A/79/PV.6 General Assembly
The meeting was called to order at 3.15 p.m.
123. Strengthening of the United Nations system
Delegations are reminded that statements should be 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. In accordance with resolution 72/313, the “all protocol observed” principle is recommended, whereby participants are encouraged to refrain from the listing of standard protocol expressions during their statements.
Within that time frame, 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.
Address by Mr. Gabriel Boric Font, President of the Republic of Chile
I invite His Excellency Mr. Gabriel Boric Font, President of the Republic of Chile, to address the Assembly.
President Boric Font (spoke in Spanish): I invite the Secretary-General to talk about the future when I imagine that, for the vast majority of us, it is very difficult to grasp the present. Every day in recent years, it has become more difficult to govern. There has been an undeniable democratization of information that forces those of us
I think there is quite a worldwide consensus today that there are no or should be no privileged classes and that the wealth that the world generates should be distributed in a much more equitable way than it has been until today, both among nation States and within our own countries. The other important consideration is that this must be done with attention to the finite resources that we have on our planet, where the climate crisis that has strongly impacted many of our countries must be a priority concern. That issue is partially addressed in the Sustainable Development Goals that we agreed as States Members of the United Nations.
However, when he spoke here yesterday from this rostrum (see A/79/PV.3), President Lula da Silva reminded us that if we continue at the same pace as today, only 17 per cent — yes, I said 17 per cent — of those objectives will be met. It is therefore worrisome that each of us comes here, repeats some sort of litany and then holds a bilateral meeting, without any of us grasping the sense of urgency of the things to which we ourselves have committed and that we are not fulfilling.
From Chile, I say — with frustration but also with hope — that if we have not done what we should to build a better world, we still have time to do so and that requires changing our institutions. That is a conversation that is always on the table but never ends up being resolved, because this space, the United Nations, is designed for a world that no longer exists. This is 2024, not 1945. We have seen that play out in different instances where one country or another, depending on the geopolitical conflict, vetoes a draft resolution if that draft resolution is not to its liking — for example, the United States recent veto on Palestine or Russia’s earlier veto with respect to another conflict. It so happens that the world is no longer like that. Those countries should not have the right to the veto and the world as it is today is not represented in the Security Council.
Chile, while it does not seek to join the Security Council, demands that the rules of the game be changed so that they are adapted once and for all to the new world in which we live. If we are not capable of changing this institution, who are we — supposedly serious, reasonable people who are here representing their countries — to demand that our own people change?
We have tremendous challenges to overcome. Without a doubt, the United Nations has been an important actor in doing so, but it lacks vitality. We can give it that by changing the rules of the game. The new generations to which I belong are attentive to what we are doing here. I have —
I thank the President of the Republic of Chile for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
I invite His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, to address the Assembly.
President Ali: Yesterday we adopted the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1). The task for us now is to move from ambition to action — actions that create an ecosystem of harmony among the environment, people, planet and technology, but one that most of all promotes human dignity.
Our global food security continues to deteriorate and the projections are alarming. It is estimated that $90 billion in annual global financing will be needed between now and 2030 to provide a basic social safety net. If we are not able to meet the basic need of feeding our people, the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will be in peril. It is our collective responsibility to provide the $300 billion to $500 billion needed to transform our global food system. Technology transfer, insurance for farmers, access to finance and fair trade rules are all part of the solution.
Energy security must be built on a platform of equity and access to technology. We must not be divided on addressing the digital divide. Too many still lack basic connectivity.
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a positive game changer for humankind, but it also has the potential to widen the gap between countries and peoples if we do not bridge the digital divide. Our global community has the responsibility to ensure that AI is a force for good that benefits everyone.
To do all of that, our public policies and global strategies must be aligned and our global institutions responsive. Outdated and broken global systems must be fixed. We must reform the international financial architecture and make it more inclusive and conducive to sustainable development for all. But sustainable development cannot flourish without peace and security. We must end and prevent wars. The Security Council must also be reformed to be more representative, responsive and democratic. If it is not, it will lose both its credibility and its relevance.
As we seek to create a fair and just world, we must focus on including all our people. No region, no country and no group must be left behind. We must do more to ensure that our women and young people are integral in all our decisions and actions. The future we envision must target directly the more than 340 million women and girls projected to be living in poverty by 2030. It must also address the 110 million young women and girls projected to remain out of school by 2030, the 24 per cent of women and girls projected to be food insecure and the 245 million women and girls who will experience sexual or gender-based violence by 2030. The sustainable future we build must meet the needs and aspirations of the 1.3 million additional youths the world will have by 2030, ensuring sustainable development in which access to education, health, housing and energy must be provided.
We must now define an implementation plan for the Pact for the Future to address the challenges to building a life of dignity for every global citizen.
I thank the President of the President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
I invite His Excellency Mr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to address the Assembly.
President Pezeshkian (spoke in Farsi; English interpretation provided by the delegation): Addressing today’s and tomorrow’s challenges demands collaboration rooted in justice and integrity. Let us build a just and thriving future for our children. The central focus of that joint effort is to highlight the role and status of the United
The Islamic Republic of Iran has in the past expressed its views on the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1). Our collaborative efforts for the future should focus on reinforcing the multilateral system to effectively tackle fundamental challenges like war, discrimination, poverty and hunger. The role of culture and family values, the necessity of intergenerational dialogue to preserve cultural values and attention to the role and empowerment of women, girls and young people are undeniable. The priorities of my Administration at the national level include a focus on health, public education, public welfare, social security, creating equal opportunities and reducing various forms of inequality, fair income distribution, strengthening and consolidating the family institution, reducing poverty and discrimination, expanding social justice, empowering women and young people and fostering the enjoyment of a sustainable environment.
Achieving peace and development requires respect for the right of nations to development, attention to their development priorities and cultural nuances, adherence to the principles of fairness and solidarity and the fulfilment of commitments by developed countries towards developing nations. Unilateral sanctions have hindered progress towards sustainable development goals and must be addressed in any document prepared for the future. I propose that the Secretary- General, in collaboration with countries affected by unilateral sanctions, present a comprehensive report on that matter to the General Assembly.
We call for urgent reforms in the governance structure of international financial institutions to ensure the participation of developing countries in decision-making and norm-setting, creating a fair and accountable framework to address the financial needs of developing nations. The Global Digital Compact (resolution 79/1, annex I) should contribute to reducing the digital divide between the global North and South, particularly through the transfer of new technologies, capacity-building and removing barriers. The equal and effective participation of the countries of the global South in the governance of the Internet and artificial intelligence, respect for national laws and addressing monopolistic practices are critical imperatives.
We call for a world free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction without preconditions. As a victim of terrorism, we have always been at the forefront of the fight against that vile phenomenon and are ready to cooperate with countries genuinely seeking to combat it. Iran seeks a strong, secure and stable region where the resources of countries can be used for mutual benefit in advancing economic and social progress and addressing common challenges.
In a world where civilians in Gaza are ruthlessly killed, State-sponsored terrorism brutally targets children and women, and genocide and assassination are supported, no document will guarantee peace and development. The end of occupation, the cessation of apartheid in Palestine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza are prerequisites for global development and peace. The Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared to work with other countries to achieve common global goals.
I thank the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Santiago Peña Palacios, President of the Republic of Paraguay
I invite His Excellency Mr. Santiago Peña Palacios, President of the Republic of Paraguay, to address the Assembly.
President Peña Palacios (spoke in Spanish): It is an honour to address the General Assembly today at this Summit of the Future. I consider this to be a unique
The consensus we have achieved does not necessarily imply that we agree on all the issues; rather, it is an action to promote the continued functioning of the system. Paraguay, as a “small but proud country”, in the words of another great Paraguayan, Manuel Gondra, defends international positions based on principles, not on mere interest, convenience or pragmatism. Thus, we are convinced that the basic principle of international relations in the future must be to make the just powerful and the powerful just. That principle of justice and equity must be the fundamental pillar of our international system.
For that reason, it is not only the most powerful or developed countries that should be heard, but all countries, including those like Paraguay, which, with their rich history, have much to contribute. Paraguay loves peace and rejects war, and we are convinced that the future must be one of peace, moving away from violence and conquest. We can sum it up with the phrase “Might does not make right”. That is why today we defend countries like Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, which have every right to be respected and treated with dignity. We also defend the rights of countries that, like Paraguay, by the misfortune of history find themselves landlocked. We must level the playing field fairly and ensure real equality among nations.
For Paraguay, the future must also be built on democracy and respect for human rights. Our history, which has been marked by dictatorships and authoritarianism, gives us a special right to say here that this future must be democratic. We believe in multilateralism as the most effective tool to confront problems that transcend the borders of our countries. However, we must recognize that contemporary multilateralism has shown serious deficiencies. We need actions, not words, and strengthened collective action. I therefore propose that, to respond to the crisis of multilateralism, we need better multilateralism.
Aware that food insecurity is affecting several regions of the world, we must protect the role of food-producing countries. Therefore, measures to combat climate change should not limit smaller countries, but rather strengthen them so that they can fight for a better and more sustainable future.
Paraguay, which has 100 per cent clean, green and renewable energy sources — I repeat, 100 per cent — shows the way forward. Within the framework of the United Nations, we have the responsibility to ensure that the digital revolution and emerging technologies are accessible to all and used in an ethical and equitable manner, taking special care to ensure that developing nations have access to the same opportunities.
We must consolidate an international financial system that guarantees equitable access to essential resources to promote the well-being of all countries, particularly those in development and the most vulnerable. We are concerned that the capacity of emerging economies to face global challenges will be limited by the slowdown in growth. We need a strong and efficient financial safety net, capable of responding to crises affecting the most disadvantaged.
We are aware that this agreement is the result of intense negotiations, in which States had to balance their interests and claims. I must stress our disagreement with some substantive aspects of the document adopted. Therefore, I believe it necessary to emphasize as follows.
The declaration, whose guidelines are based on a non-binding document, will be applied in conformity with our Constitution and national legislation in force. Similarly, it is critical for Paraguay to safeguard our values, principles and culture,
I thank the President of the Republic of Paraguay for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
I invite His Excellency Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, to address the Assembly.
President Zelenskyy: It is important that the world is working to develop a shared vision for the best future for humankind. As soon as such collective efforts begin, true interests are always revealed. Ukraine supports efforts to keep all nations united, safe and strictly adherent to the Charter of the United Nations.
Everyone here can see who always not only stands against global unity, but also actively works to undermine it. This time, during the work on the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), the same small group of seven accomplices, led by Russia, once again acted destructively, consistently opposing any global initiatives that strengthen the effectiveness of the United Nations Charter. This group has always behaved that way whenever the United Nations has tried to do something that works for everyone’s good — and we can all see that.
I thank Germany and Namibia for their co-facilitation of the Pact for the Future. I also thank Zambia and Sweden for facilitating the negotiations on the Global Digital Compact (resolution 79/1, annex I). My thanks go to Jamaica and the Netherlands, which co-chaired the intergovernmental process on the Declaration on Future Generations (resolution 79/1, annex II).
It is very, very important that we hear a united voice from Africa now. The common stance of African nations strengthens global efforts. I offer my sincere thanks to all the countries that have offered their helpful ideas for the future.
The world needs a peaceful future and sustainable development. I say that as the President of Ukraine, a country resisting Russia’s brutal colonial aggression. We know exactly how much global unity can achieve, both here at the United Nations and through the Peace Summits for Ukraine, where we aim to overcome the destructiveness of Russia and its accomplices. We are now preparing for the second Peace Summit, moving forward with our partners, step by step, in accordance with the peace formula.
We are also working on food security, energy security and holding Russia accountable for its terror. Next, we will address all the other points of the peace formula, including the release of prisoners, the restoration of territorial integrity and more. We are preparing a document to present at the second Peace Summit. I invite all leaders and nations to continue supporting our joint efforts for a just and peaceful future. Putin has stolen much already, but he will never steal the world’s future. I am sure of that.
I thank the President of Ukraine for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona, President of the Dominican Republic
I invite His Excellency Mr. Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona, President of the Dominican Republic, to address the Assembly.
President Abinader Corona (spoke in Spanish): On behalf of the Dominican people and Government, I congratulate the Summit of the Future, under whose motto
The first call of this Summit must be to set aside that which divides us and to seek that which unites us. That is the best approach to achieving joint solutions that concretely impact the lives of present and future generations. It also requires us to take seriously the decarbonization of economies to face the climate crisis. Although all countries must contribute, nations like the Dominican Republic will have a limited impact unless the main producers of greenhouse gases contribute proportionately to their resources and their impact. Both green funds and regulations adopted on climate matters must be prioritized.
To fully harness the potential of artificial intelligence, it must be made accessible and inclusive to all within a framework of digital sovereignty and technological ethics, thereby allowing for a revolution in production, education, medical care and environmental protection, while preventing it from becoming a tool of exploitation and exclusion.
Today we are witnessing in real time the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people from disproportionate and unjustified violence for which they are not responsible. We must seek incentives to prevent nations from violating the basic norms of coexistence and peaceful conflict resolution. At the same time, it is necessary to redesign the norms on which international organizations are based so that they can fully comply with their fundamental objective of safeguarding international peace and stability.
We reaffirm once again the Dominican Republic’s unwavering commitment to a renewed and effective multilateralism. We call for international law to be respected and complied with so that all nations have effective means to ensure their security. None of that can be achieved without resources. We must accelerate the construction of a new international financial architecture that guarantees the availability of resources for investment in development, well-being, environmental protection and climate resilience. The future is here; it is our present. It is the foundation that we build today through the sum of our daily decisions.
The Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) is our opportunity to redefine a more just, equitable and sustainable future in which all people, everywhere on the planet, can prosper in peace, with dignity and in harmony with the environment.
I thank the President of the Dominican Republic for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana
I invite His Excellency Mr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, to address the Assembly.
President Masisi: At the outset, Botswana aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Uganda, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China (see A/79/PV.4), and with that to be made by the representative of Singapore on behalf of the Forum of Small States. I have the honour to deliver this statement in my national capacity.
Allow me to join other delegations in congratulating and commending Namibia and Germany for the exceptional job they did in overseeing the intergovernmental negotiations on the Summit of the Future. It could not have been an easy feat to comprehensively balance the diverging views and negotiate the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), an action-oriented and concise document. We are proud to join
We are pleased that the Summit offers an opportunity to redirect focus and chart a path towards the realization of our shared goals and aspirations, as contained in the Sustainable Development Goals. As the Summit reignites hope, we owe it to succeeding generations to demonstrate that no matter how bleak any situation may appear to be, with renewed focus and vigour no challenge is insurmountable. This historical moment will be remembered as a demonstration of our shared commitment to multilateralism, and equally of our shared commitment to inclusivity.
Botswana concurs with and fully endorses the timely theme of the Summit of the Future, “Multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow”, which reaffirms the need to address global challenges collectively. Botswana further welcomes the adoption of the Pact for the Future and its annexes, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations (resolution 79/1, annexes I and II). My delegation wishes to highlight some of the issues of great importance to us, as contained in the Pact of the Future and its annexes.
