24 September 2024, Nairobi. – Adopted by world leaders at the United Nations in New York at the Summit of the Future, 21-22nd September 2024, the Pact for the Future is a landmark agreement designed to transform global governance, including the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations as key annexes. This Pact aims to address both current and future challenges through enhanced international cooperation. It highlights the risks posed by issues like climate change, inequality, and threats to peace, which could push the world into a perpetual state of crisis. The pact demonstrates the need for renewed international cooperation, guided by respect for international law, solidarity, and a focus on sustainable development. Central to this effort is the strengthening of the multilateral system, with the United Nations at its core, to address these challenges effectively and equitably, ensuring a safer, more just, and prosperous world for all.
The Pact emphasizes that there is a unique opportunity to achieve a sustainable future for humanity, provided that nations and their partners act collectively and decisively. This includes accelerating progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ad the achievement of the SDGs, tackling climate change, and reducing inequalities. The Pact also reaffirms commitments to human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment and peace, stressing the critical role that international cooperation must play in fostering development and security across borders. It outlines actions for peace, security, development, and environmental sustainability, while pledging to involve all sectors and generations in the collective endeavor.
Youth play a pivotal role in this vision for the future, as highlighted by the Pact’s commitment to ensuring their meaningful participation in decision-making processes at all levels, from local to global. The world’s young people are crucial stakeholders in addressing these global challenges, particularly in areas like peacebuilding, sustainable development, and climate action. By empowering youth with opportunities and resources, the Pact aims to harness their leadership to build a more inclusive, just, and sustainable future for all generations.
The Pact’s commitments to youth include focus areas such as sustainable development, peace and security, human rights, and governance. These commitments, supported by the Declaration on Future Generations and the Global Digital Compact, outline immediate actions and long-term strategies for engaging youth in decision-making processes and ensuring that future generations inherit a world conducive to their well-being and aspirations.
Youth Empowerment in Sustainable Development
A fundamental pillar of the Pact for the Future is the recognition that youth must be empowered as agents of change within the framework of the SDGs. The Pact underscores that the achievement of the SDGs requires the active involvement of young people at all levels but especially the local, in areas like poverty eradication, education, healthcare, and employment opportunities (Pact for the Future, para. 60). It affirms the necessity of scaling up investments in essential services for youth to ensure they can fully participate in the socio-economic development of their countries.
To this end, the Pact stresses the need for “equitable access to essential services for all children and young people, especially health, education, and social protection” (Pact for the Future, para. 60). These services are crucial in enabling youth to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to sustainable development. Furthermore, the Pact recognizes the importance of vocational training, entrepreneurship, and digital skills as vital components in equipping young people for the rapidly changing global economy (Pact for the Future, para. 60). These investments in education and skill-building aim to create a generation of youth that is adaptable, resilient, and capable of addressing the world’s pressing challenges.
Moreover, the Pact for the Future commits to eradicating poverty, recognizing that “poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, remains the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development” (Pact for the Future, para. 10). Youth, especially those in developing countries, are often disproportionately affected by poverty, which hinders their access to opportunities and services. By focusing on poverty eradication and enhancing opportunities for youth, the Pact seeks to build a more inclusive and sustainable future.
The Pact further emphasizes the critical importance of Action 6, which commits to investing in people to end poverty and strengthen social cohesion. Youth are seen as key contributors to such cohesion through their engagement in communities, and the Pact supports the creation of robust education systems and youth employment programs to build capacity in this regard.
Urban Youth
By 2050, more than two-thirds of the world’s population will live in urban areas, and by 2030, 60% of urban residents will be young people living in poverty without access to adequate housing, water, sanitation, or education. This projection highlights the need for urgent policies that focus on urban youth, particularly in developing countries where access to essential services remains limited. The Pact for the Future emphasizes eradicating poverty, promoting equitable access to services, and investing in education and skills development for young people (Pact for the Future, para. 60). However, the challenges faced by urban youth, especially in the Global South, continue to grow, making targeted interventions crucial to ensuring they are not left behind in the urbanization process.
