NEW YORK - The Kingdom of the Netherlands, alongside Jamaica, played a key role in preparing the Declaration on Future Generations, which aims to ensure that the interests of future generations are considered in today’s decisions. This initiative focuses on securing a livable future for Caribbean children and grandchildren.
During the United Nations Summit of the Future, held this weekend in New York, the so-called Pact for the Future was adopted in the presence of Aruba’s Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes and Sint Maarten’s interim Prime Minister Luc Mercelina. The pact is an action-oriented agreement with chapters on sustainable development, international peace and security, science, technology and innovation, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance.
The draft pact, currently under negotiation, has the potential to promote a multilateral system that reflects today’s realities and delivers results for everyone, everywhere. To support member states, the UN Secretary-General made proposals in eleven policy briefs, which further elaborate the ideas from the Our Common Agenda report.
Many of these proposals are being considered in the negotiations, which are co-facilitated by Namibia and Germany (for the pact), Zambia and Sweden (for digital cooperation), and Jamaica and the Netherlands (for future generations). The Pact for the Future and the associated declarations, including the Declaration on Future Generations, aim to promote sustainable development and protect the interests of future generations.
Youth and the Future
Several practical solutions have been developed to better safeguard the interests of young people and future generations. A key starting point is establishing a global standard for meaningful youth engagement. This means that young people are actively involved in all intergovernmental mechanisms and processes of the United Nations, with the obligation to ensure their voices are heard.
Additionally, it is proposed to implement a system that monitors and tracks youth participation. Developing specific guidelines and protocols to protect young people is another significant step in this process.
To support youth-focused initiatives, a global investment platform for youth projects should be created, potentially funded through additional budgetary resources. At the national level, the establishment of youth consultation bodies is advised, enabling young people to voice their concerns locally as well.
One of the most important initiatives is the approval of a Declaration for Future Generations, which centers long-term planning and the use of science and data in policymaking. It is crucial that the entire UN system adopts a forward-looking culture where scientific knowledge serves as the foundation for sustainable decisions.
These steps recognize young people as essential partners in shaping a better future for everyone.