By Georgiana F. Bugeag
The Global Significance of the Summit
The UN Summit of the Future ("the Summit") brought nations together in a unique, "once-in-a-generation" moment to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges and rethink how we collaborate globally on critical areas such as sustainable development, peace and security, digital cooperation, and empowering young people and future generations. The Summit originated from Our Common Agenda (OCA), championed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in response to the UN’s 75th anniversary with a vision to strengthen global governance. It aimed to bring global leaders together to make binding commitments that would modernise and revitalise the UN, ultimately strengthening its capacity to respond to the complex challenges of today's world and innovate global collaboration.
Road to the Summit
The journey to the Summit was extensive, spanning over two years and engaging diverse UN stakeholders to shape its vision. As Vice-Chair of UN Association Scotland from January 2023 to July 2024, I actively contributed to the Summit’s preparatory work. Through e-consultations, forums, and discussions, I advocated for inclusive global policies addressing the needs of young people, women, and diverse communities, emphasising strengthened global governance for enhanced human rights and social justice.
A key focus of my contributions was championing intergenerational leadership and advocating for paid internships within the UN, ensuring accessibility for young people worldwide. This included recommending accessible formats, such as child-friendly materials, to facilitate meaningful youth engagement in global discussions. Addressing financial barriers was essential to promote equitable youth participation within the UN framework.
Promoting gender equity was central to my contributions, especially in advocating for girls’ and women’s rights. I emphasised the importance of women’s representation in decision-making processes, particularly in conflict zones, where their perspectives are often overlooked. Through specific mechanisms, I proposed ways to amplify women’s voices in governance at both local and international levels.
In 2024, the consultancy took a bold stance on nuclear disarmament, underscoring its critical role in fostering trust among nations and ensuring long-term peace. Nuclear disarmament was positioned as fundamental to a safer world, advocating for its recognition as a cornerstone of global security. The call for collaborative, cross-border efforts to mitigate nuclear risks and prioritise international cooperation was strongly reinforced.
Moreover, institutional reform within the United Nations also became a central focus, emphasising the need for enhanced transparency, accountability, and revitalisation of core UN bodies, including the General Assembly and the Office of the Secretary-General. I advocated for strengthening institutional practices, particularly around recruitment and employment, to promote fairness and accessibility. These efforts aimed to make the UN more inclusive, responsive, and effective in tackling today’s pressing global challenges, ultimately building a more resilient UN system ready to better serve the global community.
Finally, meaningful progress relies on robust partnerships, forming the foundation of all advocacy efforts leading to the Summit. The UN should continue fostering strategic collaboration among governments, civil society, and the private sector through frameworks that enable collective advancement. Recognising that responsibility extends to both local and national levels, collective contributions are essential. The final Summit document should establish effective mechanisms to ensure global adherence to commitments, reinforcing a sustainable and unified approach to addressing critical challenges.
The Summit Outcome and “Pact of the Future” Highlights
The Summit unfolded over four days, with the first two dedicated to action-oriented events and the final two culminating in the adoption of the Pact for the Future. This Pact represents over two years of collective contributions and was adopted on 22nd September 2024. It seeks to protect both current and future generations from escalating crises, including poverty, climate change, conflict, and systemic inequality. Reaffirming the values of the UN Charter and international law, the Pact underscores the need for collaborative multilateral efforts to achieve sustainable development, uphold human rights, and foster peace and security. Recognising that individual nations cannot address these challenges alone, it calls for increased international cooperation rooted in trust and solidarity.
Key objectives within the Pact include a renewed emphasis on advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, addressing the specific needs of vulnerable nations, and eradicating poverty. The climate crisis is a top priority, with commitments to accelerate actions aligned with the Paris Agreement to mitigate adverse impacts, especially in developing countries. For peace and security, the Pact stresses diplomacy, adherence to the rule of law, and peaceful conflict resolution, while also aiming to improve humanitarian responses, protect civilians in armed conflict, and reinforce international commitments to disarmament.
The Pact also recognises the transformative potential of science, technology, and innovation. Acknowledging both the risks and benefits of these advancements, the Pact includes commitments to bridge digital divides, manage emerging technologies responsibly, and ensure equitable access to technology. Special emphasis is placed on empowering youth, promoting gender equality, and fostering inclusive growth to support economic and social cohesion. The General Assembly will review progress on these commitments in 2028, aiming to build a world where peace, prosperity, and sustainability are accessible to all.
Hopes for the Future
The Pact for the Future, along with its annexes—the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations—represents a hopeful step toward addressing humanity's existential challenges. Approved at the 79th United Nations General Assembly session, it reaffirms the UN’s role as a cornerstone of global cooperation, reinforced by commitments across sustainable development, climate resilience, human rights, and global peace. The Pact calls for immediate, united action, grounded in shared human values, to seize this unique opportunity for global change and cooperation.
Acknowledging the "catastrophic and existential risks" that humanity faces, the Pact calls for immediate, unified action to seize this rare opportunity for transformational change grounded in shared human values. It underscores that future global stability relies on cooperative efforts. Reaffirming the UN’s central role, the document emphasises multilateral cooperation as essential for tackling global challenges. Moreover, it commits to reforming the multilateral system to be more "democratic, equitable, and representative,", evolving from earlier drafts that were supportive but less assertive.
The Pact reinforces the UN’s commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, highlighting the universal, indivisible, and interdependent nature of all rights, with a dedication to upholding dignity, equality, and justice worldwide. Recognising the impact of digital advancements, it introduces safeguards against digital abuses, promotes human rights in technology development, and strengthens protections for children online. With a prioritised focus on gender equality, the Pact outlines measures to eliminate discrimination, enhance women’s participation, and address gender-based violence, especially in digital spaces. It also addresses racial discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance, fostering inclusivity, and includes protections for civil society and human rights defenders against intimidation, creating a safer environment for advocacy. While intensifying focus in these areas, the document aims to strengthen existing frameworks rather than introduce new binding obligations.
Taking a comprehensive approach to peace and security, the Pact enhances protections for civilians in conflict zones, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and children. It addresses the risks posed by emerging technologies in warfare, prioritising conflict prevention, disarmament, and digital peace. This reinforced language aligns with the Pact’s broader strategy to secure peace through accountability and strengthened diplomatic efforts.
The commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is reaffirmed, with accelerated actions to achieve the SDGs and eliminate poverty. Specific steps include enhanced development financing, ensuring food security, and expanding health coverage. The climate section sets ambitious goals to triple renewable energy capacity and reduce emissions, as well as pledges to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. It further emphasises sustainable consumption and a pledge to protect biodiversity.
Acknowledgements and Personal Reflections
I am deeply grateful for the invaluable support I received along this journey. My heartfelt thanks go to Gari Donn, whose guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support were instrumental in helping me navigate the complexities of this important Summit. Special appreciation also goes to Dorothea Christiana for nominating me as Vice-Chair in October 2022, and to Hana Shono for her outstanding leadership as UNAS Chair. I am thankful to UNAS for their financial support towards my travel and to UNA London for their contribution to my accommodation, both of which made my participation as a youth delegate possible.
Being in the room above the General Assembly on 22nd September to witness the approval of the Pact for the Future felt surreal, a moment I never imagined possible. To have had the chance to advocate for issues I hold dear and see them recognised at the UNHQ was a true blessing. I thank God for each person who supported and believed in me throughout this journey, offering strength and encouragement to contribute meaningfully to such a vital global event. This experience has been truly humbling, and I am profoundly grateful for everyone who has been part of it.
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