12 Proposals
Intergenerational Vision for the Future
By Our Future Agenda – UN Foundation
As we stand at the crossroads of history, the challenges we face—ranging from climate change and inequality to global health crises and geopolitical tensions— demand bold, coordinated, and transformative actions.
The Summit of the Future represents a pivotal moment in our collective efforts to foster a sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future. The proposals presented here are derived from the current version of the Pact for the Future, drafted by member states through an intergovernmental process.
These proposals also align with the key recommendations from over 170 child, youth, and futures-focused organizations that have contributed to this process. Together, they aim to address these challenges head-on, ensuring that our global governance systems evolve to meet the needs of current and future generations.
1. Unlocking Financing and Global South Leadership
Provide financial support to young countries across Africa and Asia while tackling unfair barriers that prevent those most at risk from achieving the SDG and Climate Goals.
- Action 2 (a): Expedite implementation of the key elements of an SDG Stimulus at the UN and in other relevant forums.
- Action 2 (b): Scale up and fulfill ODA commitments, aiming for 0.7% of GNI for ODA.
- Action 2 (c): Focus development assistance on the poorest and most vulnerable.
- Action 2 (d): Create a more enabling global environment for mobilizing domestic resources.
- Action 2 (h): Catalyze increased private sector investment in sustainable development.
- Action 2 (i): Secure an ambitious outcome at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in 2025.
"Our generation has the vision. What we need is the resources to turn it into reality for our most vulnerable communities. Ensuring financial support for the young countries in the Global South means investing in a just, brighter and more resilient future for all."
2. Empowering Young People in International Cooperation
Encourage young people to make a difference in the world by providing them with tools and opportunities to work with other generations for positive change.
- Action 34 (a): Establish national youth consultative bodies with mandates and resources for policymaking.
- Action 34 (b): Set up intergenerational dialogues to build stronger partnerships.
- Action 34 (c): Remove barriers preventing meaningful participation of all young people.
- Action 34 (d): Promote youth representation in formal political structures.
- Action 34 (g): Report on progress at the 2025 High-level plenary meeting.
- Action 35 (b): Include youth delegates in national delegations at key UN events.
- Action 35 (d): Develop a global standard for meaningful youth engagement in the UN’s work.
"To uphold and enhance the culture of democratic participation that has been instrumental in bringing about sustainable and fair changes to society, it is important to include young people. The right tools and opportunities unleash positive dynamics among people. Sustainable development cannot occur without empowering young men and women."
3. Global Debt Relief to Ease the Load
Urgent debt relief is necessary for young countries spending five times more on debt than on the future. Establish a long-term solution to break the cycle of debt and climate crises.
- Action 43 (a): Enhance the representation and voice of developing countries in the IMF.
- Action 43 (b): Enhance the representation and voice of developing countries in the World Bank and other multilateral development banks.
- Action 44 (a): Deliver a significant increase in resources for the International Development Association.
- Action 44 (c): Fully implement recommendations from reviews of Capital Adequacy Frameworks.
- Action 45 (a): Drive a proactive global response to the debt crisis.
- Action 45 (b): Independently review the sovereign debt architecture.
"The proposal on Global Debt Relief focuses on revising the sovereign debt architecture to increase government expenditures for the SDGs and the “representation and voice” of developing countries in multilateral financial institutions. We need long-term financial solutions in developing countries to empower young people by creating jobs, advancing economic growth, and embedding sustainability and resilience in all functions of society."
4. Urgent Climate Justice to Leave No One Behind
Address systemic inequalities to ensure young countries are integral to setting global climate policy and agenda.
- Action 8 (c): Increase support to developing countries for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
- Action 8 (d): Accelerate clean and renewable energy technologies.
- Action 8 (f): Increase accessibility of climate finance vehicles.
- Action 8 (g): Deliver on the call for universal early warning systems by 2027.
- Action 8 (h): Present options for improved financing for consideration at the Fourth Conference on Financing for Development.
- Action 9 (a): Commit to halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.
- Action 9 (d): Finalize negotiations on a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution by 2024.
"Young and developing countries have the lowest per capita carbon footprints, yet they are the most climate-vulnerable regions globally. Climate change threatens access to basic rights: affordable food, water, energy, and resilient incomes for billions of young people in these regions along with causing severe damage to life and property via extreme events of heatwaves, floods, and droughts. These proposals are going to be key in securing a safe, just, and equitable future for you and me!"
5. New Agenda for Peace
The UN needs to change its approach to achieving peace due to an increase in violent conflicts, new technologies, rising inequalities, and the effects of climate change.
- Action 11 (a): Address root causes of conflict by accelerating SDG implementation.
- Action 11 (b): Provide equal access to justice and uphold human rights.
- Action 11 (c): Ensure military spending does not outweigh investment in sustainable development.
- Action 11 (d): Analyze the impact of global military expenditure on SDG achievement.
- Action 34 (e): Strengthen youth participation in conflict prevention and resolution.
- Action 13 (a): Address root causes of displacement and deliver durable solutions.
- Action 13 (b): Eliminate famine for future generations.
"Strengthening resilience and addressing the root causes of conflict, alongside empowering youth in peace building efforts, are crucial to achieving sustainable peace, upholding human rights, and ensuring future generations have a stake in conflict resolution for a stable and secure world."
