Interactive Dialogue 2: Summit of the Future – General Assembly, 79th session

Interactive Dialogue 2: Enhancing multilateralism for international peace and security.

In a world characterized by increasing geopolitical tensions, the emergence of a multipolar, world and the persistent threat of conflicts, terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, the need for robust and comprehensive multilateral solutions to address challenges to international peace and security has never been more pressing. Furthermore, the evolving conflict and heightened tensions, as well as the intersection of new technologies with associated security implications also present challenges in all domains. Recent trends have also shown increase in hate speech, fueling divisions and intolerance. The challenges facing the international community are too great for any nation, small or large, to tackle alone.  

Multilateralism offers the only viable way to effectively tackle these threats, to address root causes, and build lasting and sustainable peace grounded in inclusive and just societies. To this end, the United Nations and its Member States must reinvigorate their approach towards the ultimate goal of the Charter: a world free from the scourge of war while also ensuring women’s full, equal and meaningful participation at all levels of decision making on peace and security.  

In its Declaration on the commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, the United Nations General Assembly expressed its collective commitment to promote peace and to prevent the outbreak of conflict. However, in recent years, the objective of maintaining global peace and security and sustaining peace has increasingly become elusive, and the United Nations must do much more to better address the challenges of the 21st century and beyond. To achieve this, the diplomatic toolbox of the United Nations Charter offers the most viable path forward. Long overdue reform of the Security Council remains essential.  In addition, a revitalized General Assembly and strengthened Peacebuilding Commission, as well as enhanced partnerships with other relevant organizations and stakeholders, are important elements of a multilateral peace and security architecture which better reflects today’s political realities.  In this regard, the SecretaryGeneral through his policy brief “A New Agenda for Peace”, calls for renewed dialogue, rebuilding trust and solidarity, and emphasizing the imperative for collective action towards global peace and security. 

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The Summit of the Future (22-23 September 2024) is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance cooperation on critical challenges and address gaps in global governance, reaffirm existing commitments including to the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Charter, and move towards a reinvigorated multilateral system that is better positioned to positively impact people’s lives.

The Summit of the Future is a high-level event, bringing world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future.

Effective global cooperation is increasingly critical to our survival but difficult to achieve in an atmosphere of mistrust, using outdated structures that no longer reflect today’s political and economic realities.

World leaders will convene at the United Nations to adopt the Pact for the Future, which will include a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations as annexes.