UN Nations Endorse ‘Pact for the Future’ – Leader Calls for Action Above All

The United Nations General Assembly has approved an important framework aimed at uniting the world’s nations to address critical issues of the 21st century, including climate change, artificial intelligence, conflicts, and growing inequality and poverty.

This comprehensive 42-page document, titled the “Pact for the Future,” calls upon the leaders of the 193 U.N. member countries to transform their commitments into tangible actions that would have a real impact on the lives of over 8 billion people globally.

The pact was ratified during the opening of the “Summit of the Future,” organized by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He expressed gratitude to the leaders and diplomats for taking initial steps that could unlock a path toward a better future.

“We are here to bring multilateralism back from the brink,” Guterres stated, emphasizing that it is the collective responsibility of nations to take decisive action, not just reach agreements.

The Secretary-General urged world leaders to implement the pact effectively. He called for a prioritization of dialogue and negotiation, an end to the ongoing wars that are tearing the world apart, such as those in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan. He also advocated for reforms within the powerful U.N. Security Council, encouraged a swift transition away from fossil fuels, and highlighted the importance of involving youth in the decision-making processes.

The fate of the pact was uncertain right up until the final moments of discussion. Due to the situation’s unpredictability, Guterres had prepared multiple speeches: one for approval, one for rejection, and one for a situation of uncertainty.

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergey Vershinin, voiced discontent, stating, “No one is happy with this pact.” He proposed amendments that would have diluted the document’s impact. However, the Republic of Congo, representing Africa’s 54 nations which opposed these amendments, successfully moved to prevent a vote on them, receiving applause from the assembly. Support for Russia’s amendments came only from a few nations, including Iran, Belarus, North Korea, Nicaragua, Sudan, and Syria.

The Assembly President, Philémon Yang, conducted the official vote on the pact, which was required to meet the consensus of all 193 member nations for approval.

Russia has gained influence in various African nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and the Central African Republic. Their rejection of Russian amendments—alongside opposition from Mexico—was perceived as a setback for Moscow by many diplomats.

Prior to the addresses from world leaders, Yang announced a rare five-minute time limit for speeches, which led to several leaders, such as Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Irish President Michael Higgins, continuing their remarks despite being muted.

The “Pact for the Future” highlights that global leaders are gathering during a period of profound transformation, warning of rising risks that threaten to plunge societies worldwide into widespread crises. Nonetheless, the document carries a sense of hope, urging leaders to protect future generations through the commitments laid out therein.

The pact outlines 56 specific actions targeting issues such as poverty eradication, climate change mitigation, gender equality, promoting peace, safeguarding civilians, and revitalizing international cooperation to seize current and future opportunities.

Guterres highlighted several critical components of the pact, as well as its two annexes: a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations.

One significant aspect of the agreement involves the commitment to reform the U.N. Security Council to better reflect contemporary global dynamics and address historical imbalances, particularly regarding the representation of Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.

Additionally, the pact supports nuclear disarmament—a noteworthy step as this represents the first agreed-upon multilateral initiative in over a decade—and it aims to establish guidelines for preventing an arms race in outer space and regulating autonomous weapon systems.

The Global Digital Compact sets forth universal guidelines for governing artificial intelligence (AI), with a commitment to establishing an Independent International Scientific Panel within the U.N. to ensure a comprehensive understanding of AI’s risks and opportunities. Moreover, it includes plans for a global dialogue involving all key stakeholders concerning AI governance.

Guterres also emphasized the necessity for a cohesive and immediate response to emergencies like pandemics, alongside a groundbreaking pledge for governments to actively include youth in governance processes.

In terms of human rights, Guterres drew attention to the commitment to dismantle barriers facing women and girls, particularly given the recent surge in gender-based violence and attacks on reproductive rights.

The negotiations that culminated in the pact spanned 18 months, led by Germany and Namibia. Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba urged leaders to commit to a peaceful future instead of one rife with environmental disaster, growing inequality, and conflict driven by emerging technologies.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz underscored that unity is essential for implementing the pact’s nearly 50 actions and warned that the legacy of this moment will be judged by both history and future generations.

“The road ahead is challenging,” he noted. “But has it ever been otherwise?”