Navigating through the poly-crisis: Towards a global pact for a better future for people and the planet

Ahead of the UN Summit of the Future, which will take place in New York in September 2024, we have organised a high-level symposium on 22 March. In Brussels, we have gathered with policymakers, experts, civil society, youth and a diverse range of participants to reflect on the key findings of the FEPS book "A New Global Deal: Reforming World Governance". 

The event featured keynote remarks from:

• Guy Ryder, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Policy in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General
• Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships
• Caroline Gennez, Minister of Development Cooperation and Major Cities, Belgium

We co-organised the event with the UN Office in Brussels and FEPS, in partnership with the Renner Institut, TASC, Fondation Jean-Jaurès, Olof Palme International Centre, Fundación Pablo Iglesias and the FES Office New York.

Background

The interplay between new wars, climate crisis, rising inequalities, and the COVID-19 pandemic have put the future of people and the planet high on the international political agenda. At the same time, however, a contested multilateral system and competing global strategies aggravate finding and defining policy solutions for the existential global challenges emerging for all humankind. The European Council addressed some of these challenges in its meeting on 21 and 22 March.

By doing so, the European Council addressed aspects of the reform agenda, Our Common Agenda, put forward by the UN Secretary-General (SG). With this report issued in 2021, the SG responded to the request by the 75. session of the UN General Assembly to strengthen global governance and come up with innovative proposals to tackle the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, rising inequalities, regression or stagnation on most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report also addressed fast technological change carrying unprecedented threats and opportunities.

The report thus includes actionable recommendations to renew the multilateral system to accelerate implementation of existing commitments, fill gaps in global governance that have emerged since 2015, and turbocharge action on the SDGs. This was followed by 11 policy briefs on the key issues raised in Our Common Agenda.

Furthermore, the Summit of the Future was proposed as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take these steps. Upon the decision of the UN General Assembly at its 78. session, this summit will take place on 22-23 September 2024. World leaders will gather to endorse an action-oriented Pact for the Future, comprising a chapeau and five chapters on sustainable development and financing for development; international peace and security; science, technology and innovation and digital cooperation; youth and future generations; and transforming global governance.

To contribute to global reflections ahead of the Summit of the Future, FEPS and its partners will present the report "For a New Global Deal. Preparing the Summit of the Future", which was prepared by a high-level group of experts. The report aims to open a dialogue across Europe and between Europe and the other continents. The aim: to discuss the priorities of reforming global governance regarding policies and UN reforms to address the current global challenges, notably climate change, poverty, sustainable development, digital transformation, and finance.

For more information, please contact Daniea Iller, Policy Officer at the FES EU Office: Daniela.Iller(at)fes.de