When the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to lift our gaze — albeit briefly — governments resolved to ‘build back better,’ citizens demanded more and better global cooperation, and young people, faced with the prospect of a stolen future, called for measures to safeguard future generations.
In response, states agreed that 2024 would be a year of the future. There would be a Summit of the Future to adopt a “pact for the future” covering sustainable development — including efforts to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals — and financing; peace and security; science, technology, and innovation and digital cooperation; youth and future generations; and transforming global governance.
States also agreed to adopt a global digital compact and pandemic treaty, while efforts such as the Bridgetown Initiative, V20 Accra-Marrakech Agenda, and the Paris Pact for People and Planet have raised expectations on climate and development finance, as well as reform of the global financial architecture.
About the author
Natalie Samarasinghe
Natalie Samarasinghe is executive director of the Public Engagement Platform for climate action. She was previously CEO of the United Nations Association — UK, chief of strategy for UN75, and global director of advocacy for Open Society Foundations. She serves on the boards of the Security Council Report and GCR2P.
