2024-09-24 05:27:16
The UN General Assembly has approved a ‘Treaty for the Future’ aimed at preserving global cooperation. The agreement was accepted by the General Assembly on Sunday (September 22).
An annex to the agreement also includes working towards a responsible and sustainable digital future.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the agreement as a “significant shift towards a more effective, inclusive, connected multilateralism”.
The agreement was adopted without a vote at the General Assembly’s two-day ‘Summit for the Future’. The compromise agreement was prepared after nearly nine months of negotiations.
“We are here to bring multilateralism back from the brink,” Guterres said at the summit.
Guterres has long been pushing for the accord and the summit. Issues such as peace and security, global governance, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender equality, youth and future generations are covered in this agreement. It mentions about 56 broad measures, which states have pledged to achieve.
Global crises have highlighted the need to reform the United Nations and restructure the international financial system. These crises include the ongoing wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan; backtracking on climate change mitigation efforts; Concerns over the massive national debt problem and uncontrolled technological development. The overall aim of this agreement is to meet this challenge of time.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin criticized the negotiations and ratification of the agreement.
Russia wanted to add an amendment to the treaty declaration. It stated, ‘The United Nations and its bodies shall not interfere in matters falling under the internal jurisdiction of any State.’
North Korea, Syria, Nicaragua, Belarus and Iran supported the Russian amendment proposal.