Following negotiations at this week’s UN Summit of the Future, the UN General Assembly adopted the Pact for the Future (September 2024)—a non-binding resolution committing States to a wide range of issues crucial to a sustainable, equitable future. The Pact also includes a Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations.
Human Level’s Take: The UN General Assembly has adopted the Pact for the Future, a non-binding resolution aimed at fostering a sustainable and equitable world—for people now and for future generations—through systemic and transformational change. One key component that stands out to us: human rights is a strand woven through all 56 actions committed to by governments. States have pledged to protect the needs of current and future generations across five thematic areas: sustainable development, international peace and security, science and technology, youth and future generations, and transforming global governance. The aim of the Pact is to reaffirm where governments have already made pledges for change (through the Paris Agreement, through human rights and environmental treaties, through the Sustainable Development Goals, and beyond) but also to look forward towards emerging issues like new conflicts, new technologies and new challenges that arise through interconnected global events and crises. Of particular note is the creation of a new Special Envoy for Future Generations. While the Pact is a government resolution, it’s very clear that the transformative changes envisioned by the UN can only happen if companies and investors see themselves as a part of the solution and use their own levers to drive State action.
Key points from the report:
- What it says: Through 56 actions, UN Member-States commit “to protect the needs and interests of present and future generations.” The Pact includes actions under five thematic areas. Within the theme of sustainable development and development financing, governments reaffirm their commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and commit to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation on upholding human rights, poverty eradication, climate change, gender equality, environmental protection, and more. Under the theme of international peace and security, governments commit to “redouble” efforts to build peaceful, inclusive and just societies and to address the drivers of conflict, terrorism and organised crime, as well as the impacts of these issues on women and youth. They will also address the risk that emerging technologies may be misused to further conflict. Under the theme of science, technology and innovation, and digital cooperation, States commit to ensuring that science is used to advance human rights and that Indigenous, traditional and local knowledge is protected and complemented. Within the theme of youth and future generations, the Pact commits to investment in the social and economic development of children and young people and fostering their participation in national and international decision-making. Finally, under the theme of transforming global governance, governments agree to “reinvigorate” the multilateral governance system and improve international cooperation. This includes reforming the Security Council to make it “more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, effective, democratic and accountable” and reforming international financial architecture to “strengthen the voice and representation of developing countries” and mobilise more finance towards the Sustainable Development Goals, among other commitments.
- Human rights and climate change woven throughout: The Pact essentially lays out a rights-based roadmap to the future, grounded in the three pillars of the UN: sustainable development, peace and security, and human rights. Core to the Pact is governments’ commitment to uphold international law; the preamble emphasises that every commitment in the Pact is “fully consistent and aligned” with human rights law. Justice and equity are central themes throughout all five themes and all 52 actions, including elements of a just transition and energy poverty. People also feature in the context of efforts to address climate change and environmental degradation. For instance, Action 9 includes a commitment to justice and equity in the energy transition and acknowledges the disproportionate vulnerability of developing countries to the impacts of climate change.
- Taking the Pact forward: The Pact will be implemented with the support of a new Special Envoy for Future Generations. Governments also commit to form a high-level plenary at the next General Assembly to review the implementation of the Pact and provide updates on the actions needed.
