The clock is ticking as the world faces a crucial juncture in achieving the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. With only six years remaining, the ambitious plan outlines 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at ending extreme poverty, combating inequality, and addressing climate change.
Despite the high hopes when the document was signed by 193 member states in 2015, the SDG Progress Report 2024 released this July paints a sobering picture: \"the world is failing to deliver.\"
In response to these challenges, the UN convened the Summit for the Future on September 22-23, bringing together global leaders to forge a new consensus on safeguarding the needs and interests of both current and future generations.
Amid rising existential threats such as climate change, nuclear proliferation, and the rapid development of artificial intelligence, the summit aims to accelerate efforts to meet existing international commitments and proactively address emerging challenges. The goal is to foster cooperation and mutual respect, paving the way for a more sustainable and equitable future.
During the summit, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the importance of equal participation among all nations. \"All countries, regardless of their size and strength, are equal members of the international community. International affairs should be handled through consultation by all countries,\" said Wang Yi. He further stressed the need to build an equal and orderly multipolar world, defending the UN-centered international system based on international law and the UN Charter.
One of the summit's key outcomes is the adoption of the Pact for the Future, an inter-government-led and action-oriented document developed over the past year. The pact covers essential areas such as sustainable development and financing, international peace and security, science and technology innovation, youth engagement, and global governance. Additionally, a global digital compact and a declaration on future generations were unanimously adopted, signaling a united commitment to shaping a better tomorrow.
As the world stands at this critical crossroads, the Summit for the Future represents a beacon of hope, urging nations to come together and take concrete steps towards achieving a sustainable and prosperous global community.
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Seeking hope from uncertainty to forge consensus for future of mankind
cgtn.com