We welcome the emphasis on the fact that the three pillars of the Charter of the United Nations — sustainable development, international peace and security, and human rights — are mutually reinforcing, as well as critical under international law. Botswana further wishes to underline that sustainable development and financing remain the primary concern of developing nations. I cannot state in any stronger terms that poverty eradication in all its forms and dimensions should be prioritized.
We need to pay attention to the most pressing of our needs, and as such we should fully commit to reforming the international financial architecture under the auspices of United Nations, closing the digital gap between the developed and developing countries, addressing issues of youth and future generations by ensuring that what we do will not deny them benefits and opportunities and by ensuring generational equity, reforming the Security Council, revitalizing the General Assembly, ensuring unimpeded access to humanitarian aid and, lastly, promoting cooperation.
I recall, that in my statement to the General Assembly at its the seventy-eighth session, I highlighted the need for the United Nations to consider appointing a female candidate for the position of Secretary-General (see A/78/PV.7). I note that the Pact acknowledges that we have not done enough on that front and I concur unabashedly. It is imperative that we do our utmost to advance gender parity. My Administration has placed that goal at the forefront of its key national appointments and I will continue to ensure that opportunities for the empowerment of women and girls remain a central pillar of my Administration.
I am also delighted by and welcome the different review mechanisms contained in the Pact for the Future, including its annexes, which are aimed at ensuring that concrete deliverables are outlined, whilst ensuring a recommitment to the tenets of multilateralism. It is, however, key that we acknowledge the slow progress towards achieving those goals.
Allow me to conclude my remarks by assuring you, Sir, and reaffirming Botswana’s commitment to making every effort to contribute to meeting the goals that we have set ourselves, for the benefit of succeeding generations.
I thank the President of the Republic of Botswana for the statement he has just made.
I invite His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, to address the Assembly.
President El Ghazouani (spoke in Arabic): The Summit of the Future offers a valuable and exceptional opportunity called for by the growing awareness among all countries and peoples of the common destiny of humankind and our collective responsibility towards a common future.
The violent shocks and acute crises that our world has recently been subjected to are a cause for grave concern about our common future. If we pursue our quest to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the same path, with the same mechanisms and at the same pace, we will not be able in the foreseeable future to eradicate poverty, establish security and peace, restore the environmental balance of our planet or build comprehensive, sustainable development. It is no secret that the stumbling or slowing down of our progress towards achieving the SDGs has had destructive repercussions on our present, the future of our planet and coming generations.
That is why the African continent, as a union and as individual countries, has made tremendous efforts to achieve the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which is fully consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals. In that context, our country, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, like other African countries, has worked hard to combat violence, terrorism, poverty and fragility, to promote and qualify human capital and to contribute to achieving African economic integration. However, the results achieved as a whole in that context, regionally and internationally, have not lived up to the required level. Worse yet is the fact that its security and development gains have been undermined by wars, conflicts and economic crises, as well as climate change, the burden of debt and imbalances in international, political and economic governance.
To address all those challenges, the international community has had to seek effective and radical solutions that establish a joint agenda to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs by renewing trust and solidarity among peoples and countries, reviving a new dynamic in multilateral cooperation and reformulating the rules of international financial and political governance.
My country, Mauritania, which is currently chairing the African Union, welcomes the adoption of the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) and reiterates its call for reforming the United Nations system, especially the Security Council, in a way that will allow our continent to make its voice heard with a force that ensures that its priorities are taken into account in international agendas. My country also calls for a resolution to the debt problem, enhanced cooperation to address the growing environmental challenges, the promotion of multilateral cooperation and guarantees for international peace and security so that, together, we can save our planet from collapse, building comprehensive, sustainable development that will offer prosperity and success to all peoples of the world.
I thank the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Mohamed Younis Al-Menfi, President of the Presidential Council of the State of Libya
I invite His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Younis Al-Menfi, President of the Presidential Council of the State of Libya, to address the Assembly.
The Summit represents an exceptional opportunity to consider the current challenges facing the world and to find innovative and comprehensive solutions. We need to work together to secure a better future for future generations, with a focus on the basic principles of the Summit, which places a great responsibility on us to change our approaches to address existing challenges.
Technological progress, especially in the digital field, provides us with new tools to innovate effective and sustainable solutions. Such solutions are not merely new technologies, but rather the results of strategic thinking that anticipates the future and works to achieve a balance between innovation and social responsibility. We must understand that those tools are related not just to artificial intelligence, but to strategic developments to ensure support for and positive transformation in society. In addition, we emphasize the importance of inclusiveness and justice. Digital and economic disparities among countries continue to hinder progress, and we have to work to reduce them and ensure equal opportunities for all.
Libya seeks to play its regional and international role in supporting the principles that the Summit hopes to achieve, and to enhance dialogue and cooperation to confront common challenges, such as climate change, illegal immigration and terrorism. It is also committed to working with its international partners to find innovative and sustainable solutions by exploiting strategic expertise and employing modern technologies to address those challenges. Given its geographical location, and in its role as a transit country, Libya is fully aware of the challenges related to illegal immigration and always tries to develop sustainable solutions to confront that phenomenon. In that context, we emphasize the importance of international cooperation to address the root causes of migration and provide an environment conducive to development in affected countries, in accordance with the principles advocated by the Summit of the Future.
This Summit has a primary goal in mind, which is to build a future that guarantees equal opportunities for all. We need to work together to overcome regional differences and to pool our efforts to achieve that noble objective. Cooperation among countries is not an option, but an imperative necessity to achieve sustainable development and social justice. We also have to focus on intergenerational responsibility. This is an historic opportunity to ensure that the decisions we make today take future generations into account and provide them with a sustainable future, as we cannot continue to exploit natural resources irresponsibly.
In conclusion, we emphasize the importance of adhering to the principles of the Summit of the Future, which call on us to adopt innovation, sustainability and justice in all aspects of our lives. By working together, we can overcome the challenges ahead, create a world where opportunities are available to all, and live in dignity and peace.
I thank the President of the Presidential Council of the State of Libya for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Gustavo Petro Urrego, President of the Republic of Colombia
I invite His Excellency Mr. Gustavo Petro Urrego, President of the Republic of Colombia, to address the Assembly.
President Petro Urrego (spoke in Spanish): Stephen Hawking, the famous physicist, was once asked what he believed were the causes of the possible extinction of humankind in the contemporary world. He cited, in this order, artificial intelligence
First, artificial intelligence can and does pose the danger of rapidly confusing any human being as to the difference between reality and non-reality. The dividing line between fantasy, virtuality and reality that we can see today being erased by fake news may be indefinitely blurred by artificial intelligence. That poses a great danger to humankind and could cause us to lose our bearings with respect to reality. Secondly, artificial intelligence is undoubtedly prevalent because it substantially increases economic productivity — the production of goods per hour — and could entail the loss of millions or hundreds of millions of jobs, causing social inequality even greater than what we already have. Thirdly, artificial intelligence, given that it increases productivity, consumes a great deal of energy. Energy is used in the world to increase productivity so as to produce more, sell more and earn more in the context of capitalism.
Those three elements, which we could see as the negative aspects of artificial intelligence in its use of enormous amounts of energy, much more than we use today, are thus linked to the climate crisis. Since artificial intelligence uses fossil fuels as an energy source, it could, as Stephen Hawking has warned, unleash Armageddon. Such a world would, politically, only offer the destruction of democracy and the widespread barbarism that we have already begun to see in Gaza, as one example — control of humankind based on artificial intelligence, confusing human beings as to what is real and what is not real, which would generate a kind of power that is completely contrary to the democratic project with which we in the Republic of Colombia were born. If on top of that, it creates an explosion in demand for oil and coal, what we will see is the extinction of life on the planet. Stephen Hawking would seem to be right.
As an alternative vision, if we manage to use clean energy in the immediate future to power artificial intelligence and transform its growing productivity into free time for societies and people, we could find other keys to global development in the future. Clean energy, decarbonization, high productivity and societies with greater leisure time would be the true wealth of a nation. Such a world would necessarily have to be built on the basis of a global democracy in which every human being anywhere in the world and any nation in the world could be equal to the others. That global democracy is yet to be built.
My agenda and vision for the future can lead us to the opposite of what Stephen Hawking saw as a danger if we humans are capable of fighting for it — a global democracy that plans the distribution of clean energies throughout the world and allows for the growth of artificial intelligence and digital progress that raises productivity based not on private profits, which would make the world much more socially unequal, but on the creative free time and emancipated work that would make humankind much richer and happier.
I thank the President of the Republic of Colombia for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Bassírou Diomaye Diakha Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal
I invite His Excellency Mr. Bassírou Diomaye Diakha Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal, to address the Assembly.
President Faye (spoke in French): I thank the Secretary-General for his initiative to organize this Summit and I commend his efforts for a world of peace, a stable world where inclusive development reigns.
First, it is clear that our future cannot be built on the current model dominated by the injustices, extreme poverty affecting 10 per cent of the world’s population, high-intensity geopolitical tensions and unprecedented global warming that are seriously affecting our countries. The observation is alarming and as the reports of the Secretary-General highlight, if current trends continue, 575 million people will still be living in extreme poverty by 2030. That will further hamper any hope of sustainable development.
Faced with that situation, it is imperative to address the vicious cycle of debt, whose abnormally high rates are suffocating many countries of the South. That system of inequity, highlighted in the recent World Investment Report 2024 issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, constitutes a growing obstacle to global prosperity, particularly in developing countries, whose borrowing rates are 2 to 12 times higher than those applied to developed countries. To improve debt sustainability, it is necessary to reform the conditions of access to credit, especially export credit, by relaxing the rules on borrowing rates and the length of grace periods and repayment periods.
Secondly, we need to reform global political, economic and financial governance to reflect today’s realities. Although progress has been made recently — including in the decision of the Group of 20 to grant a permanent seat to Africa and that of the States members of the International Monetary Fund to grant a third seat to Africa on its board of directors — much remains to be done to ensure the full inclusion of developing countries in these bodies.
Thirdly, it is imperative to strengthen actions in favour of education and vocational and technical training in order to combat ignorance and indoctrination and provide young people with jobs and the means of development. Such an investment would contribute to combating inequalities and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is therefore more than urgent to accelerate the implementation of the SDG Recovery and Acceleration Plan initiated by the Secretary-General.
Fourthly, it is essential to invest more in connectivity and digitalization by strengthening digital infrastructure and innovation and supporting the youth creative industry on which the future depends. We must provide young people with the means to train, succeed and flourish. They must be at the heart of our actions and involved in management and decision-making as vectors of peace and actors of development.
I thank the President of the Republic of Senegal for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Prithvirajsing Roopun, President of the Republic of Mauritius
I invite His Excellency Mr. Prithvirajsing Roopun, President of the Republic of Mauritius, to address the Assembly.
President Roopun: We convene today at the Summit for the Future not merely as representatives of individual nations, but as custodians of humankind’s collective destiny. We find ourselves in an era of unprecedented potential, where human ingenuity offers lots of promises. Yet, paradoxically, countries are grappling with challenges that threaten to unravel the very fabric of our society. Climate-induced
It is that interconnectedness that brings us together under the theme “Multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow”, which should also serve as the clarion call to action. The Pact for the Future is a covenant with posterity, a solemn promise to generations yet unborn that we, the stewards of today, will not falter in our duty to safeguard their inheritance. The Pact must serve as the cornerstone upon which we build a more equitable, sustainable and resilient world. It must breathe life into our collective aspirations.
Mauritius joins the international community in reaffirming our shared commitment to the principles enshrined in our Pact. Mauritius has always prioritized inclusiveness and built a strong social protection system to create equal opportunities for each and every citizen. That commitment extends to our collective pursuit of equitable development, in which we acknowledge the paramount importance of ensuring equal access to economic opportunities and resources for all.
Small island developing States stand as sentinels of climate change. Our challenges are a microcosm of the global struggle against the climate emergency and economic fragility. As the tides rise along our shores, so too must our collective resolve to address those existential threats. Similarly, while the international community strives towards those goals, we must commit to supporting initiatives that foster scientific and technological progress wherein the inherent vulnerabilities and specific needs of developing countries are taken into account.
While we embrace the dawn of the digital age with open arms, we should do so tempered by wisdom. That is why our Pact for the Future, along with the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations (resolution 79/1), are all crucial parts of our forward-looking strategy. They all provide a road map for revitalizing our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and shall stand as a testament to what can be achieved when we unite in purpose and action. Mauritius reaffirms its utmost conviction in the principles of multilateralism and for the realization of the Pact.
Together, we can and must craft a future that honours the dignity of every individual, harnesses the true potential of every nation and preserves what remains of our planet’s natural ecosystems. To the generations that will inherit the world we shape today, let our legacy be one of courage, foresight and unwavering commitment. Let it be said that, when faced with unprecedented tribulations, we responded with unprecedented solidarity.
I thank the President of the Republic of Mauritius for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere, President of the Republic of Fiji
I invite His Excellency Mr. Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere, President of the Republic of Fiji, to address the Assembly.
President Katonivere: The world is in peril. Conflicts are raging, the climate crisis is escalating, development is faltering and our ecosystems are failing, whilst inequalities and injustices are everywhere. It is the most vulnerable who are suffering the consequences. Tomorrow, it will be our children, their children and succeeding generations who will pay the price of our inaction. In the face of pressing global challenges, the values of multilateralism have never been more relevant and more urgent.
We have a common vision for a sustainable future. How we achieve that vision will depend on the efforts we undertake. We have only six years until 2030 to progress the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We must urgently recalibrate international cooperation and reform the multilateral system. We must be intentionally inclusive. We must work together as Member States, supported by a multilateral system that is fit for purpose and in consideration of non-State actors, the private sector and all members of society. We must choose peace over conflict and respect the human rights of all, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. We must respect and protect our environment and its resources on land, in the sea and in the air. We must trust each other, as trust is the foundation of strong partnerships. We must be true to our word.
Our legacy for the generations of tomorrow depends on the actions we undertake today. We must do better for them.
I thank the President of the Republic of Fiji for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Xavier Espot Zamora, Head of Government of the Principality of Andorra
I invite His Excellency Mr. Xavier Espot Zamora, Head of Government of the Principality of Andorra, to address the Assembly.
We are gathered at the Summit of the Future, one of the most decisive moments in human history, not only to review the challenges of today, but also to build together a path that leads us to a more just, sustainable and inclusive future. And it is high time we did so. It is our responsibility as leaders to face with determination the global challenges that threaten the well- being of future generations, our children and our young people. The time has come for us to govern with greater modernity, humanity, empathy and integrity.
Andorra is ready to participate in a new stage in the history of the United Nations where the spirit in which the Organization was founded can flourish. We commit to adhering to the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) — a pact among peoples and for peoples. After many attempts, it is urgent to send a message to the citizens of the world and to show them that multilateralism is the best instrument — the only instrument — we have to face universal challenges. Time has shown that some challenges cannot be addressed unilaterally or by just a few groups of States.