For example, Africa as a region, has 70% of its urban population living in slums and 60% of youth unemployed. Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced the fastest urban growth, highlighting the need for policies that address the specific challenges of young people. Despite 70% of the urban population being under 30, governance remains dominated by older leaders, leading to a disconnect between youth needs and policies. Only 7% of African youth reach university, limiting their access to opportunities. The Pact for the Future seeks to bridge this gap by promoting youth engagement in governance. UN-Habitat’s Youth 2030 Cities Initiative and Young Gamechangers Initiative empower youth to influence urban decision-making, localize the SDGs, and shape their environments, ensuring they are active contributors to a sustainable future.
UN-Habitat’s youth programs have been pivotal in addressing these challenges by fostering youth leadership and youth-led development initiatives. The One Stop Youth Resource Centres have provided 500,000 urban young people with access to essential services, including healthcare, job training, and safe public spaces. Additionally, the use of Minecraft-based digital planning tools has enabled young people to co-design 134 public spaces, benefiting 2.3 million people. These programs not only equip urban youth with the skills needed to actively participate in urban development but also align their efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Pact for the Future supports these initiatives by advocating for partnerships between local governments and youth organizations, ensuring that young people are vital contributors to urban sustainability efforts.
The Urban Youth Imperative and the Pact for the Future both emphasize that sustainable urban development cannot be achieved without the active participation of youth. Programs like the Urban Youth Fund and Block by Block further amplify youth voices by offering grants and opportunities for participatory planning. These programs have trained over 86,000 young people in governance and livelihood skills, empowering them to tackle local challenges while contributing to broader global objectives. By focusing on youth-driven solutions, these initiatives ensure that urbanization benefits all segments of the population, particularly young people who are most affected by rapid urban growth and economic inequalities.
Critical to the engagement of youth is the recognition that youth and youth-led organizations or “experts in their locality”, meaning they have strong links and affinity with the communities they live within. The localization of the SDGs focuses on translating global goals into local actions that directly address community, and within that youth, specific challenges. This process is crucial for ensuring that sustainable development initiatives are relevant and impactful at the local level, particularly in urban areas where youth play a pivotal role. The Pact for the Future emphasizes the importance of empowering youth as key agents in localizing the SDGs, ensuring their active participation in decision-making processes that shape their communities. Through initiatives like UN-Habitat’s Youth 2030 Cities Initiative, young people are involved in local governance, holding stakeholders accountable for SDG implementation and driving solutions that meet the needs of their communities. This approach ensures that the goals of the Pact are not only global but grounded in local realities, with youth as central figures in sustainable development efforts.
Declaration on Future Generations and Intergenerational Justice
The Declaration on Future Generations builds upon the commitments of the Pact for the Future, with a particular focus on ensuring that the actions of present generations do not jeopardize the well-being of those yet to come. This Declaration emphasizes the long-term impact of today’s decisions on future generations, making youth a critical bridge between the present and the future (Declaration on Future Generations, preamble). It stresses that the well-being of future generations must be integrated into current policymaking, with particular attention to sustainable development, human rights, and climate action.
The Declaration underscores the importance of eliminating the “intergenerational transmission of poverty and hunger, inequality and injustice,” particularly in the most vulnerable regions, such as African countries and small island developing states (Declaration on Future Generations, para. 3). This highlights the interconnectedness of current efforts with the future success of youth, stressing the importance of building a sustainable foundation that can be passed on to future generations. It calls for global investments in youth development, including access to education, healthcare, and decent work, all of which are crucial for empowering future generations to thrive (Declaration on Future Generations, para. 22).
This theme of intergenerational justice aligns with Action 12 in the Pact, which encourages planning for the future by turbocharging the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Planning must involve youth to ensure that future generations have the necessary tools to meet new challenges. Moreover, Action 7 emphasizes building peaceful, inclusive societies by fostering trust between generations, which is key to sustaining social progress.
The Declaration also advocates for intergenerational solidarity and the promotion of dialogue between young and older generations to ensure that the perspectives of all age groups are considered in decision-making (Declaration on Future Generations, para. 4). This is essential in creating policies that are forward-looking and responsive to the needs of both current and future generations. The emphasis on intergenerational dialogue aligns with the Pact for the Future’s focus on inclusive governance, where young people are given the opportunity to actively participate in shaping policies that will affect their futures (Pact for the Future, para. 63).
