Discussion I: Civil Society Recommendations on the 5 Chapters of the Pact for the Future, Declaration on Future Generations, and Global Digital Compact
The afternoon portion of the day began with the discussion “Civil Society Recommendations on the 5 Chapters of the Pact for the Future, Declaration on Future Generations, and Global Digital Compact”. Moderated by Tawanda Mutasah, Vice President of Global Partnerships and Impact, Oxfam America and Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the discussion heard from the rapporteurs of the five chapters, who summarized the key recommendations discussed in the workshops held earlier in the day.
CAIRO EUBANKS, Chair, DGC Civil Society Youth Representative Steering Committee, said she had first attended a UN Civil Society Conference in New York in 2018. As a youth advocate, she was ecstatic that 40 percent of conference attendees were youth, as she had seen the power of intergenerational and intercultural collaboration. This would create ripples of change throughout local and global communities for years to come.
MELISSA FLEMING, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, said the Conference constituted a unique opportunity to shape the way forward, which could meaningfully contribute to the Summit of the Future. Thousands of civil society organizations were on the ground around the world, performing humanitarian functions, monitoring policies and encouraging political participation at the community level. They were often under attack both online and offline, and needed support. It was crucial for the UN to consult and interact with global civil society. The Conference presented a unique change to reflect on the pact of the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations, and to consider the ways civil society could play into the implementation of these activities.
Chapter 1
____________________
Speakers from Chapter 1, said direct participation was needed when discussing the Pact for the Future. The Chapter also needed to recognize and address systematic barriers to achieving sustainable development. The Sustainable Development Goals were not progressing enough; in fact, they were backtracking. All member states should run their own national strategic plans and make big transformations around food, technology and education, among others. All States did not have equal opportunities to implement the SDGs, which was wrong. There needed to be a move towards a new global deal, which meant sharing technological solutions, ensuring trade was leveraging development, and addressing the financial bottleneck.
TAWANDA MUTASAH, Vice President of Global Partnerships and Impact, Oxfam America, said civil society was the energy and efforts happening for the social and public good. These entities needed to be woven into the fabric of multilateralism, rather than be worn as an accessory after the fact.
Chapter 2
____________________
Speakers from Chapter 2, said today, world leaders created armed conflict rather than resolving it. The world was in a new global arms race with financing for development only accounting for one-tenth of the money which was contributed towards conflict. Civil society demanded an urgent redirection of military expenditure and called on governments to end war and military occupation. The Security Council needed to fundamentally abolish the entrenched power of permanent members. The Chapter needed to recognize that older persons and those living with disabilities were disproportionately affected by conflict. Civil society needed to work with governments to reduce military spending, and demand it to be converted into investments in social infrastructure.
Chapter 3 & Global and Digital Compact
____________________
Speakers from Chapter 3 and the Global Digital Compact, said a Compact of this nature on technology had been needed for three decades. The Compact principles were centered in human rights, but the gaps were restricted by the modality of intergovernmental processes. It was important acknowledge the lack of civil society voices in these processes. The Compact in its current form did a great job of using technology to push the sustainable agenda but didn’t address technology itself. It was important to consider how to orientate science, technology and information, towards tech-for-good. To be able to do things in-house and not outsource to the private sector, there needed to be substantial funding within Governments, to build up the capacity of the public service.
Chapter 4 & Declaration on Future Generations
____________________
Speakers from Chapter 4 and Declaration on Future Generations, said young people from the grassroots had come together since 2020 to organize participation at the Summit of the Future. Youth indicators should be included across national plans and youth forums should avoid handpicking only one or two declarations, as it was a disservice to youth organizations within the planning process. There should be no more closed spaces; no more panels with no consultation or feedback mechanisms. The establishment of the UN showed humanity resilience and problem-solving abilities. The Summit of the future provided an opportunity for a new global social contract.
Chapter 5
____________________
Speakers from Chapter 5, said civil society had many important ideas on transforming global governance. A few proposals from the workshops aimed to enhance participation at the United Nations. The UN was still an exclusive club of the executive branches of member states. To bring about change, a world citizens’ initiative should be created, so people could officially submit ideas to the UN; a UN parliamentary assembly should be established; and a global citizens assembly should be created. The Security Council should be urgently reformed and the work of the General Assembly should be revitalized to ensure equitable geographical coverage. The agenda for reforming the international financial architecture, should include increasing investment in clean energy, sustainable finance, and the transformation of financial institutions.
