Context
The UN75 initiative, a year-long global conversation, has gathered input from over 13 million people worldwide to identify key global trends and ideas for enhanced global cooperation. The document presents preliminary results and analysis from surveys and dialogues, highlighting the top priorities for creating a better world, including environmental protection, human rights, and reducing conflict. The survey data reveals a strong consensus on the importance of countries working together to manage global trends, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report emphasizes the need for bottom-up approaches, partnerships, and inclusivity in policy-making to address global challenges effectively. The UN75 initiative aims to provide valuable insights for the implementation of the UN75 Political Declaration and foster resilience in the face of global risks.
The public’s priorities for ‘the world we want to create’ emerging in the UN75 initiative were: environmental protection, protection of human rights, less conflict, equal access to basic services, and zero discrimination.
The top three priorities emerging from the survey were: environmental protection, protection of human rights, and less conflict.
The top three priorities emerging from the dialogues were: a more secure/peaceful world; a world with equal access to basic services; and a world without discrimination and with representation based on race, gender, origins, religion, disability and health status.
When asked whether they believed people would be better off or worse off in 25 years, survey respondents were split almost equally, with optimists slightly outnumbering pessimists; the young generally more optimistic than older age groups; and men generally more optimistic than women.
The top three global trends emerging in the UN75 initiative are: climate and the environment, armed conflict/ violence, and health risks.
Rise in survey responses that emphasize health risks since early March. This trend to continue as the effects of COVID-19 are felt around the world.
Survey respondents who prioritized environmental trends tended to place greater emphasis on the need for countries to work together, than those who prioritized socio-economic and violent trends.
The main trends discussed in dialogues, in terms of risks and proposed actions, were:
Climate and the environment;
Poverty and inequality;
New technologies;
Security threats;
Population changes; and
A breakdown of trust between governments, and between people and governments.
An overwhelming majority—95%--of respondents agreed on the need for countries to work together to manage current global trends, with a noticeable uptick as COVID-19 began to spread around the world.
95% of survey respondents indicated that international cooperation is either ‘essential’ or ‘very important’ to manage global trends.
The survey data shows a noticeable uptick in perceived importance of countries working together since late February 2020, as the socio-economic upheaval caused by COVID-19 spread around the world.
A number of ideas on how global cooperation could potentially be enhanced emerged from the dialogues: adopting more of a bottom up approach to developing solutions; more effective global partnerships and platforms for cooperation/ knowledge sharing; and greater involvement of women, youth, indigenous and vulnerable groups in policy/decision-making.
The report highlights the priorities and expectations of international cooperation as expressed by more than 1.5 million people from 195 countries who participated in the initiative. Here are the main findings:
Priorities for recovering better from the pandemic
Universal access to healthcare was the top immediate priority globally.
More investment in education and youth programs was a high priority, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and Central and Southern Asia.
Access to safe water and sanitation was another critical immediate priority for respondents across all human development levels.
Global solidarity and support to the hardest hit people and communities, as well as addressing inequalities deepened by COVID-19, were prioritized, particularly in low and middle-income countries.
Outlook for 2045: Threats and challenges
Globally, more respondents believed people will be better off in 2045 than today.
Respondents in Sub-Saharan Africa were the most optimistic about the future, while those in Northern America, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Oceania and Antarctica were more pessimistic.
Respondents in regions with lower human development countries and those living in conflict situations tended to express greater optimism about the future.
Long-term priorities for the future
More environmental protection was the number one long-term priority globally.
Climate change and environmental issues were identified as the number one long-term global challenge.
Other long-term priorities varied according to income levels, including employment opportunities, respect for human rights, and reducing conflict.
Views on international cooperation and the United Nations
97% of respondents believe that international cooperation is important for addressing global challenges.
The degree of importance of international cooperation varied across regions, with respondents from Northern America viewing it most favorably.
Respondents in higher human development countries tended to perceive the need for international cooperation as greater than those in lower human development countries.
COVID-19 increased the view of the importance of greater cooperation between countries for the majority of respondents globally.
Expectations from the United Nations:
Participants called for moral leadership, a reformed and more representative UN Security Council, and a revised Charter that includes pressing global challenges like climate change.
They also emphasized the need for continued management and leadership reforms, more inclusive hiring practices, and improved implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of UN programs.
Participants wanted an inclusive and participatory UN system that shows more care for the needs of ordinary people and solves international problems more effectively
The Heads of State and Government gathered on 21 September 2020 at the high-level meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations.
