Reforming and getting a new way of doing business in major global institutions has become a call from various stakeholders as the world revolves dramatically. The act of inclusivity and multilateral partnership should be a ground foundation in every international organ.
In recent scenarios, reforming the United Nations (UN) and other financial organizations of the world has been pivotal to represent the unrepresented. Some countries and continental blocs have also started to push forward for a better inclusion and representation in those global organs.
Again, the high- power blocs like the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and their member states have started to consider a better way to reform their system. The good part is that those global blocs have started to work on reforming and introducing better platforms for all member states to be represented and have a better share in all aspects.
In recent times, the United Nations has adopted a new platform in order to exercise the long awaited fair inclusion in the world arena. The ‘Pact for the Future’, which UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described as a landmark agreement that is a “step-change towards more effective, inclusive, networked multilateralism.
Leaders pledged to bolster the multilateral system to keep pace with a changing world and to protect the needs and interests of current and future generations facing persistent crisis, according to media reports.
This Pact is the culmination of an inclusive, years-long process to adapt international cooperation to the realities of today and the challenges of tomorrow. The Pact for the Future includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations.
The most wide-ranging international agreement in many years, covering entirely new areas as well as issues on which agreement has not been possible in decades; the Pact aims above all to ensure that international institutions can deliver in the face of a world that has changed dramatically since they were created.
Overall, the agreement of the Pact is a strong statement of countries’ commitment to the United Nations, the international system and international law.
Leaders set out a clear vision of an international system that can deliver on its promises, is more representative of today’s world and draws on the energy and expertise of governments, civil society and other key partners.
“The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations open the door to new opportunities and untapped possibilities,” said the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during his remarks at the opening of the Summit of the Future.
The President of the General Assembly noted that the Pact would “lay the foundations for a sustainable, just, and peaceful global order – for all peoples and nations.”
The Pact covers a broad range of issues including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance.
The Declaration on Future Generations focuses on securing the well-being of future generations, also highlighting the need to include their interests in decision-making processes. It also underlines the importance of protecting the environment, promoting intergenerational equity, and ensuring that long-term consequences of today’s actions are considered.
By the same token, the Ethiopian delegation led by Amb. Taye Atske-Selassie also took part in the UN Summit of the Future in New York. The United Nations (UN) must be at the center of effective multilateralism by overcoming the influences coming from selective national interests, Foreign Minister Ambassador Taye said.
The Summit calls for scaled up cooperation and multilateralism by adopting three negotiated documents: Pact for the Future, Declaration on Future Generations and Global Digital Compact and participating in an interactive dialogue under the banner “Enhancing multilateralism for international peace and security. He also said that the UN needs to augment its human and other resources to provide a trusted convening platform for contentious issues.
During the course of his speech, the foreign minister underscores the need to shift from rivalry to cooperation, enhance tolerance for policy differences, and build bridges to attain the most basic global development agenda. He also stressed the need for better prioritization, enhanced solidarity, and political commitment in the UN to assist nations in their efforts to eradicate poverty within their policy choice.
Speaking on the efforts to reform the UN, Ambassador Taye called on the UN Security Council to carry out its functions and preserve its authority and to respond to the quest for representation by Africa.
In his quest for respect to the foundation principles that constituted the UN charter, he said no rule, regional grouping, or alliance should be allowed to undermine the principles of sovereignty and sovereign equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, the prohibition of the threat or the use of force, and peaceful resolution of disputes.
In addition, according to the official document of the pact of the Future, it disclosed five major objectives achieve the south after goal namely: close all digital divides and accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals; expand inclusion in and benefits from the digital economy for all; foster an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space that respects, protects and promote human rights; advance responsible, equitable and interoperable data governance approaches; and enhance international governance of artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity.
In order to seize the opportunity that present generations possess to leave a better future for generations to come and to fulfill the commitment to meet the demands of the present in a way that safeguards the needs and interests of future generations, while leaving no one behind, based on the official document.
The document disclosed some guiding principles including: the maintenance of international peace and security, and the full respect for international law; the pursuit and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, encompassing civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, which includes the right to development, must be respected, protected and promoted, without distinction or discrimination of any kind; the opportunity for future generations to thrive in prosperity and achieve sustainable development must be ensured, and acknowledging the special challenges faced by the most vulnerable countries, in particular African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2024
