Pact for the Future: A New Order of International Cooperation that Delivers a Better Present and Safeguards the Future? 

In November 2021, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres presented his annual report entitled “Our Common Agenda,” in which he called on Member States for new ideas on how to address current and future challenges and rebuild solidarity and trust among societies. In the report, Secretary Guterres asked to renew the political, economic, and social multilateral systems to ensure no one is left behind and to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

The resulting commitment is the “Pact for the Future,” whose zero draft began to be developed by Member States and other stakeholders during the 78th UNGA in New York City. The final version is expected to be negotiated and endorsed at the “Summit for the Future,” which will be held during the upcoming 79th UNGA in September 2024.

The “Pact for the Future” aims to reaffirm the UN Charter, reinvigorate multilateralism, boost existing commitments, agree on solutions to challenges, and restore trust among all members of the international community. Consequently, the pact comprises high-level tracks including sustainable development, climate change, a new agenda for peace, a global digital compact, and outer space governance.

As the implementation and future success of the “Pact for the Future” relies not only on the UN Member States but also on various stakeholders, including academia and civil society organisations, the 2024 Regional Academy programme will focus on exploring how UN agencies can deliver on the high-level tracks and other commitments resulting from the upcoming “Summit for the Future.” 

The specific topics from the “Pact for the Future” that the students will research are: 

1. Sustainable development and financing for development

2. International peace and security 

3. Science, technology and innovation, and digital cooperation

4. Youth and future generations

5. Transforming global governance