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04/12/2025
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that discussions on the Future Compact had reached a decisive stage and failure to reach consensus among the 193 member states “would be a tragedy.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on divided nations across the globe to reach a compromise to adopt the Future Compact – a plan to tackle global challenges from climate change and conflict to artificial intelligence (AI) and reform of international financial institutions.
Speaking at a press conference on September 18, Mr. Guterres stressed that discussions on the Future Compact had reached a decisive stage and that failure to reach consensus among the 193 member states “would be a tragedy.”
A year ago, the United Nations Secretary-General warned about the survival of humanity and the planet.
He is convening world leaders for a Future Summit this weekend, hoping to reach consensus and action to reform the United Nations, as well as organizations established after World War II, to deal with new global threats.
The conference takes place on September 22-23, right before the opening of the High-Level Week of the 79th United Nations General Assembly on September 24.
The 30-page draft Future Treaty, now in its fourth revision, has undergone months of discussion.
Mr Guterres has faced questions about the vision of the pact and how it differs from other UN documents adopted in recent years but not implemented.
He replied emphatically: “All the previous major declarations have talked about what is needed to face the challenges of the 21st century. Whereas the Future Summit is about meeting those challenges, requiring reform of global institutions.”
Mr Guterres said there was a “serious governance problem” in everything from climate to AI. The draft Future Compact warned that leaders were gathering at the UN “at a time of profound global transformation” and warned of “rising existential and catastrophic risks” that could plunge humanity into a crisis-ridden future.
The draft outlines 51 actions to address issues such as eradicating poverty, combating climate change, achieving gender equality, promoting peace and protecting civilians, as well as renewing the multilateral system to take advantage of current and future opportunities.
Mr. Guterres highlighted “potential breakthroughs” in the agreement, including “the strongest language on reform of the United Nations Security Council in a generation,” along with the most concrete steps to expand the 15-member body’s powers since 1963.
He also mentioned first measures to regulate new technologies, including artificial intelligence, and pledged to increase resources for developing countries to achieve the United Nations Development Goals by 2030.
With disagreements still lingering, including Russian objections on some 15 issues, as well as Saudi Arabia’s opposition to climate language, Mr. Guterres urged member states to compromise on the Future Compact, stating: “We cannot create a future fit for our children with systems built for our grandparents.”
Meanwhile, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Washington’s priority at this year’s Future Summit is “creating a more inclusive and effective international system.”
She expressed hope that despite many major differences, countries can still reach consensus./.