Furthermore, the Declaration on Future Generations stresses the urgency of environmental action, stating that humanity must create and maintain a “clean, healthy and sustainable environment, where humanity lives in harmony with nature” (Declaration on Future Generations, para. 5). This emphasis on environmental stewardship is directly related to the interests of youth and future generations, as climate change poses a significant threat to their well-being. The Declaration calls for accelerated efforts to address climate change, recognizing that the failure to act today will disproportionately impact young people and future generations (Declaration on Future Generations, para. 18).
Youth Participation in Peace and Security
The Pact for the Future explicitly recognizes the critical role of youth in maintaining international peace and security. It highlights the importance of their “full, effective, safe and meaningful participation” in decision-making processes related to conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and security (Pact for the Future, para. 41). This acknowledgment reflects the growing recognition of youth as peacebuilders who contribute significantly to resolving conflicts and fostering stable societies.
Action 20 in the Pact is especially important for young people, as it reaffirms the commitment to accelerating the implementation of the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda. The Pact calls for the development of “national and regional roadmaps” on youth, peace, and security (Pact for the Future, para. 41). These roadmaps are essential tools for ensuring that youth are not only involved in peace processes but are also equipped with the necessary resources and platforms to contribute to long-term peace and security. Additionally, the Pact reaffirms its commitment to advancing the YPS agenda by requesting a second independent progress study on the contributions of youth to peace processes, thereby ensuring accountability and progress in this critical area (Pact for the Future, para. 41).
The Declaration on Future Generations reinforces these commitments by advocating for international stability, peace, and security, stressing the importance of resolving conflicts through peaceful means (Declaration on Future Generations, para. 11). This approach emphasizes intergenerational responsibility, acknowledging that the actions of today will shape the future security landscape for young people and future generations. It also stresses the need for collective action in addressing the root causes of instability, such as inequality and exclusion, which often fuel conflict and disproportionately affect young people (Declaration on Future Generations, para. 12).
Additionally, Action 19 in the Pact for the Future accelerates commitments on women, peace, and security, recognizing that young women are essential actors in peacebuilding processes. This dovetails with Action 7, which commits to building inclusive institutions that uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms, with an emphasis on providing justice for young people who have been disproportionately affected by violence.
Youth and Future Generations
A central theme of the Pact for the Future is its emphasis on future generations, including today’s youth. The Pact acknowledges that youth will live with the consequences of today’s decisions, especially in areas like climate change, economic stability, and social cohesion (Pact for the Future, para. 58). Therefore, it is essential to prioritize the well-being of future generations in current policymaking. The Pact commits to investing in youth as part of a broader strategy to ensure that future generations inherit a world that is sustainable, equitable, and peaceful.
The Declaration on Future Generations builds on this by highlighting the interconnectedness of past, present, and future, stating that “we must learn from our past achievements and failures” to ensure a more just and sustainable future (Declaration on Future Generations, preamble). This focus on intergenerational solidarity and dialogue emphasizes the responsibility of present generations to act in the interest of future generations.
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges highlighted in the Pact for the Future, with the potential to undermine the development prospects of future generations. The Pact calls for accelerated efforts to combat climate change and its impacts, particularly in developing countries, which are often more vulnerable to environmental degradation (Pact for the Future, para. 11). The protection of youth and future generations from the adverse effects of climate change is integral to the Pact’s vision of a sustainable and just future.
The Declaration on Future Generations further emphasizes the importance of environmental stewardship, calling for the creation and maintenance of a “clean, healthy and sustainable environment, where humanity lives in harmony with nature” (Declaration on Future Generations, para. 5). This commitment to environmental sustainability is essential for safeguarding the well-being of future generations, including today’s youth.
Action 9 of the Pact for the Future strengthens these commitments by highlighting efforts to address climate change and calling for the reduction of emissions and investments in green technologies. Youth engagement in climate action is paramount, and the Pact underscores the importance of empowering young people to become leaders in the global environmental movement.
Global Digital Compact and Digital Inclusion for Youth
The Global Digital Compact, a key element of the future global governance framework, complements the Pact for the Future by addressing the transformative role of digital technologies in shaping the world that today’s youth will inherit. It emphasizes the need for a secure, inclusive, and equitable digital environment that fosters youth empowerment and addresses digital divides, which have a significant impact on education, employment, and social mobility (Global Digital Compact, para. 7).
