3 minute read
Summit of the Future: Calls For Renewed International Cooperation And Private Sector Engagement
In September, global leaders gathered at the United Nations’ Summit of the Future in New York, addressing pressing challenges facing the world. The event provided a platform for world leaders to demonstrate political will and reaffirm their commitment to tackling global issues through enhanced international cooperation. One of the key outcomes of the summit was the adoption of the Pact for the Future, a comprehensive document that highlights several critical areas, including international peace and security, digital technology, sustainable development, transforming global governance, youth and future generations and financing for development.
In his remarks, President Nangolo Mbumba highlighted the government’s responsibility to create conducive policies and regulatory environments to attract and facilitate private sector investment in projects that are aligned to government priorities in order to boost economic growth and to achieve inclusive sustainable development.
“The Pact and its annexes are pivotal instruments in advancing the 2030 Agenda and fast-tracking the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure that our shared aspirations are fully realised in a timely and impactful manner,” said Mbumba.
Opening the summit, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Our world is going through a time of turbulence and transition. But we cannot wait for perfect conditions. We must take the first decisive steps towards updating and reforming international cooperation to make it more networked, fair and inclusive – now.”
Our world is going through a time of turbulence and transition. But we cannot wait for perfect conditions. We must take the first decisive steps towards updating and reforming international cooperation to make it more networked, fair and inclusive –now.
The president of the General Assembly, Philemon Yang, called on member states to promote international peace and security, invigorate implementation of the SDGs, foster just and inclusive societies, and ensure that technologies always serve the common good of humankind. “We must move forward, together, in a spirit of solidarity and multilateral cooperation. The Summit of the Future is a call to action. We must shape our future to protect ourselves and our planet Earth,” said Yang.
President Mbumba reiterated the call for bold leadership, inclusive governance and political will from both the public and private sectors, stressing the need for leaders from the private sector to step up and accelerate action on the SDGs. “We need partnerships with the private sector to help finance key transitions and to bring innovation in international cooperation,” Mbumba added.
A Heads of State and Government meeting will be held at the beginning of the 83rd session of the General Assembly in 2028 for a comprehensive review of the Pact for the Future.
