By Javier Surasky-
The Summit
of the Future will convene next September, and its primary outcome document
will be the “Pact for the Future,” a political, non-binding document. According
to its first revision, paragraphs 32 and 41, a
Declaration on Future Generations (DFG) and a Global Digital Compact will be
annexed to the Pact.
In a previous entry, we analyzed the zero draft and the first revision of the Declaration on Future
Generations (DFG). On July 2, the co-facilitators of the DFG negotiation (the
Kingdom of the Netherlands and Jamaica) published the second revision of the
document (DFG Rev2).
The
structure of the documents has stayed the same: a preamble is followed by three
sections on guiding principles, commitments, and actions. The DFG Rev2 does not
establish objectives or goals, as the Global
Digital Compact second revision does. In this new entry, we will explore the main
novelties brought by the DFG Rev2.
The new
text was accompanied by a letter signed by the co-facilitators explaining the
concepts of “future-proofing,” “anticipatory and forward-looking,”
“future-oriented organizational culture,” and “futures literacy,” as provided
by them during informal consultation sessions. In brief, they explained that:
- Future-proofing involves anticipating and preparing for potential future challenges. It is an expression widely used across various sectors and has been adopted by governments and international organizations, especially in response to climate change. The UN Futures Lab and organizations like the OECD and EU have incorporated this concept into their strategies.
- Anticipatory and forward-looking approaches emphasize the importance of developing future scenarios based on data to build resilience and ensure sustainable development. Both are terms that have gained international traction, mainly through the work of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.
- A future-oriented organizational structure refers to how organizations consider their long-term prospects and goals. The UN System has endorsed this expression when referring to developing governance that’s fit for the future and includes the needs of future generations in decision-making.
- Futures literacy is a concept that encompasses skills that help individuals and organizations navigate our complex and uncertain world. It involves imagining diverse futures to gain new perspectives on the present and make better-informed decisions. UNESCO developed and widely used this concept.
All these
approaches underscore the importance of looking ahead, embracing uncertainty,
and considering the needs of future generations in current decision-making,
contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive future building.
Now, it is
time to delve into DFG Rev2’s main novelties. We include changes
introduced in Rev2 in bold and italics to help readers quickly identify
them.
The Preamble
Paragraph 2
includes a general reference to international law obligations as
part of the DFG Rev2 framework, previously in paragraph 3 of the DFG Rev1. Now,
countries reaffirm their legal commitments but do not expressly mention them as
a guide for adopting the Declaration.
The
definition of Future Generation as “all those generations that do not yet
exist, and who will inherit this planet” did not change. Still, it is now
paragraph 4 of the Preamble, which is a sign of its acceptance (in Rev
1, it was paragraph 3.bis).
Paragraph 4
in Rev1 observed that many national legal systems, social and cultural
practices, and religions seek to safeguard future generations and promote
intergenerational solidarity and responsibility. In Rev2, it has become
paragraph 5 and includes mentions of the needs and interests of future
generations, the promotion of justice, and the use of the word equity
instead of responsibility.
The
following three paragraphs address the issues of children and youth as agents
of change and the need for intergenerational dialogue, the value of investing
in building a solid foundation for international peace and security,
sustainable development, human rights, and the observance of the rule of law;
and the complexity and interrelated nature of the present generation
opportunities, challenges and risks, as well as the implications of projected
global demographic trends. There are no relevant changes here.
The
Preamble’s last paragraph (number 11) expresses member State’s commitment to
building a more robust, more effective, and resilient
multilateral system based on international law, with the United Nations at its
core, underpinned by transparency, confidence, and trust for the
benefit of present and future generations. Effectiveness and transparency are
two relevant aggregates in Rev2.
The Guiding Principles
Rev.2
includes a reference to the “leave no one behind principle” at the very
beginning of this section, which is absent in Rev. 1. Then, it presents ten
principles aimed at “seize(ing) the opportunity that presents generations
possess to leave a better future for generations to come.”
- The maintenance of international peace and security, with full respect for international law, in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. In a significant turn, the references to “the principles of sovereign equality of states and territorial integrity” that were part of this paragraph’s previous version (Rev1, para 11) have been deleted.
- Rev2 paragraph 13 (former paragraph 12) refers to “The right to pursue and enjoy all human rights, expressly integrating the three pillars of human rights law: respect, protection, and promotion. Thus, human rights find a strong anchor in the DFG.
