AU-ECOSOCC Hosts Continental Dialogue on 2024 UN Summit of the Future

The 2024 Summit of the Future (SOFT ‘24), scheduled for September, seeks to enhance cooperation on critical global development challenges, address crucial gaps in global governance and reaffirm existing commitments, including the United Nations Charter, for a more inclusive and effective multilateral system.

To engage diverse civil society perspectives in the preparatory process of SOFT ‘24 and the preceding 2023 SOTF Ministerial Forum, the Global Futures Forum (GFF) was organized by the Coalition for the UN We Need (C4UN), in partnership with the African Union’s Economic Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC) in March 2023 at New York.

Moreover, AU-ECOSOCC undertook a series of civil society consultations which provided inputs on the Pact of the Future, including a virtual town-hall event (June 2023) which culminated with the Continental Dialogue on the Summit of the Future. The dialogue was aimed at raising awareness on SOTF ‘24 and its preceding civil society conference to be held in Nairobi (May 2024).

The Summit of the Future intends to advance ideas for governance arrangements in areas of international concern, and potentially others where arrangements are nascent or require updating. Subsequently, UN Member States will be asked to endorse a Pact for the Future, a blueprint for international cooperation in the twenty-first century.

In his opening remarks, ECOSOCC’s Presiding Officer, Khalid Boudali, emphasized the significance of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the SOFT ‘24 consultative process.

“ECOSOCC’s mandate promotes inclusive dialogue with a range of non-state actors on good governance. Let us bring Afrocentric insights into today’s dialogue. I wish to extend my gratitude for your unwavering commitment towards efforts that pursue peace and security on the continent and the world over.”

Ms. Carole Agengo, Co-Chair of the United Nations’ Civil Society Conference in Support of the Summit of the Future, echoed Mr. Boudali’s sentiments on the role of CSOs in shaping the future. She noted that since 1947, 68 different UN-supported civil society conferences have been held and resulted in varied outcomes.

Dr. Mariama Williams, Senior Adviser at the Global Afro Descendant Climate Justice Collaborative, reflected on the role of climate justice for Africa in the Pact for the Future.

“The use of natural resources must protect the people around it. Climate change is Africa’s biggest existential threat. The way wars and conflicts keep creating emissions on the continent and the world is of concern. We need to hold our governance structures accountable in this regard. Climate change has also compelled migration across the world,” Williams noted.

Mr. Desire Assogbavi, Francophone Africa Director at ONE Campaign spoke on Africa’s role in the Pact for the Future.

“Africa offers its human resources. The global community benefits a lot from collaborating with African innovators. Africa is rich with a lot of resources whose proper management will enrich the continent greatly. We need a robust accountability mechanism on what needs to be done and which particular entity would do it in this regard,” he emphasized.

In his closing remarks, ECOSOCC’s Head of Secretariat, William Carew, said ECOSOCC has hosted different convenings to raise awareness about the Summit of the Future as well as consultations to consolidate African voices so to ensure African proposals and insights were reflected in the ongoing negotiations leading to the Summit and in the Pact for the Future.