Summit of the Future
Highlights
The Summit of the Future has set in motion a powerful movement, marking a turning point in our global efforts to address the pressing challenges of our time.
Emerging from this historic gathering are success stories that highlight the United Nations Foundation's efforts to usher in a new era of partnership, collaboration, and commitment to sustainable development and global cooperation.
A centerpiece of the Summit’s achievements was the adoption of the Pact for the Future. This Pact lays out a visionary blueprint for sustainable growth, justice, and resilience, reflecting a global commitment to rethink economic strategies and address systemic barriers to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Equally transformative was the adoption of the Declaration on Future Generations, which firmly positions youth and future generations at the heart of global decision-making.
Throughout the Summit, the future of global collaboration was a driving force, bringing together leaders, diplomats, civil society, and grassroots movements to create strong coalitions for change and highlight a renewed spirit of cooperation that focuses on collective progress rather than individual gain. The impact of youth engagement, especially from young people leading the charge at the Summit, was a powerful reminder that their ideas, energy, and innovative approaches are crucial in reshaping global policies and driving sustainable progress.
These successes are just the beginning.
The Summit of the Future has sparked a movement that goes beyond its own milestones, setting the stage for continuous action and deeper partnerships. It’s a testament to what’s possible when the world unites with a common purpose – to build a future that prioritizes people, planet, and prosperity in equal measure.
“For the first time in history, the political tide has turned in favor of future generations.”
The Group of Friends for Future Generations
The formation of the Group of Friends for Future Generations, which includes countries like the Netherlands, Jamaica, Finland, Samoa, Indonesia, Czechia, Mexico, El Salvador, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Singapore, represents a bold leap forward for the United Nations.
This unprecedented alliance of member states, led by political champions from the Global South, has risen to ensure that the rights of future generations are prioritized within the UN. With a united commitment, they are laying the groundwork to secure a future that addresses the climate crisis and strengthens global cooperation.
The recent establishment of this Group of Friends at the Summit of the Future marks a crucial milestone in global governance. No longer is future generations’ advocacy limited to sporadic initiatives; it’s now rooted in a movement with tangible political backing and measurable impact. This group aims to leverage the momentum from the Declaration on Future Generations to influence global policies, focusing on strategic foresight, climate resilience, and youth empowerment. Their success will be defined not just by political alignment but also by their ability to mobilize youth voices and catalyze multilateral actions that turn pledges into practical outcomes.
The Declaration on Future Generations was the catalyst that brought this group to life. Our guidance and research for co-facilitators drew from the Wellbeing Economy framework, Earth4All, and the School of International Futures. This group’s formation at the Summit symbolizes a paradigm shift – a clear directive to integrate long-term thinking into every facet of global governance, a necessity highlighted by the urgent need to tackle future challenges.
The political support garnered for this initiative is unprecedented, transforming the future generations agenda into a more structured and collaborative approach.
National Town Halls:
Building Bridges
“The future isn’t something that happens by chance; it’s something we create together.”
Across the globe, Intergenerational Town Halls are sparking conversations that unite communities and bridge generations. In a world facing climate change, inequality, and technological advancements, these town halls are mobilizing fresh ideas, bold visions, and collective energy to shape a future for all. They built momentum toward the Summit of the Future and beyond, advocating for ecological sustainability and stronger multilateral cooperation.
These dialogues highlighted key priorities ahead of the Summit of the Future, focusing on building political alliances for systemic change and strengthening global collaboration.
Supported by the Unlock the Future coalition and the UN Foundation, these town halls transformed global challenges into meaningful local actions, striving for a more inclusive and sustainable world.
Supporting Global Negotiations
“Using global diplomacy to turn big ideas into real action.”
As the Summit of the Future approached, we were committed to ensuring that the negotiations on the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations were more than just ambitious words – our goal was to help shape these foundational documents into a catalyst for real, meaningful change that reflects both the urgency of today’s challenges and the aspirations of generations to come.
We have supported at least 20 Member States with negotiations and logistical assistance in preparation for the Summit of the Future, equipping them with the resources and guidance needed to engage effectively in these critical discussions. To address the challenges facing multilateralism, we facilitated a series of Open Conversations with over 100 Permanent Representatives, alongside high-level dialogues and consultations with civil society groups.
These efforts emphasized integrating gender equality, digital transformation, and climate resilience into the negotiation outcomes to ensure these principles guide future policies.
Beyond individual Member States, we directly assisted six co-facilitators in their preparations for the Summit. Our efforts focused on empowering these leaders to shape the Pact for the Future and related agreements with clarity and ambition, and by guiding the diplomatic process, we ensured that the co-facilitators could lead discussions that align with a shared vision for a sustainable and inclusive global future.