- The “opportunity[in Rev1 “ability”] for future generations to thrive in prosperity and achieve sustainable development must be ensured [in Rev1 “guaranteed”]. Rev 2 aggregates a reference on considering “the particular circumstances of persons in vulnerable situations” at the end of the paragraph.
- A new article 15 focuses on intergenerational solidarity, dialogue, and social cohesion as “an indispensable part of the foundation for the prosperity of future generations” and recognizes the “role of families as contributors to sustainable development.” This article reproduces Rev1 paragraph 22.bis, which is then included as a commitment.
- As a proxy to environmental health, Rev2 para 16 now establishes that “A clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, where humanity lives in harmony with nature, must be created and maintained by urgently addressing the adverse impacts and consequences of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.” Previous references in Rev 1 to desertification, water scarcity and “other environmental concerns” were taken out of the text —a step back on sensitive issues.
- Rev2 paragraph 17 addresses technology and innovation, calling for their safe, secure, ethical, and trustworthy development “to promote an inclusive digital transformation, while bridging digital divides, within and among countries,” ensuring equitable access to new and emerging technologies and implementing capacity-building initiatives. There are no significant changes to Rev1 on this point.
- Gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment are considered requirements for a sustainable future, just as in Rev1.
- “Full and equal” participation of persons with disabilities of present and future generations in decision-making is considered “critical” to ensure that no one is left behind. Including the highlighted words is the only change from Rev1.
- A new paragraph 20 establishes that “The elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, related intolerance, and the empowerment of all people, as well as the achievement of racial equality, are required for a prosperous and sustainable future.”
- Finally, Rev2 paragraph 21 on strengthening multilateralism went through relevant modifications. In its new wording, this guiding principle reads as follows: “An inclusive, transparent, and effective multilateral system is essential to enhance international solidarity and cooperation, rebuild trust, and create a world that is sustainable, just and equitable, and where human dignity is ensured.”. Previously, in Rev1, it included references to a “strong,” “efficient,” and “robust” multilateralism that contributes to rebuilding trust “among countries and other relevant stakeholders,” and used the word “resilient” as an adjective that applied to the world we want to create. All those mentions were dropped out of the text.
The Commitments
Eleven
paragraphs (22 to 33) preset a series of commitments aligned with the guiding
principles. Differing from the Global Digital Compact, they do not include a
deadline.
- Ensure peaceful, inclusive, and just societies while addressing inequalities, including “the special needs of developing countries, as well as those of systemically marginalized communities and persons in vulnerable situations.” Compared to Rev1, this paragraph’s only difference is the deletion (again) of the word “resilient” about “societies.”
- Implement policies and programs “to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence, harassment and abuse against women and girls, including sexual and gender-based violence” providing “equitable social, economic and leadership opportunities for women.” nevertheless, the paragraph left behind a previous reference mention to “girls” in the last part, making confuse if all the paragraph refers to both women and girls or the provision of equitable social, economic and leadership opportunities only benefits women.
- Paragraph 24 expresses the commitment to “eliminate all forms of persistent historical and structural inequalities, including by acknowledging, addressing and remedying past tragedies and their consequences,” eradicating all forms of discrimination.
- Paragraph 25 addresses human diversity. States commit to “Honor, promote and preserve cultural diversity and heritage, as well as languages, knowledge, systems and traditions, and foster intercultural and interreligious dialogue.” Rev1 explicitly mentions preserving “the common heritage of mankind.” Its suppression may be linked to the economical use of outer space, the seabed, the ocean floor, and subsoil.
- On Indigenous Peoples, paragraph 26 establishes the commitment to protect their “territories, land and ecosystems,” and their traditions, “spiritual beliefs and ancestral knowledge” safeguards while “ensuring their full, equal and meaningful participation in decision-making.” The previous version of the paragraph included a reference to “value, conserve, and restore ecosystems and communities” and explicitly stated that Indigenous Peoples’ participation in decision-making should occur “at all levels.” Both are no longer in the text.
- Paragraph 27 refers to undertaking “comprehensive and targeted strategies to achieve inclusive economic growth and sustainable development, food security, and the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, and to combat the feminization of poverty, to meet the needs of the present generations, achieve global resilience and establish a more prosperous foundation for future generations.” A reference to pursuing “global resilience” included in Rev1 was erased.
- As mentioned above, Rev1 paragraph 22bis, on promoting intergenerational solidarity, was moved to the guiding principles, and it is now Rev2, paragraph 15).