Climate change remains the most urgent crisis of our time. We cannot ignore the threat or leave it to our children to solve the problem. Its consequences have been felt for years and are devastating. They require immediate action, unconditional cooperation and firm commitments. The transition to a green economy is not a choice, but a necessity. There is no other alternative.
Furthermore, we live in an increasingly interconnected world in which digital advances are transforming all spheres of human life. Artificial intelligence, genetic manipulation, the increasing collection of biometric data, personalized medicine and the introduction of robots into the productive fabric are, without a doubt, advances that generate confidence in human progress, but that can also have pernicious or harmful effects depending on the use made of them or the objectives pursued. That is why, if we want technology to be a positive force, we must regulate it in accordance with ethical and inclusive criteria, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital revolution.
The triumphalist view adopted by some experts, sometimes rightly, that we live in a much better world today than we did 100 or 200 years ago, cannot serve as an excuse. We cannot afford to reject all forms of empathy or remain indifferent to the suffering around us or to the conflicts, wars and terrorism that challenge global security. As the world changes, the security mechanisms that have protected us for decades must be adapted. We must strengthen multilateralism, make its decision-making mechanisms more representative and effective, and strengthen conflict prevention and mediation capacities. Only open dialogue and diplomacy can lead to peace.
Finally, let us not forget the fight against inequalities. Together, we must work towards a redistribution of opportunities and resources. The path we must follow continues to be that set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Health, education, decent work and gender equality must be our priorities. Allow me, moreover, to emphasize education, which is one of the most powerful tools we have to transform our world. Andorra is convinced of the importance —
I thank the Head of Government of the Principality of Andorra for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni, Prime Minister and Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Police, Fire Services and Emergency Services, and Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Tonga
I invite His Excellency Mr. Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni, Prime Minister and Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Police, Fire Services and Emergency Services, and Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Tonga, to address the Assembly.
I bring warm greetings from the blue Pacific continent. I address the Assembly in my role as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum at this critical Summit of the Future. The challenges we face are many, they are urgent and they are interconnected.
The Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) offers us a path forward. It is a beacon of hope we all need at a time of escalating uncertainties. The Pact is introduced at a moment when there is global demand for a more equitable, secure and sustainable world for our future generations. The Pact is a blueprint for how to get there. The Pact recognizes the importance of conducting science, technology and innovation ethically by ensuring that we safeguard human rights. The Pact commits to safeguarding our shared planet’s resources and fostering an international order respecting human dignity and justice. The decisions we make today will shape the future of our shared humanity. The 18 members of the Pacific Islands Forum are determined to be proactive and will not leave our future to chance.
In 2022, the Pacific Islands Forum launched the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The strategy is the result of our vision of peace, security, social inclusion and prosperity. Vision alone does not suffice; this is our solemn commitment to our
Peace is the foundation for security. We in our blue Pacific never have and never will take peace for granted. The reform of the Security Council must encompass the security challenges of the twenty-first century and beyond, including issues such as climate change, in its agenda. Further representation in the Security Council must include the voices of small island developing States (SIDS).
As far back as the last decade of the last century, we have sounded the alarm that climate change is a threat to the peoples of the Pacific. The situation has worsened over time, and what was once a threat has now become a crisis — a crisis that demands immediate and decisive action. Words are no longer sufficient. The Pacific Islands, as front-line States, are bearing the brunt of climate change. Yes, we are victims but, importantly, we are also leaders in the fight against that global challenge. We call for urgent, transformative global action to limit warming to 1.5°C.
The Pact for the Future rightly insists on the link between climate change and peace and urges the fulfilment of commitments to help vulnerable countries adapt and build resilience. We call for the reform of the international financial institutions to reflect the realities of today and to be fit for purpose. For SIDs, the multidimensional vulnerability index is essential for precisely assessing the challenges that we face.
Let me turn for a moment to the Pacific Islands Forum. We have taken steps to build resilience. That includes the pioneering Pacific Resilience Facility, our first Pacific- led climate and disaster response initiative. We have adopted key declarations, such as the 2023 Declaration on the Continuity of Statehood and the Protection of Persons in the Face of Climate Change-Related Sea-Level Rise and the 2021 Declaration on Preserving Maritime Zones in the Face of Climate Change-related Sea-Level Rise. We have also developed and endorsed the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility and introduced the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific. Incidentally, the latter is the world’s first regional framework linking climate change and disaster risk.
I firmly believe that the Pact for the Future is a vital catalyst for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Pact for the Future must be our commitment to a fairer and safer future for all. The Global Digital Compact (resolution 79/1, annex I) is crucial to fostering a safe, inclusive and sustainable —
I thank the Prime Minister and Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Police, Fire Services and Emergency Services, and Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Tonga for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Amadou Oury Bah, Prime Minister and Head of Government of the Republic of Guinea
I invite His Excellency Mr. Amadou Oury Bah, Prime Minister and Head of Government of the Republic of Guinea, to address the Assembly.
It is our deep conviction that the future is not simply something to wait for, but something to build together.
On behalf of Lieutenant General Mamadi Doumbouya, President of the Republic, the people of Guinea and its Government, I extend our fraternal greetings and
The Summit of the Future represents a unique opportunity to transform our collective commitments into concrete and decisive actions. The Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) is an ambitious framework for responding to the challenges facing our planet, whether it be inequalities, climate threats or the need to reinvent our approaches to sustainable development. We welcome the role of international cooperation in providing appropriate responses.
Investing in young people and future generations must be at the heart of our action. We must provide them with the means necessary to fully realize their potential in a context where emigration is draining our countries of their human resources.
Technological and digital innovations must be used to serve all of humankind, because technology and innovation can truly be beneficial only if they benefit everyone. That is why we advocate for equitable access to technology, while reinforcing ethical issues for its use.
Peace and security, essential elements of global stability, are critical prerequisites for any sustainable development. We therefore call for strengthened cooperation among States, aimed at preventing conflicts and promoting international diplomacy. Sustainable development and financing for development are essential pillars of that global transformation. It is imperative to adopt ambitious and inclusive measures to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. As a country committed to that dynamic, my country aspires to strengthening international financing mechanisms to enable all nations, particularly the most vulnerable, to progress towards sustainable, resilient and inclusive growth.
In that regard, we cannot ignore the importance of preserving our environment, particularly such sensitive ecosystems as the Fouta Djallon massif. That site, a veritable water tower for all of West Africa, is vital to the ecological balance of our region, where 15 States are concerned. Its protection is not only a national issue, but a collective responsibility. We strongly reiterate our commitment to its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List in order to guarantee its conservation for present and future generations, strengthen global efforts in sustainable development, and anticipate and prevent conflicts over water.
Today we have a rare and precious opportunity to redefine our collective destiny. This Summit must be much more than a meeting place; it must mark a decisive turning point where we choose, together, to build a future that is concrete, inclusive and prosperous for all.
The Republic of Guinea is determined to actively contribute to the implementation of the Pact for the Future. We believe in the strength of multilateralism and international cooperation to build a world where everyone finds their place — a more just, inclusive and sustainable world. Long live international cooperation! Long live multilateralism!
I thank the Prime Minister and Head of Government of the Republic of Guinea for the statement he has just made.
Address by Mr. Lesly Voltaire, Adviser to the President of the Transitional Presidential Council of the Republic of Haiti
I invite His Excellency Mr. Lesly Voltaire, Adviser to the President of the Transitional Presidential Council of the Republic of Haiti, to address the Assembly.
It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I address the Assembly today in the context of the Summit of the Future. This
As President of Haiti, a country facing many complex challenges, I wish to underline the importance of the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), which we adopted yesterday. The Pact symbolizes not only a historic commitment to a renewed multilateralism, but also a unique opportunity to strengthen international structures in order to respond to the various economic, social and environmental realities that we face.
The world today is facing unprecedented challenges that require stronger and more inclusive international cooperation. In that perspective, the Summit offers an opportunity to revitalize multilateralism and to update the United Nations system so that it is more inclusive and representative of current realities. Global governance mechanisms must adapt to new economic and political dynamics and ensure that every nation, large or small, has a voice in resolving global crises.
This major event is also an opportunity to rethink global governance by addressing issues such as sustainable development financing, gender equality and the protection of biodiversity. In particular, reforming the international financial architecture is crucial to supporting the transition of some countries, especially the least developed countries, towards sustainable development. It is essential to ensure that the benefits of growth are equitably shared across the world.
One of the cornerstones of the Pact for the Future is the inclusion of young people and the protection of future generations. Today more than 1.9 billion young people live on our planet and their participation in decision-making processes is crucial to ensuring lasting peace and equitable development. Too often, young people are left out of political and economic discussions, although they hold immense potential to solve global crises, be it climate change or social inequalities. In Haiti, the Transitional Presidential Council and the Government are committed to integrating young people into all aspects of national reconstruction. In collaboration with the international community, we will ensure that future generations do not bear the burden of past mistakes, but benefit from progress towards lasting peace and social justice. This Summit is an opportunity to renew that global commitment by making young people central actors of change and not mere observers.
Haiti is facing a multifaceted crisis that threatens the very foundations of the State. The security crisis, fuelled by trafficking in organs, drugs, arms and ammunition grafted onto a humanitarian crisis, calls for an urgent solution from the Haitian authorities, with the help of the international community. Climate change, which intensifies natural disasters such as hurricanes and droughts, strongly affects our country. Those challenges go beyond our borders and require a collective global response. Haiti’s stability is critical not only to the region, but to global balance.
To overcome those challenges, Haiti needs the support of all. Foreign direct investments, the fight against inequalities and increased support in the areas of security and climate justice are essential to ensuring a prosperous future for our country. The Summit of the Future is a crucial step to renew our collective commitment to multilateralism. International institutions must be reformed to become more inclusive and adapted to current challenges. The voice of developing countries like Haiti must be heard in the major international forums where major decisions are made.
The reform of the Security Council is necessary to better reflect current geopolitical dynamics. Haiti advocates for a truly equitable multilateralism in which each continent and each State, regardless of its size or influence —
Address by Mr. Mohammad Mustafa, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine
I invite His Excellency Mr. Mohammad Mustafa, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine, to address the Assembly.
In 2015, we gathered for the historic adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the most ambitious, transformative plan of action for building a prosperous, equitable and sustainable world. More importantly, the Agenda is centred on human dignity and shared prosperity in a just world where no one is left behind. Unfortunately, recent years have seen a surge in economic, political, climate and humanitarian crises, deepening the marginalization of vulnerable communities. If not addressed, those crises will undermine our multilateral systems and move us farther away from realizing the goals of the 2030 Agenda. With the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), we have an opportunity to reverse that dangerous trajectory by rebuilding trust in international institutions and paving the way for a future of peace, justice and sustainable development for all.
In the State of Palestine, while striving to play a positive role in response to global challenges, we are regrettably further burdened by Israel’s illegal occupation and aggressions in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, including East Jerusalem. For over 76 years, our people have been forced to endure multiple human-made catastrophes that have directly undermined our efforts to achieve justice, peace and prosperity. As I speak here, our people in Gaza are enduring one of the darkest chapters in modern history. For nearly a year now, Israel’s genocidal war has caused unprecedented loss and suffering and humanitarian catastrophe. At the same time, our people in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, continue to face systematic threats driven by escalating settler violence, military raids, movement restrictions and a financial siege, withholding Palestinian tax revenues.
Despite long years of oppression and occupation, our people remain steadfast. We firmly believe that human capital is our greatest asset and are therefore committed to enhancing the performance of our institutions, ensuring effective governance and service delivery and creating an enabling environment where every Palestinian has the means to survive and thrive in peace and stability.
The remarkable resilience of our people, even in the face of ongoing atrocities, renews our confidence that they will heal and rise from this tragedy. Palestine has demonstrated social resilience at the national level, with our communities standing strong in unity and perseverance. It is now our collective duty to stop the aggression and to extend that resilience beyond the social sphere into our economy, infrastructure and all areas of development. We must ensure that Palestine is equipped to cope, adapt and transform in the face of diverse challenges, preparing ourselves not only to withstand future challenges but also to build a stronger, more resilient nation.
Central to that goal must be a just transition, an essential framework of the 2030 Agenda. As proven in the past, Palestine can achieve economic growth and sustainable development, but this time we must ensure that their pursuit is just, fair and inclusive, ensuring that every citizen benefits equitably and guaranteeing a prosperous, sustainable future for all. Let us act together, with the global solidarity and cooperation inherent in the 2030 Agenda and the Pact for the Future, to overcome the challenges threatening humankind. Let us remain faithful to the principles we have affirmed in this Summit by restoring hope to future generations, including the Palestinian people, who must not be left behind.
I invite His Excellency Mr. Filip Ivanović, Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro, to address the Assembly.
We have gathered here today to embrace the adoption of a new and ambitious agenda, the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), with the aim of making the United Nations more effective, credible and relevant for the twenty-first century and the multiple global challenges we are facing.
To achieve that goal, one of the main steps ahead of us is to reform decades- old institutions, bearing in mind that the world has changed significantly since the moment of the creation of the United Nations. That includes Security Council reform, the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly and the enhancement of cooperation with regional organizations, the private sector, civil society organizations and other stakeholders. In that context, Montenegro welcomes the consensus reached on the outcome documents of this Summit and firmly believes that the Pact, along with its two annexes, will have a meaningful impact, paving the way to a brighter future for both present and future generations.
Another important step towards a prosperous future for all citizens is to work together on accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On that journey, we must ensure that no one is left behind. It is of the utmost importance that we continue to mobilize resources for the least developing countries, which will enable them to make substantial impact.
Montenegro was among the first counties to adopt a national strategy for sustainable development until 2030. In that context, I would like to emphasize that Montenegro has already presented two Voluntary National Reviews, in 2016 and 2022, on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Furthermore, Montenegro is one of the 32 United Nations Member States that have adopted a national statement of commitment to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, which outlines specific pledges and benchmarks to focus on and enhance SDG actions in the coming years. As a candidate country for European Union (EU) membership, Montenegro attaches great importance to complementarity and synergy between our EU agenda and the SDGs and remains fully committed to making progress and achieving success in both processes.
A revitalized role of the United Nations in the field of disarmament, an updated approach to collective security that could better prevent conflicts, the responsible use of artificial intelligence in the military domain, and the adaptation of United Nations peacekeeping operations to new realities and threats, including the enhanced protection of civilians in armed conflicts, are all crucial to ensuring a more just, secure and peaceful future for all. In that regard, we welcome the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace and his recommendations.
We welcome the adoption of the Global Digital Compact (resolution 79/1, annex I), included as an annex to the action-oriented Pact, which is aimed at ensuring that technology serves in the best interest of humankind, along with efforts to bridge the global digital divide. Additionally, we support the increased use of science in policymaking in order to ensure that more people can benefit from advancements in science, technology and innovation. We also welcome the adoption of annex II to the Pact, the Declaration on Future Generations, which reinforces our commitment to the meaningful participation of young people in United Nations processes.
We firmly believe that global challenges can be effectively addressed only through the joint cooperation of all international actors, ensuring a more inclusive,
Address by Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, Head of Government of the Kingdom of Morocco
I invite His Excellency Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, Head of Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, to address the Assembly.
