The United Nations Summit of the Future, held on September 22-23, 2024, resulted in the adoption of the Pact for the Future, a landmark agreement aiming to strengthen global cooperation and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Summit of the Future aims to accelerate meeting international commitments and address emerging challenges through the Pact for the Future. This document outlines a shared vision for the future, focusing on sustainable development, international peace, and security, science, technology and innovation, youth empowerment, and global governance reform.
The Summit underscored the crucial role of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in addressing global challenges, particularly within developing countries. At present, billions of individuals – especially in these regions lack meaningful access to essential, transformative technologies. In line with the commitment to leave no one behind, it is imperative that STI benefits are shared equitably. Innovations and scientific breakthroughs that enhance sustainability, prosperity, and resilience must be affordable and accessible to all.
To lessen global disparities in STI, the pact proposes initiatives such as scaling up means of implementation. It also aims to remove obstacles for women and girls in these fields and emphasizes the importance of human rights and ethical standards in developing and using new technologies. Additionally, leaders have committed to increasing the use of science in policy-making to address complex challenges and to boost funding for research and innovation related to the SDGs. They resolved to strengthen the United Nations’ capacity to leverage science and technology in its initiatives, particularly to assist developing countries in achieving these goals.
Reference: United Nations. (September 2024). Pact for the Future, Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations. Retrieved October 29, 2024, from https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/sotf-pact_for_the_future_adopted.pdf
