The Summit of the Future is here!

In this special edition of our newsletter, we’re excited to share our upcoming engagements around the pivotal Summit of the Future (22-23 September 2024) in New York  and other key events.

The Summit of the Future is a crucial opportunity to reinvigorate the multilateral system with the UN at its core and agree on actions to recalibrate our political, economic and social systems so that they deliver more fairly international governance architecture for current and future generations. The Summit, held during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly underscores the urgent need for enhanced international cooperation to address pressing challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, while also tackling the impacts of ongoing conflicts and global health crises.

Our focus at the UN SDG Action Campaign remains steadfast on fairness, inclusivity, and justice, promoting significant reforms in international financial architecture and advocating for human rights, gender equality, climate action, and more. Civic participation in these processes is crucial, and we are committed to facilitating the involvement of civil society, youth, and other key stakeholders.

Follow these key events

Summit of the Future Action Days
20-21 September 2024, New York

The Summit of the Future Action Days will kick off with a youth-led afternoon followed by a day focusing on priority themes – digital and technology, peace and security, and sustainable development and financing. 

• 20 September | 1.00 PM EST | Opening Ceremony | The UN SDG Action Campaign is collaborating with the UN Youth Office for the Opening Ceremony featuring art, creativity and more to highlight the role of young people in driving positive change across sectors and broader society.

• 20 September | 2.00 - 3.00 PM EST | High Level Dialogue with the UN Secretary General

• 21 September | 9.00 - 10.30 AM EST | Opening Ceremony

• 21 September | 12:35 - 13:30 | Session 3: Addressing debt challenges for sustainable development

• 21 September | 5.30 - 6.30 PM EST | Closing Ceremony

UN SDG Media Zone
23 – 27 September, New York

Tune into UN Web TV to join the SDG Media Zone sessions organized by the UN SDG Action Campaign and hear about the transformation and solutions needed to accelerate action on the SDGs:  

• 23 September | 2.00 - 2:30 PM EST | Unlocking economic opportunities for women’s empowerment, moderated by Janelle Dumalaon, US Correspondent, DW and featuring panelists Niels Annen, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany; Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development; and Foteini Papagioti, Senior global policy advisor at the International Center for Research on Women

• 25 September | 10.15-10.30 AM EST | Shaping a Path to Inclusive Prosperity (event in Italian), moderated by Laura Pepe, RAI journalist, and featuring panelists Marina Ponti, Global Director, UN SDG Action Campaign; Stefano Gatti, Director General for Development Cooperation, Government of Italy and Lucia Silva, Chief Sustainability Officer, Assicurazioni Generali

• 26 September | 1.00 PM – 1.30PM EST | Harnessing the power of art for the 2030 Agenda

UN Trade and Development Secretary-General Discusses Global Debt Crisis Ahead of the Summit of the Future

In a poignant interview, with the UN SDG Action Campaign’s Global Director Marina Ponti, Rebeca Grynspan, the Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development, discusses the severe debt challenges crippling developing nations. Highlighting the disconnect between market stability and human suffering, the Secretary-General underscores that "People are suffering. Governments are facing impossible choices between servicing the debt or servicing their people."

As we approach the Summit of the Future, her urgent calls for suspending interest rates during debt negotiations and more transparent debt sustainability analyses spotlight the critical need for systemic financial reforms. Grynspan's insights are a call to prioritize human well-being in global economic policies.

Take action!
 

• Meet the 2024 class of finalists of the UN SDG Action Awards who drive impact and transform communities across the globe.  Save the date for the live broadcast of the UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony, an evening of celebration and performances, on 29 October 2024 at 18:00 CET where finalists will be recognized and winners will be announced at a live Cceremony in Rome, Italy.

• Log actions in the ActNow app, and register initiatives on the Global Map of SDG Actions. Your contributions are vital as we advocate for systemic reforms to secure a better future.

• Contribute to the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development by joining the global consultation launched by the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development. Submit your insights here by 15 October 2024 and help shape a sustainable and inclusive future.