UN Headquarters in New York. Program of the Future Summit and High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly UN
In mid-September, world leaders and leading experts will gather at the UN Headquarters in New York for the annual General Assembly High-Level Week to chart a path to a better, safer and greener future – for everyone.
What the world will look like if leaders keep their promises?
What the world will look like if world leaders keep their promises to implement the internationally agreed Sustainable Development Goals? No hunger, no poverty, no pollution, but clean air and safe water, gender equality and a nuclear-free world, and conflicts resolved only through diplomacy, not weapons.
Achieving these goals is just part of the agenda at the Future Summit, the central event that kicks off the High-Level Week, on 22 and 23 September 2024, when world leaders, civil society representatives and experts will work together to address pressing issues – from tackling rising sea levels to ending hunger – as part of the discussions on the Future Pact, which is expected to be adopted at the summit.
Find out more on our dedicated page here.
Days of Action
To build momentum, the UN Secretary-General will convene the Future Summit Days of Action on 20 and 21 September.
Young people, representatives of UN Member States, civil society and experts will gather to share experiences and discuss topics at the forefront of global attention, including building a peaceful and sustainable future for all.
Read more about the Days of Action here.
Combatting the threat of rising sea levels
On September 25, world leaders and stakeholders will attend a high-level meeting to address rising sea levels seas.
As the UN chief said during his visit to the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga last month, the world needs leadership to pave the way for protecting the planet from the devastating effects of climate change.
The meeting will focus on building common understanding, mobilizing political leadership and advancing international cooperation to build a resilient and sustainable future, including for small island developing states and coastal communities.
Read more here.
What Happens When Antibiotics Stop Working?
That’s the question world leaders will tackle on September 26 at a high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance, which causes more than a million deaths a year. Government representatives and stakeholders are expected to seek to accelerate progress in combating the growing threat of this preventable phenomenon.
Find out more about the high-level meeting on this issue here.
Towards a Nuclear Weapons Free World
On 26 September, the General Assembly will hold its annual high-level meeting to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
This annual high-level plenary meeting is dedicated to promoting the International Day. Representatives from all countries, including those that have suffered from nuclear weapons and their testing, will speak at the meeting.
More details here.
Spotlight on Palestine
The High-Level Week will feature two events dedicated to the issues of the Palestinian people.
A high-level meeting on education in the Occupied Palestinian Territory – Gaza and the West Bank, convened by the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), UNESCO, UNICEF and Education Cannot Wait, is scheduled for 25 September. UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini and former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown are expected to deliver keynote addresses.
A high-level meeting on support for UNRWA will be held on 26 September, with the UN Secretary-General expected to deliver opening remarks.
General Debate
On September 24, the President of the 79th UN General Assembly, Philemon Young of Cameroon, will open the annual general debate, where world leaders will speak on this year’s theme, “Leaving no one behind: United Action for Peace, Sustainable Development and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations.”
From September 24 to 28 and again on September 30, high-level representatives from the 193 UN Member States will take to the podium in the General Assembly Hall to speak out on interrelated global issues such as peace and security and sustainable development.
Leaders’ Summit
The one-day UN Global Compact Leaders’ Summit, taking place on September 24 at the Javits Centre North in New York, will focus on developing the tools needed to scale up the private sector’s contribution to achieving the 2030 Agenda.
Keynote speakers include award-winning actor Don Cheadle, who is a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Amy Webb, founder and CEO of the Institute for Sustainable Development, “The Future is Now,” and Sanda Okiambo, Assistant Secretary-General of the UN Global Compact.
Find out more about the events here.
SDG ABCs
The 79th UN General Assembly marks a key milestone in global efforts to accelerate progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SDG Media Zone (September 23-27) will feature speeches and public debates featuring youth, experts and celebrities from around the world.
Read more – here.
Stay up to date
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