pillar foreign policy; respects the pluralism that arises from the history, culture, civilization, national interests and development paths of all countries; and is committed to building international relations based on a multi-pillar approach. Our country also believes that strengthening multilateral cooperation, anchored in international law and the Charter of the United Nations, is vital to ensuring international peace and security. Enhanced dialogue, mutual understanding and trust are the fundamentals of global stability and coexistence.
I am confident that the Summit of the Future will play a significant role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, including peacebuilding, combating climate change, protecting global health, reducing economic inequalities, ensuring justice and promoting science, technology, innovation, youth and governance reform.
As we move forward, Mongolia will continue to fully support the United Nations in its vital role and coordination in global affairs, while further promoting United Nations-centred multilateralism. I wish the Summit’s activities great success.
I thank the President of Mongolia for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles
I invite His Excellency Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles, to address the Assembly.
President Ramkalawan: In this era of a multipolar world, we stand at a crossroads, grappling with existential challenges that not only threaten the very fabric of our global community but tear at its increasingly fragmented seams. The stakes of our deliberations at this Summit cannot be emphasized strongly enough.
The Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) must not just mirror the aspirations of all nations; it must embody the hopes and dreams of the most vulnerable among us. We cannot afford to make commitments to strengthening global cooperation on climate action, sustainable development and equitable access to resources only to see them diluted in implementation. The harsh truth is that, despite our ambitions, there is a real risk that those commitments will fall short, continuing to marginalize those who are already most at risk and shutting them out of the very decision-making processes that shape their futures.
To ensure that the Pact for the Future truly represents all sectors of society, we must actively engage young people in the development process, as their involvement is crucial to building a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable world today. Young people are not merely the leaders of tomorrow; they are the essential stakeholders of today. Their active and early involvement is critical to ensuring the sustainability of our initiatives.
Addressing the digital divide is just as crucial. That inequality threatens to widen the gap between the haves and have-nots, making targeted action essential. Strong partnerships are vital to ensuring equitable access to the technologies and infrastructure that underpin modern development. Those efforts must be supported by resilient multilateral institutions, international cooperation, global solidarity and shared responsibility, as no nation can tackle those immense challenges alone.
To truly embody the principles of cooperation and shared responsibility, we must recognize and preserve the strategic significance of regions like the Indian Ocean, where fostering peace and collaboration is vital to both regional stability and the broader success of our global community. Just as the stability of the Indian Ocean is crucial to our collective prosperity, so too is the success of initiatives like the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which demands our unwavering commitment and the active support of the international community to turn its promise into reality.
To ensure that the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS truly succeeds, we must move beyond rhetoric and into action. We urge multilateral institutions to recognize the critical importance of the multidimensional vulnerability index and to implement
Our collective future depends on the strength of our multilateral institutions and the solidarity of our global community. The challenges we face are daunting, complex and deeply interconnected. No single country can hope to overcome them alone. Let us remember that the decisions we make today will determine the world of tomorrow. For my small nation, the stakes could not be higher. We are ready and eager to contribute to a future that is sustainable, equitable and just. But we cannot do that alone. It is only through cooperation, mutual respect and shared responsibility that we can hope to tackle the enormous challenges.
I thank the President of the Republic of Seychelles for the statement he has just made.
Address by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam
I invite His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, to address the Assembly.
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah: Over 80 years ago, the United Nations emerged from a world torn apart by conflict, embodying our collective aspiration to a future forged on unity rather than division. This resilient institution has navigated the rise and fall of empires and the impact of natural disasters and pandemics.
Amidst those difficulties, the United Nations core humanitarian principles have remained our guiding light as we confront new and emerging global challenges. In line with our Summit’s theme of “Multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow”, I would like to highlight three main points.
First, in our interconnected world, the digital divide threatens to deepen disparities among nations and within societies. We also acknowledge that it is only through global peace that humankind can strive to achieve remarkable advancements in technology, medicine and infrastructure. Maintaining global peace ensures that we continue striving for partnerships that facilitate fair and inclusive technological progress for all nations.
Secondly, for Brunei Darussalam, the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals are not mere benchmarks, but also beacons of hope for a better tomorrow. Therefore, the Summit of the Future reinforces the commitment that no one be left behind, firmly anchored in the values that define our shared humanity.
Thirdly, as a Member of the United Nations and the regional bloc of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for the past four decades, Brunei Darussalam has embraced its global role by advocating multilateralism and the rules-based international order to preserve peace, security and stability in our region and beyond.
However, the current international peace landscape is at a critical juncture, with persistent conflicts and diplomatic impasses testing the resilience of our global cooperation. As we convene at this Summit, let us reaffirm our commitment to upholding the Charter of the United Nations and international law without prejudice or discrimination to unite our nations strongly. Together, we can transform our collective vision into a vibrant reality for ourselves and for generations to come. That is our Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1).
Address by Mr. Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland
I invite His Excellency Mr. Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland, to address the Assembly.
President Higgins: We find ourselves in the gravest of circumstances — circumstances to which it is not sufficient or morally acceptable that we offer any passivity in the face of what are existential challenges. The task we have been given by Secretary-General Guterres is to bring into being a United Nations and related institutions that will lead us through what are undeniably urgent, interacting crises — political, social, economic and, most importantly, ecological. That urgency requires that what we say has such authenticity by matching words to actions as will begin to recover and facilitate trust.
To achieve that, we can draw on what were our better promising moments of achieving trust, such as in 2015, when we agreed to cooperate in recognizing and responding to the consequences of climate change and the promise of sustainable living. Those agreements released an intergenerational feeling of hope among the people of nation States that we were willing to change our assumptions as to how we saw the connection between society, economy and ecology.
We are challenged, however, by the fact that our delivery and commitments made on sustainable development and climate change have been so much less than what was committed. We, too, are living through a pervasive and deepening inequality that scars our world. Never have so many had so little and so few accumulated so much without responsibility. What we are wrestling with are the consequences of a globalization from above, led by the powerful without transparency and without consideration as to social justice or to ecological consequences.
As a response, it is my strong belief that a new, inclusive globalization from below can achieve a new, invigorated United Nations that will — starting with food sufficiency and led by those on the ground, accompanied by and delivering universal basic services — enhance democracy, improve participation and give the transformative leadership we need. In envisaging a United Nations of the future, a United Nations that can serve the peoples of the planet, we must have the courage to look at not only its current weaknesses but also at those abuses of power that have consciously undermined the United Nations since its foundation in 1945. The failure to achieve peace and to eliminate acute global poverty, hunger or the consequences of climate change and biodiversity loss has been accompanied by a return to an arms race. Last year, global military expenditure increased by 6.8 per cent to $2.44 trillion, the highest ever recorded.
Achieving food security and economy of sufficiency, the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals as a matter of urgency requires, of course, debt sustainability. We cannot continue to ignore the debt burden hanging around the necks of the world’s poorest, who have such little fiscal space to do the things being suggested to them, be it in responding to climate change or achieving sustainability. Some 3.2 billion people, let us remember, live in countries that spend more on debt interest payments than on the essential basic services of education or health.
We need to give our fullest support to campaigns that seek to eliminate hunger and poverty. In the interest of all, the few must indicate their willingness to change if we are to avoid the horrific consequences of climate change, lose prospects for sustainability and effectively prevent the conclusion that, as a species, we have failed to achieve peace and have instead become addicted to war and have rewarded
I thank the President of Ireland for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council of the European Union
I invite His Excellency Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, to address the Assembly.
“The health and strength of a community depend on every citizen’s willingness to shoulder his part of the burdens and responsibilities of the community.” Those are the memorable words of former Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld and it is why each of us is here today to do our part and to share the responsibilities.
Finding the best way to tackle our common challenges is the shared mission of our generation, and this Summit is a unique moment to boost our ambition. The European Union (EU) is fully on board. We want a Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) that will invigorate multilateral trust and put the United Nations back at the heart of our actions. The Pact is a powerful catalyst to speed up our Sustainable Development Goals, make progress on human rights and gender equality, and protect our planet.
We must urgently reform our international financial architecture. We have already fulfilled our commitments to rechannelling $100 billion of special drawing rights (SDRs) to developing countries, and the EU has taken a leading role. But we all know that this is not enough. We must do more. We should strive to return more SDRs up to 40 per cent of the SDR allocation and we must fulfil our past commitments. The EU, together with our member States, is a frontrunner in global development financing. In 2023, official development assistance from the EU reached 0.57 per cent of our gross national income — more than $100 billion — and we encourage other partners, including in the Group of Seven (G-7), to follow our example. If all G-7 partners matched our ambition, it would generate $100 billion more every year.
We also need to make our international financial architecture more effective and more inclusive. Developing countries need more money — private and public money — now. We must also tackle the problem of debt because we cannot accept that low- and middle-income countries must choose between fighting poverty and fighting climate change. They must do both and we must support them to do both. In just one example, last year, some middle-income countries had to pay six times more on average than a country like Germany for interest payments on public debt when measured as a share of public debt. The Group of 20 Common Framework for Debt Treatments is a good tool, but we must work with partners to make it more efficient, more transparent and more timely.
I would like to thank Secretary-General António Guterres for his leadership. I would like to thank all the negotiators and the two facilitators for their work in making the Pact for the Future a reality. One hundred and ninety-three countries have signed on to the Pact. Developing countries, together with the EU, have tried to play a particularly positive role in helping achieve consensus among all nations of the world. That signals a path for future cooperation — for the benefit of multilateralism and humanity: diversity, tolerance and mutual respect.
The Pact for the Future sends a powerful signal of confidence that, despite our differences, despite the challenges we face, we can work together. And we want to work together. Members can count on the EU to be a strong and reliable partner in making the Pact a success.
Address by Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait.
I invite His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, to address the Assembly.
Prince Al-Sabah (Kuwait) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me to convey the greetings of His Royal Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait. His Highness wishes every success to this Summit.
I also congratulate the President of the General Assembly at its seventy-ninth session and the Secretary-General on the convening of this high-level meeting to celebrate the outcome of the Summit of the Future that we adopted a few hours ago. The Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) should enhance cooperation and allow us to address challenges and shortcomings in the global governance system. The Pact for the Future allows us to recommit ourselves to building a multilateral order that keeps abreast with developments. In that context, we appreciate the call issued by the Secretary-General in 2021 to convene this Summit, which lays a more effective foundation for international cooperation.
We have consistently followed the challenges faced by developing and least developed countries. Those challenges, many of which are transboundary in nature, include those related to development and climate change and reveal the importance of effectively applying the principle of equitable geographical representation and of eliminating discrimination and politicization.
We agree with the Secretary-General that it is impossible to build a future for our grandchildren through an order or a system that was built by our forefathers without taking the future of young people into account. We are required today to work on introducing serious and practical changes to the global economic governance system, networks of financial security and international tax cooperation. We must reform the multilateral development banks and address the problem of sovereign debt.
Concerning part II of the Pact for the Future on international peace and security, we stress once again the need for all to comply with international law and international conventions and treaties, while ensuring the importance of applying a single standard and refraining completely from applying double standards. The genocide in Palestine that has claimed the lives of more than 41,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and the inability of the Security Council to stop that aggression are a case in point. It is extremely regrettable that double standards have been applied in implementing international law. There should be no place for double standards in our future so that we do not descend into a world where the rules of the jungle prevail.
Concerning part V of the Pact, entitled “Transforming global governance”, and more specifically the provisions related to reforming the Security Council, we call on the international community to push more for negotiations and efforts to accelerate the reform process so that the Security Council reflects our world and is responsive to our challenges, allowing us to achieve a Council that is inclusive, effective, transparent and accountable.
Not long after its independence in 1961, the State of Kuwait established the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. We believe that enhancing development for developing and least developed countries is of paramount importance. Since its establishment, the Fund has provided concessional financing amounting to 1,073 grants and loans that have been used to implement various development projects in 105 countries. We recall proudly the efforts of the State of Kuwait and its progress
I thank the Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. César Bernardo Arévalo de León, President of the Republic of Guatemala
I invite His Excellency Mr. César Bernardo Arévalo de León, President of the Republic of Guatemala, to address the Assembly.