It is my pleasure to begin by conveying the greetings of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to the participants in this important Summit of the Future. The Summit, which is being held in a global context full of complex challenges, represents a unique opportunity to renew our devotion to the Charter of the United Nations and reaffirm our collective commitment to working to establish a new dynamic in the multilateral system in order to achieve a better and sustainable future for present and future generations.
Morocco, which is firmly committed to the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), believes that its implementation will depend on five basic conditions.
First, it is necessary to place peace, stability and development at the heart of our collective action. There is no way to achieve sustainable development without an environment that guarantees peace, and there can be no peace and stability without achieving economic and social progress. We therefore stress the need for an inclusive, global approach based on trust, dialogue and mutual respect.
Secondly, the renewal of multilateral action must be based on a genuine political will to work collectively. We are also called on to promote inclusive solutions based on equity, legitimacy and solidarity. In that regard, His Majesty King Mohammed VI stressed in his message to the participants in the annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, held in Marrakesh, that the economic, social and political developments witnessed in recent years require reform of the institutions and rules governing the multilateral system.
Thirdly, Africa must be placed at the heart of the priorities and actions of the United Nations. Here we ask: Is Africa not a good yardstick for measuring the effectiveness of development cooperation and its collective mobilization for the benefit of the ideals of peace, stability and development around the world? We are therefore called on more than ever to help Africa transform its current challenges into opportunities for development.
Fourthly, the commitments we have made must be translated into concrete, measurable and tangible actions, especially since the fight against climate change, terrorism, extremism and human trafficking, in addition to the struggle against poverty, social disparities and food insecurity, requires renewed and active political will. With regard to climate, it is worth noting that Morocco has raised its ambitions by setting a new target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45.5 per cent by 2030. Morocco also seeks to increase its volume of investment in renewable energies, including green energy, to support the achievement of the target of exceeding 52 per cent of the share of clean energy in its electricity mix by 2030. It is making similar efforts in the field of social protection and in strengthening food and health sovereignty, as His Majesty King Mohammed VI confirmed in his latest speech from the throne, in which he said, “What we have achieved makes us believe in ourselves and have hope for the future”.
I invite His Excellency Mr. Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Malta, to address the Assembly.
I will begin with four overarching ideas.
The first is that global challenges require global solutions. We gather at this Summit for a common purpose — to make the world a better place for present and future generations. Together, there is nothing we cannot achieve.
The second is that to create a better future, we must accelerate action right here, right now. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 or net zero by 2050 requires immediate action.
Thirdly, this Summit is not a final destination, but a stepping stone — a journey. We celebrate the positive elements in the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) and we encourage Member States to be even bolder in their vision and to use this occasion as a springboard towards even more ambitious action.
Fourthly, we must recognize the interconnectedness and harness the synergies across the three pillars of the United Nations: sustainable development, peace and security, and human rights. The United Nations stands tall when those three pillars are strong.
On international peace and security, a comprehensive approach encompassing those three pillars is essential in a world where conflict and crises are becoming increasingly complex and interconnected. We support the Secretary-General’s call, now reflected in the Pact, for a greater focus on conflict prevention. The participation of women and young people in peace processes is crucial to preventing and resolving conflict and to building and sustaining peace. We must also address the adverse impacts of climate change on international peace and security.
On sustainable development, holistic action across its economic, social and environmental dimensions yields the best results. It is unacceptable that extreme poverty and hunger persist in today’s world. In the Pact, we recommit to eradicating them. We must turn climate and environmental challenges into opportunities for a cleaner, greener world by scaling up renewable energy, transitioning away from fossil fuels and achieving net zero. We must also work to ensure our ocean’s health, resilience and sustainability, and take action to address sea level rise, which disproportionately impacts small island developing States.
Let us harness the benefits of science, technology, innovation and digital cooperation to improve every aspect of our lives, while keeping a watchful eye on potential threats. In an era of globalization and rapid change, Governments should act as catalysts and facilitators, creating enabling environments for collaboration and dynamism, while also embracing the power of multi-stakeholder action.
We highlight the importance of investing in young persons, providing them with ample opportunities and quality education to reach their full potential, empowering them and ensuring their engagement and participation. They are the innovators, entrepreneurs, dreamers and creators who shape this world.
Through the Pact, we also acknowledge that children are very much our present. We are committed to their protection from armed conflict and violence, to working towards the eradication of poverty and hunger, and to putting more children in schools and investing in their education.
Gender equality, the empowerment of all women and girls and their full, equal and meaningful participation in decision-making processes are essential prerequisites to sustainable development.
Together we are stronger. We join hands at the Summit of the Future to support efforts towards transforming global governance and a strengthened multilateral system, with the United Nations at its heart, embracing structural and systematic reform towards a system that is more effective —
I invite His Excellency Mr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore, to address the Assembly.
A stronger multilateral system where rules are applied universally is vital. Peace and security depend on adherence to international law and the Charter of the United Nations. We strongly support the Pact for the Future and the accompanying Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generation (resolution 79/1). They are critical building blocks for a stronger, future-ready multilateral system.
First, we reaffirm our commitment to international law and the United Nations Charter. That is vital amidst today’s intensifying conflicts and geopolitical tensions. We must all recommit ourselves to the peaceful resolution of disputes through diplomacy. A world in which respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law is being eroded will be a very dangerous one for current and future generations, and especially for small States.
Secondly, we have adopted the groundbreaking Global Digital Compact. As digital technology continues to shape our lives in all-encompassing ways, we need to establish common rules to unlock its transformative potential, while mitigating the risks. More than two-thirds of the United Nations targets for sustainable development can benefit directly from digital innovations. Singapore has worked with Rwanda to launch an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Playbook for Small States. Together with our capacity-building efforts under the Digital Forum of Small States, the AI Playbook will empower us to leverage AI for the public good.
Thirdly, we are glad that the Declaration on Future Generations emphasizes youth engagement. Young people have an even bigger stake in the future that they will inherit. The emphasis on incorporating anticipatory planning and foresight into our work is timely. We must ensure that the policies we make today are future-ready to build a better world for successive generations.
The adoption of the Pact represents the start of a long and essential journey to reinforce and renew the multilateral system. We need to summon collective commitment to staying the course. We need to embrace the spirit of compromise to find common solutions. We must also have the courage to take bold action essential for the long-term well-being of future generations. We must forge a future that is fair, just, equitable and inclusive.
I invite His Excellency Mr. Arnoldo Ricardo André Tinoco, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Worship of the Republic of Costa Rica, to address the Assembly.
The Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) is not just a vision, but an urgent call for collective action — a call to put dialogue before arms, negotiation before coercion and cooperation before
The Pact reiterates our deep disappointment at the lack of progress on nuclear disarmament, yet it falls short of setting clear and verifiable deadlines for the nuclear- weapon States to destroy their vast arsenals and does not even mention the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which is our guiding light. Nuclear weapons threaten our present and future.
The Pact recognizes climate change as the greatest threat to future generations and underlines that collective action, particularly by the largest emitters, is essential to addressing it. Costa Rica welcomes the emphasis on climate action and biodiversity conservation and calls on all States to accelerate efforts to meet the obligations of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and thus stop the loss of biodiversity by 2030.
The Pact calls on us to raise our ambitions for the ocean. If we want a habitable planet, we need a healthy ocean. It emanates 50 per cent of the oxygen we breathe and is the largest source of protein in the world and the largest carbon sink and regulator of the climate. Its biodiversity supports 3 billion people throughout the world. It is therefore urgent that the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction come into force as soon as possible, that we conclude the plastics treaty and that seabed mining does not begin until we can guarantee that it will have no harmful effects on the marine environment. I invite everyone to participate in the third United Nations Ocean Conference, which will be co-hosted by Costa Rica and France and take place in Nice in June 2025, to seek solutions to the challenges facing our ocean.
We commend the Pact’s focus on science, technology and innovation as enablers of sustainable development. Establishing governance frameworks for artificial intelligence (AI) is one of its most important agreements. Costa Rica supports the establishment of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI. At the United Nations, we can and must develop international consensus to address the challenges facing the planet from artificial intelligence and thus protect future generations.
The Pact also sends a political signal at the highest level that it is time to begin urgent conversations, particularly for those of us who demand a fairer, more equitable and representative international financial architecture. Such conversations must address the needs of the most vulnerable countries and those most affected by economic and environmental crises by promoting a system that guarantees access to financing for all, including concessional financing.
It is expected that, by the end of the century, the world’s population will reach 10 billion people, most of whom will be born in developing countries. Ensuring the equity and inclusion of women and young people in the decisions that will shape their future is essential to building fair and sustainable societies where their voices and rights are respected. The Pact calls on us to overcome our differences and take decisive action to protect our planet.
I invite His Excellency Mr. Amery Browne, Minister for Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, to address the Assembly.
The convening of this Summit is crucial to renewing global solidarity, to meeting our existing commitments, to taking advantage of new opportunities and to effectively identifying a clear path to address contemporary challenges. In our quest to achieve sustainable development, we must
It is truly regrettable that at this time the international community is failing at the maintenance of peace and security globally. The unprecedented escalation in the number and scale of conflicts contradicts the very purpose for which the United Nations was built. We must act boldly and decisively to effectively bring an end to those conflicts and to achieve sustainable peace for all. The ease of access to illegal firearms in the Caribbean countries continues to harm our societies with unacceptable consequences. In that context, it is imperative that there be better cooperation within and amongst national, regional and global stakeholders to combat, prevent and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.
Trinidad and Tobago recognizes the role of science, technology and innovation in our achievement of sustainable development. However, as we progress into an era of high dependence on technology and rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, we must also acknowledge the magnitude of the associated risks. Therefore, as a small developing State, we are advocating not only for cooperation aimed at bridging the digital divide, but also for strengthening our capacity in cybersecurity to address those risks.
Our young people are key stakeholders in our pursuit of sustainable development. Consequently, we must ensure that they are equipped with the necessary tools and provided with opportunities to reach their full potential. Additionally, our policies and programmes must include provisions to ensure the well-being of future generations. In that context, Trinidad and Tobago remains unswerving in our commitment to enhancing the quality of life of our youth population and that of future generations.
The father of our nation and first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Eric Williams, affirmed in a statement in 1968 that the central responsibility of the United Nations was the maintenance of world peace, not only through conciliation and discussion, but also through the promotion of human development. His words remain relevant even today in reminding us of the importance of fulfilling our obligations as responsible Members of our United Nations.
I invite His Excellency Mr. Jeyhun Aziz oglu Bayramov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to address the Assembly.
The world stands at a crucial crossroads and faces unprecedented challenges, including climate change, raging conflicts, geopolitical tensions and rising inequality. At this critical juncture, the Summit of the Future is an opportunity to address pressing challenges, bridge the gaps and show that the multilateral system can deliver with a unified voice. Azerbaijan has itself experienced the most tragic consequences of violations of international law, including humanitarian law, and has been subject to the injustice of the non-implementation of the Charter of the United Nations and a series of resolutions of the main organs of the United Nations.
It is against that background that Azerbaijan fully recognizes the call of the Summit for strict compliance with international law and the reversal of the erosion of international norms. The Charter, as well as all the instruments and mechanisms set out therein, must be applied unreservedly and without any double standards, be they political, geographical or of any other kind.
The liberation of our territories from occupation also opened a new page in terms of the attainment of the SDGs. The Government has embarked on a large-scale reconstruction and rehabilitation effort, at a cost of tens of billions of United States dollars, covering all aspects of the implementation of the SDGs. Moreover, Azerbaijan has introduced a national goal, SDG 18, focusing on mine action. We call for greater international support and solidarity, as demining is crucial to addressing immediate humanitarian needs, restoring livelihoods and revitalizing communities. We are also among the few countries worldwide and the first in our region to submit four Voluntary National Reports on the 2030 Agenda. In the Sustainable Development Report 2024, Azerbaijan is ranked ahead of two thirds of countries.
Azerbaijan is entering a new era, having restored its rights to sovereignty and territorial integrity, safeguarded under the Charter. By putting an end to an illegal use of force, Azerbaijan has initiated a post-conflict normalization agenda with Armenia, fully based on mutual recognition of and respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Building upon the progress that has been made through bilateral negotiations, we call for expeditious actions to address the remaining impediments and underline the importance of exercising the necessary political will and responsibility.
It is imperative to address climate change as the greatest transnational challenge of the century. It is not a future risk but a danger to billions of people worldwide. In November, Azerbaijan will host the twenty-ninth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). Guided by the call for solidarity towards a green world, Azerbaijan will spare no effort to strengthen collaboration for a more climate-resilient and sustainable world. We aim to bridge developed and developing countries alike and to foster a collaborative spirit to tackle climate challenges as a common commitment and moral duty.
As the incoming presidency of COP29, we have been working inclusively with all parties and non-party stakeholders. The COP29 Azerbaijani presidency is overarching. An inclusive strategy is anchored in two mutually reinforcing pillars — enhancing ambition and enabling action — with the establishment of a new climate finance goal as a key priority for this year. COP29 will also be an opportunity to contribute to both global peace and the climate agenda. Given the intersection of conflicts and climate crisis, Azerbaijan has introduced a flagship COP29 truce initiative, embedded in a joint solemn appeal announced a few days ago. We call for unity and respect for the truce during the months of the Conference —
I invite Her Excellency Ms. Celinda Sosa Lunda, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, to address the Assembly.
At the outset, please accept my fraternal greetings on behalf of the Bolivian people and our brother President Luis Arce Catacora.
In that context, the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations (resolution 79/1) are important instruments that allow us to project a better future for present and future generations. The Pact has the great mission of remediating the deep inequalities created by centuries of economic, political and social domination. Regrettably, we must also recognize that the Sustainable Development Goals will not be met as planned by 2030. However, we believe that the Pact for the Future should serve as an impetus to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Allow me to share three principles that we consider important for the implementation of the Pact for the Future.
The first principle is equity in global governance. In the modern world, where the global South comprises the largest number of countries and populations in the world, multilateral decisions must be collective and on equal terms and respect the sovereignty enjoyed by all States. That will require a real and profound reform of the Security Council, international financial organizations and other multilateral spaces.
The second principle is climate justice and sustainable development. Our nations have been the most affected by the climate crisis, despite being the least responsible for it. The commitments assumed in the Pact for the Future must guarantee common but differentiated responsibilities between developed and developing countries, providing the financing committed for adaptation and mitigation. It is not acceptable that the countries most responsible for climate change should now try to renegotiate the contents of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Once and for all, we must build a development model based on respect for Mother Earth and the rights of all our peoples.
The third principle is capacity-building. In a world where technology is advancing at an accelerated pace and artificial intelligence is already a part of our daily lives, it is important that developing countries be able to achieve the same technological development for education, development and health, among others, so that our societies can have the capabilities necessary to face the challenges of the future. The young people and women of the global South are the driving force of our societies. It is therefore essential to invest in their development so that they can lead the change we need.