Key Negotiation Players
Our support for these negotiations had a strategic focus, supporting key leaders in the negotiation of the Pact and its annexes:
Germany and Namibia played a leading role in advancing the Pact for the Future, driving efforts to strengthen multilateral governance, enhance financing for development, and align negotiations with global priorities. We provided targeted support to amplify their influence throughout the discussions, ensuring their goals were integrated into final agreements.
Jamaica and the Netherlands led efforts to build political support for the Declaration on Future Generations, advocating for the inclusion of youth voices in global decision-making. We worked closely with these countries to help elevate the influence of the Global South and align their priorities with sustainable development goals.
Sweden and Zambia were crucial to advancing the Global Digital Compact. We supported these nations in advocating for a digital future that is inclusive, secure, and accessible to all through facilitated dialogues and logistical assistance.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) brought essential leadership to the forefront of climate action and financing. Recognizing the unique vulnerabilities faced by SIDS, we partnered with these nations to amplify their voices in global dialogues on sustainable development.
Building Strategic Relationships
One of the most significant achievements of this group is its close alignment with the co-facilitators of the Declaration on Future Generations. This relationship has enabled the Group to emerge within a difficult political landscape, amplifying the voices of new stakeholders from the Global South. Our engagement has provided the critical support needed to build a cohesive narrative around the SDGs and the future, leveraging key frameworks to prioritize planetary health and sustainable prosperity. The group’s efforts are now directed toward supporting a robust communications strategy, diplomatic outreach, and youth mobilization, all integral to sustaining political momentum and securing a Pact for the Future.
Adoption of the Pact
The adoption of the Pact for the Future was a pivotal moment at the Summit, reaffirming global commitment to multilateralism and aligning with the goals of Secretary General’s vision for the future of the UN, Our Common Agenda. Achieved through intense eleventh-hour negotiations and high-level interventions to overcome deadlocks, the Pact represents a consensus among member states to address the world’s most pressing challenges.
Despite skepticism about the UN’s ability to deliver concrete results, the Pact lays out 56 actions across areas like sustainable development, digital cooperation, international peace, and the empowerment of future generations. While not legally binding, the presence of numerous Heads of State and Governments signals a collective political will to act. The emphasis on enhancing the representation of developing countries in decision-making and addressing historical injustices demonstrates a commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable global system.
The Pact’s provisions reflect the urgency of issues like climate action, technology governance, and redressing inequalities, even as it falls short of reforming institutions like the Security Council or World Bank. Still, it lays the groundwork for progress, notably pushing for increased representation of Africa and other underrepresented regions. The focus now shifts from agreement to action, emphasizing that success will depend on the journey beyond the Summit to turn these political commitments into measurable outcomes that truly address global needs.
Power of Diplomacy
Measuring the Impact
10 Member State convenings and discussions have taken place, designed to ensure the highest level of diplomatic engagement. These convenings have been diverse in form and structure, adapting to meet the needs of different stakeholders and contexts.
85 Member States participated at various levels, including Permanent Representatives, Deputy Permanent Representatives, and experts, with significant representation from the Global South.
Over 100 Permanent Representatives engaging in Open Conversations to build trust and align on integrating gender equality, digital transformation, and climate resilience into the Summit’s outcomes.
10 high-level events during the Summit united global leaders, youth activists, and policymakers, driving bold themes like climate action, governance reform, and youth empowerment.
Wrapping Up
Our efforts were never just about reaching agreements but about ensuring their implementation. We aimed to make the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations not just ambitious but actionable. We believe that these efforts have laid the foundation for a future where multilateralism is stronger, more adaptable, and truly aligned with the needs of all generations, including the most vulnerable.
“We cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with a system built by our grandparents. The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations open the door to new opportunities and untapped possibilities.”
“Young people aren’t just shaping the future – they’re designing the blueprint for a world that prioritizes humanity and the planet over profit.”
Youth Power and the 2100 Future
Young people hold the power to rewrite the script for humanity and our planet’s future. They are not asking for a seat at the table – they are setting the agenda.
The 2100 Learning Agenda, built on the transformative frameworks of Earth4All and the Wellbeing Economy, embodies this vision. It is more than a plan; it’s a rallying call for a future that prioritizes humanity and the environment over unchecked economic growth. This is the blueprint guiding young leaders as they redefine global priorities and chart the course toward a sustainable, equitable world by 2100.