President Arévalo de León (spoke in Spanish): It is an honour for me to address the Assembly at this Summit of common and ambitious objectives. This is a new opportunity to protect the needs and interests of present and future generations through the specific actions we have adopted in the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1). We are not only signing yet another agreement, but we are also taking on responsibilities and renewed commitments that we have adopted on the basis of fundamental principles to strengthen the multilateral system and advance our commitments in the three pillars of the United Nations: international peace and security, human rights and sustainable development, which are interrelated and mutually reinforcing.
We recognize that the world has evolved and that our current circumstances re very different from those when the United Nations system was created 79 years ago. That allows us to understand that we must work to strengthen multilateralism on the basis of the principles and objectives of peace, cooperation, human rights and freedom that motivated us 79 years ago and to provide it with new mechanisms to adapt ourselves to this new era.
This Summit of the Future and the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) that we have adopted are important milestones at a crucial moment for the world’s populations, representing the collective will to jointly address the challenges facing humankind with a view to the future, building on the foundations we have already laid in the Organization. As Governments, we must commit to taking measures to face the challenges of our time, from growing economic inequalities that deny billions of people their rights and a threefold climate crisis that is taking an ever- increasing toll on lives and livelihoods around the world to the renewed threat of international war.
Today more than ever, international cooperation has an important role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the goals that this Summit sets for us. We must therefore focus on reducing inequality and poverty and on building peace in every endeavour we undertake. Interdependence requires us to act with greater responsibility, solidarity and accountability. We must strengthen the rule of law at both the national and the international levels and put an end to impunity for failure to fulfil responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations, international law and international humanitarian law. If we fail, the war, violence, famine and misery that are now looming on the horizon will once again rule the lives of nations.
In an increasingly changing world, the reform of the Security Council is essential to meeting the objectives of the new Pact for the Future, seeking to make the body more representative and adapted to current geopolitical realities. Broadening the participation of developing countries and emerging Powers will strengthen the legitimacy of global decisions and promote more equitable and fair governance. We applaud the focus in the Pact on the means of implementation and the strengthening of international cooperation. We have a clear road map, and we know what we must do; now we need to mobilize the means of implementation in a sustained manner to turn our words into actions.
I thank the President of the Republic of Guatemala for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Edi Rama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania
I invite His Excellency Mr. Edi Rama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, to address the Assembly.
Today, the eyes of the world must be focused on this gathering, but can we honestly say that the people of the world still believe in the promise of a better future as they look upon us here? I have serious doubts, and that is something we must all confront under this roof — the very roof of the United Nations. We must have the courage to admit that, lately, our actions have too often fallen far short of the expectations of the people we claim to serve. Time and again, the United Nations has failed to meet the hopes of we the peoples and fear for the future continues to grow everywhere — in the East, the West, the North and the South — as crisis after crisis cascades upon us. Those crises have shattered common ground and divided us further, and yet, even amid disruption, we have consistently squandered opportunities that each crisis has presented for meaningful change.
So how do we begin to rebuild the trust that has eroded? How do we prove that multilateralism is not just a hollow word, but a force that can truly tackle both the immediate and emerging challenges of the time? How do we demonstrate that our collective power is not just far greater than the fragmented, disjointed efforts and sometimes destructive actions of individual nations but that it is our one and only remedy to save humankind from collapsing under our watch? How do we inspire instead of demoralize the ordinary people whose lives are torn apart daily by the reckless actions of Powers large and small across the globe, including in Europe, where a new war is questioning not just everything we once thought unquestionable, but even the very existence of our humanity in the face of openly insane threats of nuclear weapon use.
Frankly, I do not have all the answers, if any. But one thing is clear. While the world has changed dramatically since the United Nations was founded nearly eight decades ago and seems to have lost any common sense, this institution remains irreplaceable. This is where we must begin, where we must strive with great effort to regain the sense of togetherness that has been lost. We stand at the brink of immense danger, and no one is safe, regardless of geographic position, size, wealth or might, regardless of political or social systems.
Our challenges are deeply interconnected, and if we do not tackle them through a reinvigorated multilateralism we will fail, all together. Multilateralism is not a choice; it is an urgent necessity. The problems we face today, be they the result of our own actions or inactions, demand a collective response. They are too extreme, too global to be addressed through isolated effort, let alone confrontational actions.
Albania fully endorses the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) and all its commitments, but let me stress that commitments alone are far from enough. Now more than ever, they must be fulfilled. Albania may be a small nation, but we have given the world good examples of standing up for our shared humanity. During the Second World War, Albania became the only country in Europe to have more Jews after the war than before it. The Jewish community of Albania grew twentyfold during the Holocaust thanks to both Muslim and Christian families protecting them from the Nazis. More recently, after the devastating fall of Kabul to the Taliban three years ago, we sheltered several thousand Afghans who otherwise would have ended up in the ninth circle of hell, dead, jailed or blinded forever.
I thank the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq
I invite His Excellency Mr. Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, to address the Assembly.
I express my sincere thanks and appreciation to the United Nations and the organizers of this Summit for their efforts in convening world leaders to discuss our common future.
Iraq is taking serious steps to achieve sustainable development and effectively respond to the objectives of our National Development Plan 2024-2028 by adopting comprehensive strategic reforms. We are working to enhance economic reform to ensure a shift towards new patterns of consumption and production and improve the conditions of the most vulnerable groups by adopting social strategies to elevate their status, social justice and active participation in economic development. We are also working to enhance the building of human resource capacities by developing education and health care, fostering innovation and focusing on the empowerment of young people and women. Achieving a balance between the three dimensions of sustainable development is a priority for us, and we are doing that by promoting sustainable economic growth, equal opportunities and environmental protection.
Iraq is aware of the magnitude of the challenges posed by climate change. We are therefore committed to establishing the concept of climate justice, in particular in combating drought and desertification and ensuring the sustainability of water resources and food security. We believe that addressing those challenges requires effective international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
We are working to support investments to diversify the economy away from oil, with a focus on the role of the private sector in providing job opportunities. We stress the necessity that Iraq be given priority in climate funding, given that it is among the most affected countries. We understand that sustainable development requires ambitious investments, so we are keen to provide incentives to the private sector and invest in renewable energy projects to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Iraq seeks to strengthen its international relations on the basis of mutual respect and common interests, while adhering to the principle of not allowing its territories to be used to attack other countries, as respect for international law and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations is the essence of our policy. We support all efforts to promote human rights and engage civil society organizations in achieving our development goals. We are also focusing our efforts on building efficient and transparent institutions and updating data through cooperation with international organizations.
Achieving peace requires a joint international effort, and we believe that diplomacy and dialogue are the key to achieving stability. We call for strengthening
We believe that science and technology are the foundations of sustainable development, so we are working to move to the digital economy and provide an integrated and comprehensive database to support decision-making. We are also striving to enhance international cooperation in technology transfer and building capacities while supporting Iraqi inventors in every forum. We stress the need to enhance international cooperation to ensure that all countries have access to the tools and capabilities necessary to benefit from artificial intelligence in a responsible and ethical manner.
Young people are the driving force of the future, and we seek to provide a supportive environment for them by holding workshops to enhance their role in development, supporting activities that highlight their contribution to social development. We are also keen to provide advanced educational opportunities and training programmes. We are cooperating with the United Nations to enhance youth development indicators while focusing our efforts on investment in technology to bridge the digital divide among them.
We call for the reform of international institutions to enhance their representation and ability to address global challenges, stressing our commitment to public sector governance and combating corruption.
In conclusion, I reiterate our commitment to supporting the multilateral system in addressing global challenges, with a focus on cooperation in the security and economic fields. We also point out the importance of strengthening international cooperation to ensure the achievement of our development goals, and we commend the efforts made in drafting the Summit outcome document. Iraq is committed to working with the international community to find common solutions, and we are confident that our cooperation will contribute to building a better and more sustainable future for all.
We all agree that sustainable development and progress in all fields cannot be achieved while we are under the threat of war in our region, which threatens world peace. Meaningful action is therefore required to stop the war and establish security and stability.
I thank the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq for the statement he has just made.
Address by Ms. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister, Minister for National Security and the Public Service, and Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment of Barbados
I invite Her Excellency Ms. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister, Minister for National Security and the Public Service, and Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment of Barbados, to address the Assembly.
We are one, and we come today as one human family, sharing one planet intent on building together a common future based on shared hope and mutual interests, consciously working together to find common solutions. Our interconnectedness has long been recognized in spiritual traditions and practices around the world and in the African philosophy of ubuntu. Desmond Tutu explained that it is the expression that my humanity is bound up in yours. I am because you are. I am because we are.
That interconnectedness compels us, as it did generations before us, to find the moral courage and take decisive steps to end the horrors faced by humankind and to create new structures and new opportunities. Generations before us ended
I want to congratulate the Secretary-General, his Deputy and the team of Ambassadors from Namibia and Germany who have led us safely to the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) over the course of the past two years of negotiations.
We will not succeed in overcoming our existential challenges if we are not prepared to change the global governance structures that are rooted in the outcome of the Second World War and have become unsuited to today’s world. The distress in our institutions of governance and the mistrust between the governors and the governed will continue to foster social alienation the world over, at the very time that we need to find as many people as possible to shape a new world — not governance, but people. That approach to governance reinforces the notion that it is acceptable to have first-class and second-class citizens — a notion that, I hope, we all find repugnant. The tentacles of power today remain almost as they were a century ago. If we do not create the space and new voices are not heard, we will not secure the transformation needed to save people and to save the planet.
What the world needs now is a reset. What the world needs now is a little more love — a reset to embrace our common future; a reset that allows us to work together to navigate spaces together. We have seen the floods and the hurricanes, the droughts and the wildfires. They have affected us all. The failure to share the world’s resources, which are more than adequate for everyone, will continue to drive us to war, social disintegration and migration. The absence of access to digital technologies and even basic electricity in Africa will condemn us to live in two separate worlds and may even, with artificial intelligence, if unregulated, threaten completely the existence of human civilization as we know it.
We know what the world needs, as I said, and what our people want to hear from us today is that we can overcome those challenges by working together and that the visible actions that are necessary are being agreed today and tomorrow to secure the future in the Pact. But our people know instinctively that this will only be talk unless there is a fundamental change in what we do and how we do it and who is seen and heard in the corridors of decision-making.
That is why we continue to propel the Bridgetown Initiative for the Reform of the Global Financial Architecture as a serious reform for changing the rules of the game, shock-proofing vulnerable economies and, indeed, securing sufficient resources to confront the Sustainable Development Goals and, of course, the climate crisis be confronted.
Now is the time for us to choose hope and love over hate and division. We can change this global governance system. We can change the structure and focus of the international financial system. We can make both fit for purpose for the majority of the world’s people, not just a few. It does not require new technologies; it requires action and humanity, accepting that we are human together, that we are because of each other, and that we can, in this generation, secure the future of human progress. I truly believe that we can because we, the peoples of the world, have no other choice and no other planet on which to live. The only issue will be how quickly we can act.
I thank the Prime Minister, Minister for National Security and the Public Service, and Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment of Barbados, to address the Assembly for the statement she has just made.
I invite His Excellency Mr. Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane Prime Minister and Head of Government, and Minister for Defence, National Security and Environment of the Kingdom of Lesotho, to address the Assembly.
At the outset, I wish to congratulate the co-facilitators, Namibia and Germany, for a job well done in developing the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), which we have just adopted.
I further wish to pay tribute to Secretary-General António Guterres for championing the Summit of the Future in his report entitled “Our Common Agenda” (A/75/982). While not all our aspirations as individual countries may have found their way into the document, it is gratifying to note that, after several months of intense negotiations, our respective delegations reached consensus on the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), which represents our collective trajectory.
Every modern organization starts from a mission statement that sets its clear objectives. The United Nations is not an exception in that regard. The purposes and principles of its Charter continue to be relevant in today’s world. When the United Nations was formed in 1945, the expectations of all peoples of the world were high for an institution that promised an era of peace, security and the betterment of the living conditions of all peoples.
Having adopt the Pact for the Future, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in human history. This is a time to reflect on the role of the United Nations in the twenty-first century, an institution in which much of humankind places great faith and hope for a brighter future.
