The United Nations Summit of the Future meets this weekend in a bid to boost cooperation on a broad range of pressing global challenges.
What's new: U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday implored major powers to approve a compromise “Pact of the Future” at the summit, held on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly's annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. in New York. The summit opens on Friday with two "action" days, followed by two "summit" days.
What's next: From climate change, pandemics and food shortages to wars, conflicts and poverty, the summit spearheaded by the U.N. chief will attempt to overcome fracture lines in multilateralism that have been dividing major powers and the developing world. Organizers also hope to renew faith in the world body's ability to resolve conflicts and crises.
What's important: "We need maximum ambition during these final days of negotiation. Because the challenges we face are moving much faster than our ability to solve them," says Guterres.
Who's involved: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba hosted a "global call" for support last week. Leaders of 49 countries recorded videos expressing their hopes for the summit.
"The future of the United Nations hinges on our ability to act as a more inclusive, effective and innovative platform," Mbumba says. "We must ensure that the U.N. remains the primary forum where global problems are discussed and solutions are forged."
What's on the agenda: The U.N. hopes to clinch an inter-governmentally negotiated and "action-oriented" draft Pact for the Future.
The 30-page draft, negotiated for months, covers sustainable development, financing, peace and security, science and technology, innovation, digital cooperation, youth and future generations, and global governance.