6. Global Fund for Social Protection
Provide universal access to better social safety nets as more than 50% lack protection.
- Action 4 (a): Increase investment in socio-economic development with a focus on women and girls.
- Action 4 (b): Secure ambitious outcomes on financing social development at key international conferences.
- Action 42 (e): Create sustainable jobs and livelihoods for youth, especially young women.
"The proposal for a Global Fund for Social Protection is about solidarity between all people and countries. By pooling global funding and expertise, and promoting global cooperation to bridge gaps in current systems, we can collectively advance the global state of human rights, turn the tide in the fight against poverty, and safeguard future generations from the crises we know are coming."
7. Improve Child Wellbeing
Improve child welfare worldwide, leading to long-term economic growth and inclusive social protection.
- Action 32 (a): Scale up investment in critical social services for young people.
- Action 32 (b): Accelerate access to universal health coverage, including reproductive health.
- Action 32 (c): Build education systems tailored for digital and green transitions.
- Action 32 (d): Support developing countries in increasing investment in education.
- Action 32 (e): Create sustainable jobs and livelihoods for youth, especially young women.
"Investing in child welfare is crucial as it not only addresses immediate needs but also lays the foundation for sustainable economic growth by promoting inclusive social protection, comprehensive education, and equitable health access."
8. Tackle Corruption and Improve Taxation
Fund sustainable development and promote environmental sustainability through improved taxation and anti-corruption measures.
- Action 2 (e): Increase SDG investment by combating illicit financial flows and corruption.
- Action 2 (f): Strengthen tax cooperation and finalize a UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation.
- Action 2 (g): Explore options for a global minimum level of taxation on high net-worth individuals.
"Tackling corruption is basically tackling inequality in communities. As someone born in a community where equal opportunities among youth are a fundamental principle, I have experienced firsthand the transformative power of equality. Equality is the fuel that empowers youth to prosper, develop, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world."
9. Launch a Global Digital Compact
Ensure ethical deployment of AI and data-driven technologies aligned with SDGs.
- Action 24 (d): Strengthen transparency, accountability, and oversight mechanisms for AI.
- Action 24 (e): Establish norms and principles for military applications of AI.
- Action 25 (c): Encourage talent mobility and prevent brain drain.
- Action 26 (c): Build capacity for deploying emerging technologies for SDGs, especially in developing countries.
"In my experience as a tech entrepreneur, I've seen how AI can both solve problems but also create new ones. The Global Digital Compact is our opportunity to establish global norms that ensure AI's revolutionary power is harnessed for the greater good. It's not just about innovation – it's also about creating a safe, transparent, and accountable digital ecosystem for future generations."
10. Funders Collective to Unlock Youth Financing
Unlock sustainable funding for youth-led innovation and action to deliver SDGs.
- Action 32 (f): Develop a Global Youth Investment platform to finance youth-related programming.
- Action 35 (c): Revitalize and invest in the United Nations Youth Fund to boost participation of youth from developing countries in UN activities.
"Young people, especially in the Global South, are at the frontlines of experiencing the impacts of poor progress on the SDGs. The Funders' Collective is essentially the global community telling these young people that 'we've got your back'. It will not just provide critical finance and capacity building for young leaders but also demonstrate a new way to finance youth initiatives."
11. An Emergency Platform
Provide a responsive multilateral system for complex global issues, supporting SDG progress and vulnerable populations.
- Action 49 (a): Convene emergency platforms for future global shocks.
- Action 49 (b): Develop protocols for operationalizing emergency platforms.
- Action 49 (c): Ensure emergency platforms complement UN principal organs' responses.
- Action 49 (d): Avoid duplicating ongoing intergovernmental processes.
"In times of crisis, the most vulnerable are regularly pushed furthest behind. Creating an Emergency platform is a concrete way to ensure we are not leaving anyone behind. Being ready for a response in a world of manmade crises is the minimum effort we should provide as we also work to reduce these crises in the long term and build a more sustainable and inclusive world from the get-go."
12. Special Envoy for Future Generations
Represent the interests of future generations in global policies, promoting sustainable and forward-thinking governance.
- Action 13 (b): Submit a report on post-2030 sustainable development framework considerations.
- Action 41 (a): Strengthen UN capacities for leveraging science, technology, and innovation.
- Action 41 (b): Explore ways to support national governments in leveraging science and technology for sustainable development:
- Special Envoy for Future Generations
- High-Level Meeting on Future Generations.
- Annual reports on foresight practices.
"Future generations lack a voice in today's decision-making processes, but a UN special envoy can represent their interests, ensuring that global policies promote sustainable and forward-thinking governance. By championing the needs of those yet to come, this envoy can inspire us to act with wisdom and transformative foresight, securing a just and thriving world for future generations."
The journey to the Summit of the Future captures a collective global effort to create a brighter future, beginning with the global adoption of the 2030 Agenda. Despite unforeseen crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, governments worldwide reaffirmed their commitment to this cause.
The Summit of the Future aims to rejuvenate the multilateral system, align it with the UN Charter and the 2030 Agenda's goals, and set the foundation for future collaborative efforts. By embracing these 12 proposals, we can shape a legacy of sustainable, inclusive, and equitable development, forging a future that will be remembered with gratitude by generations to come.
Learn more about the 12 proposals from Rev 1 of the Pact for the Future here:
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