Can we, then, confidently assert that such faith and hope are well founded? Regardless of our answer, I believe that it is within our power to make it so. As today’s challenges become increasingly global, the importance of international cooperation and solidarity has never been greater. In that connection, the United Nations should endeavour to break traditional tendencies and employ innovative strategies to give practical meaning to the lofty aspirations of the global citizenry, as enshrined in the Charter. The Pact for the Future exhibits actionable commitments to respond to current and future global challenges and reflects the interconnectedness of the three pillars of the United Nations.
The Summit of the Future presents an opportunity for the international community to revitalize and fortify the multilateral system, ensuring that the United Nations remains relevant, resilient and capable of fulfilling its core mandate. We must, however, be cognizant of the fact that solving today’s problems with yesterday’s solutions will not yield the desired results. The coronavirus disease pandemic served as a reminder that in an interconnected world, no one country can deal with global shocks alone. That is why we must work together to defend multilateralism and resist inward-looking policies.
Given the challenges we are facing today in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, the window for action is narrowing. We must seize the opportunity of this Summit to bring back hope to our respective nations. Allow me to briefly share Lesotho’s thoughts on key issues of the Pact adopted at this Summit.
First, on sustainable development and financing for development, we need to execute action-oriented strategies to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is imperative that we, as a global community, unite in our efforts to address those issues.
Thirdly, on science, technology and innovation, and digital cooperation, there is an urgent need to close the digital divide and to address the challenges of digital transformation. We therefore advocate for creating strong digital inclusion policies —
I thank the Prime Minister and Head of Government, and Minister for Defence, National Security and Environment of the Kingdom of Lesotho for the statement he has just made.
Address by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar
I invite His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, to address the Assembly.
Sheikh Al-Thani (Qatar) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I would like to congratulate His Excellency Mr. Philemon Yang, on his election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy-ninth session.
I also express our appreciation to the co-facilitators for their wise management of the intergovernmental negotiations on the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1).
We align ourselves with the statement delivered on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and welcome the adoption of the Pact for the Future this morning.
The State of Qatar is fully convinced that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals require further international and national efforts and greater support for the recommendations set out by the Secretary-General in his report Our Common Agenda (A/75/982). We participated in leading the negotiations on the Political Declaration adopted last year at the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development.
Our world today faces serious challenges that hinder its economic progress, threaten its social peace and slow down efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Wars, armed conflicts and the negative effects of climate change pose serious challenges, especially to developing and least developed countries, which requires us to address and overcome those challenges as soon as possible. In that context, we emphasize the importance of strengthening global governance, including by reforming international financing structures, alleviating the debt burden and bridging the digital divide. Common efforts must be strengthened to achieve sustainable economic growth and social well-being based on the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, in addition to strengthening action in accordance with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
At the national level and under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the country, this year the State of Qatar launched the third phase of its national development strategy, within the framework of Qatar National Vision 2030, in its readiness to build a diversified, sustainable and knowledge-based economy by benefiting from the applications of digital technology, artificial intelligence and science and innovation and enhancing human development.
At the international level, the State of Qatar affirms its commitment to international multilateral action. In 2018, His Highness the Amir pledged $500 million to support the core resources of United Nations agencies for a period of 10 years. At the 2019 Climate Action Summit, the State of Qatar announced the allocation of $100 million to support small island developing States and least developed countries
Development cannot be achieved without establishing the foundations of peace and stability. The State of Qatar is therefore tirelessly pursuing its mediation efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts peacefully. The State of Qatar is engaged in many mediation efforts, including the current mediation between the Palestinian factions and Israel, in partnership with the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America, to stop the disastrous and brutal war on Gaza. We reiterate our call on the parties to reach a ceasefire agreement and release prisoners and detainees. We call on the international community to take a clear and firm position against violations of international law and international humanitarian law regarding the repeated attacks on schools, hospitals, relief workers and displaced persons in Gaza.
The State of Qatar is proud to host the second World Summit for Social Development, which will be the most prominent global event in 2025 in the series of three summits recommended in Our Common Agenda. We look forward to welcoming participants from all over the world in Doha and to achieving tangible results that contribute to building a better world.
I thank the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Andrew Holness, Prime Minister, Minister for Defence and Minister for Economic Growth and Job Creation of Jamaica
I invite His Excellency Mr. Andrew Holness, Prime Minister, Minister for Defence and Minister for Economic Growth and Job Creation of Jamaica, to address the Assembly.
Jamaica welcomes the convening of the Summit of the Future. We commend the co-facilitators of the Pact for the Future, the Declaration on Future Generations and the Global Digital Compact (resolution 79/1) for their hard work. The Summit and the Pact together embody renewed hope for advancing a common vision on leveraging multilateralism to create a dynamic framework within which our future generations will thrive. Jamaica is proud to have contributed to that historic process, particularly as co-facilitator for the Declaration on Future Generations.
The Pact aptly reaffirms the importance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDG Summit in 2023 exposed the lack of progress towards SDG implementation, including the reality that small island developing States are particularly off-track to meet them, with many still recovering from the pandemic. At the heart of that challenge, and one that must be addressed with urgency, is the glaring SDG financing gap, amounting to trillions of dollars annually.
As the Pact affirms, we must redouble our efforts to address global poverty, income inequality and food insecurity. We have an obligation to limit global temperature increase to 1.5° C above pre-industrial levels and we must deliver a future that fosters peaceful societies and achieves debt sustainability, resilience to climate shocks, infrastructure development, high-quality health and education systems, full respect for human rights, the empowerment of women and girls and an enabling environment that makes international trade and the economy work for sustainable development. Those are all areas of priorities in Jamaica’s national development plan, our Vision 2030.
We are facing unprecedented challenges to international peace and security, mainly driven by geopolitical motivations but increasingly by transnational
Admittedly, new technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics create new challenges to security and some livelihoods. However, they also create important opportunities, especially for young people, and hold great potential to empower generations to transform economies and to solve complex challenges. So great is the potential, in fact, that we must emphasize the importance of international cooperation to address the challenges and harness the opportunities, especially for the benefit of people in developing countries.
I must make the point that reform is needed in our international system to better serve the needs of the world today. More particularly, we agree with the Secretary- General that the international financial system is in need of radical reform. Furthermore, the Security Council needs to be more representative, inclusive and effective in changing the global security landscape. As a small island developing State, the Pact presents a pathway for turbocharging SDG implementation, addressing the impact and tackling the key drivers of climate change and setting the framework for making global governance more equitable and inclusive. The world is counting on us to use the Summit to foster renewed hope in the future and lay a suitable foundation for the prosperity —
I thank the Prime Minister, Minister for Defence and Minister for Economic Growth and Job Creation of Jamaica for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic
I invite His Excellency Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, to address the Assembly.
I want to start by offering my deep appreciation to the Secretary-General, who brought us here today to adopt the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) and thanking the co-facilitators, Germany and Namibia, for undertaking that important and difficult task.
All of us who are here today recognize the urgent need to take action to implement the many detailed, specific initiatives that are outlined in the Pact for the Future for sustainable development, for peace and security and for the restoration of trust in global governance — a trust that has come under intense scrutiny — for our own sake and for the sake of future generations. We have managed to come to an agreement — and it was not an easy task — at a time of heightened mistrust, strife, polarization and conflict. Yet we reached a consensus because we know that the stakes are extremely high and that the global threats we are facing together as an international community are of a much higher order than the individual interests of regions, countries or Governments.
That is, after all, why the United Nations was created, almost 80 years ago. At the root of its foundation was the recognition that there is such a thing as global interest, a global common good for humankind that supersedes and transcends the individual interests of Member States. The generation that created the United Nations and adopted the Charter of the United Nations left us an invaluable legacy. One important difference between their historical moment and ours is this — they
We, on the other hand, have the opportunity to do something before it is too late, before we arrive at the next truly global crisis. We can still avert the devastation that could be wrought by the current global threats we are faced with. Our Pact for the Future, as a point of global consensus, is only a first step. But it is a necessary first step. It is a political declaration to act, and political will is a necessary driver of action at the national level and, collectively, at the global level. Greece, as an incoming member of the Security Council for the next two years, was an active participant in that difficult negotiation. We believe that we got to a fairly good outcome, and I note with satisfaction the inclusion of paragraphs of particular concern to us, such as maritime security and the protection of culture as an integral component of sustainable development. Crucially, today we are renewing our trust in the multilateral system and we reaffirm our commitment to it. At this point in time, it was necessary to have that reaffirmation and to go back to the basics of the United Nations Charter, such as the peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for international law. We can now move forward and solve together the core challenges of our era. They are global challenges and of course they require global solutions. With the Pact for the Future, we have a road map to lead us there. Nothing could be more vital.
Mr. Lippwe (Micronesia), Vice-President, took the Chair.
I thank the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Bjarni Benediktsson, Prime Minister of Iceland
I invite His Excellency Mr. Bjarni Benediktsson, Prime Minister of Iceland, to address the Assembly.
First of all, let me join in celebrating the conclusion of the Pact for the Future, together with the Declaration on Future Generations and the Global Digital Compact (resolution 79/1). I congratulate all those who put gruelling hours of negotiation into finding common ground on many difficult issues.
The Pact pulls no punches in identifying the challenges before us and identifies the existential risks we face. The Pact is also upfront about saying that the crises have been caused to a large extent by our own choices. The Pact for the Future and its annexes testify to the vitality of the multilateral system, with the United Nations at its core. No other organization has the convening power of this great body. At a time of conflict between and within many member States, a successful outcome of a global summit is something to be celebrated.
The actions we have committed to taking do not always go as far as we would have liked, but there is much to celebrate where we have managed to find common ground. Among the 56 actions agreed, we have revitalized our commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have agreed on a range of actions to close the SDG financing gap in developing countries, including by strengthening efforts to prevent and combat illicit financial flows, corruption and money -laundering. We commit to maintaining the world trading system as a rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization at its core.
So much has been done. The actions agreed on eradicating poverty by investing in human capital, with an emphasis on leaving no one behind, are integral to our efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Development cooperation has a central role to play in that regard, and we welcome the emphasis on strengthening the United Nations development system.
I am particularly happy that we were able to agree that achieving full human potential and sustainable development is not possible if women and girls are denied full human rights and opportunities. Ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights is vital in that regard, and eradicating gender-based violence remains a pressing concern.
Iceland is particularly happy that we were able to agree on ambitious action on the health and resilience of the oceans and their ecosystems. Healthy oceans are essential to a healthy planet and to the achievement of the SDGs.
At this time of multiple conflicts, we have also reaffirmed our commitment to acting in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, and we condemn in the strongest terms the devastating impact of armed conflict on civilians.
Here I pause, I must admit, because if we are to regain the trust lost amongst us, it will not be enough simply to reiterate our commitments, for example, to Article 2, paragraph 4, of the Charter of the United Nations —
I thank the Prime Minister of Iceland for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Dimitar Glavchev, Caretaker Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria
I invite His Excellency Mr. Dimitar Glavchev, Caretaker Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria, to address the Assembly.
Allow me to express heartfelt thanks to Secretary-General António Guterres for orchestrating the Summit of the Future and to the co-facilitators of the ambitious Pact for the Future, the Declaration of Future Generations and the Global Digital Pact (resolution 79/1). Those initiatives are crucial as we confront a range of complex problems, including Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and other parts of the world, the growing distance from achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the climate crisis and persistent inequalities.
That is what the Summit of the Future and the Pact for the Future are all about — delivering multilateral solutions that align global institutions and frameworks with today’s political, social and economic realities, tackling the challenges of our time, and coming together for a better future for the generations to come. We expect that the Summit and the Pact for the Future, which embodies nearly 80 years of multilateral and national experience, will create a safer, more sustainable and more equitable world that leaves no one behind. They also signify the international community’s commitment to strengthening a revitalized multilateral system based on a new global consensus.
Central to those efforts is the rule of law, which is essential to upholding international norms, ensuring justice and fostering global cooperation. Commitment to human rights ensures that everyone’s dignity is protected as we strive for a more inclusive global society. To that end, we must redouble our efforts to address systemic inequalities, promote social justice and uphold the fundamental rights of all individuals.
