During the second working day of the Future Summit, the main topic of discussion among young people full of new energy and innovative ideas was – making the world a better, safer and more sustainable place for all.
In such an environment, everyone from young change-makers to UN chief Antonio Guterres have taken the opportunity to spread messages of hope and change.
“When I look around, I see world leaders,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Saturday as he opened the second day of proceedings. I see the mayor and the legislators. “I’m looking at civil society, the private sector, academics, artists and young people.”
“You come from every corner of the world, people from every generation and every walk of life. Friends, strictly speaking, this is the true form of effective, inclusive and interconnected multilateralism.”
He said, “Four years ago, we began the process that has brought us together here today, as we saw a world in trouble, torn apart by conflict and inequality…”
“…Addressing the risks of climate catastrophe, the advent of unregulated technology, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals seem untenable, with many countries burdened with catastrophic debt and high costs of living. Buried beneath.”
“Therefore, we have embarked on a journey to reform and revitalize the international system, so that it meets the needs of the present and is fit for the future,” said Antonio Guterres.
Summit of the future
The Future Summit is being held in the General Auditorium at UN Headquarters from 22 to 23 September, just before the high-level general debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
UN General Assembly President Philemon Young, after meetings and consultations with member states over the past few days, adopted a “consensus for the future” on Saturday (Contract for the future) presented this before the Vishwa Panchayat. His spokesperson Sharon Birch said this information.
The spokesman said that Philemon Yang called on member countries to support the unanimous passage of the MoU on Sunday, September 22, on the first day of the future summit.
“That moment will be a historic opportunity for everyone, everywhere,” he said, “to renew our resolve for a better future.”
UN chiefs on Saturday discussed a draft declaration and declaration for the future focused on bridging the digital divide.
He said the Global Digital Compact will create a blueprint for bridging the digital divide and also the first universal consensus on artificial intelligence (AI). It will also lay the foundation stone for a global platform centered on the United Nations.
The UN chief said the declaration on future generations should hold world leaders accountable for the decisions they make today in the interest of the future. At the same time, gender equality and human rights should be included in every aspect of these drafts, reflecting that they are crucial for all walks of life.
Antonio Guterres said, “The issues at the heart of these drafts – justice, rights, peace and equality – have fueled my work for decades and driven me forward.”
“The same is true for many of you. I won’t give up, and I know you won’t either. Just passing this draft will not end the journey. “This will only be the last step in the beginning.”
A sustainable future for all
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J Mohammed described Saturday’s event as a forum for intelligent minds where people from different walks of life shared their views.
“We are reaching a very important milestone,” he said. Only 17 percent of the Sustainable Development Goals are on track.
The UN deputy chief said there were only 6 years left to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which called for leaving no one behind, but it was left at a very disappointing level.
Meanwhile, hunger is increasing, fossil fuel use and global warming are on the rise, while conflicts are increasing and the struggle for gender equality is weakening.