UN chief reinforces call for multilateral reform, outlines next steps
Global leaders issued a resounding call for reform and renewed multilateral cooperation during the General Assembly’s crunch week, the UN chief told top diplomats meeting in New York on Wednesday.
Other key priorities to emerge were the state of the environment and ensuring responsible use of new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Secretary-General António GuterresOpens in new window added.
Against this backdrop, the UN’s visionary Our Common AgendaOpens in new window presents proposals and ideas that can bridge the gap, “between the world as it is and the world as we know it can be,” Mr. Guterres saidOpens in new window.
The coming year of preparations for the Summit of the Future will be critical he told Member States, highlighting four main areas of work ahead.
The proposals and ideas in Our Common Agenda are bridges across the aspiration gap – between the world as it is, and the world as we know it can be
— Secretary-General Guterres
Renewing the social contract
Our Common Agenda emphasizes renewing the social contract based on human rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable DevelopmentOpens in new window – the SDGs – the UN chief said.
This includes strengthening the public sector, creating green and digital jobs, ending violence against women, and promoting human rights.
“The high-impact initiatives set out at the SDG Summit will enable us to step up our activities,” the UN chief said.
Youth and the future
The report recognizes the key role of young people and future generations, harnessing their energy and creativity through a new UN Youth Office.
The goal is to make global governance more responsive and accountable to their needs, with a focus on climate and education, he said.
Transforming global governance
The report also places an emphasis on adapting intergovernmental decision-making to modern realities, including discussions on strengthening global governance in areas like health, environment, and digital cooperation.
Proposals for deep reforms to international financial architecture are gaining traction globally and will be pursued at key meetings, including the COP28 climate conference in Dubai this year, and next year’s Summit of the Future.
UN 2.0
The Secretary-General also highlighted that steps are being taken to transform the UN system by updating its culture and skills across key areas.
Initiatives include launching a Scientific Advisory Board, establishing a UN Futures Lab, and increasing engagement with stakeholders like civil society, parliamentarians, and the private sector.
Advisory bodies on regional government and artificial intelligence will also be set up, he said.
Next steps
Mr. Guterres highlighted his policy briefsOpens in new window on the proposals of Our Common Agenda, the report of the High-Level Advisory Board on Effective MultilateralismOpens in new window, and the SDG SummitOpens in new window in High Level WeekOpens in new window that provide a successful model for next year’s marquee summit.
“Together, we have already taken significant steps towards the inclusive, effective, networked multilateralism that our circumstances demand,” he said, urging governments for their strong engagement in the coming days.