We must include the views and interests of the young and future generations in our policies by actively listening to young people. We support the dedicated Declaration on Future Generations and align ourselves with our national youth strategy to engage and empower young people in shaping the future, both in Europe and globally.
All those measures necessitate a significant transformation of global governance. We must modernize and rejuvenate the United Nations to ensure that it remains relevant and responsive to the challenges of the twenty-first century. That includes reforming the Security Council to better reflect the current global landscape by adding additional permanent and non-permanent seats.
In closing, Bulgaria remains firmly dedicated to its commitment to effective multilateralism, recognizing it as essential to addressing global challenges. We are dedicated to fostering international cooperation and working collaboratively to achieve our shared goals. We call on everyone to embrace cooperation and act decisively. Let us not disappoint the young and future generations.
I thank the Caretaker Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan.
I invite His Excellency Mr. Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan, to address the Assembly.
As the world stands at a historical inflection point, we need to collectively take action to safeguard the interests of present and future generations. In times when nations with diverse values must collaborate, clear guiding principles are critical. Allow me to share what I believe are most important to ensure a future defined by peace, freedom and prosperity.
First, we must uphold the rule of law. The principles of the Charter of the United Nations are the fundamental guidelines for our actions. Unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force cannot be tolerated anywhere in the world. Only the free and open international order, based on the rule of law, can deliver sustainable development and prosperity. Last May in Hiroshima, I shared my views on that fundamental principle with the leaders of the Group of Seven, Brazil, India, Ukraine and other countries.
Secondly, defending human dignity is paramount. No single country can tackle poverty, climate change and other complex crises alone. International cooperation is indispensable. Human dignity is the foundation of all international cooperation, and reaffirming that principle is essential to fulfilling the promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to leave no one behind.
Thirdly, we must make a determined effort to invest in people, guided by the concept of human security. Empowering women, children and young people is a top priority. Japan has been a global leader in championing universal health coverage and quality education. Japan will launch a programme dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders in the field of gender.
Fifthly, with respect to Security Council reform, the Summit of the Future is witnessing a clear call from Member States for action on reform, with a majority supporting the expansion of permanent and non-permanent seats alike. A large majority is also acutely aware of the Security Council’s vital role in international peace and security and the urgent need to reform it and restore confidence in its effectiveness. Next year marks the eightieth anniversary of the foundation of the United Nations. We should take concrete actions towards Security Council reform. Japan is determined to continue to contribute to the realization and maintenance of international peace and security by strengthening the free and open international order, based on the rule of law, in a reformed Council.
Humankind around the world raises its voice for the future of the international community. It is time for shared responsibility and genuine solidarity. The United Nations role is more vital than ever as we navigate the new possibilities, opportunities and risks brought forth by digital technologies, including artificial intelligence.
World leaders must unite under the banner of multilateralism, empowering every individual to realize his or her full potential and build a better future. Japan remains unwavering in its commitment to the United Nations.
I thank the Prime Minister of Japan for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan
I invite His Excellency Mr. Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan, to address the Assembly.
I have the honour of bringing the greetings and warm wishes of His Majesty the King and the people of Bhutan.
In these challenging times, the Summit of the Future shines as a beacon of hope and ambition. It embodies our collective resolve and unwavering commitment to forging a brighter, more prosperous future for all humankind. I extend my deepest gratitude to the President of the General Assembly for convening this pivotal Summit. I thank Secretary-General António Guterres for his leadership in spearheading this crucial initiative. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to Germany, Namibia and all other co-facilitators of the negotiations for providing steadfast leadership in shaping a robust Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1).
We find ourselves at a pivotal crossroads. As we reach the midpoint of our journey to 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) face formidable challenges. Geopolitical tensions, economic disruptions, pandemics, climate change and natural disasters have hindered our progress, yet our determination, as embodied in the Pact for the Future, remains unwavering.
For Bhutan, the Pact aligns well with our national aspiration to become a developed country by 2034. It reaffirms our shared vision and reinvigorates our commitment to achieving the SDGs. To realize those ambitious goals, we must muster the political will to transcend rhetoric and to take decisive action. We must prioritize policies that serve the common good over narrow interests, and we must
Success demands robust financial frameworks. We must guarantee that no country is left behind by providing innovative financing, equitable resource distribution and strong partnerships. Success requires that we bridge the digital divide. We must harness the power of technology to foster sustainable development for all countries. Success also calls for engaging and empowering our youth. We must acknowledge that decisions we make today will inevitably shape the world they inherit in the future. Most importantly, success hinges on a global governance structure that is inclusive, transparent and accountable. We must guarantee peace, security and human rights for all peoples in all countries by ensuring a multilateral system that is both robust and responsive.
The magnitude of the challenges we confront calls for a renewed commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation. The United Nations remains the most important platform where nations unite to tackle those pressing issues. No nation can address global challenges in isolation. Climate change, pandemics and conflicts require strong, inclusive partnerships that leverage the unique strengths and perspectives of all Member States.
The Summit reminds us of our collective responsibility. Our Pact is more than a document; it is a blueprint for a future where peace, human rights and sustainable development are realized for all people. Bhutan stands resolutely committed and ready to work alongside all Member States to build a future that is equitable, sustainable and secure for everyone.
I thank the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
I invite His Excellency Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, to address the Assembly.
It is a great pleasure for me to take part in the Summit of the Future.
Last month, Timor-Leste celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Popular Consultation, under the auspices of the United Nations, when our people bravely voted for self-determination and freedom. The independence of Timor-Leste was not only an achievement of the Timorese people, but also a triumph of the international system. It demonstrated that, with commitment, international cooperation can achieve agreed goals and tackle the challenges and opportunities of its time.
If today Timor-Leste is a stable, peaceful democracy in transition to development, that is due not only to the constant support of the international community, but also to national efforts of reconciliation and dialogue for peace to secure a peaceful future. We know that without peace, there are no conditions for development. That is why investing in our young people — on educational, social and citizenship skills and behaviours — is an investment in sustainable development and lasting peace.
Peace is an abstract concept for many nations. Western Sahara has been waiting for its referendum since 1992. It has been waiting for 32 years. International law has yet to reach that last colony in Africa, ignored and forgotten. The international community has yet to find multilateral solutions for a future of peace for many nations around the world, from Palestine to Ukraine, from Yemen to the Sudan, from the Central African Republic — where peacekeeping forces have been deployed for almost three decades — to many other fragile and conflict-ridden countries.
The least developed countries and small island developing States wait patiently for more flexible, inclusive and responsive solutions. The means and financing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are scarce. They are insufficient to combat the extreme poverty, food insecurity, humanitarian crises, climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation that threaten the existence of some island States, particularly in the Pacific.
Those who have contributed the least to global crises are the ones who suffer first, suffer most and often suffer in isolation. They are victims of self-interested international actors and policies that value profit and power more than human dignity. As crises intensify, more and more people are suffering from hunger. The data from the Global Hunger Index are alarming — and there are only six years left to fulfil the SDGs. What kind of world are we living in where we can fuel wars but cannot feed children?
We advocate for structural reform of the Security Council, which has become obsolete, ineffective and unrepresentative of today’s realities. An international organization is credible only if it responds to current needs and does not remain bound to a mechanism created to address problems from almost 80 years ago. We support an expansion in the number of permanent members of the Security Council to ensure greater geographical, cultural and economic representation and legitimacy. It is difficult to realize the principles of transparency, accountability and trust while rich and developed countries continue to make decisions for poor and developing countries —
I thank the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal
I invite His Excellency Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal, to address the Assembly.
I am deeply honoured to deliver this statement as Chair of the Group of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). At the outset, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Secretary-General for convening this historic and significant Summit.
The group of LDCs have contributed in the best possible manner to making the Summit of the Future a success. However, our minds are musing and our hearts are hurting from the fact that millions of children in LDCs go hungry every day. When millions of our children go hungry today, where is our future? What do we mean by “future”? When millions of our young people languish with malnourishment and illiteracy, where can we seek our future? Nothing could be more unjust and unethical than to be ignorant of the fact that millions of people in LDCs are living in extreme poverty while a small minority in some corners of the world accumulates billions in wealth each day. Is that the future we aspire to? Absolutely not. The international community must act now to ensure that every child and young person has the chance to thrive.
LDCs face severe economic challenges, with unmet official development assistance and climate financing commitments, insufficient and delayed international support and spiralling debt distress. Most critically, global financial and trading regimes remain fundamentally unfavourable to LDCs. Furthermore, the growing
We must act now to pull the world back from the brink of catastrophe. To that end, we need coordinated, comprehensive and science-based policies with LDCs at the centre. Investing in productive capacities, sustainable industrialization, infrastructure and economic diversification is crucial. Equally important is transforming global governance and strengthening institutions to make them fit for purpose.
In that context, we wholeheartedly welcome the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) as a manifesto for future generations, as a blueprint for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future, and as a renewed commitment to multilateralism, putting the United Nations at its core. We equally welcome the adoption of the Declaration on Future Generations and the Global Digital Compact and emphasize the need for their effective implementation for the well-being of people and planet.
The Pact encapsulates the hopes and optimism of people and the planet alike by reinstalling the interlinkages —
I thank the Prime Minister of Nepal for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Robert Golob, Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia
I invite His Excellency Mr. Robert Golob, Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, to address the Assembly.
At the outset, let me commend President Philemon Yang and all the facilitators who have brought us to this day. Most of all, let me thank world leaders for adopting the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1). I believe that the need for the Pact is even more important than it was in the past because the world is truly facing a bleak future, from climate crisis to raging wars. Once could easily conclude that, unless we can address and stop those wars, there is no common, sustainable future. Therefore, I call for and urge again an end to the aggression against Ukraine and Gaza in Palestine. That goes for all armed conflicts in which innocent civilians are involved and where kids are suffering for things they should never see or experience. I believe that peace is a vital condition in order to tackle the climate crisis efficiently. We can do so only based on trust, solidarity and global stability. Unless we can achieve that, everything will be in vain.
Let me just briefly address sustainability and how we can tackle it by harnessing advanced technologies. There is one topic which is very dear to me and that is the importance of water and water diplomacy. Water is the most precious natural resource and practically all the social and economic well-being based on it. The same goes for global stability and peace. The importance of water is such that we must take all the action we can, and we must try to do so in as many ways as possible just in order to be effective in addressing the importance of water, including by building global partnerships.
There are vast areas of the world where water is scarce, and then there are areas, like in my home country, Slovenia, where we have an abundance of water but were hit by devastating floods a year ago. Extreme weather is hitting us all. It does not matter where you live; it does not matter how rich or poor your country is. Extreme weather is a common global problem, and using advanced technology in a cooperative way is the only way forward. In Slovenia, in the wake of the devastation of last year, we are building a super-advanced digital ecosystem that will link satellite observation
To conclude, let me cite Secretary-General Guterres, who has said that today, we opened the door. I would say, let us walk through it together.
I thank the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa, Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania.
I invite His Excellency Mr. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa, Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, to address the Assembly.
First of all, I want to extend warm greetings from the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, especially from Her Excellency Ms. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, whom I have the honour to represent today.
We stand at a crucial juncture in our quest for a more equitable, sustainable and secure world. The Summit of the Future presents a vital opportunity to restore trust in the multilateral system and to commit to a sustainable future for all. The choices we make today will shape the world for future generations. Tanzania emphasizes that our vision must include inclusivity, equity and sustainability, ensuring that no country or no individual is left behind.
The coronavirus disease pandemic highlighted vulnerabilities in our global economy. As we recover, we must build resilient, inclusive and sustainable economies. I urge the international community to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly for the poorest nations. The Secretary-General’s call for a summit involving Heads of State and international financial institutions is crucial to mobilizing resources to meet those challenges.
The escalating climate crisis is a pressing reality, particularly for nations like Tanzania, where its impacts are felt daily. Tanzania is committed to global climate action and urges the international community to fulfil its commitments regarding climate finance and technology transfer.