Furthermore, we recognize the incorporation and reference to the most vulnerable sectors of our societies, such as indigenous peoples and women, although such inclusions remain insufficient. In Bolivia, we consider it necessary to move towards deeper processes, which is why we propose to promote a process of decolonization and depatriarchalization to dismantle —
I invite His Excellency Mr. David Lammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, to address the Assembly.
I stand here as a man of multiple identities: a Londoner, a patriotic Brit, a lawyer proud of my African, Guyanese, Caribbean and Indian heritage, and a committed multilateralist who believes in the importance of
The purposes and principles of the United Nations remain as indispensable today as they were in Bevin’s time. Our task is to recapture that founding spirit so that when we reach the United Nations centenary, their legacy endures. But we cannot ignore the challenges we face. There are now more conflicts than at any time since 1945, costing the global economy over $900 billion and creating the greatest number of refugees and displaced people on record. Geopolitical tensions are rising. Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals is stalling. Trust in multilateralism is faltering.
The Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) and this Summit offer a chance for Member States to show responsible global leadership, engage with the rapid changes of our age and go further in meeting the needs of everyone, especially the most vulnerable. As I know all too well, the countries of the global South suffered great injustices in the past, and I have heard repeatedly how frustrated partners are by the unfairness of the global system. We cannot ignore those frustrations. We must act.
First, as the Secretary-General has said, we need greater collective efforts to prevent and end conflict. For Britain, that means upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty, urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and supporting an end to the fighting in the Sudan. It means robustly challenging Member States that violate the Charter of the United Nations and rejecting a world in which might makes right. It means a more representative Security Council. It means supporting the international rule of law and applying it equally and fairly, which is why Britain has proposed the outstanding Mr. Dapo Akande for election as a judge at the International Court of Justice.
Secondly, we need urgent action on the climate and nature crisis. With its new Government, Britain is renewing our ambitions at home, aiming to deliver clean power by 2030, and I am determined that we also reconnect abroad, building a global clean power alliance; championing creativity and reforms to unlock international climate and nature finance, particularly from the private sector; and bolstering efforts to protect at least 30 per cent of the planet’s land and ocean by 2030.
Thirdly, countries like Britain must modernize our approach to development. Our Government believes that partnership, not paternalism, is the way to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals, making the best use of technology; putting indigenous people and local communities, including women and girls, at the centre of decision-making on development programmes; and driving faster reform of the global financial system to strengthen the voice of the most vulnerable and tackle unsustainable debt.
Action on conflict, climate and poverty, delivered by a reformed multilateral system, is the path to peace and prosperity on a liveable planet. All over the world, in every war zone, every refugee camp, the United Nations is there as a beacon of hope and humanity to which, as Bevin said, the gaze of all nations should turn. This Summit must direct the world’s eyes towards that beacon once again, and Britain is proud to support it.
I invite His Excellency Mr. Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America, to address the Assembly.
At this summit, Secretary-General Guterres and many world leaders have argued powerfully that to fulfil the crucial purpose of the United Nations, we urgently need support, reform and revitalization. The United States fully agrees.
The Pact for the Future does not include every priority or every reform that we believe the United Nations needs, but it is a significant step towards strengthening and evolving this institution that every Member State should get behind and work to achieve. We are also pursuing reforms in other international institutions, as well as in our own country, that advance the bold goals and the aspirations of many Member States, particularly those we have heard directly from developing countries.
We strongly supported the African Union joining the Group of 20 so that African voices are better represented in that group. We are leading efforts to strengthen the ability of multilateral development banks to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. We are making the biggest investments of any country ever to accelerate the transition to clean energy at home, while dedicating billions to help people in developing countries adapt to and manage the impacts of the climate crisis. And as the world’s leading humanitarian donor, we are forging new partnerships across public and private sectors to meet what are unprecedented needs around the world.
Those are important steps, but more must be done because simply preserving the status quo is not an option. The United States is committed to adapting the United Nations system to reflect the world of today and tomorrow, not the one that existed in 1945, but we are and we will remain resolutely opposed to revisionism. We will not accept efforts to tear down, dilute or fundamentally alter the core principles of the United Nations Charter: sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. We will continue to affirm that no Member State has the right to redraw borders by force or repress its own people. We will continue to oppose the idea that nations can assert spheres of influence or dictate who other countries ally or partner with. We will push back fiercely against attempts to undermine the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international human rights treaties.
It is one thing to revitalize, to reform and to adapt the Organization to meet the challenges of the future. It is quite another to try to change its core purpose and principles, which are essential to avoiding repeating horrors of the past. In the Pact for the Future, reform has pride of place; revisionism should have no place at all. At a time of great testing for the multilateral system, that is an accomplishment that we can and we must build on in the years to come.
The United States is committed to this collective effort. We know that we are stronger, we are better off and we are more effective when we are all working together in common purpose. That is what the world needs in this moment, and it needs a strong multilateral system if it is going to meet the goals and aspirations of the people that we all represent.
I invite Her Excellency Ms. Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark, to address the Assembly.
To give everyone the opportunity to live good lives in freedom and dignity is our most noble task — a task that can be achieved only if we truly commit ourselves to working together. Right now, we are seeing brutal and tragic wars around the world, in Africa, in the Middle East and in Europe. As a world community, we are faced with human disasters: poverty, hunger, climate change. If we do nothing, it will only get worse. The decisions we make today will define the future for generations to come.
That is why the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) is such an important step forward for the United Nations. I thank Namibia and Germany for their lead in the negotiations for the Pact, and Secretary-General Guterres for his commitment. It has not always been easy, but it has been a great example of successful cooperation. The negotiations focused on concrete and action-oriented results, with the willingness necessary to find workable compromises. It is truly significant that we were able to adapt the Pact by consensus.
We need a global system that is far more equal, that promotes mutual solidarity and fair representation for a future with more equality where we ensure fair representation, especially of the African countries. We have discussed that for decades. Now is the time to make it happen.
We must also face a truth that can be a bit difficult for all of us — that our current international financial system is outdated. Right now, it cannot respond to the challenges we face. Old patterns and power structures stand in the way of the necessary progress. We must reform it to make it fair, just and responsive so that we can mobilize finance at the scale we need to, when we need to, and invest in sustainable development, education for all kids, health for all human beings and, not least, climate solutions.
Denmark already makes a good contribution to the International Development Association, and I am proud to announce today that we intend to increase it by 40 per cent.
Next year, Denmark will join the Security Council. We know that it is a huge responsibility. We will do our very best to ensure the implementation of the Pact and we look forward to working with the other members to promote, we hope, constructive cooperation and push for a more accountable, effective and representative Security Council.
We stand at the crossroads. It is what we do that really matters now. We need to set a better course for our world to make it fairer and more just so that all people all over the world have the opportunity to live good lives in freedom and dignity.
I thank the Prime Minister of Denmark for the statement she has just made.
I invite His Excellency Mr. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, to address the Assembly.
We are gathered today to reaffirm our commitment to an ambitious, effective and representative multilateralism to face the challenges of the future. Many of us want to advance our multilateral system — a system based on respect for the rule of law and clear principles established after the Second World War and on respect for the Charter of the United Nations; a system based on cooperation among nations, sustainable development for all and solidarity among countries; a system that must now be reformed, because global governance
I thank the Secretary-General for allowing us to make progress on that essential project for future generations, which France supports with strength and conviction. The Summit of the Future must promote the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals within the allotted time. We must accelerate our efforts to address climate issues.
True to its historic commitment to the United Nations, France has worked to ensure that the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) meets the expectations of Member States on the reform of the Security Council. We advocate an expansion in both categories of membership and a stronger presence of Africa, including among the permanent members. In the same spirit, we are carrying out a joint initiative with Mexico to regulate the veto in cases of mass atrocities that is already supported by 106 States from all regions of the world.
France has also been innovative in its proposals for reforming the international financial architecture, in the spirit of the Paris Pact for People and the Planet, launched by the President of the Republic at the Summit on a New Global Financing Pact in June 2023.
The New Agenda for Peace must modernize the United Nations tools for international peace and security. We must ensure that peace operations, which have evolved significantly, make it possible to respond to new challenges. I wish here to commend the work of the Blue Helmets, who work every day for peace and security throughout the world. My thoughts go to the women and men of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and its French contingent. I am also thinking of the Lebanese people, hundreds of whom, including dozens of children, have recently been killed by Israeli strikes. Those strikes, undertaken on both sides of the Blue Line and in the wider region, must end immediately. France again calls on the parties and their backers to de-escalate and avert a regional conflagration that would be devastating for all, civilians in particular. That is why I have requested the emergency convening of a Security Council meeting on Lebanon this week.
On Lebanon and other issues, France will remain fully mobilized to resolve major crises undermining the international order. It will take the initiative and continue to firmly condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, to demand peace and respect for the justice, and to insist on the liberation of all hostages, respect for international humanitarian law and a ceasefire in Gaza. France considers all human lives to be equal in dignity. France will not turn its eyes from any armed conflict and will pursue its initiatives in the Sudan, alongside its partners.
The Secretary-General has asked us to look to the future together. That future will be marked by major advances in digital technology, first and foremost artificial intelligence (AI). The Global Digital Compact (resolution 79/1, annex I) confirms the commitment of the entire international community to coordinating on those new challenges. The digital revolution must not further widen the digital divide and must serve the Sustainable Development Goals. That priority will be at the heart of the AI Action Summit, which will take place in France on 10 and 11 February.
The fight against climate change and for environmental protection is not a topic for the future but a challenge of the present. The climate threat is wreaking havoc. Inaction and lack of ambition are culpable. We owe our populations resolute, concrete, immediate and effective action. In that spirit, the Presidents of the French Republic, Kazakhstan and the World Bank will co-organize the One Water Summit this year.
On behalf of the people and the Government of Solomon Islands, I am honoured to address this forum. The Summit of the Future is convened against the backdrop of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Progress is slowing. The multilateral system and the international financial architecture are out of touch with our global realities.
Solomon Islands has a relatively small and open economy, which makes us highly susceptible to external shocks. Our dispersed economic geography heightens the cost of connecting and bringing services to our people, as does the cost of domestic and international trade. We are also challenged by the twofold burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. In July, Solomon Islands reported, in our second Voluntary National Review, that we were off track against the SDGs, as well as the objectives of our national development strategy. That underscores the importance of yesterday’s adoption of the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1).
Partnership and collaboration are indispensable to our development. However, we also recognize that we need meaningful partnership.
Climate change remains a dividing issue for Solomon Islands and the Pacific region. It is an external crisis that is already impacting us. Our ecosystem and ocean economy are at risk from climate change. Weather extremes driven by climate change are already causing fatalities and impacting our infrastructure, economic development and indigenous culture. For those of us at the front lines of climate change and sea level rise, it is frustrating to see that climate finance is still being mobilized in modalities and conditions that are not matched by the climate change emergency we are confronting.
We recognize that the future of our world will be increasingly saved by technology and digital transformation. The Global Digital Compact (resolution 79/1, annex I) offers the opportunity to bridge digital gaps and ensure that no one is left behind in the digital age. My country’s access to affordable digital technology is still limited despite recent efforts, including the expansion of our communications network and the use of digital technology for financial inclusion. Solomon Islands launched its first ever national cybersecurity last month, taking a positive step for digital technology governance.
We cannot ignore the urgent need for a peaceful and secure world. We are deeply committed to global peace, the rules-based multilateral system and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. However, the United Nations system must be reformed to reflect and respond effectively to the realities we face on the ground. Global cooperation and diplomacy are the pathway to the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
As we talk about the future, we must remember that it belongs to our young people and future generations. Over 60 per cent of the Solomon Islands population is under the age of 30. Our young people are full of potential, but they face immense challenges, including the impact of climate change. We are invigorating efforts to empower young people through human development and economic transformation.
In conclusion, let us move forward with a sense of share responsibility, ambition and commitment to the Pact for the Future. Let us choose future prosperity for all, resilience and peace.
I invite His Excellency Mr. Elmer Schialer Salcedo, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Peru, to address the Assembly.
We find ourselves in a moment of profound global transformation. We live in times marked by unprecedented challenges that call us to work together to forge a more just and sustainable future for all. As we call know, that will require a new, more inclusive and more equitable global governance. Faced with that situation, Peru has been working hard to reduce social gaps and include sectors of the population that have been historically neglected. That goal will require greater ambition in our national and collective actions, as well as sustainable financial commitments on the part of the international community that allow for an adequate provision of resources for the developing countries.
One important result of this Summit is the commitment to launching an intergovernmental process for the adoption of multidimensional indicators of progress that go beyond measuring the progress achieved by countries and their consequent need for cooperation and financing beyond the cold figures of their gross domestic product, which is why we welcome the creation of a high-level expert group to work on the development of those new indicators. We trust that this work will be crucial to channelling international cooperation in the most efficient and inclusive way, including with middle-income countries where pockets of poverty and exclusion persist.
We also welcome the fact that the Summit of the Future addresses emerging issues of great impact for new generations, such as digitalization and artificial intelligence. Peru considers it essential to move towards the construction of a global governance system that promotes the transfer of knowledge and technology and establishes guidelines for the correct use of artificial intelligence. Peru sees the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) as a tool that must respect the sovereignty of States and promote cooperation based on solidarity, mutual respect and equity. For us, the Pact is not and will never be an imposition or an agenda that erodes our traditions or our internal legal order. Rather, it is a platform that allows us to work together with other nations to face the challenges we share, such as the fight against poverty, environmental protection and a more just and equitable world economic order for the benefit of developing countries. It is essentially a call to build a future where sustainable development, peace and prosperity are accessible to all, without requiring us to relinquish our identity, our values or our autonomy as a nation.
Mr. Tōnē (Tonga), Vice-President, took the Chair.
I invite His Excellency Mr. Paulo Rangel, Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic, to address the Assembly.
It is with a sense of hope and responsibility that I speak at this Summit of the Future, representing Portugal and its Prime Minister, who was unable to attend the Summit due to the terrible fires that devastated our country just a few days ago.
We are here for the future of the world and our nations. Those raging fires are linked to climate change, sustainable development and urban planning. That agenda clearly demonstrates the reasoning behind the Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda (A/75/982) and his ambitious process of restoring trust in an effective multilateral system centred on the United Nations. In line with that ambitious and broad vision of more effective multilateralism, Portugal actively participated in the negotiations on the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration
International peace and security begin with ensuring that every person in every corner of the world has the opportunity to live in dignity on a sustainable and prosperous planet. Portugal’s commitment to the multilateral agenda is not new. When it comes to peace and security, the environment, education, health care and decent employment, we have always been committed to the search for collective solutions for everyone. We will maintain that ambition at next year’s World Summit for Social Development, establishing partnerships that enhance resilience in the face of global challenges, investing in the development of preventive capacity and proactive capacities, actively supporting good governance in the digital world and outer space, and promoting innovation, the responsible use of science and digital transformation.
