New York: World leaders today signed the Pact for the Future, which contains a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations. This agreement marks the end of an inclusive, years-long process to adapt international cooperation to today’s realities and tomorrow’s challenges.
The Pact is the most comprehensive international agreement in many years, covering both new and previously unresolved issues. Its primary goal is to ensure that international institutions can deliver in the face of a world that has changed dramatically since their inception.
The Pact addresses a wide range of topics, including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender equality, youth and future generations, and global governance reform. One of the Pact’s key outcomes was the first comprehensive worldwide framework for digital cooperation and artificial intelligence governance.
Overall, the Pact agreement demonstrates countries’ commitment to the United Nations, the international system, and international law. Leaders set out a clear vision of an international system that can keep its commitments, is more representative of today’s world, and capitalizes on the energy and experience of governments, civil society, and other key partners.
The Compact is built around a commitment to designing, using, and governing technology for the benefit of everyone. World leaders have committed to connecting all people, schools, and hospitals to the Internet and promoting digital collaboration in accordance with human rights and international laws.
This marks the first global commitment to data governance, putting it on the UN agenda and compelling countries to take action by 2030.
The Secretary-General highlighted the potential of the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations during the Summit of the Future.