UN’s Pact for the Future: Reviving Multilateralism in a Rapidly Changing World
The recent adoption of the “Pact for the Future” by the United Nations General Assembly marks a historic step toward revitalizing multilateralism. Described by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as a “landmark agreement,” the pact aims to modernize and strengthen multilateral systems to address the complexities of today’s global challenges. Guterres, who has long advocated for this agreement, emphasized that it represents a “step-change towards more effective, inclusive, and networked multilateralism.” At a time when global institutions face unprecedented pressure, this pact signals a renewed commitment to collective action.
The pact was formally adopted at the start of the two-day “Summit of the Future” in September, after nine months of intense negotiations. A significant aspect of this agreement is its breadth — it covers key issues that are central to global governance, including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, and protections for future generations. The pact lays out 56 actions that countries have pledged to work toward, underscoring the UN’s commitment to tackling both current and emerging crises.
One of the main goals of the pact is to “bring multilateralism back from the brink,” a phrase used by Guterres to describe the precarious state of global cooperation in recent years. Multilateralism — the practice of coordinating actions among multiple countries to address shared challenges — has been under strain due to geopolitical tensions, economic divides, and growing nationalism. However, the pact seeks to reverse this trend by promoting more inclusive and interconnected global governance systems.
The adoption of the pact comes as the world grapples with increasingly complex issues that transcend borders. Climate change, economic inequality, and digital governance are just a few examples of challenges that no single country can address alone. The Pact for the Future encourages countries to cooperate on these issues by fostering dialogue, enhancing multilateral institutions, and promoting global solidarity.
Despite the optimism surrounding the adoption of the pact, the process was not without obstacles. Russia, along with allies such as Belarus, North Korea, Iran, Nicaragua, and Syria, attempted to introduce an amendment emphasizing the principle of “non-interference in the internal affairs of states.” This amendment, however, was overwhelmingly rejected, a move that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described as an effort by Russia to “stop the whole process.” Scholz, along with other global leaders, sponsored the text, underscoring its importance in maintaining the momentum of multilateral reform.
The successful adoption of the pact represents a collective commitment by UN member states to address persistent global crises while preparing for future challenges. As Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio pointed out, this pact provides “hope and inspiration” for a better future, especially for the Global South. Developing countries have been particularly vocal about the need for reforms to international financial institutions, which would provide them with easier access to preferential financing. This is especially important in the context of climate change, as many developing nations are disproportionately affected by its consequences but lack the financial resources to mitigate its impact.
The Pact for the Future, despite facing criticism and resistance from some quarters, represents a renewed effort to build a global system that can respond to the needs of all nations, both large and small. Its focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and multilateralism offers a path forward in an increasingly fragmented world.