Peace and stability are fundamental to sustainable economic development. We face complex global challenges that threaten peace and security. Tanzania reaffirms its commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and calls for strengthened multilateralism in which international law and institutions are respected and smaller nations have a voice in shaping global governance. Reforming the Security Council remains essential to reflect today’s realities.
The digital revolution has the potential to bridge gaps in access to education and economic opportunities, but it can also widen inequalities. We must ensure meaningful connectivity for the more than one-third of the global population without Internet access. The Global Digital Compact, with emphasis on universal access and data privacy, is essential to sharing the benefits of digital technology equitably.
Looking ahead, the United Republic of Tanzania believes that global and regional partnership are vital to achieving our shared goals. No action and no nation can tackle global issues alone. Therefore, multilateral cooperation is critical. We must
In conclusion, as we move forward from this Summit, let us be guided by the belief that our action-oriented outcome document predicts a future where anyone can live with dignity and where peace and prosperity are shared by all.
I thank the Prime Minister of United Republic of Tanzania for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Allah Maye Halina, Prime Minister and Head of Government of the Republic of Chad
I invite His Excellency Mr. Allah Maye Halina, Prime Minister and Head of Government of the Republic of Chad, to address the Assembly.
I would like to begin by commending the relevance of the central theme of this meeting and expressing my high appreciation for the excellent organization of this Summit.
It is an honour for me to take the floor today to make my modest contribution to these crucial discussions on strengthening multilateralism for international peace and security.
The world is facing unprecedented challenges that transcend national borders and require increased global cooperation. Chad, like many countries of the Sahel, is at the heart of a complex interaction between climate, security and development. We are experiencing the dramatic consequences of climate change on a daily basis. In 2024, 115 of our 120 departments were affected by devastating floods, affecting nearly 1.5 million of our fellow citizens and destroying vast areas of agricultural land. Those disasters are not only environmental; they also pose a direct threat to our national and regional security. The scarcity of natural resources fuels tensions between farmers and herders, thereby exacerbating instability.
That climate reality is compounded by major security threats, including the terrorist attacks of Boko Haram in the Lake Chad basin region, which have forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes. The crisis affects not only Chad, but also Nigeria, the Niger and Cameroon. In addition, our country faces persistent security challenges along its borders, particularly from Libya to the north and the Sudan to the east. Instability in those countries has direct repercussions on our own security, making Chad one of the world’s major refugee-hosting countries.
In the face of those complex challenges, multilateralism is not an option but a vital necessity. It is imperative to strengthen our international cooperation mechanisms so that they are adapted to today’s world. In that regard, allow me to formulate some concrete actions.
We must systematically integrate the climate dimension into our security analyses. We welcome the Dakar Call for Action initiative, led by the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel and its partners, on the links between climate, peace and security in the Sahel, and call for its strengthening.
We must ensure predictable and sustainable funding for peacekeeping operations led by regional organizations, as proposed in the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1). The experience of the Multinational Joint Task Force, particularly in the fight against Boko Haram, shows the crucial importance of such interventions.
We must accelerate the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda.
We must support and strengthen regional initiatives such as the Great Green Wall, which combats desertification, while creating economic opportunities.
In conclusion, I recall that international peace and security are inseparable from sustainable development and the fight against climate change. The Pact for the Future must reflect that interdependence. Chad is ready to play its full part in that collective endeavour. Together, let us work for a fairer, more inclusive and more effective international order, capable of meeting the challenges of the twenty-first century and ensuring a future of peace and prosperity for all.
It is with deep conviction that I announce our full support for the outcome document of this Summit, convinced that the commitments made here will outline a better future for generations to come.
I thank the Prime Minister and Head of Government of the Republic of Chad.
I invite Her Excellency Ms. Ebba Busch, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Business and Industry of Sweden.
I extend my sincere gratitude to the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General, the co-facilitators and all stakeholders. Their efforts have been instrumental in arriving at this crucial moment.
I am proud and grateful to speak to the Assembly today not only as a representative of the Swedish Government, but also as a mother of two, being able to say to my own children that their rights are put at the very centre of the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1). The Pact, as agreed to today, is a blueprint for a future where the rules-based international order based on the Charter of the United Nations is stronger and more resilient and where cooperation and multilateralism thrive. Our world faces unprecedented and interconnected challenges: the highest number of conflict since the Second World War; threats to human rights, democracy and gender equality; not to mention climate change.
At the same time, we are living in an era where digital and emerging technologies are reshaping almost every aspect of our lives. The digital revolution offers immense potential and hope on our path to a better future. Sweden, alongside Zambia, has had the great privilege to lead our collective efforts in agreeing on the Global Digital Compact. It is the road map to a digital future that is open, safe, secure, sustainable and inclusive, and where opportunity knows no borders. The Global Digital Compact will enable us to close the digital divides and turbocharge the Sustainable Development Goals. The Compact emphasizes environmental sustainability, the empowerment of women and girls and protecting human rights in the digital space. A childhood in freedom requires safety online.
At the very heart of that vision is the belief that technology, and in particular artificial intelligence (AI), must serve humankind. Through the Global Digital Compact, we are advocating for key AI initiatives, including a scientific panel, a global dialogue on governance and a capacity-building fund. Those initiatives are aimed at ensuring that AI serves humankind and upholds our shared values. That is the foundation we urgently need to secure a future where AI benefits everyone.
Those global needs are extensive and the funding gap is growing. As one of the world’s most generous donors, exceeding the United Nations target of 0.7 per cent of gross national income to official development assistance, Sweden welcomes the ambition to increase the effectiveness and scale of innovative financing for the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
In times of strife and suffering from Ukraine to the Sudan, from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo to Gaza, Sweden stands as a pillar of support for peace and humanity. We will continue to stand tall in defence of international law, sovereignty and the rights of all nations to live in peace. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an attack on the very principles that uphold the Organization. Our response must be clear, and it has to be unwavering.
We stand at a window of opportunity. I would like to step into a future where the light of justice and peace never dims. I want to fulfil the promises made to our children and generations to come. Sweden is committed to walking that path with the United Nations, its Member States and all stakeholders.
I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Enrique Austria Manalo, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines.
Today, the Philippines stands with the global community to chart our work for the future. The Secretary-General sent a resounding alarm last year, reminding us that growing dangers compel us to strengthen the multilateral system. As leaders of the community of nations, we grapple with difficult decisions to stay the course in these moments of complex crises, conflicts and climate change.
The Philippines joins our Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations (resolution 79/1), and hails them as a triumph of the persistence of multilateralism to affirm that a better world is possible through the solidarity of nations. The Pact binds us in words and in action, bridging the collective hopes of the past with our contemporary aspirations, with the Charter of the United Nations anchoring our will. The Pact can guide the United Nations in delivering meaningful outcomes for peace and security, for human rights, for fairness and equality, for resilience from crises and disasters and for empowering individuals and all communities in the world.
Through the wisdom of our forebears, we have built the United Nations on the foundation of the rule of law. Multilateralism, with the United Nations at the centre, flourishes on the grounds of a rules-based order that provides conditions for trust, solidarity, equity and peace. Respect for the rule of law safeguards global peace and security and enables the international community to confront complex current and future challenges together. It anchors the stable and predictable order needed to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. It is the touchstone for all international efforts to resolve disputes, prevent conflicts, protect human rights and enhance global governance. Preserving a rules-based international order is a collective duty.
Our Pact is a call to action for multilateralism that puts people at the centre. Conflict, disasters, hunger and displacement are arduous pressures on global humanitarian system and our climate resilience framework. The capacity of multilateral institutions to protect populations from terrorism, organized crime, health emergencies, sea level rise and other consequences of global warming is challenged on many fronts. Our Pact orients us to persevere for peoples whose hope lies in coordinated action that can arise only in the context of the effective processes of the United Nations system. For example, the development system is the face of the United Nations to people worldwide. We must support and guide the system for more coherence, effectiveness and impact. United Nations programmes must enjoy the full ownership and consent of the host country.
It is important that the Pact renews our collective determination to defuse tensions and seek the peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts. That is the essence of the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes. In pledging to the Pact, States abide by the obligation of rejecting force and the threat of use of force to settle disputes.
As a founding Member of the United Nations and the first Asian republic, the Philippines shall always be, a voice for peace, equity and justice, human rights and human dignity, the rule of law and constructive multilateralism.
I now give the floor to His Excellency Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman.
At the outset, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the United Nations and Secretary-General António Guterres for organizing this important Summit. It is being held at a moment at which the world is witnessing unprecedented challenges that require a collective response and deeper and more comprehensive international cooperation, given the gravity of global events.
The Sultanate of Oman strongly believes in the effectiveness of multilateralism and that international cooperation is the optimal solution for addressing different global challenges. Against that background, we fully support the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) and renew our willingness to cooperate with all Member States to achieve the ambitious goals reflected in the Pact.
The challenges we are facing cannot be addressed by traditional means alone. They require innovative approaches based on the concept of sustainable development. That is why we have to act with wisdom and foresight. We must start implementing policies that focus on future generations in order to build them a better and more sustainable future.
Given that international peace and security are the fundamental pillars of world stability, we stress the importance of preventive diplomacy as the most effective tool to prevent and settle conflicts. We call for enhanced means of dialogue and international mediation. In that context, it is of paramount importance to comply fully with international law and the Charter of the United Nations in order to achieve justice, peace and stability for all.
Modern technology and digital cooperation are decisive factors in addressing the environmental, economic and social challenges we are facing. Technological innovations open up new horizons because they contribute not only to improving efficiency in the use of resources and reducing emissions, but also to enhancing the use of clean energy, achieving food and water security and building more prosperous and more sustainable societies.
The Sultanates of Oman attaches great importance to the role of young people. They are the driving force for building the future. They are the foundation of development and its cornerstone. The Sultanate of Oman has launched a number of initiatives and innovation incubators in science, industry, culture and sports, aimed at empowering young people to foster their creativity and creating an environment
If the vision is clear, the goal can be achieved. The challenges we are facing today require an ambitious vision and strong collective commitment. Let us work together to build a world of prosperity for all. Let us commit to the values of cooperation and partnership to achieve the goals that we aspire to and to leave future generations with what can help them to find their way in life in peace and security,
I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Taye Atske Selassie Amde, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
At the outset, allow me to convey the warmest greetings of the people and the Government of Ethiopia. I also wish to extend my delegation’s appreciation and give special recognition to Germany, Namibia, Zambia, Sweden, the Netherlands and Jamaica for their effective facilitation of the negotiations and their commitment leading up to the adoption of the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1).
We also thank the Secretary-General for his report Our Common Agenda (A/75/982), which laid the foundations for the Summit and the Pact for the Future. We appreciate the wide-ranging scope of the Pact and the considerable place given to the commitments to eradicating poverty and ensuring sustainable development. We also appreciate the efforts made to mainstream the issue of the global socioeconomic disparity and determine the role of States accordingly.
The process of negotiations and the outcomes from the three tracks of negotiations on the Pact for the Future, the Declaration on Future Generations and the Global Digital Compact adequately demonstrate the challenges the multilateral system is experiencing. The Pact for the Future was negotiated at a time of great polarization in international relations, which does not lend itself to the spirit of consensus and compromise that is requisite to negotiations on global agendas. That is the main reason that the Pact had to limit itself to reiteration and emphasis of the previously agreed global goals and targets.
The setbacks and, in some cases, regressions in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals require us to be more ambitious, not less. Nevertheless, the Pact is an important reminder that the existing global commitments, if fully implemented, would greatly enhance the fate of generations to come. The Pact for the Future will be relevant if it brings us closer to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, our inability to converge on more ambitious targets is a stark reminder of the need for change. We must shift from rivalry to cooperation, enhance tolerance for policy differences and build bridges to attain the most basic global agenda.
Under the Pact’s five chapters and fifty-six actions, Member States have made commitments to redouble their efforts to ensure sustainable development, peace and security, and concrete reform of global governance. It is incumbent upon all States, developed and developing, to do our part for the attainment of the future we want. It is in that light that I reiterate my country’s commitment to continuing to make all efforts to eradicate poverty and ensure sustainable development, enhance international peace and security and work towards a fairer global governance. We also call on developed countries to discharge their responsibilities in the field of development assistance and climate action. The full realization of the commitments under the Addis Ababa Action Agenda will take us far in mobilizing resources in the implementation of the SDGs. Inaction has caused adverse consequences for humankind, especially the most vulnerable.