Portugal is a country deeply connected to the sea. We recognize the vital role of the oceans in the global economy and in the fight against climate change. That is why we enthusiastically support responsible and sustainable governance with a view to the third Ocean Conference, side by side with ours partners, in particular the small island developing States. We are committed to reforming the global governance system, including the international financial architecture. We remain committed to that goal as a country invited by the Brazilian presidency of the Group of 20, whose call to action we subscribe to, and in view of the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, the preparatory process of which is co-chaired by Portugal and Burundi.
At the beginning of this Summit, we celebrated the International Day of Peace. It was precisely to maintain and promote peace and security that we created the United Nations. That is also one of the objectives of the Pact for the Future, to which we are committed, including with a view to our candidacy for a seat on the Security Council for the years 2027 and 2028.
We live in a world of geopolitical tensions, conflicts and crises that affect citizens’ trust in multilateralism. We cannot forget those who have died in the conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, the Sudan and the Sahel, nor can we ignore inequality, gender-based violence or the growing and dire impacts of climate change, from climate-related events in the Pacific and Caribbean islands to droughts in Ethiopia and India, to forest fires in Portugal and many other parts of the world.
The challenges we face today know no borders and deserve a Pact for the Future. It is now up to each country, each leader and each of us to choose the path to the future. Portugal chooses the path of collective action, interaction, multilateralism, dialogue, peace and unwavering commitment to a better future for all.
I invite His Excellency Mr. Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Defence of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, to address the Assembly.
Let me state at the outset that no sustainable development can take place while tragedies like that in Gaza are perpetuated by the developed world.
The adoption of Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) is an expression of our collective determination to respond to the global challenges to security and development that threaten the present and future generations. For over 100 developing countries, the Pact offers an opportunity to revitalize development and to reform unequal international financial economic system. The Pact will be transformative only if we translate the commitments undertaken into concrete actions.
To bridge the $4 trillion Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) financing gap, we must fulfil the long-standing commitments to official development assistance, implement the Secretary-General’s SDG stimulus proposal, rechannel 50 per cent of
Bridging the digital divide is key for an equitable future. Pakistan welcomes the outcome of the Global Digital Compact (resolution 79/1, annex I) in that regard. We must bridge the North-South divide and prevent an East-West fragmentation of the digital space. We must ensure equitable data governance and we must capture and control the power of artificial intelligence.
I invite His Excellency Mr. Bakary Badjie, Minister for Youth and Sport of the Republic of the Gambia, to address the Assembly.
The Government of the Gambia expresses sincere gratitude to the Secretary-General for convening this significant Summit, which seeks to foster sustainable multilateral solutions to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and beyond. We also extend deep appreciation to the co-facilitators, Namibia and Germany, for their tireless efforts in facilitating the negotiation processes and their invaluable contributions to the preparation and execution of this Summit.
The Summit of the Future demonstrates our collective will to strengthen multilateralism, as it presents a significant opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to addressing shared global challenges as we engage in discussions on enhancing multilateralism and transforming global governance in the coming days. Let us accelerate our commitment to reinforcing our sacred multilateral principles of upholding human rights, sustaining peace and driving sustainable development. Solidarity and respect for human dignity must underpin our collective actions and commitments at all levels, be they regional or global. Those are and should remain the bedrock of our efforts.
The theme “Multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow” is both timely and relevant. It is particularly relevant at this critical moment when the world, especially the global South, is grappling with persistent existential challenges, including escalating regional tensions and instabilities, such as the ongoing crises in Ukraine, Palestine and the Sahel region, that have led to increased displacements of people, particularly women and children, thereby further depressing the economies of developing countries.
As a developing country, the Gambia is deeply concerned about the disproportionate impacts of global challenges on small countries, especially the negative socioeconomic dimensions of the post-coronavirus disease recovery efforts, increasing climate vulnerabilities, food insecurity, poverty and emerging health threats, which continue to exacerbate existing inequalities, pushing millions further into poverty. The majority within that poverty bracket are women, who continue to face considerable barriers to education, economic resources and deeply entrenched gender norms, hindering their participation in the workforce and decision-making processes. Those challenges have stalled progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with the deadline looming and many targets unmet. We urgently need bold actions, comprehensive solutions and significant resources to tackle those pressing global issues.
In that regard, the Government of the Gambia, with support from the United Nations, organized a two-day national youth consultation to prepare a position paper and select youth representatives to attend this Summit. During those consultations, young people from all over the country and various sectors demanded and asked our Government to champion the restructuring of the international financial system to better address their needs. They advocated for increased access to climate funding, the development of technical skills for climate innovation and robust measures. The young people also asked to become participants in decision-making at the political and international levels.
The Gambia fully welcomes the adoption of the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), recognizing it as a commitment to actionable solutions that place future generations at the core of our concerns. We reaffirm our commitment to strengthening international cooperation to ensure that the goals of this Summit are realized to build a better tomorrow for future generations.
I invite Her Excellency Ms. Adriana Mira, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of El Salvador, to address the Assembly.
El Salvador enthusiastically recognizes the importance of the Summit of the Future, which represents a milestone in the history of our international community. The instruments we have negotiated to reach the Summit represent a great opportunity to promote better international cooperation and a revitalized multilateralism that will be the trigger for the upcoming discussions that will allow us to go beyond agreements to real mechanisms and sectoral actions to support the development of all. We hope that the entire world will receive the results of the Summit with hope, especially at a time when developing countries need access to greater financing and resources to face the global challenges to which we are exposed.
This meeting also represents an opportunity to increase trust and solidarity among countries. The current multilateral system will continue to decline if we allow the strategy and power dynamics of a few to prevail over the rules established for the benefit of all. El Salvador is not alone; many countries of the global South are making their voices heard more loudly and moving towards development visions tailored to their own reality.
During the negotiations for the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), El Salvador reiterated the urgent need to reform the Security Council to make it a more representative, democratic, legitimate, efficient and transparent body that allows the participation of more countries that today are underrepresented in this space, where important decisions are made for the maintenance of international peace and security.
The generations of the present are increasingly concerned about the problems that burden their daily lives and make it difficult for them to imagine a better tomorrow. This discussion forces us to ask ourselves if the actions we are taking are adequate to building the future that our populations really need.
I am proud to say that the Government of El Salvador, under the vision of President Nayib Bukele, has restored hope by becoming the safest country in the Western Hemisphere. For El Salvador, security was the necessary premise for recovering our future. Therefore, without neglecting the maintenance of that achievement, we
Aware of the potential of technological innovation, El Salvador has taken important steps to turn the country into the technological hub of the region by implementing digital governance policies and legal instruments for the greater use of technologies and investment flows. My country is laying the foundations to achieve the agreed objective of an inclusive, open, fair and secure digital future. We are committed to eliminating the digital divide by increasing our levels of connectivity and access to the Internet. Our partnership with Google and the inauguration of the first Tier III certified commercial data centre in El Salvador are a reflection of the Government’s commitment to the proper use of technological innovation.
The seed that we are sowing today through those instruments promises a better future for everyone, especially for young people and future generations. During an event on imagining the future, employment, youth and opportunities that was promoted by the United Nations system and held in my country, we came to the conclusion that it is essential to listen to the voices of young people and create spaces for dialogue that allow us to connect with their perspectives so that actions for our young people can be implemented on the basis of our agenda. We trust that through joint work with the United Nations system country team and other strategic development partners, we will continue to invest in young people.
I conclude my speech by expressing El Salvador’s commitment to advancing the results that emerge from this Summit, in the hope that together we will achieve the objectives that we have sown together this day for a better future.
I call on the representative of the International Criminal Police Organization.
It is my great honour to address the General Assembly at this gathering of the Summit of the Future. The Summit represents a moment of reflection and a moment of action as we reaffirm our commitment to building a resilient, equitable and safer world. In an era marked by profound changes, from rapid technological advancements to environmental crises, global security and sustainable development are inherently linked.
The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) recognizes the crucial role that law enforcement plays in ensuring the security and prosperity of communities around the world. By securing the streets, police strengthen the foundations for development. By protecting communities, police empower them to reach further. That is why INTERPOL launched the Global Policing Goals back in 2017. They offer a blueprint for law enforcement to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in complementarity with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Later this year, the General Assembly will also seek to adopt the fourth review of its resolution on cooperation between INTERPOL and the United Nations. Through previous reviews, the international community reinforced that complementarity and affirmed INTERPOL’s position as a key implementing partner.
In achieving the objectives of the SDGs, we must also recognize that no country and no organization can act on its own. Criminal networks are being built around the world. Ties are being created, actions coordinated. To counter them, we need to be more innovative and more agile. As INTERPOL’s Secretary General, it is my conviction that a safe future hinges on a single, strong global security architecture that avoids siloes and duplication, that ensures the inclusivity of information, networks and access to
This Summit calls on us to build opportunities for tomorrow’s generations, founded on multilateralism and a strong, integrated security system. To fulfil that mission, we must restore and maintain trust in the institutions designed to protect peace, security and prosperity. That means evolving our approaches to address emerging challenges responsibly, ethically and with integrity.
I give the floor to the representative of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
I stand here as Secretary-General of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) to speak on the future of our planet and the pact we need to make it viable.
For me the future has faces. I have two children, Annalena and Simon, ages 15 and 12. The Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) we have forged here is about the world we will bequeath them. I want them to live in a world where women are not second-class citizens anywhere, where they do not have to wait, based on current trends, 46 years to achieve equal representation in parliaments and many more to sit as equal partners in boardrooms. If the Pact does not advance that human right, which is the best opportunity for our future, we are wasting our time.
I want them to live in a world that no longer accepts that 81 people own as much wealth as 50 per cent of humankind combined. If the Pact does not open the door to a fundamental reform of capitalism to make it fairer, so that our political processes and the possibility of a sustainable future are not captured by the obscenely rich, we are wasting our time.
I want them to live in a world where nations are truly able to collaborate to solve the great problems of our time. If the Pact does not help us to bring international governance structures closer to the realities of power in the world, starting with the Security Council, we are wasting our time.
I want them to live in a world that cherishes democracy as one the pinnacles of the human journey. And I use the word “democracy” deliberately — not “governance”, not “institutions”, not all the euphemisms that many Governments use to disguise simple truths — because democracy is the only political system that fully respects the United Nations Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and Social and Economic Rights, which nearly every country present here has signed up to, and because democracy is the best defence against the emergence of the killing fields in Ukraine and the Middle East, in the Sudan and Myanmar, and hence protects global peace. If the Pact does not advance democracy, we are wasting our time.
The British writer Aldous Huxley once asked if the world was another planet’s hell. I do not know. What I do know is that we have the obligation not to turn it into hell for Annalena and Simon’s generation. The Pact may be our best chance —
I give the floor to the representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The Summit of the Future is a call to build fairer, more prosperous and more peaceful societies. To meet the challenge of sustainable development, the mandate of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), focused on education, science and culture, is essential. That is precisely what the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) reminds us of.
UNESCO is convinced that progress and the sustainable reduction of inequalities also require the dissemination of innovation and knowledge. However, everyone can see the gap that remains throughout the world. That is why it is essential that the Pact for the Future enshrine the need to promote international scientific cooperation, in line with the UNESCO recommendation on open science. That is how we can promote the transfer of technologies, the emergence of all talents and responsible risk management. Finally, there is culture. In the diversity of its expressions, it is a driver of sustainable development and our most powerful global public good. The preservation of World Heritage sites is a striking example. Not only are those sites testimonies to human history and the beauty of nature, but safeguarding them is also essential for local populations exposed to the threats of climate change, illicit trafficking or tourist pressure. Our organization also stands alongside creators and all cultural professionals, because through their talent they open our imaginations, bring us together and generate millions of jobs, which constitutes a powerful lever for inclusion for young people and women in particular. Action 11 of the Pact for the Future recognizes that culture plays a crucial role in our societies — a role in social cohesion, well-being and economic development that must have its place in public policies. That is a major step forward today, but together we can go further by ensuring that culture is at last elevated to the rank of a full-fledged objective in the post-2030 development programme that has yet to be built. Only culture has the power to open people up to each other while bringing out the best in them.
Mr. Marschik (Austria), Vice-President, took the Chair.
I give the floor to the representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Someone once said that the best way to predict the future is to build it. That is what is happening now with the adoption of the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) and the recommitment to the goals that it entails.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an institution born from an idea pronounced from this same rostrum 70 years ago, is doing just that, together with the States represented here. It is doing so by underpinning the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons regime, which prevents thousands of nuclear materials all over the world from being diverted for hostile uses. It is doing so by preventing more States from adding nuclear weapons to those that already exist. It is doing so by deploying in a war zone in order to prevent a nuclear accident with terrible radiological consequences from adding to the misery of an ongoing war.
Importantly, it is also doing so through its programmes, like Rays of Hope, which is bringing oncology and nuclear medicine to places that do not have a single radiotherapy unit. It is doing so in places where food is scarce through the Atoms4Food project. It is doing so by protecting the environment through its nuclear techniques against plastic pollution, protecting the oceans from acidification and other problems like that. It is doing so in all those ways.
The world and the Pact that the Assembly has just adopted need concrete instruments to materialize those goals, including through clean nuclear energy, which is allowing more and more States to achieve economic development without harming
I give the floor to the representative of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.
We gather at a time when global crises threaten to overwhelm us. But we need not despair. I come here with a proven path — a path through which the world can overcome all challenges.
Over 25 years ago, Governments came together with civil society, the private sector and philanthropists here at the United Nations to fight a disease — HIV/ AIDS. They set up institutions such as the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/ AIDS, which is the programme I lead. They set up the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. They set targets and they worked together and collaborated to fight a disease. Today almost 31 million people living with HIV around the world are in treatment and living healthy lives. The AIDS response defines the path to success — a path of multilateralism.
Key elements of that success are, first, shared responsibility and global solidarity. No single country or entity can ever solve global problems alone. Second is ensuring that the benefits of scientific innovation are shared by all countries. Third is putting human rights at the heart of all plans and ensuring that vulnerable, marginalized people are reached first and that there is no stigma or discrimination fighting against that. Fourth is sharing financial resources. Today we face the challenge that the countries most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and with the highest burden are being choked by debt. The issue of restructuring debt is critical today, for resources should be shared.
Lastly, the example of the HIV response, the coming together of countries, should inspire us to reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism. We have done it before. In 25 years we fought this disease —
I call on the representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Yesterday, leaders of the world adopted the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1). The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is with them when they say in the Pact that fellow human beings are enduring terrible suffering. We are also with them when they warn us of rising catastrophic and existential risks, many caused by the choices we make. However, they are also right when they say that there is a path to a brighter future for all of humankind. The fact that their formula for that brighter future includes international cooperation based on respect for international law resonates loudly with the International Committee of the Red Cross.
This year, we mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which regulate how wars are to be fought. Every State represented in the General Assembly has committed to respecting and to ensuring respect for those rules, both in word and in deed. We are with them in action 14 of the Pact. We will protect all civilians in armed conflict. International humanitarian law requires that fighting parties attack only military targets, take all precautions to minimize harm to civilians and then actually do so. We encourage all States represented here today to use their influence to speak to warring parties directly to make sure that this happens. Last year, hundreds of thousands of civilians were killed or suffered appalling injuries, many as victims of deliberate or indiscriminate attacks. We can and must do better.
