UN Chief António Guterres on Pact for the Future: Peace, Finance, Youth, and AI

Implementing the Pact for the Future

• 💡 The Pact for the Future is presented not as an end, but as the beginning of an implementation process, requiring constant renewal and sustained determination.
• 🎯 The UN has established a principal-level steering committee, chaired by the Secretary-General, overseeing six working groups focused on key areas: SDGs, peace and security, international financial architecture, digital technologies, UN governance, and youth.
• 📈 An internal tracking system is being developed to monitor progress on the Pact's implementation.

Peace and Security Initiatives

• 🕊️ United Nations peace operations are crucial for safeguarding people in conflict zones, and the Pact commits to strengthening tools for conflict prevention and response to emerging threats.
• 🔍 A review of all forms of UN peace operations is underway to adapt them to current realities, ensuring clear mandates, achievable goals, and viable exit strategies.
• ⚖️ Efforts continue to make the Security Council more representative and effective, addressing disarmament commitments and the weaponization of space.

Financing for Development and Debt Relief

• 💰 The UN is working to increase the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks through balance sheet stretching and recapitalization, ensuring concessional finance is deployed where most needed.
• 📊 An expert group is identifying practical steps for debt relief, a central issue for the Pact's implementation, with a report due in June.
• 🌍 Analysis is being conducted on the impact of military expenditure on Sustainable Development Goals, with a final report expected by September.

Empowering Youth and Future Generations

• 🚀 The Pact prioritizes listening to young people's concerns and ideas, including them in decision-making, and progressing towards establishing a Youth Investment Platform.
• 🧑‍💼 Core principles are being developed to strengthen youth engagement across the UN, including broadening the representation of younger colleagues within organizational structures.
• 🔮 A strategic foresight network and community of practice are established to ensure policies are based on long-term thinking, with a Special Envoy for Future Generations to be appointed.

Advancing Technology and AI Governance

• 💻 The UN is implementing the Global Digital Compact to close digital divides and ensure a safe digital space for all.
• 🤖 Artificial Intelligence is a key focus, with a report being developed on financing options for AI capacity-building to help the Global South harness AI for good.
• 🌐 A zero-draft resolution to establish an international independent scientific panel on AI and convene a global dialogue on AI governance has been circulated, urging swift action from the General Assembly.