The United Nations was established to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and has catalyzed decolonization, promoted freedom, shaped norms for international development, and worked to eradicate disease.
The United Nations has helped to mitigate conflicts, saved lives through humanitarian action, and provided education to millions of children.
Despite its achievements, the world still faces challenges such as inequality, poverty, armed conflicts, terrorism, climate change, and pandemics.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the interconnectedness of our challenges and the need for reinvigorated multilateralism.
Strengthening international cooperation in peace and security, development, and human rights is crucial.
The next 10 years, designated as the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development, are critical for achieving the 2030 Agenda.
Protecting the planet is essential, and urgent action is needed to curb greenhouse gas emissions and achieve sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Peace must be promoted and conflicts resolved through peaceful means, with a focus on upholding international law and addressing threats to international peace and security.
International law and justice are indispensable foundations for a more peaceful, prosperous, and just world.
Women and girls must be placed at the center of efforts, with their equal and active participation necessary for resolving conflicts and achieving sustainable development.
Growing inequality within and among countries undermines trust and contributes to acts of xenophobia, racism, intolerance, hate speech, and disinformation.
Digital cooperation is crucial, with digital technologies offering opportunities but also posing challenges that must be addressed to ensure their beneficial usage.
The United Nations needs to adapt to the changing world and continue ongoing reforms to become a more agile, effective, and accountable organization.
Sustainable and predictable funding of the United Nations is necessary for realizing aspirations, and transparency, accountability, and efficient use of resources must be enhanced.
Partnerships across borders and society are essential for addressing today's challenges effectively.
Meaningful engagement with youth is crucial for peace and development, and their voices must be included in discussions about their future.
Preparedness for crises, including health-related ones like the COVID-19 pandemic, needs to be improved through international cooperation, coordination, and solidarity.
Global action and progress achieved in the last 75 years must be built upon to ensure the future we want, with mobilization of resources, strengthened efforts, and unprecedented political will and leadership.
The Secretary-General is requested to report back with recommendations to advance the common agenda and respond to current and future challenges before the end of the seventy-fifth session of the General Assembly.
The report proposes a new agenda for peace that recognizes the need for a comprehensive and revitalized approach to peacebuilding and conflict prevention. The agenda focuses on six core areas for action, including reducing strategic risks, strengthening international foresight and capacities, reshaping responses to all forms of violence, investing in prevention and peacebuilding, supporting regional prevention, and putting women and girls at the center of security policy. It aims to enhance global efforts in preventing conflicts, promoting peacebuilding, and addressing emerging risks to global peace and security. The agenda emphasizes the importance of addressing root causes of conflicts, promoting social cohesion, and ensuring the inclusion and participation of all stakeholders. It also highlights the need for effective multilateralism, cooperation between regional and global actors, and coordination between different pillars of the United Nations.
The report recognizes the limitations of relying solely on GDP as a measure of progress and prosperity. It emphasizes the need to go beyond GDP and develop complementary measures that take into account human well-being, planetary sustainability, and the distributional dimensions of economic activity. The report suggests that GDP fails to capture important factors such as non-market services, care work, environmental degradation, and inequality. It proposes the exploration and implementation of alternative measures to GDP, such as the Human Development Index, the Multidimensional Poverty Index, the Inequality-Adjusted Human Development Index, and Ecosystem Accounting. The report also emphasizes the need to validate and value the care economy, recognize unpaid care work in economic models, and invest in quality paid care. Additionally, it highlights the importance of accounting for and valuing the vast informal economy. Overall, the report advocates for a shift in how we measure progress and prosperity, moving beyond GDP and considering a broader range of factors that contribute to human well-being, sustainability, and equality.
The report proposes the establishment of Emergency Platforms as a response to complex global crises. These platforms would serve as mechanisms to facilitate coordinated and rapid responses to emergencies, bringing together various stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector. The report emphasizes the need to strengthen and expand emergency platforms to enhance preparedness and response capacities. It suggests leveraging technology and innovation, ensuring adequate funding and resources, and establishing a global emergency platform for timely and coordinated responses to crises. The purpose of these platforms would be to coordinate and mobilize resources, expertise, and support, and to enhance cooperation, information sharing, and decision-making in times of crisis. The report aims to strengthen global preparedness and response to complex global crises by providing a coordinated and inclusive platform for collaboration and action.