We are also with them on action 15. We will ensure that people affected by humanitarian emergencies receive the support they need. The rules for humanitarian assistance are set out in international humanitarian law. Parties to armed conflict
The reality of today is that the compounding effects of destruction, disinvestment and abandonment are leading to unbearable cost for generations to come. We can and must do better. The path to a brighter future for humankind is available to us, world leaders have said. In war, that path is lit by the Geneva Conventions. At the International Committee of the Red Cross, we offer our hand to the international community along that path and we ask that we walk it together.
I now give the floor to the representative of the League of Arab States.
We are making the future today, and every decision we make or path we take will have an impact on future generations. The Summit of the Future must send a strong message that future generations deserve to live in a world free of conflict, hunger, extreme poverty and the threats posed by extreme climate or uncontrolled technology. All the issues we face are interconnected and entangled. They all intersect at one main point, which is the maintenance of multilateralism and joint action at the international level. Urgent issues, such as addressing rising temperatures and climate change; the gap between the developing world and rich countries, particularly with regard to climate financing; the sharing of the benefits of climate adaptation in a fair and equitable manner; extreme poverty; debt crises and the serious challenges posed by new technology, especially artificial intelligence, can be addressed only through multilateral action and a global organization.
Despite the magnitude of those challenges, I remain of the opinion that the main task of the Organization is to maintain international peace and security. The other objectives will be difficult to achieve in a world dominated by conflict and fear. We must acknowledge that sources of tension have expanded, that efforts to address and resolve them have been disrupted, and that competition among the major Powers is not in the interest of the international system and takes us back to a time of near paralysis.
Everyone is now convinced that the Security Council in its current form no longer reflects the realities of our world and no longer serves the goals of multilateral action effectively and influentially in ongoing conflicts. Another example of that is how the Israeli aggression in Gaza continued for months, killing, destroying, sabotaging, starving and displacing, while the Council was unable to reach a resolution. And when a resolution has been reached, the Council has unfortunately not been able to implement it to date. And today it is Lebanon’s turn.
The Arab world is now suffering and we all, the international community and the Organization, have to work in order to save the day in the Middle East. Otherwise, the conflict will expand and endanger peace and security.
I give the floor to the representative of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme
I am honoured to address the General Assembly at the Summit of the Future on behalf of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the New Urban Agenda that UN-Habitat is mandated to lead.
The New Urban Agenda is a shared vision of the United Nations for a better and more sustainable future. As we begin planning for the implementation of the Pact for
Against that projection, UN-Habitat stands ready to support Member States in the commitment of the Pact for the Future to ensuring access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and supporting developing countries in planning and implementing just, safe, healthy, accessible, resilient and sustainable cities, as well as commitments in support of access to sustainable essential services in cities and the integration of disaster risk reduction into policies and programmes. Well-planned urban infrastructure, housing and services can make the lives of people in cities more sustainable and resilient.
Sustainable urban development is steered by inclusive, resourced, local and regional authorities and with the participation of the young people in cities. It will also provide the foundation for the long-term stability, security and peacebuilding of societies by leaving no one and no place behind. In well-planned cities, climate and disaster risks can also be effectively managed, assisted by digital technologies. To achieve that, UN-Habitat and the United Nations members of the Local2030 Coalition encourage Member States to also seek means to more closely engage with local and regional Governments, as recommended by the Pact for the Future, in order to increase the opportunity to transition to sustainable development by 2030.
I give the floor to the representative of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Summit of the Future offers us a unique opportunity to show the world that it is possible to restore confidence in the multilateral system and demonstrate that international and regional cooperation can respond to the enormous challenges we face and serve to build a more peaceful, fair, productive, inclusive and sustainable future through collective action.
The process that led us to the Pact for the Future, as well as the Global Digital Pact and the Declaration on Future Generations (resolution 79/1) has given us important lessons. Beyond the agreements reached on each topic, perhaps the added value and the most important lesson is that it is crucial to think about the future in order, from the future, to define the issues that are important for the present. In other words, it is important that the policies and actions that countries and the international community are taking today be taken in full awareness of what kind of future they are building.
Unfortunately, as societies we tend to live in the present moment and in the short term — a trend that has been exacerbated by social networks, which also generate more emotions than analytical thinking. Thinking about the future is a way of creating spaces for meeting and analysis to combat that short-termism and polarization. The Pact for the Future is a great step in the right direction to remediate a multilateral system that was designed more than 70 years ago and that, as the Secretary-General has pointed out, requires urgent reforms, such as the international financial architecture, which is not up to today’s challenges in financing development.
The issues of peace, security, science and technology, innovation and digital cooperation, youth, intergenerational solidarity and gender equality are fundamental issues for the world and for Latin America and the Caribbean. In that regard, one priority of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is to contribute to strengthening the foresight and anticipatory
The world and Latin America need and would benefit from a world at peace, a strong multilateral system and a trade system governed by rules of collaboration to advance towards sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals and to confront climate change. At the upcoming fortieth session of ECLAC, to be held in October in Peru, we will have the first opportunity to discuss the implementation of the commitments of the Summit of the Future in Latin America and the Caribbean.
I give the floor to the representative of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
The Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), the outcome of this Summit, provides a clear path forward to turbocharge the Sustainable Development Goals and to fix a multilateral system that is nearly broken. As President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), I am here to tell Members that they can count on our organization, with a membership of 180 national parliaments, as a trusted partner in the journey ahead. No challenge is too big for those who are determined and willing to work together.
The IPU welcomes the strong acknowledgement of the role of parliaments at the United Nations, provided in action 55 of the Pact. That action line stresses the need to deepen the relationship between the United Nations and parliaments and welcomes the contribution of parliaments through the IPU in supporting the implementation of United Nations agreements. We will have an opportunity to go into the fine details of that relationship during this seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly, under agenda item 126, “Interaction between the United Nations, national parliaments and the Inter-Parliamentary Union”. We look forward to working with Member States to find more concrete ways to engage parliaments in the work of the United Nations so that they are more aware of the discussions taking place here and more capacitated to provide input through their Governments as well as the IPU.
In the quarter century since the Millennium Declaration was adopted (resolution 55/2), the relationship between the United Nations and parliaments has grown steadily year after year, never losing sight of its final aim to make the United Nations more open, more accountable and more able to deliver on its commitments. We are committed to strengthening that relationship. Today most major United Nations meetings take place with at least some parliamentary components. As was once said by the founding father of Tanzania, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, “It can be done. Play your part.”
We at the IPU are doing our part to make the United Nations and multilateralism stronger through parliaments. We all need to scale up and be ready to seize the opportunity for improvement whenever it arises. People everywhere expect change. This is the time and this is the place to make that happen.
I give the floor to the representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) welcomes and supports the outcomes of the Summit of the Future. Today I want to reconfirm our commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind.
Let us recall the simple commitment at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — we will leave no one behind. That includes the 3.4 billion people living in rural areas. Most rural people in the world depend on small farms for their livelihoods. Half of our food comes from those small farms, yet hunger and poverty remain concentrated there. Rural communities are the stewards of our land and of our water. In our fight against hunger, poverty and climate change, they must be part of our first line of action.
We must seize the momentum offered by the Summit of the Future to increase and scale up investments in rural areas where poverty is concentrated. We need more than just financing; we need investments that are targeted and effective. We especially need to reach the people and the countries that are most in need. Today less than one-third of development finance for food systems reaches the least- developed countries. Equally concerning is the fact that less than 1 per cent of climate finance reaches the small farm holders who are at the forefront of our fight against climate change.
Looking ahead to the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, we need targeted investments that respond to individual countries’ realities and drive long-term sustainable impacts. That will require increasing concessional resources, especially for the poorest and most indebted countries, as well as catalysing private sector investments. IFAD is the only United Nations specialized agency and international financial institution with a clear mandate to invest in rural people. We stand ready to play our part.
I give the floor to the representative of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
I have the honour to speak on behalf of Ms. Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary- General of La Francophonie, and to convey her warm congratulations on the holding of the Summit of the Future and the adoption of the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations (resolution 79/1).
With 88 member States and Governments, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) appreciated the inclusiveness of the processes. We were able to present the vision of our organization and our contributions through our Secretary- General, the Group of Francophone Ambassadors and our experts.
La Francophonie is constantly working towards a reinvigorated multilateralism. To that end, it urged the international community to rebuild the values to which the Francophone movement is so deeply attached: solidarity, equity and full respect for diversity. That is the meaning of the advocacy we led for the due consideration of cultural and linguistic diversity in the Global Digital Compact, the first instrument of global scope enshrining the principles that will govern the digital space of tomorrow. It is also the meaning of our call for a reform of access to concessional development financing, taking into account vulnerability in all its dimensions — economic, social and environmental. Driven by our duty of solidarity, we must now pursue our advocacy with international financial institutions.
The next steps will be essential to making development opportunities both more equal and more sustainable. That is also the meaning of the contribution we presented on peace and security issues, in the particular context of the development of the
Finally, La Francophonie welcomes the consensus that has emerged on the need to honour, preserve and promote cultural and linguistic diversity for the benefit of future generations. It also welcomes the fact that the Pact for the Future has provided for actions to protect and promote culture as an integral component of sustainable development.
On 4 and 5 October, La Francophonie will hold its nineteenth Summit of Heads of State and Government in France, in Villers-Cotterêts and in Paris, on the theme of “Creating, innovating and doing in French”, and will focus on the joint effort that we must make in order to achieve renewed multilateralism.
Our vast French-speaking community will ensure that the results of the Summit for the Future will bear fruit. By drawing on our common language, French, a lever for sincere dialogue and listening, which we so sorely need, it will continue to play its full role in the development of a culture of peace.
I give the floor to the representative of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.
I would like to begin by highlighting the importance of the Summit of the Future that we are attending today and the urgent need for such a summit at this time. We have an opportunity to reaffirm common principles and enhance international cooperation to address current challenges through more effective and influential multilateral frameworks to achieve peace, especially since the challenges facing the world affect sustainable development globally. From that perspective, I will briefly present the position of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) on the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1).
First, international indicators have identified a slowdown in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, more than 30 per cent of which have seen no significant progress. However, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries have placed sustainable development at the forefront of their priorities, especially since the national visions of its States members and the joint Gulf action programmes reflect the commitment of the GCC countries to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. The GCC countries also believe in the importance of their role in development through international partnerships to support sustainability and development aid, as the role of the Council is highlighted in providing humanitarian aid to more than 90 countries around the world. I am also proud of being a citizen of a Gulf State, one of the countries that have contributed to help implementing the Sustainable Development Goals for many countries around the world.
Secondly, the GCC expresses its support for the principle of strengthening international peace and security contained in the Pact for the Future and affirms its support for the principles of international law, calling for the resolution of disputes through peaceful means, the upholding of the rule of law and respect for the sovereignty of States. In that regard, the Council stresses the need to find a just solution to the Palestinian cause, in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Thirdly, strengthening the international system for current and future generations is of the utmost importance. As Secretary-General António Guterres has said, “We cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with systems built for our grandparents”. Therefore, our efforts must be pooled to keep pace with developments
In conclusion, I note the convergence of views between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Pact for the Future with regard to security and peace.
I give the floor to the representative of the United Nations Population Fund.
I greet the Assembly in peace, so desperately needed in our turbulent world. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) stands with its members to forge the path to a better, more sustainable future of peace and prosperity for all.
Demographic shifts — population growth, ageing, migration — are reshaping our world and our future. In an ever-changing world of over 8 billion, our focus must be on people. That means ensuring that population dynamics are factored into development plans, with an emphasis on rights, choices, dignity and equality. It means investing in human capital — in health, education and the empowerment of women and young people. We know this yields significant returns, with ripple effects across generations. Our commitment to individual dignity, rights and choices is the foundation of a resilient and sustainable future. Our 1.9 billion young people have the power to transform our world. Let us invest in their potential and support their leadership. They have a fundamental right to participate in sustainable development, humanitarian action and in sustaining peace.
By leveraging science, data and statistics, combined with strategic foresight, we can ensure that we are thinking about the present and preparing for the future. Let us embrace and shape the technology that is transforming our world and our work. As we work to bridge the digital divide, our task is to ensure that technology fosters empowerment and gender equality rather than perpetuating violence.
Three decades on from the groundbreaking International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, and as the end of our ICPD30 review process draws near, UNFPA remains laser-focused on sustainable human development. That requires rallying new allies and partners, harnessing innovation, exploring new forms of financing and embracing the power of technology to advance rights and choices for everyone, in line with the objectives of this Summit.
We congratulate Member States on their consensus on the Pact of the Future, the Declaration on Future Generations and the Global Digital Compact (resolution 79/1). Those important outcomes offer some solutions, yet we know that much more remains to be done to translate commitments into action. By focusing our efforts and strengthening our partnerships and investments, we can overcome our common challenges and build a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future for all.
I call on the representative of the Digital Cooperation Organization.
I would like to express my gratitude to Secretary-General António Guterres and the co-facilitators for their tireless work in bringing us to this pivotal moment. It is a privilege to address the Assembly following the historic adoption of the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) and the Global Digital Compact (resolution 79/1, annex I). The Compact lays out a road map for an inclusive, sustainable and secure digital future for all. However, the real challenge lies in translating those ambitious goals into action as we strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The digital divide is multifaceted, impacting the artificial intelligence (AI) divide, the computing divide, the gender digital divide and the skills divide. The AI
Today I represent the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), dedicated to accelerating the inclusive growth of the digital economy. Our 16 member States across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East represent over 800 million people — 10 per cent of the global population — 75 per cent of whom are under the age of 30. We are committed to empowering our member States to transition from consumers to producers and innovators in the digital age. As a connector, facilitator and adviser, we ensure that everyone is equipped with the tools to succeed in the digital age.
It is here, at the Summit of the Future, that we launched the Digital Economy Navigator, an innovative tool that provides insights on digital economy performance across 50 countries. That initiative is just one of the ways we are turning the principles of the Global Digital Compact into action. But while the Digital Economy Navigator is a vital resource, it is only the beginning. We have just started. We must harness our collective efforts to the Compact’s ambitious goals, objectives and commitments. I call upon every country, every individual and every organization to foster the Navigator and to join forces in that critical endeavour.
Let us seize create a future where everyone, everywhere can thrive —
I call on the representative of the Organization of Ibero- American States for Education, Science and Culture.
The Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI) wishes to express its gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the Summit of the Future as an observer body in the General Assembly.
We are honoured to be able to contribute our vision on the situation and challenges of education, science and culture in the Ibero-American region at a time marked by a crisis of trust and disunity. Our vision and action have been built over the past 75 years. We are a leading organization in the Ibero-American system, with a major presence and extensive activity in the region.
Ibero-America is no longer what it used to be, following the crisis of 2018 and the pandemic. The crisis committed us to achieving a profound digital transformation. Progress towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals is at 22 per cent, compared to 15 per cent worldwide because, ultimately, local emergencies have delayed the strategic fulfilments that our region yearns for. Public policies in education, science and culture must be more relevant, more effective, more efficient and urgent. The OIE is committed to making public policies possible and to ensuring that they reach the citizens.