Youth-led innovation is transforming insights into action that reshapes the global development landscape. The Learning Agenda acts as the cornerstone for the Road to 2100, steering efforts to reimagine the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the global framework that will follow. Anchored by specific measures of impact – like youth engagement, advocacy for the Post-2030 Agenda, and economic strategies aligned with wellbeing principles – this agenda is setting a new standard for global cooperation that transcends traditional GDP metrics and instead values collective prosperity and ecological health.
The Learning Agenda’s foundation is deeply rooted in youth activism, research, and the frameworks of Earth4All and the Wellbeing Economy. It calls for urgent systemic changes that address social and environmental challenges, while demanding a shift from societal success to shared wellbeing for next and future generations. This dual approach has guided the Learning Agenda to put young people’s priorities at the center, emphasizing justice, fairness, participation, and a commitment to ecological sustainability.
Young Africa Shaping the Future
Launched at the Summit with the support of BBC Africa, the Panel of the Future serves as a pivotal subgroup within the 2100 Taskforce, a collective effort committed to advancing youth-led development in line with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations’ Our Common Agenda.
Brought together by the African Union Youth Envoy and the United Nations Foundation, this panel of 11 young leaders is redefining how youth engage in shaping global governance. Though their immediate focus is to influence today’s policies, their work has broader implications as they play a crucial role in feeding into the Learning Agenda – a key element in setting the stage for the 2100 Roadmap.
As the world faces an era of unprecedented challenges, the role of young Africa in steering the future has never been more critical. The Panel of the Future is designed to be a catalyst for intergenerational dialogue and strategic investment in youth well-being, recognizing that over 80% of the world’s population will reside in Asia and Africa by 2100.
Spin off of AU’s Panel of the Wise
The Panel of the Future draws inspiration from the work of the Panel of the Wise, which was established by the African Union to provide guidance on peace and conflict resolution in Africa. It shifts the focus to youth leadership by involving young changemakers, much like how former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a member of the Panel of the Wise, used her extensive experience to influence policy; this new panel aims to harness the innovative perspectives of the younger generation to shape future global governance.
Foundation for 2100 Taskforce
Looking ahead, the Panel of the Future will play an instrumental role in contributing to the design of the 2100 Roadmap. As a critical part of the 2100 Taskforce, their focus will be on creating strategies that ensure youth-led innovation remains at the core of sustainable development and global governance. Their involvement lays the groundwork for an inclusive succession agenda that will guide efforts up to the final SDG Summit in 2027. By shaping the Learning Agenda and influencing the Roadmap, the panel is setting the course for a future where young voices lead the way in transforming global policies.
“Daring us to turn hope into action for a better world – imagining what if we got it right.”
Once Upon a Future Campaign
The “Once Upon a Future” campaign was launched by the United Nations Foundation to reshape how the world views global cooperation at the Summit of the Future.
In a time of political tension and global divisions, this campaign set out to demystify the role of the United Nations and showcase the power of collective action. It called on leaders and youth alike to imagine a future built on shared responsibility and bold action, transforming possibilities into real-world solutions.
The “Once Upon a Future” campaign brought together the insights of over 120 civil society organizations to push for a new vision of global cooperation. With a focus on making the UN’s mission clear and relatable, the campaign used the theme “What if we got it right?” to inspire both leaders and the public to think differently about the challenges we face. The campaign’s impact was undeniable, reaching over 285 million impressions and 228.5 million views.
Inspired by Earth4All’s Giant Leap scenario, which envisions achieving the 2°C global warming target by 2100, the campaign used storytelling to turn complex issues into relatable messages that resonated on a global scale. The animation aired in Times Square and in the UN General Assembly further highlighted the need for immediate and united action.
What if We Get it Right?
Two Futures
At the heart of the campaign was the “Two Futures” activation, centered around the use of a viewfinder inspired by Earth4All’s Giant Leap scenario. This viewfinder offered a powerful glimpse into a potential future where the world successfully limits warming to 2°C by 2100. It acted as a striking visual tool, showing what’s at stake and value of global cooperation.
Children's Dreams for the Future
Complementing this, an animation brought to life the future aspirations of real-life children and young people, capturing their hopes and dreams for a better world. Aired at the UN General Assembly, this animation told their stories and illustrated a vision of what could be achieved if we unite to tackle global challenges.
Reimagining the World Stage
The 30-minute broadcast, created with Droga5, was central to the campaign, targeting young people at the Summit of the Future. In collaboration with the United Nations, we brought together influencers, public champions, and UN experts in an innovative broadcast that both educated young viewers about the Summit’s goals and empowered them to see themselves as key players in shaping their own futures.
