UN Summit of the Future 2024
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: International Relations
Source: UN
Context: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for urgent reforms to outdated UN institutions on peace, security, and finance at the UN Summit of the Future 2024. India’s Prime Minister also attended the summit.
What is the UN Summit of the Future 2024?
The UN Summit of the Future 2024 aims to reform and strengthen international governance to address contemporary global challenges. It focuses on sustainable development, peace, security, and technology, culminating in the adoption of the “Pact for the Future,” which includes commitments to accelerate SDGs, promote equitable digital access, and safeguard the interests of future generations.
Key Highlights of the UN Summit of the Future:
• Purpose: Reform international governance to address global challenges and ensure a sustainable future.
• Theme: “Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow.”
• Outcome: Adoption of the “Pact for the Future” with two annexes: the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.
• Pact for the Future: Accelerates SDGs, supports climate action, promotes a just transition from fossil fuels, and commits to nuclear disarmament and AI governance.
• Global Digital Compact: Promotes equitable access to technology and universal AI governance.
• Declaration on Future Generations: Emphasizes long-term thinking, considering the interests of future generations.
• India’s Stance: Called for UN reforms, supported global digital governance and advocated for expanded Security Council membership.
What is the Pact for the Future?
The Pact for the Future is an action-oriented agreement from the 2024 UN Summit of the Future, addressing global challenges like sustainable development, peace, security, digital cooperation, and future generations. It aims to reform global governance and includes the Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations.
The Pact address 21st-century challenges like climate change and conflict. Adopted by consensus, except for a group led by Russia, key points include:
• Sustainable Development: Empower developing countries in global finance and strengthen safety nets for the poor.
• Peace and Security: Recommit to nuclear disarmament and prevent misuse of new technologies.
• Science and Technology: Promote ethical research, protect indigenous knowledge, and empower women.
• Youth and Future Generations: Include future generations in decision-making.
• Global Governance: Reform UNSC to better represent Africa and prevent an arms race in space
Proposed Reforms by the UN Secretary-General:
• Security Council Reform: Guterres emphasized that the UN Security Council must be restructured to reflect current geopolitical realities, addressing the under-representation of regions like Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.
• Strengthening Global Financial Architecture: He called for reforms in international financial institutions (IMF, World Bank, WTO) to better support debt-stricken developing nations in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to enhance their representativeness and capability in addressing global economic challenges.
India, representing the G4 nations (Participating in Inter-governmental Negotiations on UNSC reform), presented a detailed model for UN Security Council reform, proposing new permanent members elected democratically by the General Assembly and showing flexibility on the veto issue.
Key Highlights of the India’s Proposed Model:
Highlights | Details
Enlarged Membership | 11 Permanent members, and 14/15 non-permanent members with a 2-year term to be elected based on current practice.
Equitable Regional Representation | Representation of 6 new permanent members shall come from Africa (2), Asia-Pacific (2), Latin America and Caribbean (2), Western Europe and Other Member States (1).
Working Methods of Council | An affirmative vote of 14/15 of 25/26 members will be required for a decision.
Veto | No veto rights to new permanent members until decided by a review, held fifteen years after reform came into force.
Relationship between UNSC and UNGA | The council should hold regular consultations with the President of UNGA, submit annual reports and special reports to UNGA, etc.
Conclusion:
Looking towards the future, the 21st century presents a myriad of complex challenges, ranging from climate change to cybersecurity threats and economic inequality. Despite its imperfections, the United Nations (UN) stands uniquely positioned to address these multifaceted issues, given its convening power, diplomatic role, and extensive network of agencies.
However, realizing its full potential requires implementing reforms to enhance its effectiveness. Streamlining bureaucracy, reducing inefficiencies, and ensuring more equitable representation within the organization are crucial steps towards achieving this goal. Despite these challenges, the UN remains indispensable in global governance, humanitarian assistance, and crisis management. While the need for reform is evident, the UN’s continued role in fostering cooperation, dialogue, and collective action underscores its enduring importance in tackling the world’s most pressing problems.
Insta Links:
• If not reformed, the UN will be overtaken by other organisations
Mains Links:
What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it. (10 M) (UPSC 2017)
Prelims Links:
With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2022)
• It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.
• It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year
• It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 3 only (b) 1 and 3 (c) 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 2
Ans: (a)