The final session of the Summit of the Future Action Days was a platform for bold, new ideas aimed at making the world fairer, safer, and more sustainable for all. The event brought together a diverse group of individuals, including world leaders, mayors, legislators, civil society members, the private sector, academics, artists, activists, and young changemakers. UN Secretary-General António Guterres set the tone for the day by emphasizing the importance of effective, inclusive, networked multilateralism in addressing the global challenges we face.
Guterres reflected on the state of the world four years ago when the process that led to the Summit began. He highlighted the various crises, including conflict, inequalities, climate chaos, unregulated technologies, and threats to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He emphasized the need for reforming and renewing the international system to ensure it is equipped to tackle the challenges of the future.
The Summit of the Future Action Days aimed to bring together stakeholders from around the world to exchange ideas, collaborate on solutions, and drive progress towards a more sustainable future. The event sought to address pressing issues such as climate change, poverty, gender inequality, and social justice through innovative approaches and collective action.
One of the key themes of the Summit was the role of young changemakers in driving positive change. Global Youth Ambassador Oluwaseun Ikusika from Nigeria highlighted the importance of world leaders intervening to address issues such as genocide and femicide. She called for a full commitment to protection to ensure progress towards the goals set for 2030. Similarly, youth activist Hannah Ettelstein from the United States emphasized the need for meaningful action beyond rhetoric. She urged the UN to implement concrete measures to bring about real change and include young people in decision-making processes.
The Summit also featured Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, best known for his role in HBO’s Game of Thrones, who serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Development Programme (UNDP). Coster-Waldau is a passionate advocate for climate action and gender equality, and he highlighted the importance of global collaboration in addressing these critical issues. He praised the UN for bringing together over 190 countries to work towards common goals, despite the challenges and slow progress at times.
Overall, the Summit of the Future Action Days was a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and inspiration. It showcased the power of collective action and the importance of engaging diverse voices in shaping a more sustainable and equitable world. As we look towards the future, it is clear that bold, innovative ideas and inclusive multilateralism will be key to addressing the complex challenges we face as a global community.
