Summit of the Future - Action Days: My Takeaways!

I just attended a few of the Summit of the Future Action Days events which the United Nations organized. Even though it was mostly remote participation, I greatly enjoyed exchanging with other participants. And I wanted to share some insights with you.

In a nutshell, the Summit of the Future Action Days provided a great platform for dialogue and collaboration.

A first insight: It is clear that we must work together to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Nonetheless, I have more to share. The event brought together diverse voices, from world leaders to youth representatives, to discuss the critical issues facing sustainable development and to address the urgent need for a greener, fairer and inclusive future. Here are some of their insights:

Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator: Emphasized the need for an international financial architecture that supports sustainable development and the risks that institutions must overcome to fulfill the expectations of global citizens.

Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, stressed the urgency of shifting from short-term gains to long-term sustainable development progress for current and future generations.

Inger Andersen , Executive Director of UNEP, highlighted the need for innovative digital solutions to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable development.

John Kerry, 68th U.S. Secretary of State, discussed the need for leading multilateral institutions to prepare for the future and support sustainable development.

Mahmoud Mohieldin, United Nations Special Envoy for Financing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, proposed concrete actions to radically scale up development and climate finance to meet the SDG investment needs of developing countries.

Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders and Former President of Ireland, highlighted the need for an international financial architecture that supports sustainable development.

Carole Osero-Ageng'o , Global Initiatives Lead & Africa Regional Representative, HelpAge International and Oli Henman , MGoS Coordination Mechanism Co-Chairs outline the Civil Society important perspectives.

Their insights and many more during the 2 days highlight the complex challenges and opportunities facing the world as we strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Some of the key general takeaways for me included:

• The importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships. The event highlighted the need for collaboration across governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals to drive progress on sustainable development.
• The critical role of financing. The event emphasized the urgency of addressing the financing challenges that stand in the way of sustainable development, including debt levels in developing countries. Discussions centered around innovative solutions such as carbon taxes, levies on fossil fuels, and taxing the super-rich.
• The need for bold, multilateral solutions. The event urged for transformative action to scale up development and climate finance to meet the SDG investment needs of developing countries.
• The importance of youth engagement. Young leaders played a key role in the discussions, emphasizing the need for future generations to be at the heart of decision-making.

More specifically, on harnessing the power of digital technologies for a better future, I would outline these key takeaways:

• Universal and affordable connectivity is essential. A "Digital Future for All" can only be achieved if everyone has access to the internet.
• Digital inclusion matters. We need to ensure that everyone has the skills and opportunities to thrive in the digital age.
• Partnerships and digital public infrastructure are crucial. Building a sustainable digital future requires collaboration and shared investments.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) holds immense potential. But we need to ensure its development benefits all of humanity and address its potential risks.

Overall, the event left me optimistic about the future of digital development and committed to working towards a more equitable and sustainable world. #DigitalFuture #SummitOfTheFuture #TechForGood

Attending the Summit of the Future Action Days was not only inspiring but also compelling due to the impactful exchanges. It started strongly. The words of the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres , at the opening of the Summit of the Future's Action Days were straightforward and powerful:

The world belongs to us all. People want a say in the decisions that affect them. And while governments have primary responsibility that we do not deny, we will not solve today’s global problems without contributions from all of society: From civil society and young people, delivering change, promoting accountability, demanding better, standing up for truth and justice – and using new technologies to organize for a better world. From business and finance – critical to combatting the climate crisis and shaping our digital future for the benefit of all. And from scientists, innovators and academics, pushing the boundaries of our knowledge and developing solutions to the great challenges that we face – from hunger and disease, to online hate." António Guterres,?Secretary-General of the UN.

We're all in. And we need all hands on deck!

So, it really started with the youth in an interactive dialogue! Youth advocates, such as Amani Joel Mafigi , Caleb Brathwaite LL.B , Daphne Frias , Hajer Sharief and Josepha Tauli, with the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres unpacked what the implementation of the Pact for the Future means in practice. This open and candid dialogue served as a distinctive platform for discussing tangible steps, exchanging best practices, and engaging in a sincere conversation about the future.

