The UN Pact for the Future (A/RES/79/1), adopted by consensus at the 2024 Summit of the Future, is a broad, non-binding political declaration with 56 actions (plus sub-actions) across five main chapters, plus two annexes: the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.
It reaffirms commitment to the UN Charter, international law, the 2030 Agenda/SDGs, human rights, and multilateralism, while aiming to address crises, reform global governance, and consider future generations. It emphasizes sustainable development, peace, equity (especially for developing countries), and emerging challenges like climate, digital tech, and inequality.
Chapter I: Sustainable Development and Financing for Development
Focuses on accelerating the SDGs, poverty eradication, and reforming the international financial system. Key directives include:
- Bold actions to implement the 2030 Agenda, leave no one behind, and revitalize global partnerships (Action 1).
- Eradicate poverty (multidimensional, with social protection) and end hunger/food insecurity/malnutrition (Actions 2–3).
- Close the SDG financing gap in developing countries via increased ODA, MDB reforms, debt sustainability, domestic resource mobilization, and innovative financing (Action 4).
- Strengthen the multilateral trading system for sustainable development (Action 5).
- Invest in people (education, health, social cohesion), build peaceful/inclusive societies, achieve gender equality, and address climate change (keeping 1.5°C limit, transitioning from fossil fuels toward net-zero by 2050) (Actions 6–9).
- Protect/restore the environment, biodiversity, and culture; plan beyond 2030 (Actions 10–12).
It calls for reforming the international financial architecture (greater voice for developing countries in IFIs, sovereign debt review, global safety net) and exploring ideas like a global minimum tax on high-net-worth individuals.
Chapter II: International Peace and Security
Emphasizes prevention, diplomacy, and adapting to new threats. Major directives:
- Prevent conflicts, address root causes, protect civilians (e.g., limits on explosive weapons in populated areas), and ensure humanitarian access.
- Reform the Security Council (most concrete push since the 1960s, prioritizing African underrepresentation).
- Recommit to nuclear disarmament (total elimination goal) and prevent an arms race in outer space.
- Combat transnational organized crime, terrorism, illicit arms, and misuse of new technologies (e.g., lethal autonomous weapons); apply international law to emerging domains.
- Strengthen peacebuilding, mediation, accountability, and efforts against disinformation/violence.
Chapter III: Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Cooperation (incl. Annex I: Global Digital Compact)
Promotes STI for development while governing risks. Key points:
- Scale up technology transfer, capacity-building, and cooperation (North-South, South-South) for developing countries.
- Ensure ethical, rights-based governance of tech/AI; close digital divides (including gender); connect everyone to the internet (schools/hospitals).
- The Global Digital Compact (first comprehensive framework) commits to safe digital spaces (esp. for children), open data/models/standards, AI governance (via scientific panel and global dialogue), data governance by 2030, and human rights in digital contexts.
Chapter IV: Youth and Future Generations (incl. Annex II: Declaration on Future Generations)
First dedicated focus on intergenerational equity:
- Expand meaningful youth participation in decision-making (global/national levels).
- Invest in youth/children (education, health, jobs, protection from violence/discrimination/climate impacts) via platforms like a proposed Global Youth Investment Platform.
- Declaration on Future Generations: Guiding principles (peace, human rights, sustainability, equity) and commitments to long-term policymaking, solidarity, and protecting future needs (e.g., against poverty transmission).
Chapter V: Transforming Global Governance
Aims to make multilateral institutions more effective, representative, and future-ready:
- Reform the UN system (innovation, data, foresight, financing, accessibility).
- Broaden participation (civil society, private sector, local authorities).
- Rethink progress metrics (beyond GDP, toward well-being/sustainability).
- Strengthen cooperation on outer space, human rights, and inclusive governance.
Overall Implementation: Reviewed at a future high-level meeting; advanced via UN processes, with emphasis on partnerships, financing, and monitoring. It is not legally binding but sets political commitments and priorities.
The Full Text of the Pact for Peace can be found through this link.
