UNITED NATIONS: Dennis Francis, the president of the UN General Assembly, told foreign ministers from around the world met in New York that predictions anticipating the end of effective diplomacy were premature.
In his opening remarks to a conference in preparation for the Summit of the Future next year, Dennis Francis stated, “Your strong engagement during our deliberations today reaffirms that multilateralism is neither dead nor obsolete.”
The meeting was a preparatory session for the Summit of the Future, scheduled for September 2024. This event is being hailed as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rejuvenate multilateralism, address gaps in global governance, and reaffirm commitments to initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN Charter.
Recent global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine conflict, and the climate emergency, have underscored the critical need for international unity around shared principles and common goals.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the importance of the Summit, not only as an opportunity but as an essential means to reduce risks and create a safer and more peaceful world.
The origins of this Summit can be traced back to Guterres’ 2021 report, “Our Common Agenda,” which outlines his vision for the future of international cooperation, emphasizing inclusive and effective multilateralism.
The primary aim is accelerating progress towards the 17 SDGs, promising a fairer, more equitable, and environmentally sustainable future for all by 2030. Despite setbacks caused by the pandemic and other crises, a rescue plan has been agreed upon to get back on track.
At the Summit, participating nations are expected to adopt a “Pact for the Future” encompassing five key areas: sustainable development and financing, international peace and security, science, technology, innovation, digital cooperation, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance.
Guterres applauded their commitment to advancing human rights, empowering women and girls, and accelerating progress towards achieving the SDGs.
He has published 11 policy briefs to facilitate negotiations based on the proposals presented in “Our Common Agenda.”
He emphasized that the “Pact for the Future” would be a binding agreement among nations and their people, representing a pledge to proactively utilize global resources and tools to address challenges before they become overwhelming. —APP