Chapeau
____________________
Speakers from Chapeau, said the Chapeau needed to go beyond protection from the elements, to include protection from fallen debris, including hunger, inequality, violence, terrorism and climate change, among others. The Pact shied away from addressing defense spending; if the war on poverty was a war, why did it not receive the same level of funding as all other wars? Welfare and social justice were inadequately addressed in the Pact. The Chapeau needed to be revised; the Conference presented a momentous occasion to turn fear into hope. The Pact needed to prioritize civil society as catalysts for transformative change. This ensured the holistic protection of human rights for all.
In closing remarks, Mr. MUTASAH, congratulated the rapporteurs for their efficiency in addressing “the what, the why and the how.” The “what” was clear; taking into account unpaid care work which must be effectively recognized, redistributed and renumerated. For the “why”; the challenges faced today were unrecognizable from when the UN started. Every State needed to have creative relationships with civil society, rather than shrinking civic space. As for the “how”, beyond the Nairobi conference, it was hoped the relationship between civil society and States would continue to flourish.
Ms. FLEMING, quoted the last speakers, saying that the ambition here needed to go from protection from the elements, to protection from falling debris. She thanked the Rapporteurs for their summaries.
Discussion II: Interactive dialogue
____________________
The next discussion was an interactive dialogue on “The 5 Chapters of the Pact for the Future, Declaration on Future Generations, Global Digital Compact, and cross-cutting issues.” Moderated by Guy Ryder, Under-Secretary-General for Policy and Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Executive Director, GWL Voices’, the discussion heard from the Co-facilitators of the Summit of the Future, with comments and questions from civil society.
In opening remarks, GUY RYDER, Under-Secretary-General for Policy, said the presence of the Co-facilitators of the Pact meant there would be a good connection with the ongoing process of negotiation of the documents in September. The overall objectives of the Summit were of the highest importance, to enable the multilateral system to address the current pressing global challenges.
MARIA FERNANDA ESPINOSA, Executive Director, GWL Voices’, said she was in awe of the amazing energy at the Conference. It was the first time after 68 occasions that the Conference was held in what was the Global majority, not the Global South. Three verbs to exercise this afternoon were: to talk; to listen; and to act. Everyone was here because they believed in the UN, but felt that it needed to be reimagined and rejuvenated. It was vital to imagine a utopic multilateral system, as an engine to moved forward.
Pact for the Future
____________________
NEVILLE GERTZE, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Namibia to the UN and Co-facilitator of the Summit of the Future, extended deep sympathies to the victims of the floods in Kenya. The Zero Draft of the Pact of the Future had been presented in January this year, following consultations last summer. 245 pages had proven to be a challenge, but this challenge was welcomed. It was important to review an outcome document full of ambition which had wide input from all stakeholders in the process. The Pact aimed to be action-oriented and move forward from the UN 75 commitments. The text was kept as concise as possible, without sacrificing balance. The Group was close to completing the revision one which they hoped to release to member Staes and the public next week. Groups would be given time to start negotiations at the end of May.
In the ensuing discussion, members of civil society said the Pact of the Future did not mention the UN’s need for charitable reform, as a key pathway for addressing the crisis of multilateralism. Would it be ensured that there was wording in the Pact calling for a UN charter reform indicative to be initiated beyond 2025? Did the Co-facilitators think it was urgent to include a formal request to UN member States to co-sponsor a draft resolution invoking article 109, which called for a general conference to review the UN Charter? Would it be ensured that the work done by global civil society at the Conference would be incorporated into the final version of the Pact?
The world was not on track to achieve gender equality by 2030. Gender equality was a priority issue. Access to sexual reproductive services was integral to gender equality; it was hoped there would be adherence to including this aspect. Historically marginalized groups needed to be recognized within the Pact. Governments needed to work in partnership with legitimate stakeholder groups and protect civil society groups. Civil society called for full participation at the General Assembly, as a critical gap in UN architecture. As 83 elections took place in 76 countries, there was a need for commitments in the Pact to outlast democratic shocks.
