UN General Assembly Adopts “Pact for the Future” to Tackle Global Challenges

The United Nations General Assembly has given the green light to a landmark “Pact for the Future,” a 42-page roadmap which bids to marshal the increasingly divided world against some of the most daunting challenges confronting the 21st century, from climate change and artificial intelligence to increased conflicts, inequality, and poverty.

An appeal by the “Pact for the Future” to leaders of the 193 UN members is to turn words into action, with its introduction urging them to better the lives of more than 8 billion people worldwide. It was adopted at the start of the two-day “Summit of the Future” convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who made a strong appeal for multilateralism not to be allowed to “go over the brink.”.

The pact stipulates 56 specific actions on issues relevant to the eradication of poverty, combating climate change, gender equality, promotion of peace, and civilian protection. This pact goes on to intend to reinvigorate the multilateral system in a bid to seize present and future opportunities.

But perhaps most significantly, the compact calls for Security Council reform to make the 15-member body “more representative of today’s world” by addressing “the inadequate representation” of Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. That includes a pledge to “redress the historical injustice against Africa” which does not have a permanent seat on the council.

Most significantly, the agreement provides for multilateral backing for nuclear disarmament for the first time in over a decade. It also prohibits the initiation of an arms race in outer space and limits lethal autonomous weapons.

Taken together with the “Pact for the Future,” two annexes were adopted: the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. The Global Digital Compact includes the common framework for artificial intelligence governance, committing to an Independent International Scientific Panel within the UN that assesses risks and opportunities arising from AI. A global dialogue is also set to begin on AI governance with all relevant stakeholders.

Other commitments include the necessary actions to ensure a rapid and coordinated response to global shocks, such as pandemics, but it also includes an unprecedented commitment by governments to involve more young people in decision-making processes.

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Speaking about human rights, Guterres referred to a global backlash against women’s reproductive rights and rising misogyny. In turn, the pact calls for removing legal, social, and economic obstacles to the full implementation of women’s and girls’ rights in all spheres of life.

“We opened the door, and now it’s up to each and every one of us to step through it. It’s not only about understanding but action, as well,” Guterres implored the world community.