Young People at the forefront
The campaign’s focus on embedding youth perspectives into policy discussions helped generate political momentum for the Pact for the Future and the Declaration on Future Generations. Its emphasis on clear, straightforward commitments was critical in aligning international efforts toward a common purpose in a politically charged environment.
“ The world’s largest youth and children’s organizations have come together to make history.”
Investing in the Future
Announced at the Summit of the Future, the Funders Collective is a groundbreaking initiative of the Unlock the Future coalition. Created to transform how the world invests in young people, this coalition plays a crucial role in ensuring the UN not only plans but also acts for young people, driving impact at the country level.
The Funders Collective takes this mission a step further by actively engaging a diverse mix of global allies and donors, encouraging them to shift from short-term project-based funding to strategic, long-term investments that support the sustainable growth of youth-led organizations worldwide. This approach both seeks to channel more resources into youth movements and aims to transform the entire funding landscape by creating a new standard for how funders think about investing in the future.
The Funders Collective’s journey began with the United Nations Foundation’s engagement of youth organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, when, alongside the World Health Organization, it directed emergency relief funds to youth-led initiatives, exposing critical gaps in the existing funding landscape. This realization led to a vision to move beyond short-term solutions, generating growing demand for a dedicated global youth-focused fund.
Over the past three years, the Unlock the Future coalition has refined this vision into a structured initiative that now reaches over one billion young people globally. As the Funders Collective moves this idea into an incubation period, Unlock the Future leaders will actively engage funders to break away from traditional models, fostering a future-focused, impact-driven approach that views investments as strategic commitments to a more inclusive and sustainable future.
“When we unite across generations,
change becomes unstoppable.”
The Next Chapter in Global Cooperation
The adoption of the Pact for the Future marks a critical turning point in global cooperation at a time when unity and decisive action are more important than ever. It’s the starting point for a journey that demands more than agreements; it requires continued efforts to strengthen political leadership, build powerful intergenerational coalitions, and support national movements that can turn these commitments into real change.
To sustain the momentum from the Summit of the Future, we must keep the focus on building a coalition of leaders who are willing to take bold steps for future generations. This means fostering deeper connections between youth voices and decision-makers, driving inclusive policies that reflect the needs of the most vulnerable, and holding global actors accountable to their promises.
As we move forward, it will be essential to scale up our efforts, ensuring that the Pact for the Future evolves from a groundbreaking agreement into a catalyst for lasting impact on global development and climate action...
Intergenerational Leadership
We will keep the Engine Room active, using the growing energy from youth movements to spark important conversations about the future of countries and the role of the UN and maintaining a space where young leaders connect with UN and government officials to share ideas and shape global policies.
Early next year, we will launch a campaign with EU Youth Councils to raise awareness and mobilize support for the Financing for Development agenda. This initiative aims to engage young voices in shaping the financial strategies that will directly impact their future.
A 2100 Visionaries Taskforce of intergenerational leaders will craft actionable strategies, guiding our efforts towards the final SDG Summit in 2027 and setting the vision for a more inclusive global agenda.
Through the Funders Collective, we will intensify investments in youth-led innovation, fast-tracking progress towards the SDGs and empowering young changemakers to transform their ideas into real-world solutions.
Movement Building
We’ll continue building on the Once Upon a Future campaign’s success by turning the “What if We Got It Right?” message into real actions that influence UN policies and global cooperation.
We will expand our town halls to new locations in countries hosting major events like the Financing for Development Conference in Spain, COP30 in Brazil, and the G20 Summit in South Africa.
We will launch a series of visionary policy papers that map out the best scenarios for young people and young countries where future generations will call home. These in turn will guide the implementation of the Pact for the Future and key UN processes.
We will continue the animation and Decoded series as part of the Unlock Story Lab, designed to amplify youth narratives and drive momentum for the 2100 Roadmap.
Political Alliances
The Group of Friends for Future Generations will continue to strengthen its influence by integrating strategic foresight and wellbeing principles into global policies. We will leverage the momentum from the Declaration on Future Generations to deepen Global South leadership and youth engagement to drive policy commitments.
With over 85 Member States actively engaged, we will deepen diplomatic efforts to build trust and align global policies to tackle future challenges.
We will provide ongoing support to the Financing for Development (FfD) conference co-facilitators from Nepal, Norway, Zambia, and Mexico throughout the full negotiation process.
Finally, we will support the LDC Future Forum hosted by Zambia in April 2025, with a focus on elevating their leadership through foresight and future generations’ strategies, aligning Zambia’s priorities with the Declaration on Future Generations and the Group of Friends for Future Generations.
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