- Paragraph 28 addresses climate change, requiring States to “prioritize urgent action on climate change” but erasing the Rev1 references to “biodiversity loss, pollution, desertification, water scarcity and other.” Instead, it calls to “safeguard communities and persons in vulnerable situations, reverse the degradation of ecosystems, and ensure a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.”
- On new technologies, Rev2 paragraph 29 copies Rev1 paragraph 24, establishing that “Harness the benefits of new and emerging technologies and mitigate the associated risks in a constructive and safe manner through effective and equitable governance at the global and regional levels, including through building capacity and promoting the transfer of technology on mutually agreed terms to eliminate the digital and innovation divide, as outlined in the Pact for the Future and the annexed Global Digital Compact,” establishing the only bridge between the two documents to be included as annexes of the Pact.
- Paragraph 30 faces the issue of strengthening cooperation to respond to demographic trends,” including rapid population growth, declining birthrates, and aging populations,” calling States to consider its interlinkages with development, mentioning the needs and interests of future generations but also children, youth, and older adults. A reference to cooperate “on safe, orderly and regular migration” issues included in Rev1 was moved to the next paragraph.
- Cooperation to ensure “a safe, orderly and regular migration” and the acknowledgment of “the positive contribution of migrants to inclusive growth and sustainable development” are part of paragraph 31. An essential part of this paragraph in Rev1 that mentioned promoting “opportunities for lifelong learning and digital literacy, allowing for the intergenerational acquisition and transfer of knowledge and skills” is now part of paragraph 32, not explicitly oriented to migrants.
- The new paragraph 32 reflects the commitment to “Invest in accessible, safe, inclusive and equitable quality education for all, and promote opportunities for lifelong learning, technical and vocational training, and digital literacy, allowing for the intergenerational acquisition and transfer of knowledge and skills to advance the prospects of future generations.”
- The last commitment is oriented to “Protect [in Rev1 “Guarantee”] the right of future generations to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, through universal health coverage and strengthened and resilient health systems, as well as equitable access to safe, affordable, effective and quality medicines, vaccines, therapeutics, and other health products, to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all across generations.” On the one hand, this new wording makes the commitment weaker since “to protect” is weaker than “to guarantee.” However, on the other hand, it now includes equitable access to medicines and treatments, which expands its reach.
The Actions
Governments,
assuming that they are primarily responsible for safeguarding the needs and
interests of future generations acting within their “constitutional
frameworks,” promise to “implement, institutionalize and monitor the
above commitments, in national, regional and global policy-making” To this end,
they decide:
- Using science, data, and strategic foresight for long-term planning and decision-making.
- Ensuring equitable access to knowledge and promoting critical thinking skills.
- Transforming national and global accounting systems, including developing measures beyond GDP.
- Investing in capacity to prepare for and respond to future global shocks and crises.
- Implementing a whole-of-government approach to policies affecting future generations.
- Enhancing partnerships with stakeholders and promoting intergenerational cooperation.
- Equipping the multilateral system, including the UN, to support Member States in implementing these actions, and
- Adopting a future-oriented organizational culture across the UN system.
Finally,
Member States recognize the advisory and advocacy role that the United
Nations should play regarding future generations and consequently
consider taking four possible and non-mutually excluding steps:
-Requesting
the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Envoy for Future Generations, and/or
-Establishing
an annual forum or high-level meeting on future generations that will review the
implementation of this Declaration every five years (en la Rev1
era annual), and/or
-Including
future generations as a recurring agenda item in the UN General Assembly “on
a [periodic] basis”, and/or
-Requesting the Secretary-General to submit periodic [in Rev 1 “annual”] reports on the implementation of these commitments “for consideration [at a high-level meeting or by the General Assembly]”
Conclusion
The DFG
Rev2 does not bring relevant changes to Rev1. Some wording issues were solved,
mentions of “future generations’ needs and interests” are now extended
throughout the document, and the “leave no one behind” principle is now more
potent in the text.
While some
of the modifications seek to increase the level of ambition shown in the
document, many of them go in the opposite direction. However, the fourth and
back are minimal and need more substance to change the general direction of the
text. It still needs to be clarified in terms of critical issues and is far
from the ambition that the current time requires.
When future
generations take the lead, they will probably ask us why we were incapable of
doing more, doing better, and doing what is needed to give them a platform to
build a more sustainable world.
This
Declaration on Future Generations is the beginning of a long journey. I hope
that the next steps will be up to the challenge.
