Key Impact Points
- Pact for the Future negotiations extended: The silence procedure was broken on 3 September, meaning the final outcome document is still under negotiation.
- Global Digital Compact and Future Generations Declaration unresolved: Consensus was not reached on these critical annexes to the Pact, with further discussions required.
- Summit of the Future draws near: The Summit, taking place on 22-23 September, is expected to shape global cooperation on sustainable development, governance, and digital innovation.
Negotiations Ongoing for the Pact for the Future
On 3 September 2024, negotiations on the Pact for the Future, the key outcome document of the Summit of the Future (SoF), were extended after the silence procedure was broken. This signals that the outcome document, which is expected to chart a path forward on several critical global issues, remains under discussion among UN Member States. The Summit of the Future, taking place on 22-23 September in New York, is designed to forge a new international consensus on global cooperation and multilateralism.
Future Generations Declaration and Global Digital Compact Face Delays
Two crucial components of the Pact—the Declaration on Future Generations and the Global Digital Compact—failed to pass through the silence procedure. Several Member States raised objections to paragraphs in these documents, leading to further negotiations.
A revised draft of the Declaration on Future Generations (REV3) underwent the silence procedure in August, but consensus was not reached on multiple paragraphs. Despite this, the co-facilitators of the intergovernmental process remain optimistic. In their 9 September letter, they stated that while consensus on some sections remains elusive, the current draft lays a strong foundation for safeguarding the needs of future generations.
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Similarly, the Global Digital Compact, which aims to enhance global digital cooperation, has faced challenges. The silence procedure for its revised draft was initiated in July but was broken by several delegations, leading to ongoing talks facilitated by Sweden and Zambia.
Key Elements of the Pact for the Future
The Pact for the Future is a comprehensive framework that addresses several major global issues. According to the UN’s new microsite, the Pact includes chapters on:
- Sustainable development and financing for development (FfD)
- International peace and security
- Science, technology, and innovation (STI) and digital cooperation
- Youth and future generations
- Transforming global governance
The negotiations are co-facilitated by Germany and Namibia, while other components, such as the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations, have their own co-facilitators.
Looking Ahead: Summit of the Future and Action Days
The Summit of the Future will be a pivotal event in advancing multilateralism and global cooperation. Launched as part of the UN75 initiative in 2021, the Summit aims to “mend eroded trust” and demonstrate that international cooperation can effectively address agreed goals and emerging global challenges.
Ahead of the Summit, the Summit of the Future Action Days will take place, focusing on multistakeholder partnerships and inclusive multilateralism. These Action Days are expected to pave the way for a new chapter in global governance, with more networked and inclusive approaches to international cooperation.
As negotiations on the Pact continue, it is clear that the final agreements could have long-lasting implications for global governance, climate action, and digital cooperation. The world now awaits the outcomes of these crucial talks, which will shape the future of multilateralism for years to come.
