UN Summit of the Future: Why India is Vital for Global Progress

On September 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the Summit of the Future at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The summit marks a significant moment in the UN's journey as it approaches its 80th anniversary in 2025. The event is expected to culminate in the creation of a Pact for the Future, which includes the Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations.

Michele Griffin, director of the Summit of the Future, emphasized India's influential role, especially in advocating for the changes the summit aims to deliver. "We are very excited that PM Modi is attending. India is a major voice on the world stage, particularly for the Global South," Griffin said. She further highlighted that one of the summit's key objectives is to ensure that international cooperation better serves the people of the Global South. Whether it’s through Security Council reform or reshaping the global financial system, India has been instrumental in pushing for significant change.

The Summit of the Future brings world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how to improve the present and secure the future. Griffin noted India’s historic role in peacekeeping efforts, adding that global conflicts such as those in Sudan and Haiti underscore the summit’s importance. While the event does not focus on individual conflicts, it aims to enhance how nations collaborate to prevent and resolve them.

"We are not doing enough to prevent or resolve conflicts, and that’s a major reason for this summit. India has always been a key player in peace operations, and we need to rethink how we work together globally to better address these challenges," Griffin said.

The Summit will also focus on how nations can cooperate to tackle emerging threats and seize new opportunities. It will offer a platform for various stakeholders to make commitments and initiate action.

“The purpose of this summit is to rebuild trust in international cooperation and ensure that global promises are fulfilled,” Griffin explained. She added that the summit is also looking at future risks and opportunities, aiming to ensure that the UN and other organizations are equipped to handle them.

The Summit will result in an inter-governmentally negotiated Pact for the Future, focusing on areas like sustainable development, international peace and security, technology, youth, and global governance. A Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations will also be part of the outcomes.

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