Civil society called on Member States to be more transparent and inclusive and ensure that the voices of all segments of society were reflected in the Pact of the Future. There needed to be an enhanced accountability mechanism within the multilateral system. The current financial architecture did not respond to the needs of African people; there needed to be reforms of the current finance infrastructure.
In response, ANTJE LEENDERTSE, Permanent Representative of Germany to the UN and Co-facilitator of the Summit of the Future, said the demand on the UN Charter reform was well noted. There had been many member states who had the same reasoning behind the demand, but had stopped short of demanding a fully-fledged UN Charter reform. There was not an initiative for the General Assembly reform, because it was seen as too visionary. But if visions were not brough to the public, reforms would not happen. Without the demands of civil society, there wouldn’t be the results which already happened. The revised Zero Draft would not include anything on the Security Council reform. In the member states, there was not a consensus for civil society to have a voice at the Security Council. It was important not to give up.
Mr. GERTZE, said there was some light shining through; members states were bringing civil society issues into discussions. When the negotiations started, civil society needed to remind delegations to fight for the issues dear to them. This was important in the process.
Declaration on Future Generations
____________________
YOKA M.G. BRANDT, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UN and Co-facilitator of the Declaration on Future Generations, said the voices of civil society mattered. The process of the Declaration had been structured in three phases; stakeholder consultations, held in January 2024; written inputs from regional groups, in February 2024; and written inputs to the Zero draft. It was expected the process would go through June. The Zero Draft did not have chapters, but contained a preamble of principles and commitments, anchored in the preamble of the United Nations, highlighting the need for intergenerational dialogue and investment in peace and prosperity. The commitments were a pledge to promote peaceful inclusive societies and address inequalities. The aim was to adopt a concise, ambitious, future-proof and action-oriented declaration. It would be a challenge, but the aim was to achieve a paradigm shift in the interests and needs of current and future generations, locally, nationally and globally.
In the discussion, civil society participants said it was important for the leaders of today to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for the present generations, to provide a foundation for generations to come. This would be achieved through structures such as financing and safe development. This was a declaration for the future, and the future was the children. Youth had hosted more than 30 consultations on the Summit since 2022. Young people called for the reform of the international financial architecture. The Pact should ask member States to include youth indicators across their national plans and language on children should be incorporated.
Today it was important to face a harsh truth; despite countless discussions, there was a glaring disparity between rhetoric and action. It was imperative to address the needs of future generations. This was where the Future Generations Pact emerged as a beacon of hope. There needed to be tangible commitments from leaders and it was paramount to build capacity within government structures. It was important that future jobs were decent, safe and free from exploitation. Member States should commit to invest in the sectors with decent job creation, including the care economy. There needed to be a new social contract, with rights for all workers.
In response, BRIAN WALLACE, Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the UN and Co-facilitator of the Declaration on Future Generations, said the comments from the floor reflected the high level of engagement with civil society. The Co-facilitators agreed with all the comments mentioned and had taken them on board in drafting the documents. The interests of children were very important and were taken into account. Climate action was a cross-cutting issue within the Pact. The views expressed today were welcome and would add energy to the negotiations over the next few months. Mr. Wallace looked forward to a declaration that was worthy of future generations.
The Global Digital Compact
____________________
ANNA-KARIN ENESTR?M, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN and Co-facilitator of the Global Digital Compact, said the Global Digital Compact was a once in a lifetime opportunity to agree on principles, actions and commitment for global cooperation. This was a transformative agenda which aimed to leave no one behind. There had been eight deep dives which brought participants from all parts of the multi stakeholder sphere to speak with member states in New York. The objective of the Global Digital Compact was to close the digital divide, including the gender divide. There were clear objectives for the Global Digital Compact and cross-cutting principles, including the importance of inclusion, human rights and gender equality. There were actionable and measurable commitments, and a strong follow-up section. The negotiation phase of the process had begun. The voices of civil society, to convince member states, were vital.
