After a series of broken silence procedures in the lead-up to the Summit, the Summit of the Future (SOF) opened under a cloud of uncertainty when the Russian Federation made a last-minute proposal for an amendment to the outcome document. However, following a quick voting round, delegates adopted the Summit’s negotiated outcome, the Pact for the Future, and its two annexes: the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration of Future Generations. The rest of the day then proceeded largely as planned, with general statements by high-level representatives taking place in parallel with two interactive dialogues on the Summit’s themes.

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^{Philémon Yang, President, UNGA, invites delegates to adopt the Pact for the Future.}

Opening Segment

Following a musical performance by singer Renée Fleming, Grammy award winner and World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Arts and Health, and a video presentation featuring the just-concluded Action Days, Philémon Yang, President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), declared the SOF open and invited delegates to adopt the Summit outcome documents.

Adoption of the Pact for the Future: The RUSSIAN FEDERATION tabled an amendment (A/79/L.3) to the draft Pact, citing a lack of transparency in the negotiating process and contravention of the UN principles of the sovereignty and equality of States. The amendment was co-sponsored by IRAN, the SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC, VENEZUELA, BELARUS, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA and NICARAGUA. Opposing the amendment, Congo, for the AFRICAN GROUP, with support from MEXICO and CAMEROON, reiterated that increased global solidarity is needed to confront the complex challenges confronting the world today and guarantee a better future for all. President Yang then opened the vote, with 143 countries voting against adopting the amendment, 7 in favor, and 15 abstentions.

The Secretariat then drew attention to oral revisions of draft resolution text relating to the budgetary implications of proposed actions in the Pact, noting the Secretary-General will submit proposals on resource requirements in 2025 and subsequent applicable years. He invited delegations to submit their views on the proposals by October 2024.

Opening Statements: UNGA President Yang thanked the six co-facilitators (Germany, Namibia, Sweden, Zambia, Jamaica, and the Netherlands) and the respective support teams for leading the complex negotiations. He expressed confidence that the newly adopted Pact reflects “our shared aspirations for the future” and lays the foundation for a sustainable, peaceful global order for all.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres recalled the origins of the Summit, stressing “we are here to bring multilateralism back from the brink.” He expressed concern that the UN’s authority to tackle mounting global challenges is fast eroding, and without reform of its composition and working methods “it will lose all credibility.” Guterres stressed that the Pact for the Future lays the foundation for transformation that includes a groundbreaking commitment by governments to listen to young people and involve them in decision making at all levels and the first “truly universal agreement” on the governance and risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Noting that people never agree on the past, he expressed optimism that the SOF has set a course towards a future that can meet the expectations of all.

Three youth representatives then took the floor. Ghanim Mohammed Al-Muftah, Qatar, encouraged delegates to think of the future as “fathers, mothers, and guardians” who care about the future of all children and generations to follow. His experience as a person with disability, he stressed, taught him that “true progress” is not about overcoming personal challenges alone but how “as a society, we embrace each other’s differences.” Uniting his voice with those of the 1 billion people with disabilities worldwide, he called for inclusivity to be a “fundamental right, not a luxury.”

Niria Alicía Garcia, US, lamented the lack of mention of frontline communities in the Pact for the Future, and delivered a call for greater support, recognition, and inclusion of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), including of Indigenous youths. Reminding the audience that IPs are the “stewards” of 80% of the world’s biodiversity, she called for Member States to ratify the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, cut their military budget in favor of climate action, and “go home and ask your Indigenous youths how much money we need to bring our solutions to life.”

Monicah Malith, South Sudan, began by asking delegates: “What encounters your eyes if you talk about the future? What voice overwhelms your ears? What taste lies on your tongue?” She called for political leadership in championing youth and refugees, particularly through education, explaining the role of universities and fellowships in her own journey as a refugee. Refugees from conflict, environmental disasters, or economic insecurity, she continued, are a collective responsibility and require long-term “compassionate solutions.” Addressing fellow young people, she concluded: “The future is ours to forge. Not theirs to cling to. Not theirs to pass down like spoils of war.”

Olaf Scholz, Chancellor, Germany, noted the Pact for the Future is needed “now more than ever” because everyone’s fate is deeply interlinked to with global challenges, including poverty, hunger, impediments to free and fair trade, and AI. He cautioned that future opportunities also hold potential for abuse and imbalances. He said the Pact outlines over 50 steps to be taken, and that “history will judge us” if we do not take them.

Nangolo Mbumba, President, Namibia, said the Pact’s adoption culminates 18 months of negotiations, embodying the African proverb that “tomorrow belongs to the people who plan for it today.” Noting that the compounding challenges faced may seem insurmountable, he said the Pact provides the opportunity for the world’s countries to combine their resources to confront them “head on.”

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