The report recognizes the increasing importance of outer space and the need for effective governance to ensure its peaceful and sustainable use for the benefit of all humanity. It proposes several actions to strengthen outer space governance, including strengthening international cooperation, addressing space debris, promoting space sustainability, ensuring equitable access and benefits, and strengthening the role of the United Nations. The report also suggests the establishment of a new global platform for outer space governance and emphasizes the importance of international cooperation, adherence to existing treaties, and addressing the digital divide. It calls for a collective and inclusive approach to outer space governance, with the aim of promoting peaceful, sustainable, and equitable use of outer space. The report also proposes the development of a global regime to coordinate space traffic and prevent the weaponization of outer space, and suggests the organization of a multi-stakeholder dialogue on outer space as part of a Summit of the Future. The report highlights the need for updated norms, enhanced cooperation, and inclusive dialogue to ensure the peaceful and responsible exploration and use of outer space. It also emphasizes the importance of placing women and girls at the center of security policy in outer space and calls for their active participation and equal representation in decision-making processes. Overall, the report underscores the significance of a comprehensive and inclusive approach to outer space governance, taking into account the interests and concerns of all countries and stakeholders.
The report recognizes the importance of considering the interests and well-being of future generations in decision-making processes. It emphasizes the principle of intergenerational equity and the responsibility of present generations towards future generations. The report proposes several actions to ensure the representation and protection of future generations, including the establishment of committees or commissioners for the future at the national level and exploring options to represent succeeding generations within the United Nations system. It also encourages Member States to reflect duties to future generations in their constitutions and national legislative frameworks and suggests the development of a Declaration on Future Generations. The report highlights the need to prioritize the interests and well-being of future generations in decision-making processes, both at the national and international levels, and calls for the establishment of mechanisms and frameworks that ensure the long-term sustainability and prosperity of future generations.
The report recognizes the growing concern over information integrity on digital platforms and emphasizes the need to address this issue. It suggests the development of a Global Digital Compact to outline shared principles for a trustworthy internet. The report calls for the regulation of artificial intelligence, protection of human rights online, and accountability criteria for discrimination and misleading content. It also highlights the importance of stronger governance and regulatory frameworks for the digital domain, including the adaptation and reform of the Internet Governance Forum. The report emphasizes the role of collaborative efforts, global norms, and principles to address the challenges posed by the digital domain and ensure the accuracy, reliability, and responsible dissemination of information on digital platforms.
The "Our Common Agenda" report emphasizes the importance of an open, free, and secure digital future for all individuals. It recognizes the potential of digital technologies to drive social and economic progress, but also acknowledges the challenges and risks associated with them. The report calls for the development of a Global Digital Compact that promotes principles such as universal access to the internet, avoiding internet fragmentation, protecting data privacy, and applying human rights online. It emphasizes the need for inclusive digital cooperation, involving governments, private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders, to ensure that digital technologies benefit everyone and leave no one behind. The report also highlights the importance of digital inclusivity, bridging the digital divide, and ensuring equal access to digital resources and opportunities. It emphasizes the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect individuals and societies from cyber threats and calls for the promotion of digital literacy and digital skills training to empower individuals in the digital age. Overall, the report emphasizes the need for collective action and global cooperation to create an open, free, and secure digital future that benefits all individuals and promotes inclusive and sustainable development.
The report recognizes the need for reforms to the international financial architecture to address the challenges and vulnerabilities in the global financial system. It emphasizes the importance of sustainable financing for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and calls for greater coordination and cooperation among international financial institutions, regional development banks, and other stakeholders. The report highlights the need to enhance the effectiveness and responsiveness of these institutions, improve governance and decision-making processes, and align financial flows with sustainable development objectives. It also emphasizes the need to address issues of debt sustainability, promote responsible lending and borrowing practices, and ensure fair representation and voice for all member states. The report calls for collective action and cooperation to achieve these reforms and create a more inclusive and resilient global financial system.
The report recognizes the transformative power of education in achieving sustainable development and calls for comprehensive reforms to transform education systems worldwide. It emphasizes the need to provide quality education for all individuals, regardless of their age, gender, or socio-economic background. The report highlights the importance of lifelong learning and skills development to adapt to the changing demands of the future.
To transform education, the report proposes several key actions:
Inclusive and equitable education: The report calls for the removal of barriers to education and the promotion of inclusive and equitable education systems. This includes addressing gender disparities, ensuring access to education for marginalized groups, and providing support for learners with disabilities.