In the discussion, civil society representatives said large number of women and girls across the Global South faced multiple and intersecting form of exclusion at the digital level, including financial and faced violence online. There needed to be an equitable digital future for all. What were the ways in which communities could remain involved in the monitoring of progress after September? The future was equal and this outcome was underpinned by advancing an equal digital system for all. The follow-up and review commitments within the Zero Draft were welcomed.
There was no hope for meaningful connectivity and inclusion, without a human centric, human rights-based approach. Human rights needed to remain at the center of all agendas at national and regional levels. Nevertheless, human rights abuses within technology persisted. If these threats were not addressed in the compact, how could there be hope for the future? When there was evidence that commercial spyware technology facilitated human rights abuses, it should be banned. No technical and legal safeguards could fully eliminate the threats that biometric tools posed to human rights.
There was a call for a United Nations multi-disciplinary panel on Artificial Intelligence, and to monitor the processes in place. Could these be enhanced, and include strong participation from civil society? While Artificial Intelligence had potential benefits for good, its limitations could not be ignored. Africa needed to be treated as an equal digital partner. How did people who did not have access to basic technological infrastructure compete with those who had access to Artificial Intelligence? Real-world remedies must be implemented to boost digital solutions. Inclusive development which accelerated access to infrastructure and tools of digitalization, was vital. Digital literacy needed to be a part of the agenda to ensure digitalization was harnessed for safe and inclusive use.
In response, CHOLA MILAMBO, Permanent Representative of Zambia to the UN and Co-facilitator of the Global Digital Compact, thanked those who had provided inputs to the process. This was an age where there were major technological breakthroughs, which could change lives around global issues such as hunger and health. However, the picture was not the same everywhere. 32 percent of the population was not connected to the internet. Only 23 percent of countries had robust data collection laws. Risks were emerging which required a rapid and collective response. These discussions needed to be held at the United Nations. It was important that the Compact stood the test of time. Education was reflected within the text, and many of the issues raised today were reflected in the draft, including gender and the Global South. There needed to be a balance between the public and private sector to maintain innovation in technology, with the public good.
Speaking from the floor, a participant said it was important to mainstream youth in all the Chapters. Young people wanted an equal vote and a seat at the table. Democratic representation needed to be prioritized. One of the challenges of today was non-governmental organizations taking over the spaces and funding which should be dedicated to youth-led organizations. Ignoring the voices of youth was not only morally wrong, but also foolish. Another participant said there were more than 600,000 children in Gaza who were in grave danger. How could the killings of more than 10,000 children be justified? Concerns were raised about the lack mention of persons with Disabilities in the Pact of the Future; it was paramount that the Pact aligned itself with the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. All binding human rights commitments needed to be streamlined throughout the Compact; there also needed to be a gender perspective. The final speaker said there was a need to look at the new technologies which could help us to feed and heal ourselves; were we in the midst of sustainable development for life?
In closing remarks, Ms. ENESTR?M thanked participants for the energy in the discussions. Many had emphasized the importance of human rights online and offline and in mainstreaming this through the Global Digital Compact. It was important to look at how new technologies could be used to benefit humanity.
YANIQUE DA COSTA, Permanent Mission of Jamaica, speaking on behalf of Mr. WALLACE said thanked everyone for their contributions. It was hoped the same energy and interests could be brought to the sessions tomorrow, to adopt a declaration which could change how things were done worldwide.
Ms. LEENDERTSE said there needed to be a change to go for a pact that was ambitious. The voices of civil society were needed, and she looked forward to the second day of deliberations.
Ms. FERNANDA ESPINOSA thanked everyone for the enriching conversation. The co-facilitators would bring the insights from the dialogue to member states and the negotiation processes. Inclusion and sustained participation of civil society was of essence. Civil society would need to continue the work and advocacy to build bridges and contribute to the work of member states. Tomorrow was a day of action; there would be 20 ImPact Coalitions in the making, which would work towards bold, visionary proposals on what would be achievable utopias.
Mr. RYDER said the dialogue had reflected the essence of the Conference; the voices of civil society being exercised and heard by the Co-facilitators in Nairobi. Civil society had performed its essential function of raising ambition. No one should forget that the Pact was a work in progress. There was still a long way to go, and a difference could be made.