I would like to conclude by thanking the co-Chairs for their able leadership and the co-facilitators of the Summit, including Namibia and Zambia, which represented Africa in the leadership of the process for their exemplary contribution.
Address by Mr. Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium
I now invite His Excellency Mr. Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium, to address the Assembly.
Four years ago in this very Hall, we adopted the Declaration on the commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations (resolution 75/1). It was a call to action — action towards a reinvigorated multilateralism, with the United Nations at its centre; a call to action arising from the realization that the United Nations and global multilateralism needed to adapt and respond better to current and future challenges in a rapidly changing world.
The call to action was timely. Today, we face even greater challenges than four years ago: accelerating climate change, pandemics, wars impacting millions of people. Now, it is high time to deliver on our commitments. How can we, as a community of world leaders, bridge our divides and work better together to improve the well-being of people and our planet?
First, we need to uphold our commitment to a rules-based international order. We should strive to lead by example. By abiding by international law, applying the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and respecting and promoting the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in our own countries and abroad. Human rights are universal. Representatives from across the world sat at the drawing board when that milestone document for our collective humanity was adopted in 1948. The Pact for the Future reaffirms our commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Strengthening the human rights pillar will go a long way towards preventing conflicts, creating an environment conducive to emerging technologies and including youth and civil society in meaningful engagement in decision-making.
Unfortunately, we are confronted with human rights backsliding globally. Leaders increasingly put interests above values. Conservative and populist movements target the rights of women and girls. Attempts to rewrite human rights have been under way for years. We need to resist those regressions. Human rights defenders need to be protected, the freedom of expression needs to be assured, and politicians need to be held accountable.
It is time to transform global governance and ensure an international financial architecture that works for everyone, particularly the most vulnerable. None of the ambitious goals set out in the Pact for the Future will be achieved if we fail to make progress here. The current system, while instrumental in global development, must evolve to address the growing disparities among nations. Belgium has been a leading voice for more efficiency within the multilateral system and the multilateral development banks. Public sector financing needs to be combined with increased private sector financing to fund sustainable and inclusive growth. The multilateral development banks need to become more strategic and more responsive and act in a
Responding to today’s challenges also means unlocking the full potential of digital technologies to create a more inclusive future. Those opportunities must be harnessed. The Global Digital Compact is a critical step towards enhancing global digital cooperation. If digital technologies hold the potential to deliver immense benefits to humankind, they also present significant challenges that must be addressed. Robust public guardrails for high-risk applications will be needed. All regions of the world need to be able to contribute to research and development, and we must ensure that new technologies are human-centric and safeguard human rights. In that respect, the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act and the European Data Protection Regulation set the standard for a strong, forward-looking regulation that can serve as an inspiration to all.
In conclusion, the challenges we face today are immense, but so is our collective capacity to overcome them. It is up to us all to deliver and turn those documents into milestones for the United Nations and the international community. Belgium stands ready to contribute to that endeavour, working alongside all of our partners to turn the vision of a United Nations 2.0 into a reality and create a brighter and fairer future for people and planet.
I thank the Prime Minister and Head of Government of the Kingdom of Belgium.
I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Mohamad Hasan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malaysia.
The Summit of the Future is an opportunity to redesign global governance that is effective for the present and the future. Therefore, Malaysia reaffirms its support for the Summit of the Future and the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1).
Conflicts and challenges are confronting us each passing year, costlier and deadlier. From the inability to stop the genocide in Gaza to the impact of climate change to the widening of development gaps between the global South and North, it is time to galvanize holistic global governance premised on humanity.
However, our efforts will be futile if the persisting threefold challenges are not addressed. Those challenges are food security, access to education and climate change, which are among the key thrusts in the Sustainable Development Goals, which are lagging severely behind. By 2050, our planet will be home to a population of 10 billion people. How will we feed the world then if we cannot do so now?
Education is the tool to address inequality. Empowerment through knowledge will emancipate the underprivileged, lifting them out of poverty. Yet, in the global South, millions of children are deprived of that very fundamental right — the right to education. We must break barriers and ensure access, quality and affordability. The global community must democratize education. The Global Digital Compact is crucial to addressing the digital divide. That includes creating adequate digital infrastructure to ensure education for all.
Climate crisis is not a distant threat. It is here, it is real, and it is affecting us with floods and forest fires, resulting in famine, among other things. We have no choice but to act on it. The solution is also contingent upon adequate climate financing, as well as technology transfer and innovation. Malaysia believes that we should strive for a green development pact that robustly addresses the scientific and technological divide between the North and the South, supported by climate financing and other development assistance projects. The global North should not leave the global South behind.
I stand here today in the conviction that if we act decisively, we can shape a future where no child goes to bed hungry; where education is a right, not a privilege; and where our planet is cherished and protected — a future where the countries of the global South are recognized not as consumers of technology but as pioneers and innovators. We propose the creation of a global science fund to encourage diverse and innovative solutions to the challenges we face, leveraging on our collective human capital.
As we embark on that journey, let us remember that this is not a competition, but a shared battle against prevailing challenges. Malaysia supports the transformation of global governance. We call for a renewed approach to multilateralism, grounded in inclusivity, justice and accountability.
I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba.
On 26 September 1960, Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz condemned from this very rostrum the philosophy of looting and expounded on the philosophy of war (see A/PV.872). Nevertheless, we are still suffering the effects of colonialism and neocolonialism. The bounties promised by neoliberal globalism were a pipe dream. Inequalities and exclusion have been accentuated both in the real world and in cyberspace. Wars and the nuclear threat are on the rise. Our futurist debates continue even as we watch the ongoing genocide in Palestine with no effective response from the international community, even as the institutions and workers of the United Nations are targeted by Israeli gunfire. We are alarmed by the growing fascism, xenophobia and discrimination that are nourishing hatred.
Peoples need less interference and more solidarity; less unequal exchanges and more equity; less politicization and double standards and more dialogue, cooperation and respect for people’s inalienable rights to choose their own political, economic, social and cultural systems.
For Cuba, the main stumbling block to well-being and development is the criminal embargo imposed by the Government of the United States and our infamous inclusion on its arbitrary, unilateral list of States that supposedly sponsor terrorism.
The planet is suffering from the devastating effects of climate change while the wealthy societies place no limits on the unbridled consumerism that is causing those problems and there is insufficient political will to raise the funds required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals or to genuinely alleviate the debt burden. For millions of people, especially in the global South, the possibility of a decent future is and will remain a utopia.
It will be difficult to believe in that promising future while the developed countries oppose in-depth reform of the international financial architecture, the discussions of which should be focused on the United Nations. And if that historic and just appeal has been heavily diluted in the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), how can we believe in the promise of better access to the resources that are so essential to our development? How can we trust in the promise of peace, non-interference and multilateralism while coercion, selfishness and hegemony are on the rise and the Charter of the United Nations and international law are being violated?
The future we want was laid out decades ago in momentous resolutions that the General Assembly adopted but that have been shamefully forgotten. What must prevail once and for all is the political will to address the structural and moral failures of the international system that prevent us from achieving our aspirations. For millions of human beings, tomorrow will be too late.
I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Abdoulaye Bio Tchané, Minister of State Responsible for Development and Coordination of Government Action of the Republic of Benin.
The convening of this Summit demonstrates the collective will of the States Members of our Organization to face the challenges of our time and to forge together a prosperous and sustainable future.
Our world is in the grip of multiple crises, including environmental, health, geopolitical and security. To those crises, we can also add that of financing in particular. That combination of factors is not favourable to sustainable development. It divides, separates, excludes, distances and poses significant threats to coexistence, especially for the poorest countries. Multilateralism and international cooperation are crumbling day by day, opening the door to a divisive world where problems are managed in silos. The mundane prevails over the future and the urgent over the important. It is in that context that the Summit of the Future, held under the theme “Multilateral solutions for a better future”, finds its full relevance. That is why we adopted the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) this morning. Now, we must act.
Benin has many reasons to welcome the progress made in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the first nation of sub-Saharan Africa to issue Eurobonds, dedicated to financing projects with a high SDG impact, in 2021, Benin’s commitment to achieving the SDGs has in no way weakened. Thanks to the many structuring projects under way in the country, our country has recorded a meteoric rise over the past eight years. That allowed us to launch the structural transformation of the country in 2016. In the same dynamic, special attention has been paid to the social component, which has been extended to all sectors. Those highly impactful actions have allowed us to reduce poverty by nearly four points in eight years. In order to sustainably establish that dynamic, Benin, my country, is currently working to adopt a national development vision extending to 2060.
At the same time, we are experiencing a paradoxical situation in which resources have never been so important and technological progress has never been so dynamic, yet the world remains hostage to poverty. For Benin, the answer lies in multilateralism and the global perspective on the issues. That must lead us all to commit to the preservation of global public goods, including the climate, international security and economic stability. Their failure has significant and harmful knock-on effects on the entire sustainable development system. For any country, the decline of those public goods compromises the achievement of the full potential for prosperity in other countries around the world. We must therefore all become aware of the existence of the trickle-down effect or transmission of happiness and misfortune alike.
The international problem to which we must attach the greatest importance is the fact that a difficulty or disaster in one country is likely to harm another country. In such conditions, we must work to establish balance, inclusion, justice, democracy and transparency in all decision-making centres that concern us. That is also and especially relevant to the international financial and global governance systems, which together contribute to the construction of our global collective action. It is only at that price that multilateralism, the only response of our time, can contribute to creating the future we want.
I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Mulambo Hamakuni Haimbe, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Zambia.
We gather here to forge a new international consensus on how to deliver and safeguard a better future that leaves no one behind. This once-in- a-generation Summit presents us with an opportunity to reinvigorate multilateralism, supercharge the implementation of prior commitments and tackle existing and emerging threats to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Today’s world is faced with multiple intersecting crises that threaten the attainment of SDGS and the maintenance of international peace and security. It has become imperative now more than ever to collaborate in addressing the numerous threats. A united approach is essential to confronting violations of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, as well as emerging threats such as climate change, terrorism, disinformation and cybercrime. Zambia will, in that regard, continue to support multilateral efforts that uphold the maintenance of international peace and security.
Zambia joins calls for a more effective and inclusive multilateral framework to address global challenges in a changing world. Efforts to enhance more equitable global governance can therefore not be overemphasized. Zambia therefore supports the African common position on Security Council reforms.
Our race to attain the SDGS by 2030 is vividly off track. That has been compounded by multiple converging threats in the form of global conflict, economic shocks, growing inequalities, climate change crises, a widening digital global divide and an unbalanced and unfair international financial architecture. Furthermore, with the global financing and investment gap estimated between $2.5 trillion and $4 trillion annually, there is urgent need to scale up action and increase financing towards the implementation of the SDGs.
In Africa, for instance, an unprecedented $1.3 trillion investment will be required annually for infrastructure alone between 2024 and 2030. Over $300 billion have been spent on debt servicing by developing countries from 2021 to date. For instance, between 2019 and 2021, Zambia was one of the 25 African countries that spent more on interest payments than on health care. Similarly, Zambia was among seven African countries that spent more on interest payments than on education. It is for that reason, therefore, that Zambia welcomes the Secretary-General’s proposal for a significant multi-year SDG stimulus package of at least $500 billion per annum.
We are delighted by the historic adoption of the Global Digital Compact. Digital technology advancement is a prerequisite for development and the attainment of the SDGs. We call for increased investment and funding towards developing digital public goods and infrastructure, especially in developing countries. We also call for the implementation of the Global Digital Compact to make Internet governance more inclusive. We take this opportunity to take cognizance of the hard work and commitment put in by Sweden, our co-facilitator in the negotiation of the Global Digital Compact.
Allow me to conclude by congratulating Member States on the adoption of the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) and its annexes. It is now time for implementation and to create an equitable and just world.
