The state of the planet is a key agenda item for the United Nations General Assembly. This page features related updates from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and its partners, including key moments of the year such as July’s High-level Political Forum and September’s High-Level Week which in 2024 included the Summit of the Future.
18 Sep
2024
12:40
UNEP Executive Director to address High-Level Roundtable on Global Digital Compact: 21 September
UNEP’s Executive Director, Inger Andersen, will address the High-Level Roundtable “The Global Digital Compact: A Roadmap to Advance Sustainable Digital Transformation for an Equitable and Sustainable World” on 21 September 2024, 1630-1830 hrs EDT.
As part of the Summit of the Future, this side event aims to present a roadmap towards the implementation of the UN Global Digital Compact (GDC), an important summit outcome that was co-facilitated by the Governments of Zambia and Sweden.
The event will also witness the launch of a new UNEP Issue Note on the Environmental Impacts of AI, which will provide critical insights into how AI can be deployed in ways that support climate action, reduce waste, and promote responsible resource management.
18 Sep
2024
11:53
United in Science report launched ahead of Summit of the Future
The annual United in Science report was published on September 18. This comprehensive report summarizes the latest findings on weather, climate, water and related environmental and social sciences. It is coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization.
In collaboration with UN agencies, meteorological organizations and scientific research institutions, the report also highlights contributions from young people and early career scientists who are agents of change for the future.
This year's edition of United in Science places a special focus on the Summit of the Future, which provides a unique opportunity to refocus multilateral efforts to achieve global goals and create a better world for all.
17 Sep
2024
15:00
Summit of the Future Side Event on AMR: 25 September 2024
On the margins of the Summit of the Future and the high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of the 79th UN General Assembly, this hybrid side event on AMR will take place on 25 September 2024, 1830-2030 hrs ET. The theme of the event is “UNGA 2024 High-level Meeting on AMR and beyond: Bringing the voices and perspectives of the Low-and middle-income countries into the dialogue”.
Convened by the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions and the Quadripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR hosted by the World Health Organization, the program aims to amplify the voices and perspectives of low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) and vulnerable communities most impacted by AMR. It brings together representatives of UN Member States with a focus on LMICs, civil society, private sector, and other key stakeholders interested in AMR.
Read the full event announcement and register here.
17 Sep
2024
09:51
SDG Lounge at Summit of the Future: 20–26 September
Running alongside the Summit of the Future during the High-Level Week of the 79th UN General Assembly, the SDG Lounge from 20–26 September will be a vibrant space to accelerate multilateral action toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Convened by the UN Deputy-Secretary General and hosted by the UN Office for Partnerships, the SDG Lounge will feature unscripted dialogues, deep dives into vital issues and host interactive experiences—all designed to keep the promise of the SDGs today, tomorrow and for future generations to come.
13 Sep
2024
10:00
Summit of the Future a key opportunity to reinvigorate multilateralism: UNEP Director of Intergovernmental Affairs
In a recent op-ed for Arab News, UNEP’s director of intergovernmental affairs, Jamil Ahmad, highlighted the need for robust multilateralism ahead of the Summit of the Future.
“With the world facing a slew of complex global crises — not least conflict, poverty, hunger, climate change, nature loss and pollution — multilateral action faces a formidable challenge in meeting global development goals,“ Ahmad noted. “The Summit of the Future represents a critical opportunity to reimagine and reinvigorate our global governance structures for a more sustainable and equitable future,” he added.
Taking place on 22-23 September in parallel to the UN General Assembly, the Summit of the Future brings world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on the implementation of global development goals, human rights, and peace and security.
11 Sep
2024
11:47
Summit of the Future Side Event on 20 September: "Digital Environmental Sustainability and AI for the Global Digital Compact"
AI and digital technologies are key to advancing the 2030 Agenda, driving progress in climate action, energy efficiency, and the circular economy. However, they also bring challenges like increased energy use, GHG emissions, and e-waste.
Organized by the Coalition for Digital Environmental Sustainability (CODES), this side event of the Summit of the Future will focus on governing AI and digital technologies. The event will facilitate discussions about the Environmental Sustainability Principle of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and best practices for sustainable AI. Participants will be able to network with diverse stakeholder groups and experts at the intersection of digital innovation, sustainability, and policy.
The key outcomes of the event include:
➡️ Organize follow-up on the GDC’s Environmental Sustainability Mandate
➡️ Initiate actions for sustainable AI for the 2030 Agenda
➡️ Present UNEP’s Issue Brief on sustainable AI
Read the full event announcement and register here.
09 Sep
2024
10:00
Topics to watch out for at the Summit of the Future
The Summit of the Future is set to start in less than two weeks. Here, we want to highlight the biggest challenges facing our shared future that will be addressed during the summit.
➡️ New agenda for peace
➡️ Fair finance for all countries
➡️ AI that works for everyone
➡️ Peaceful use of outer space
➡️ Safe digital access for everyone
➡️ Youth leading for the future
Stay tuned as world leaders gather on 22-23 September at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City to take action for all of humanity.
04 Sep
2024
13:00
UN Secretary-General calls for AI that works for everyone ahead of Summit of the Future
On 2 September 2024, UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the participants of the workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and capacity building that took place in Shanghai, China. In his speech, Guterres discussed the global potentials and risks of AI.
“To truly harness AI’s potential, we need international cooperation – and solidarity. And we must urgently bridge the AI gap for developing countries. The risks posed by AI are equally uneven. Without adequate guardrails, AI could further exacerbate inequalities and digital divides and disproportionately affect the most vulnerable.”
The Secretary-General also emphasized that the High-Level Advisory Body on AI will issue a report in September with a series of recommendations, including:
- Creating an AI Capacity Development Network that will connect AI centres and provide expertise and training data, especially for developing countries
- Establishing a Global Fund on AI for the SDGs
- Developing a Global Data Framework, so that local AI ecosystems can flourish
02 Sep
2024
10:00
High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance: 26 September 2024
On 26 September 2024, the UN General Assembly will convene a high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) during its 79th session (UNGA 79) in New York. The theme of the meeting is “Investing in the present and securing our future together: Accelerating multi-sectoral global, regional and national actions to address Antimicrobial Resistance”.
Drug-resistant infections know no borders, meaning no single country can respond to AMR alone. Taking place shortly after the Summit of the Future, this meeting is an important opportunity for world leaders to collectively address the looming threat AMR poses to global health, food security, and achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Read the full event announcement.
29 Aug
2024
11:48
Summit of the Future Side Event on 20 September: "Empowering Youth for Sustainable Futures: Intergenerational Responsibility and Skills for a Just Transition"
With young people at the heart of the discussion, this event brings partners together to explore what changes are needed in education and across society to build the green skills and green jobs to deliver a just and sustainable transition.
Co-organised with UNEP and the Government of Cyprus, this side-event will host an intergenerational dialogue between youth, UN leaders, Government ministers and experts in green skills and education. It will explore the intersection of green jobs, education and sustainable lifestyles, highlighting how these elements can converge to create a just and equitable future for all.
New commitments to the Green Jobs for Youth Pact will be unveiled at the event, with the outcomes contributing to the Summit of the Future, informing the SDG review process, and supporting the implementation of the UNEA-6 resolution on sustainable lifestyles.