Quality education and teacher training: The report emphasizes the need for quality education that equips learners with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for sustainable development. It calls for investments in teacher training and professional development to ensure that educators are equipped to deliver quality education.
Digital transformation: The report recognizes the potential of digital technologies in enhancing access to education and improving learning outcomes. It calls for the integration of digital tools and resources in education systems and the promotion of digital literacy among learners and educators.
Transforming curriculum and pedagogy: The report emphasizes the need to update curriculum and pedagogy to align with the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. It calls for a shift towards learner-centered approaches, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
Partnerships and financing: The report highlights the importance of partnerships between governments, civil society, private sector, and international organizations to mobilize resources and support education reforms. It calls for increased financing for education, including domestic investment and international aid.
The report recognizes the importance of youth engagement in shaping the future and calls for meaningful and inclusive participation of young people in decision-making processes at all levels. It acknowledges that young people are key stakeholders in achieving sustainable development and emphasizes the need to empower and involve them in policy development, implementation, and evaluation.
To enhance youth engagement, the report proposes several key actions:
Removing barriers to political participation: The report calls for the removal of legal and practical barriers that hinder young people's participation in political processes. This includes lowering the voting age, promoting youth representation in political institutions, and creating platforms for young people to voice their opinions and concerns.
Measuring progress and accountability: The report emphasizes the importance of measuring and monitoring progress in youth engagement and ensuring accountability. It calls for the development of indicators and benchmarks to assess the participation and representation of young people in decision-making processes.
Strengthening youth-led organizations and networks: The report highlights the need to support and strengthen youth-led organizations and networks. It calls for increased funding, capacity-building, and mentorship opportunities for young leaders and organizations working on youth issues.
Transforming education and skills training: The report recognizes the role of education and skills training in empowering young people and preparing them for active citizenship. It calls for reforms in education systems to promote critical thinking, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship skills.
Promoting digital engagement: The report acknowledges the importance of digital platforms and technologies in facilitating youth engagement. It calls for the promotion of digital literacy and the creation of online spaces for young people to connect, share ideas, and participate in decision-making processes.
Supporting youth-led initiatives: The report emphasizes the need to support and scale up youth-led initiatives that address social, economic, and environmental challenges. It calls for increased funding, mentorship, and recognition of youth-led projects and innovations.
The concept of "UN 2.0" refers to the need for a revitalized and reformed United Nations that is better equipped to address the complex challenges of the 21st century. It recognizes that the world has changed significantly since the establishment of the United Nations and that the organization needs to adapt and evolve to remain effective and relevant. The "Our Common Agenda" report proposes several key actions to achieve UN 2.0, including strengthening multilateralism, enhancing global governance, promoting partnerships, harnessing digital technologies, strengthening peace and security efforts, and advancing sustainable development. The concept of UN 2.0 reflects the recognition that the United Nations needs to adapt and transform itself to effectively address the challenges and opportunities of the modern world.
The Summit of the Future is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address current and future challenges faced by the world. It was initiated in response to the shared threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, technological advances, and stagnation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The summit aims to strengthen global governance, restore trust in multilateralism, and accelerate the implementation of existing commitments while addressing gaps in global governance that have emerged since 2015.
The summit is scheduled to take place in September 2024, building on the 2023 SDG Summit. Its outcome will be an intergovernmentally negotiated, action-oriented Pact for the Future. The pact will consist of a chapeau and five chapters focusing on:
sustainable development and financing
international peace and security
science, technology and innovation
youth and future generations
transforming global governance
The Secretary-General's proposals for the summit cover a wide range of areas. They include:
accelerating the achievement of each SDG by leveraging digital technologies,
enhancing international cooperation
addressing inequalities
promoting sustainable finance
advancing gender equality
improving healthcare
ensuring access to clean energy and water
promoting sustainable cities
combating climate change
protecting biodiversity
promoting peace and justice, and strengthening partnerships
The proposals also emphasize safeguarding the interests of future generations by avoiding foreseeable harms and representing their interests through an Envoy, a political declaration, and the use of foresight, data, and science to evaluate the future impact of policies and actions.
Additionally, the proposals aim to manage global shocks through the establishment of a time-bound Emergency Platform that would enhance international responses to complex global challenges.
The proposal also prioritizes the meaningful inclusion of young people in decision-making processes through the establishment of national youth consultative bodies, a global standard for meaningful youth engagement, and avenues for youth participation in UN decision-making.
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