On behalf of the Republic of Rwanda, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak at this important Summit of the Future. Indeed, the Summit represents a landmark moment in our shared endeavour to shape a more equitable, sustainable and peaceful world. For Rwanda, the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) is a testament of our collective vision and commitment to addressing the most pressing challenges of our time.
I also wish to congratulate Mr. Yang on assistanceuming the presidency of the General Assembly at its seventy-ninth session. Rwanda is committed to working closely with him, and he can count on our full support throughout his tenure as we advance the shared goals of global peace, sustainable development and multilateral cooperation.
I want to express our sincere appreciation to the co-facilitators of the Pact for the Future and the facilitators of the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. Their dedication towards shaping that comprehensive and forward-looking outcome is commendable, and we are grateful for their invaluable contributions.
As we welcome the historic Pact, we must reaffirm our dedication to the principles and actions that underpin each of its five chapters. As Rwanda, we commit to the aspirations contained in those outcomes. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that future generations inherit a world that is not only sustainable but also equitable and just, for the current generation and those to come. Rwanda understands too well the importance of unity and collective decision-making, and we look forward to contributing globally, recognizing that our decisions today will shape the world of tomorrow.
It is crucial to recognize that the Summit is not an end but the beginning of transformative actions essential to the well-being of our global community. The challenges we face are profound, yet the opportunities before us are immense. Change is an inevitable part of our journey, and it is our responsibility to ensure that this change is purposeful and beneficial to future generations. To effectively address the complex challenges we face, we must embrace a mindset that is both adaptive and forward-thinking, and that requires us, first, to reform our mindsets by shifting from reactive to proactive approaches, embracing innovative solutions and collaborative strategies that address root causes rather than symptoms; and secondly, to foster resilience by building resilient systems and structures that are adaptable to evolving challenges and capable of supporting sustainable development.
Rwanda is prepared to collaborate with all Member States and stakeholders to ensure that the principles of the Pact for the Future are realized through concrete and coordinated actions. Together, let us embark on turning our aspirations in the Pact into tangible results that will benefit all humankind.
All chapters of the Pact of the Future emphasize the urgency of addressing climate change, strengthening global health systems, preparing for future pandemics, resolving the root causes of conflict for lasting peace, harnessing the transformative potential of technology and innovation, and reforming global governance to enhance multilateral cooperation for effective global challenge management. The Summit of the Future thus presents a crucial opportunity to address those challenges collectively and strategically, setting the stage for a more sustainable, equitable and peaceful world. After the Summit, we must keep the momentum to drive reforms in global governance structures, enhance multilateral cooperation and create more effective
To conclude, we must shift from the old way of business as usual in the maintenance of peace and security and foster dialogue and collaborative strategies to address the root causes of conflict and promote long-term peace and security.
I now give the floor to Her Excellency Ms. Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
I greet the Assembly warmly on behalf of the Prime Minister and the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Years ago, one of our most celebrated calypsonians, who also happens to be the Minister of Energy and Water, asked, “Are we waiting blindly for 2020” — in our case, that is now 2030 — “before we act to save people and the planet?” The Summit of the Future is our moment to pivot into a survivable tomorrow, presenting an opportunity to pause and reflect on our collective histories and to recalibrate our course towards the shared goals of equity, justice and self-determination, as promised in the Charter of the United Nations. This is a space to rebuild trust, as stated by the Secretary-General.
Saint Kitts and Nevis commends Namibia and Germany for their leadership and co-facilitation of the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1). The Pact signals a future that delivers on existing ambition and capitalizes on emerging opportunities, including the rapid implementation of the multidimensional vulnerability index, the mobilization of loss and damage resources, actioning the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States, and the continued advocacy for the Bridgetown Initiative for the Reform of the Global Financial Architecture.
Small island States grapple with the polycrises of biodiversity loss, plastic pollution, climate change and the accompanying challenges of food insecurity, and threats to our health and national security. The future we deserve demands deep-rooted change that is transformative and lasting. For that, we must redefine multilateral spaces. We must promote unbiased international partnerships that honour the strength, resilience and tenacity of small islands, systems that respect and include all our voices. And we must prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable: women, youth, the elderly and indigenous and rural populations.
Let us ground our decision-making now with a critical assessment of global historical patterns of disempowerment and exploitation that constituted progress for a few and underdevelopment for many. That new contract has the much-needed potential to reimagine small island capacity. For centuries, our islands fuelled the global economy; it is time for all to prosper regardless of size. We must alchemize our common vulnerabilities into engines of innovation, protection and lasting peace.
To build on that ideal, our Government and our Prime Minister presented the Sustainable Island State Agenda, an acceleration of our Sustainable Development Goals. Truthfully, our isolated action is a but a drop, but every drop counts towards strengthening and improving multilateral action. In that vein, I invite all island nations to the May 2025 Global Sustainable Island Summit, being hosted by Saint Kitts and Nevis with our partner Island Innovation.
Let us convene to continue driving actions and concretizing commitments for our shared survival. And as we engage in the Summit of the Future, let us anchor ourselves in its Pact and the accompanying Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations, being ever mindful of the need to reframe sustainability through the lenses of justice, equity, inclusivity and peace.
I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Ali Nafti, Minister for Foreign Affairs. Migration and Tunisians abroad of the Republic of Tunisia.
The many high-level participants at the events of this Summit and the important presence of various youth groups and civil society representatives make this Summit of the Future an historic moment for revitalizing and developing multilateral work to allow us to tackle current and new challenges more effectively and sustainably, strengthen security throughout the world and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in order to guarantee sustainable life on our planet for current and future generations.
Our global leaders, at a summit held in this very Hall in 2020, announced that our world continued to face exacerbated inequality poverty, hunger, armed conflicts, terrorism, climate change and pandemics. The current reality does not live up to the aspirations of security and prosperity for the entire population of the globe expressed by our founding fathers almost 80 years ago. Despite the very important commitments we have taken on — especially the commitment to leave no one behind — we continue to face almost the same challenges. Indeed, the global situation continues to deteriorate and we are facing numerous shocks, in particular in the global South. The persistence and aggravation of those deteriorating conditions demonstrate that the international governance system envisaged at the end of the Second World War has become incapable of addressing challenges and addressing their root causes.
That is why Tunisian hails the Secretary-General’s initiative to convene this Summit. We need to act at several levels to strengthen multilateral mechanisms and to reiterate our commitment to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to respect for international law, including by taking a new approach to international cooperation for the common well-being of nations on the basis of equality, mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, respect for the sovereignty of States and solidarity, while acknowledging our shared destiny and our common responsibility.
Tunisia welcomes the Summit outcomes, particularly the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) and those related to funding sustainable development, as well as the Global Digital Compact, which sets out the common principles for a promising digital world safe for everyone and contributes to bridging the digital divide. We also endorse the Declaration on Future Generations and the vital interests it addresses. The real success of our Summit hinges on the serious participation of absolutely everyone in the implementation of the aforementioned documents, which should not remain mere declarations of good intentions and wishful thinking.
We have today a decisive opportunity to achieve together a real and concrete transform of the multilateral system. That effort will depend on the political will that we show in seriously and tangibly implementing the various recommendations emerging from the Summit. That will allow us to overcome the gaps in global governance mechanisms. We call on developed countries to make good on their commitments to financing, sustainable development and climate action. They must do so by helping the developing countries to overcome debt, recover their looted funds abroad and make use of their own resources in the face of existing challenges.
At our last summit, we agreed on the need to leave no one behind. That slogan will lose all of its credibility and sense if we exclude the Palestinian people, who are
It is our hope that this Summit, which was brilliantly prepared by the United Nations, will clear the way for a new phase in multilateral action, grounded in common responsibility and solidarity for a world that is more just, fair and sustainable.
I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Egypt welcomes our Summit today and sees it as an opportunity to foster multilateral action in facing the challenges that cast a shadow over developing countries and affect their efforts to achieve sustainable development by 2030.
Egypt also expresses its appreciation for the initiative of the Secretary-General to launch the Summit of the Future with his historic report Our Common Agenda (A/75/982) in order to develop international governance to preserve peace and security, achieve development and prosperity and ensure that all enjoy human rights on the basis of equality.
We were pleased to organize the fourth Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development in July as a prelude to the Summit of Future in order to present our vision on the priorities of multilateral governance, the agenda for prevention and sustainable peace, and the role of young people. Egypt welcomes the adoption of the Pact for the Future, the Declaration on Future Generations and the Global Digital Compact (resolution 79/1), and wishes to share with the international community its vision of ways to build on the outcomes of the Summit. First, with the increasing polarization and threats to peace and security, it has become necessary to renew our commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and respect for the sovereign equality of all countries in order to preserve the credibility of the international system, pursuant to fixed standards and free of double standards. In that context, Egypt reiterates the necessity of settling the Palestinian issue and of establishing an independent Palestinian State within the borders of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. It stresses the importance of ending the ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and stresses that confidence in the justice of the international system is being sorely tested by the international community’s inability to stop the ongoing tragedy in Gaza and the West Bank, which now threatens to extend to brotherly Lebanon and throughout the region. Egypt is committed to preserving the unity, integrity, stability and sovereignty of Somalia over its entire national territory. It also stresses the importance of preserving the unity and territorial integrity of the Sudan. Secondly, successive developments reflect the need to increase development financing and to reform the structure of the global financial system in order to narrow the gaps among countries and address the current imbalance that has left many countries behind with respect to prosperity. We must commit to meeting the aspirations of peoples to eliminate poverty and hunger by increasing growth rates, which requires us to strengthen development financing and agree on innovative solutions to expand mechanisms to help developing countries access concessional Thirdly, we must provide means to implement and enhance technology transfer, promote digital cooperation and increase research, build capacities and development programmes, especially in the African continent, and support the efforts of African countries to confront the negative effects of climate change, based on the principle of shared but differentiated responsibilities. We must work together to confront the challenge of water scarcity, enhance transboundary water cooperation and maintain the water security of countries, unhindered by unilateral policies that represent a flagrant violation of the principles of international law. Fourthly, Egypt is dedicated to the highest priority of completely eliminating nuclear weapons in order to achieve a future for future and current generations free from the catastrophic and destructive effects of the use of those weapons, including through the establishment of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. Finally, Egypt affirms its commitment to continuing to work with all countries to enhance our joint efforts —
The President returned to the Chair.
I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Mbae Mohamed, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Comoros.
It is a privilege for me to address the General Assembly on behalf of Mr. Azali Assoumani, Head of State of the Union of the Comoros, at this global event, the importance of which cannot be in doubt. The Summit of the Future brings us together to renew global solidarity in order to ensure that we respect our international commitments.
Sustainable development requires strong and interlinked efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the least developed countries. In that regard, development financing is a critical challenge because there can be no progress without it. It is therefore urgent, in our view, for the international community to implement an innovative and ambitious funding mechanism that would support our initiatives and mobilize further resources in order to enable countries to follow the path of sustainable development. Technology transfer, technical assistance, access to clean energy and the development of alternative energy should be financing priorities.
It is crucial that we support business and improve access to funding for young people and women, while at the same time promoting universal social protection in order to reduce the informal labour market and improve access to decent jobs for all. The Union of the Comoros urgently appeals to the countries of the North to honour their commitments to funding the SDGs in the countries of the South.
International peace and security are key to sustainable development. In that regard, strengthening multilateral institutions is particularly important in resolving existing conflicts and preventing new outbreaks of tension. The very objective of multilateralism is, among other things, to prevent war by building bridges between different views and interests. We must therefore do everything in our power to restore the authority of the United Nations and respect for its Charter, international law and international humanitarian law.
Scientific and technological progress and innovation are at the heart of the economic and social changes needed in our times. They must be accompanied by the development of skills through programmes of partnership, knowledge transfer and cooperation based on research and technology. The Global Digital Compact should enable us to reduce the global digital divide and increase access for each country to those innovations.
The future is now. We cannot wait and we must improve the global system for current and future generations through national governance. Investment in young people, the fight against youth unemployment, access to universal education, the prevention of social violence conflict, improving the lives of young people and enhancing their participation in high-level decision-making bodies should be our shared priorities. The future of our planet is in the hands of young people and future generations. It is our duty to leave them a world of peace.