One of the events I remotely attended today was themed "A Digital Future for All", aimed to harness the transformative potential of digital technologies to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous world.

The event kicked off with a powerful joint opening, setting the stage for a dynamic and engaging two-day journey. I was particularly struck by the powerful call to action from the UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology, Amandeep Singh Gill, and the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin. They stressed the importance of universal and affordable connectivity, emphasizing that a "Digital Future for All" cannot be achieved without leaving anyone behind.

The morning sessions provided a glimpse into the future, exploring the trends, risks, and opportunities presented by emerging technologies. I found the session on "A Digital Future for All - Inclusive and Meaningful" especially impactful, featuring diverse perspectives from refugees, educators, and technology leaders. The session highlighted the crucial role of digital technologies in fostering inclusivity and ensuring that everyone has the capacities and skills to thrive in the digital age.

Leaders like Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia, emphasized the importance of fostering digital literacy and skills development for a more inclusive and meaningful digital future. He stressed the need to empower individuals with the tools and knowledge to navigate the digital world effectively. Furthermore, the session on "A Digital Future for All - Sustainable and Prosperous" featured thought-provoking discussions on the critical role of digital technologies in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, highlighted the need for innovative digital solutions to address environmental challenges and emphasized the potential of technology to drive sustainable practices.

The Summit also saw compelling discussions on the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI). Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, emphasized the importance of ensuring that AI advancements benefit all of humanity. He advocated for ethical guidelines and robust regulatory frameworks to address the potential risks of AI while maximizing its positive impact on society. The Summit concluded with a shared commitment to building a digital future that leaves no one behind, fueled by the collective wisdom and insights shared by all attendees and speakers. The event offered a powerful reminder of the potential of digital technologies to transform our world, and the crucial role of collaboration and global cooperation in realizing that vision.

The afternoon sessions focused on laying the groundwork for a sustainable and prosperous digital future, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and digital public infrastructure. Discussions centered around the Global Digital Compact (GDC), exploring how to translate visionary aspirations into concrete commitments that benefit all of humanity. The CEO of 谷歌 , Sundar Pichai , gave a very holistic picture of the potential, the risks, and the opportunities:

"I'll talk today about four of the biggest opportunities we see, many of which align with SDGs. One is helping people access the world's knowledge in their own language using AI... The second area is accelerating scientific discovery to benefit humanity... A third opportunity is helping people in the path of climate related disaster. Building on the UN's initiative, early warnings for all. Our flood hub system provides early warnings up to seven days in advance, helping protect over 460 million people in over 80 countries and for millions in the path of wildfires, our boundary tracking systems are already in 22 countries on Google Maps. We also just announced fireside technology, which will use satellites to detect and track early stage wildfires, with imagery updated every 20 minutes globally so firefighters can respond. Ai gives a boost in accuracy, speed and scale. Fourth, we see the opportunity for AI to meaningfully contribute to economic progress, already enabling entrepreneurs and small businesses, empowering governments to provide public services and boosting productivity across sectors." Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google.

The event also addressed the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI), with speakers underscoring the need to ensure its advancement benefits all of humanity. An outstanding panel was moderated by Ian Bremmer . ! and appreciated the nuanced discussions on the risks, challenges, and opportunities presented by emerging technologies, including AI and quantum computing, but even more emphasizing collaboration, which will be crucial.

The Summit of the Future Action Days was a rich tapestry of insights from diverse voices, all united in their vision for a positive digital future. Several speakers highlighted the urgent need for universal and affordable connectivity as the foundation for a truly inclusive digital landscape. Achim Steiner, Administrator of the #UNDP, emphasized the critical role of connectivity in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in reaching the unconnected 2.6 billion people. Similarly, David Zapolsky , Senior Vice President of Global Public Policy & General Counsel at 亚马逊 , stressed the need for technology companies to prioritize accessibility and bridge the digital divide.

Overall, the Summit of the Future Action Days was an insightful and inspiring experience. The Summit of the Future Action Days served as a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration, emphasizing the need for a transformative approach to global governance and financing. It was a powerful reminder that global collaboration is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

I left the days feeling energized and optimistic about the potential of digital technologies to shape a better future for all, but also determined we have not time to waste and need to take action rigth away!

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