The 21st century is marked by a series of major challenges that are increasingly dividing the nations of the world. Issues such as climate change, artificial intelligence, growing conflicts, rising inequality and poverty are all hot topics facing world leaders. Against this backdrop, the United Nations General Assembly recently approved an action plan to bring the nations of the world together to address these challenges and chart a path to a better future.
The “Pact for the Future,” a 42-page document adopted at the Summit of the Future led by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, calls on leaders of the 193 UN member countries to move from promises to concrete actions to improve the lives of the world’s more than 8 billion people. The pact includes 56 actions to eradicate poverty, mitigate climate change, achieve gender equality, promote peace and protect civilians.
A key point of this compact is the reform of the UN Security Council to make it more representative of today’s world and to correct historical injustices against Africa, which does not have a permanent seat. The compact also mentions the commitment of governments to listen to young people and include them in decision-making, as well as multilateral support for nuclear disarmament and the governance of artificial intelligence.
The Compact for the Future emphasizes a coordinated response to complex shocks such as pandemics, while supporting a global dialogue on AI governance. In addition, it commits to eliminating legal, social and economic barriers that hinder the development of women and girls.
In a world plagued by a rise in the rejection of misogyny and a challenge to women’s reproductive rights, this compact represents a major step towards gender equality. Antonio Guterres issues a call to action, inviting everyone to step through the door opened by this compact and actively engage for a better future.
Ultimately, this Compact for the Future represents a crucial opportunity for world leaders to work together and address current and future challenges. It embodies the collective will to overcome divisions and promote a brighter future for all people on the planet.