The Compact highlights the critical role of youth in driving digital innovation and calls for targeted efforts to enhance digital skills and competencies among young people, especially in developing countries where access to digital infrastructure remains limited (Global Digital Compact, para. 12). The Compact aligns with the Pact for the Future’s focus on expanding education and skill-building opportunities for youth by promoting digital literacy, vocational training, and entrepreneurship in the digital economy (Pact for the Future, para. 60; Global Digital Compact, para. 13).
Youth in the Digital Economy
As the global economy becomes increasingly digital, the Global Digital Compact emphasizes the necessity of expanding opportunities for youth to participate in the digital economy. It highlights the need for an inclusive, fair, and secure digital environment that fosters youth entrepreneurship and innovation (Global Digital Compact, para. 18). The Compact calls for greater international cooperation to ensure that young people, particularly those in marginalized and underserved communities, can access the digital infrastructure and resources required to build successful digital enterprises.
Furthermore, the Compact stresses that digital access must be affordable, inclusive, and tailored to the needs of youth (Global Digital Compact, para. 11). This is particularly relevant to developing nations, where digital connectivity remains a major barrier to youth participation in the global economy. The Compact urges governments and private sector actors to invest in digital infrastructure, ensuring that youth in rural, remote, and underserved areas are not left behind in the digital transformation (Global Digital Compact, para. 10). By bridging digital divides, the Compact seeks to empower youth to fully engage in and contribute to the global digital economy.
Digital Governance and Youth Participation
One of the core principles of the Global Digital Compact is fostering a secure, inclusive, and equitable digital space, which echoes the Pact for the Future’s emphasis on youth participation in governance. The Compact calls for the creation of governance mechanisms that allow youth to actively participate in shaping digital policies and standards. It encourages the establishment of multi-stakeholder platforms where young people can contribute their insights and innovations to the governance of digital spaces (Global Digital Compact, para. 26).
The Compact also advocates for the protection of human rights within digital environments, ensuring that youth are safeguarded from digital threats such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, and disinformation (Global Digital Compact, para. 22). This aligns with the Pact for the Future’s broader commitment to social inclusion and protection of youth rights, particularly those vulnerable to exploitation in both physical and digital spaces (Pact for the Future, para. 61). The Compact highlights the need for collaboration between governments and tech companies to create safer digital environments that promote freedom of expression while protecting young people from digital harm (Global Digital Compact, para. 30).
Artificial Intelligence and Youth in the Future Economy
The Global Digital Compact recognizes the significant role that artificial intelligence (AI) will play in shaping the future. It stresses the need for inclusive and equitable governance of AI technologies to ensure that young people benefit from these advancements while being protected from potential harms (Global Digital Compact, para. 50). The Compact highlights the potential of AI to accelerate progress towards the SDGs, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare, and employment (Global Digital Compact, para. 53).
However, the Compact also warns that without proper governance, AI could exacerbate existing inequalities, particularly for marginalized youth who may lack access to these technologies (Global Digital Compact, para. 55). To mitigate this risk, the Compact emphasizes the need for capacity-building initiatives that enable young people, especially in developing countries, to engage with and shape AI technologies (Global Digital Compact, para. 55). This ensures that youth can harness the full potential of AI while being shielded from its negative impacts, such as job displacement and data privacy concerns.
Conclusion
The Pact for the Future, alongside the Declaration on Future Generations and the Global Digital Compact, represents a comprehensive and forward-thinking framework for ensuring that youth are empowered to shape a sustainable, peaceful, and inclusive future. These global commitments emphasize the central role of young people in driving progress towards the SDGs, fostering peace and security, promoting human rights, and navigating the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
By addressing the challenges that youth face, from climate change to digital divides and the rise of AI, these frameworks aim to create a world where young people are not only recipients of global action but also active agents of change. The Pact for the Future, in conjunction with the Declaration on Future Generations and the Global Digital Compact, envisions a future where youth are equipped with the tools, skills, and opportunities needed to lead global efforts towards a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.