I give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Minister for Foreign Relations of the Republic of Cameroon.
I take this opportunity to say that it is a great pleasure and immense honour for me to make this statement on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Paul Biya, President of the Republic of Cameroon and our Head of State.
“We have just adopted the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) and its two annexes concerning digital aspects and future generations. I congratulate all those involved in the negotiations, who were able to overcome their differences and reach agreement on what was essential in order to reach the consensus that brings us together and that we are currently celebrating. It was indeed a lengthy and laborious negotiation, but we ultimately brought it to fruition. We have proven once again that real political will and a high awareness of the common good allows us to achieve the goals that we set ourselves.
“The Pact for the Future that we have just adopted is a real gamble in favour of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for current and future generations. Thanks to its guidance, objectives and, above all, the specific actions contained therein, the Pact is up to the task of guiding us towards the future we want and whose priorities we defined together in this very building several years ago. They stress the protection of the planet and humankind, the eradication of poverty, shared prosperity and the need to leave no one behind.
“If the Pact is to be implemented effectively, we must act without further delay with renewed political will. The challenges we are facing are growing in number and gaining in complexity. Above all, they have been globalized, thereby involving the future of all humankind in this ever-changing and demanding digital world. Science and technology have indeed given us the best tools for achieving ever-increasing progress. Together, and guided by the Pact we have just adopted, let us use those tools together with unity, solidarity and active humanity.”
I give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Ki-Hwan Kweon. Deputy Foreign Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs of the Republic of Korea.
First of all, I would like to extend my gratitude to Germany and Namibia for their dedicated efforts, which have led to the adoption of the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1).
The international community has worked tirelessly for months to identify actions that should be taken to bring about meaningful changes and benefit future generations. The Pact charts a path to a brighter future for all of humankind and reaffirms our commitment to multilateralism. Now, it is our duty to ensure that our commitments resonate far beyond the Hall to shape a more sustainable future for all.
First of all, science, technology and innovation must be harnessed in a way that promotes and protects human rights and serves peaceful purposes. Korea is committed to advancing human-centred artificial intelligence (AI) technology to drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Following the AI Seoul Summit, held in May, Korea convened the AI Global Forum to push for the establishment of AI norms in the private sector. In early September, we also hosted the Responsible AI in the Military Domain Summit 2024, where we presented a comprehensive blueprint for military AI norms.
Tackling new and emerging challenges is also crucial to building a more inclusive, open and safe future. As a member of the Security Council, Korea prioritizes responses to cybersecurity and climate security issues. In June, Korea hosted an open debate on cybersecurity (see S/PV.9662) as President of the Security Council, which helped to establish a solid foundation for planning a prompt and effective response to cyberthreats.
Korea also supports the role of the Peacebuilding Commission as a platform for sharing good practice among Member States and fostering partnerships among diverse stakeholders. When serving as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission in 2017, Korea drew on its development experiences and played a role in fostering strategic partnerships between the PBC and international organizations and financial institutions. That helped countries in transition to mobilize both political and financial support. Korea will remain fully supportive of the PBC’s efforts to make further progress in that regard.
Securing development resources is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Korea has consistently increased its official development assistance (ODA), with an expansion of over 30 per cent this year compared to last year. Notably, at the first South Korea-Africa Summit, held in Seoul in June, we pledged to continue to expand our ODA to Africa up to $10 billion by 2030.
The efforts of the Government sector alone are never enough to mobilize resources. It is essential to forge close partnerships with various stakeholders, including the private sector, to benefit from their resources, expertise and technology. In that context, Korea is advancing innovative cooperation projects with businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises, and start-ups. Korea will continue to actively participate in international efforts to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and build a better world for future generations.
I sincerely hope that the Summit of the Future marks a pivotal moment for change. It presents a great opportunity for every Member State to be united around its commitment to the Pact for the Future. Let us seize this opportunity.
I now give the floor to the representative of Israel.
While Israel is fully committed to the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) and the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we continue to face relentless attacks from non-State actors that threaten our very existence. As we gather here today to speak about the future, hundreds of rockets are being fired at our civilian population.
Let me be clear. We are a peaceful nation. We do not seek war, nor do we desire it. However, we will not stand by as our people are attacked. We will use all means at hand — aur determination, our innovation and our strength — to protect our people. Last night, hundreds of thousands of Israelis slept in bomb shelters as Hizbullah, a
Yet despite those dire conditions, Israel remains steadfast in promoting the SDG agenda. We pursue those global goals while fighting terrorism on multiple fronts. That is the real story of Israel. Despite immense challenges, we are still able to lead on innovation, sustainability and the advancement of human rights. Our resilience proves that building a better future is not only possible but essential. Even as we defend our people and homeland, we are here today to focus on that future and the shared values that will shape the future.
Each generation has faced its own challenges, and ours is no different. What sets our time apart is the profound impact our nations can build together. The question we ask ourselves is: How will we work towards eliminating poverty? Will we act quickly enough to save the planet? How might technology benefit humankind rather than being used to spread hate? These are critical questions, so crucial that giving form to our vision for the future has been an ambitious and difficult process. We must recognize that putting it into action will be even more difficult, yet we cannot be paralysed by the enormous scope of the task. This is not a gift to the future, but an obligation that we must pay forward.
Over the past year, we have seen anti-Semitism escalate from words to acts of terror. It is imperative that Member States confront anti-Semitism wherever it emerges, for it is only through collective that we can make a lasting difference, Simply put, we need more than words and declarations; we need immediate, dramatic action from all countries and all individuals.
We cannot allow the pursuit of the SDGs to come at the cost of our democratic values. Just as we stand united against violent extremism and terrorism, we must also oppose repressive regimes that fund and support those terror groups. Israel firmly believes that we cannot leave a legacy of fear, oppression and terror for future generations. We must act decisively against terrorist organizations that blatantly disregard the safety and welfare of their own people.
The challenges will not be easy to overcome. If they were, we would not be here today. However, the State of Israel believes that there is far more that unites us than divides us. The differences we observe are often more about the different paths we take towards our shared goals. We must come together in that spirit, facing today’s challenges head on and recognizing that delaying difficult decisions is no longer an option. We can and we must meet our obligations. The future, the planet and all those who will inhabit it —
I now give the floor to the representative of the Central African Republic.
The Central African Republic welcomes today’s adoption of the Compact for the Future (resolution 79/1), to which are annexed the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. Their adoption is a sign of our reaffirmed resolve and common aspiration to seek shared prosperity.
The ambitious and transformative Pact is an important step towards rebuilding trust and restoring our common humanity, which translates into a renewed commitment to leaving no one behind and to protecting our planet. I remain convinced that the implementation of concrete actions within the framework of the Pact and its annexes is necessary to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable
I would particularly like to dwell on the word “action”, which invites us to emerge from the prevailing paralysis in which we have been dozing for decades and which continues to generate ever-growing imbalances in the equality of rights, in particular the right to development, the right to a safer and more sustainable world, the right to self-determination and sovereignty and the right to be actors involved in global governance.
That paralysis has characterized us for more than 30 years, moving from the logic of working groups to the logic of intergovernmental negotiations, while our Organization has been unable to proceed with the reform of the United Nations and more particularly of the Security Council, which would repair a historical injustice done to Africa. The Council no longer reflects our world of today, and the double standards, misunderstanding and camp logic that prevail there have become the rule to the detriment of fairness, coherence, objectivity and efficiency, thereby reducing the chances of peace for many countries or suffering populations.
I express the hope that the Pact will not be yet another missed opportunity and that together we will really get moving. To that end, massive and increased awareness and political support are necessary to generate and materialize opportunities in terms of conflict prevention and resolution, financing, development, knowledge-sharing and innovation in such a way that the new social contract that we are sealing today will be resolutely turned towards multilateral solutions for a better future for all, and especially young people, girls and women.
In the Central African Republic, the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is constrained mainly by internal challenges linked to, among other things, the security situation, the country’s isolation and the energy deficit. To accelerate the implementation of the SDGs, the Government has defined and validated an ambitious National Development Programme 2024-2028 of $12.8 billion, which is aimed at building a prosperous country with high-quality human capital and resilient and sustainable infrastructure based on a more inclusive rule of law focused on the principles of good governance. The challenge for our country is to move from an emergency mindset to one of sustained and sustainable development that generates a structural transformation of the economy in which young people, women and the private sector occupy a prominent place.
In recent years, young Central Africans, who represent just over 70 per cent of the Central African population, have benefited from awareness-raising efforts on the importance of peace. Their new understanding has translated into a unique dynamic that marks the Central African landscape. They have decided that peace comes through entrepreneurship. It is therefore urgent for us to rethink the governance of the international financial architecture, to drive real dynamics to resolve debt- related issues, to rethink the profile of aid actors by taking a more proactive role, to help our most vulnerable populations and to free up the funding necessary to support our recovery and development dynamics.
In that dynamic, we see the use of new technologies and innovation as an important breeding ground in the quest for increased mobilization of national resources. In that regard, the Global Digital Compact will be an asset to optimize as much as possible the contribution of technology, innovation and science to growth.
The pooling of our efforts does not leave room for unfocused thinking. Let us move towards the needs and aspirations of the people to build the future we want and in which no one is truly left behind.
I now give the floor to the representative of Austria.
Summits hold special significance in Austria, a land of many mountains. Every hiker knows that a climb to the summit can be arduous but that reaching the top feels sublime. But you also have to get back down again, and descents can be rough. Getting to the Summit of the Future was not easy. The negotiations sometimes felt very much like an uphill climb. But with the determination to shape a better future for all, we succeeded. Even with the unnecessary distractions this morning, the adoption by acclamation of the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) today made two things clear. First, the leaders of the world are committed to bringing about positive change together. Secondly, they will use the United Nations to address the challenges of today and those we expect in the future.
The Pact that we adopted this morning will make processes and institutions more effective and responsive to our needs. There is much we agreed to: the groundwork for global cooperation on digital technologies, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity; using the immense potential of outer space as a driver for sustainable development; a new focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and accelerating climate commitments; and concrete steps to reforming the Security Council and the will to address reform of the wider international architecture.
The actions in the Pact speak for themselves. They show determination to take bold steps for our planet and for future generations. Some highlights of the Pact reflect Austrian priorities that we will pay particular attention to in its implementation — the descent from the mountain, so to speak, which can also be difficult. They include strengthening the rule of law and human rights and our commitment to the universal principle that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
On disarmament, we must ensure that nuclear weapons are never used again and that new technologies empower future generations, not dehumanize them. We need legally binding prohibitions and regulations of autonomous weapons systems.
Regarding peace operations, we appreciate the recognition of a new era that is more targeted, flexible and collaborative. We welcome a holistic review of United Nations peace operations across the entire peace continuum, from prevention and peacemaking to peacekeeping and peacebuilding. Strengthening synergies between the United Nations and regional organizations, such as through regular meetings, is essential to establishing a real networked multilateralism.
Finally, on global governance, the Pact contains a commitment to the meaningful reform of the Security Council. Together with Ambassador Tareq Albanai of Kuwait, I had the honour of co-chairing the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform and facilitating the actions in the Pact, where leaders pledged to ensure greater representation for underrepresented regions and rectify the historical injustice against Africa; where leaders reaffirmed their determination to making the Council more effective, transparent and accountable, including by discussing limitations to the veto; where they agreed to work on the basis of a consolidated model of a new Council; and where they agreed specific interim measures until the reform enters into force. As the Secretary-General said, that constitutes the strongest language on Security Council reform in a generation and the most concrete steps to Council enlargement since 1963. It augurs well for future efforts to reform the Council.
In closing, let me thank Secretary-General Guterres for bringing us together today. The Pact for the Future shows that there is so much more that unites us than divides us. As the Summit of the Future becomes an event of the past, let us set out for the future with optimism and humility. Multilateral diplomacy can work only with open minds; if we come to the United Nations not only to speak but also to listen; if we show respect for others and believe that diverse views are positive; if we engage in the spirit of compromise; and if we put acting together first in and through the United Nations.
The meeting rose at 3.40 p.m.