Ibero-America has achieved important quantitative objectives, such as almost universal coverage in primary and secondary education and significant growth in higher education. But the quality of education and other public services is low, as are inclusion and equity. Certainly, financial resources must be mobilized. As one example, we can consider that, comparatively, the member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development spend three times as much as those of our region on education. In culture, we still do not exceed 1 per cent of the gross domestic product of our countries.
We not only have to invest more, but we must also be more effective and more efficient. Therefore, we must take advantage of a unique opportunity that offers the benefits of the fourth revolution to advance further and faster. The effort must be
I give the floor to the representative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The world is changing. There is an urgent need to respond to the interrelated global crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, leading to poverty and insecurity. Scientists have shown us that we are rapidly overstepping the planetary limits that provide adequate living conditions for the human species. Rising resource consumption, persistent inequality and accelerating climate change are putting the planet under unprecedented pressure. Humans have already wiped out many species and brought a quarter of the remaining species to the brink of extinction. If we are to secure the future of our planet, we need to bring about transformative change for nature and people. After all, this emergency concerns the survival of the human species and our home, Planet Earth.
A ray of hope comes from recent successes in multilateral agreements on action for nature and climate. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction are significant achievements that demonstrate that the international community and the multilateral system work and can deliver the radical change we need. What is essential now is the implementation of those and other key agreements.
We need to place nature at the centre of global social and economic systems, changing the relationship between people and nature so that nature provides solutions for people and people enjoy the benefits that nature offers equitably and effectively. We need to transition to a global circular economy that takes into account the true cost of ecosystem services needed for the production of goods and services. We need to implement policies aimed at achieving a fossil fuel-free and nature-positive future. That must be underpinned by inclusive and participatory decision-making processes that meaningfully include young people, indigenous peoples and local communities, with gender considerations, and that are supported by scientific data and tools.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) welcomes the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) as a renewed commitment of Member States to multilateralism, although we regret the fact that the Pact has not fully delivered the transformative change needed for nature and climate. IUCN is committed to supporting the implementation of the Pact and beyond —
I give the floor to the representative of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
We have gathered here to shape our collective future. We do so amid seismic geopolitical shifts that are fiercely testing the international institutions and instruments we have relied on for three-quarters of a century. We have an opportunity to reaffirm the values and principles that have served us well and to pursue meaningful reform where needed.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) confronts daily the challenges this Summit seeks to address. For 75 years, UNRWA has provided human development services for generations
Today, however, our decades-long investment in the future of Palestine refugees is at risk. The blatant disregard for international humanitarian law in Gaza should alarm us all. The scale of human suffering is immense and our ability to respond is severely constrained. Two hundred and twenty-two UNRWA staff members have been killed and two-thirds of our building have been damaged and destroyed, killing hundreds of people seeking United Nation protection. Legislative efforts are under way to evict UNRWA from East Jerusalem, remove its privileges and immunities and designate it as a terrorist organization. Failing to push back against violations of international law and failing to push back against efforts to intimidate and undermine the United Nation sets a dangerous precedent. It will compromise the future of humanitarian work and erode the rule of law.
The international response to the war in Gaza, escalating violence in the West Bank and the spillover of conflict into Lebanon and across the region is highly concerning. International law is implemented selectively or not at all, reinforcing a perception of inequality and injustice. Dehumanization is rampant in public —
I give the floor to the representative of the United Nations University.
We find ourselves at a critical moment in history. An intensifying climate crisis, growing inequality, endemic violence and the emergence of new technologies are entrenching old divisions and creating new fault lines that threaten the cohesion of our societies.
The Summit of the Future is an opportunity to collectively address those challenges and deliver on the vision we established here almost 10 years ago with the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Summit and the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) are a defining moment for current and future generations. Decades from now, I hope, our children will look back and acknowledge the Summit as a momentous occasion and agree that we have been good ancestors who laid the foundations of a more just, sustainable and peaceful world.
The Secretary-General has argued that we cannot build a future for our grandchildren with a system that was built for our grandparents. Our future will be defined by the collective commitments we make today to transitioning away from fossil fuels, strengthening the governance of new technologies, building peace and reforming the international financial architecture. Science and research will be a critical facilitator of that shift, informing the development of policies and solutions and ensuring they will have real impact.
The United Nations University, through its collaborative research and education, is a source of impartial knowledge, evidence and policy solutions. We have been committed to the development of the Pact for the Future and we are committed to its successful implementation. We offer a bridge to the scientific community. We offer a neutral space to test ideas and build new coalitions around bold policy solutions. We offer our expertise and our networks in service of a reinvigorated multilateralism.
Today, as we seek a new consensus to accelerate the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and secure a prosperous, resilient and peaceful planet for current
I give the floor to the representative of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization.
The future is a big place. Where will we live in it? The good areas or the bad areas? That is up to us, but one thing is for sure — if there is a return to nuclear weapons testing, our shared future will not be bright. There were 900 nuclear weapons tests between Hiroshima in 1945 and the signing of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in 1968. But even then, nuclear tests kept going, on average once a week for over 25 years. In the future, what will happen if we return to a renewed nuclear arms race or if there is a catastrophic miscalculation — or if we are just unlucky?
The Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) is our shared vision for a better present and a safer future. In that safer future, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is vital. The CTBT is smart. Our International Monitoring System network of sensors is a scientific wonder of great sensitivity. The CTBT is transparent. States know that we will detect any test fast and we will know where it has happened. The CTBT has worked. Under the CTBT, there have been only a handful of nuclear tests this century — remarkably, all that while the Treaty has not yet entered into force.
These are worrisome times, even dangerous times, with reports of enhanced activity at former nuclear test sites and of threats to use nuclear weapons. If we are serious about creating a bright future, we cannot do so if we are heading towards nuclear war. A big step towards achieving that is ending nuclear testing once and for all.
The future is a big place with big issues to consider. That is what this Summit has been all about: climate, migration, preserving the environment, the future of multilateralism. Major change usually requires major investment, but stopping nuclear tests costs so little. All it takes is our collective will and the action of a few. It is no exaggeration to say that the CTBT is a great shared achievement. If this Summit moves all the nations of the world towards making bold —
I give the floor to the representative of the International Trade Centre.
We are here today because we are facing some sobering realities and some tough odds. When the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted, it was a moment hailed globally as the dawn of a new era for international cooperation — one that would finally lead to a better, fairer world. But as we have learned in the years since, achieving transformation on that scale is no mean feat, and it becomes even harder when crises seem to darken every horizon. Now, too often it is easy to fall prey to pessimism and to see the world before us — with so much human suffering and loss of life, an ever-warming climate and mounting conflicts — and fear that things may never get better.
But when I think of the small business leaders and the Member States that we serve at the International Trade Centre (ITC), it is clear that we do not have to look very far to see what a new world could and should look like. Those small business leaders do not have the luxury of saying that it is too hard and they already live and breathe the values that the Sustainable Development Goals were designed to uphold. Those small business leaders are women who are running firms that tackle challenges ranging from food security to health care. They are refugees who are finding new ways to support their families through digital tools while sharing their expertise with the world. They are young people who are teaching us how to safeguard our natural environment while creating new jobs along the way. They have inspired me
On behalf of the International Trade Centre, we welcome the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact (resolution 79/1, annex I) and the Declaration on Future Generations (resolution 79/1, annex II). We are already acting on many of the commitments laid out in those documents, from supporting more small businesses to take full part in the digital economy to championing youth entrepreneurship, to supporting the vision of UN 2.0. That is why we have brought young innovators to New York this week to celebrate their solutions for saving our planet at the Youth Entrepreneur Awards. It is why we are showcasing some of the work on the way under ITC’s Digital Moonshot, our big strategic push to ensure that all small businesses can take full part in the digital economy. And it is why I can promise this — that we at ITC will never shy away from doing the hard work of making sure that the Pact for the Future delivers for those who need it most.
I give the floor to the representative of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.
As world leaders convene here for the Summit of the Future, we join them in applauding the world’s commitment to reinvigorated and more networked multilateralism. We see a commitment to advancing gender equality and the rights of women and girls across the Pact for the Future and its annexes (resolution 79/1).
And yet, the Summit comes at a time when the crises of women’s rights preoccupy us, when we are all seized of the need to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and when the evidence has never been more clear or compelling for Sustainable Development Goal 5 as the accelerant for the entire 2030 Agenda. Our latest data unpacks concerning ways in which we remain off track. Without change, without acceleration, it will take 137 years to eradicate extreme poverty for women and girls, 68 years to eradicate child marriage, 39 years for gender parity in parliaments.
Next year we will commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the fourth World Conference on Women and its Platform for Action. It remains the most widely endorsed and visionary agenda for women’s rights in history. The best way to commemorate it and to deliver the promises of the Pact for the Future is to implement real change in the lives of women and girls and, critically, to deliver on peace. It is time to silence the guns everywhere.
That is why the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) is putting forward a plan for Beijing+30 that is closely aligned with the ambition of the Pact for the Future. First, we will work with Member States and other stakeholders to advance high-impact, high-return on investment priority actions at the country level that will accelerate the 2030 Agenda. Secondly, we will work to ensure more resources for the crucial role of civil society across all gender equality issues. Finally, we are echoing the call for a stronger multilateral system as a force for real change in the lives of all women and girls.
We must and can make the choice to collectively leverage this moment and galvanize the will, commitment and resources needed to get back on track. UN- Women looks forward to joining everyone here in that endeavour.
I give the floor to the representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund.
I give the floor to the representative of the Economic Cooperation Organization.
The global pact that we forged 80 years ago through the adoption of the Charter of the United Nations and its principles gave almost uninterrupted peace and prosperity to our successive generations for decades. That compact is clearly under stress today.
Luckily, this Summit gives us a unique opportunity to reflect on the past and chart a new course for a better future. The choices are clear. We can either have a breakthrough or a breakdown. By successfully negotiating and adopting the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), we have not only highlighted the significant challenges facing humankind, but also made commitments to effectively dealing with those challenges. Through this Summit, we are also reaffirming the United Nations Charter, committing to reinvigorating multilateralism, boosting implementation of our commitments and restoring trust among Member States. We are happy to see that the Summit has also prioritized technology through the Global Digital Compact (resolution 79/1, annex I).
In an era where our ability to reach common ground to tackle pressing challenges is becoming constrained, cooperative regionalism is the way forward as a building block for an inclusive and more effective multilateralism. The United Nations is and must remain at the centre of all our efforts in pursuing stronger cooperation and reinvigorated multilateralism. However, the work should start at the regional level
Aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we at the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) crafted Vision 2025, which is aimed at boosting trade, enhancing connectivity, securing the transition towards green energy and promoting sustainable economic growth and the welfare of our people. The ECO is also in the process of finalizing its post-2025 strategy, in which we will incorporate the outcomes of this Summit.
The ECO is committed to enhancing regional collaboration and positioning itself as an active player on the global stage. We firmly believe that better connected and more integrated regions capable of working together to address their peace, security and development-related challenges only make reinvigorated multilateralism easier to achieve. It is therefore time to prioritize regionalism. We cannot build a solid foundation for multilateralism without strengthening —
I give the floor to the representative of the Universal Postal Union.
On behalf of the United Nations Inter-Agency Group on Ageing, I am honoured, as a representative of the Universal Postal Union, a member of the Group, to deliver this statement.
The postal sector represented by the Universal Postal Union, a specialized agency of the United Nations, plays a vital role in the development of universal postal services that meet the needs of all citizens. With its extensive network of 700,000 post offices and a growing digital and social infrastructure, the postal system reaches even the most remote communities, providing essential services to billions of people worldwide.
As we convene at this Summit, often referred to as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape our collective future, it is imperative that we adopt a people-centred, rights-based, life-course approach that fully includes all generations, including older persons. Demographic changes are not a distant challenge; they are already transforming our world and will define the future. Population ageing is a global phenomenon that is accelerating that demographic shift. The fact that people are living longer and increasingly healthier lives is a human success story, not a crisis. It is a testament to advances in health care, living conditions and technology.
However, whether that transformation unfolds as an opportunity or a challenge will depend on the policy choices we make today. The dominant narrative often frames population ageing and increased longevity as inevitable burdens on national economies, health and social care. That perspective is both limiting and inaccurate. The outcomes will depend on how we craft our policies and whether we seize the opportunity to invest in inclusive, age-responsive systems that benefit everyone.
In reviewing the Pact for the Future, the Group recognizes its bold and ambitious vision for sustainable and equitable future. Nevertheless, we are disheartened to see only one mention of older persons, compared to thirty references to youth. That stark imbalance ignores both the needs and the contributions of today’s older populations and the fact that today’s young people are tomorrow’s older generations. Furthermore, we note with concern that the Global Digital Compact (resolution 79/1, annex I), while rightly recognizing groups experiencing vulnerabilities, fails to specially mention older persons. That omission is particularly troubling given that older persons are among the groups most affected by the digital divide. They must not be left behind.
It has been a long day, but there is still one really important segment coming up and that is the closing segment for the Summit. We will therefore suspend the meeting for 10 minutes, after which the President of the General Assembly will return to make the closing statement.
The meeting was suspended at 7.50 p.m. and resumed at 8.05 p.m.
The President returned to the Chair.
Closing statement by the President
At the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, in 2020, Member States issued a call to action (resolution 75/1). Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, it was a call to better respond to current and future challenges, to reinvigorate multilateralism and to strengthen international cooperation towards those ends.
Today the Summit of the Future and its outcome document, the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), has answered that call. The Pact for the Future, together with its annexes, the Global Digital Compact (resolution 79/1, annex I) and the Declaration on Future Generations (resolution 79/1, annex II), adopted yesterday, sets us on a stronger course of transformation. Together they outline commitments to accelerating progress across the Sustainable Development Goals and ushering in a future that is more peaceful, just and resilient. I congratulate Member States on working with focus and solidarity over the past two years to meet this historic milestone on the road to a more effective and inclusive international cooperation.
Our work does not end here. In fact, it begins anew. The Summit of the Future is a major step in our continuum of efforts to deliver faster and smarter on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, amongst others. It must propel our collective ability to deliver well into the future, including at the third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, in December; the fourth International Conference on Financing For Development, in July 2025; and the second World Summit for Social Development, in November 2025. Throughout, stakeholder support and ownership of implementation will be critical to sustaining action at the national and regional levels. It is my sincere hope that the views and ideas exchanged during the Summit will inspire further initiatives in representatives’ respective countries and regions, as well as here at the United Nations.
As we close the Summit of the Future, I urge all Member States to continue to push for decisive action and to create meaningful progress. We must never lose sight of the lives already lost under the weight of poverty, hunger and want. We also must never lose sight of those still suffering amid the torrents of conflict, violence and deprivation. Finally, we must never lose sight of those future generations to which we owe our best efforts to create a world that uplifts and empowers all of humankind, leaving no one behind.
I declare closed the Summit of the Future.
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 123.
The meeting rose at 8.10 p.m.