SIPA Students Engage in Summit of the Future Action Days at UN

In late September, global leaders, policymakers, and experts from civil society gathered in New York City for the highly anticipated Summit of the Future at the United Nations. The summit aimed to establish the Pact for the Future, a comprehensive agreement among UN Member States designed to strengthen global cooperation in addressing pressing challenges, such as climate change, inequality, sustainable development, and international peace and security. Prior to the main conference, the Summit of the Future Action Days provided a platform for civil society, youth, and experts from various sectors to discuss innovative solutions to these issues, setting the stage for impactful discussions during the Summit.

A group of SIPA students self-organized a new initiative to ensure their voices were part of this global conversation. Thanks to official registration facilitated by the nonprofit organizations Major Group for Children and Youth, and the Future International Foundation, SIPA students had the opportunity to participate in the summit’s conferences and actively engage in discussions. These organizations, both committed to advocating for greater youth involvement at the UN, enabled the students to attend the event on their behalf.

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Rustam Baratov MPA ’26, the founder of Future International Foundation, highlighted the significance of such participation: “As students, especially at an institution like SIPA, we have the unique opportunity to not only learn about global governance but also to actively participate in shaping it,” he explained. “The Pact for the Future introduces the first-ever Declaration on Future Generations. Engaging at the Summit with issues like AI governance allows us to contribute directly to these important conversations.”

The Pact for the Future is a landmark agreement endorsed by 143 of the 193 UN Member States and was first formally adopted by the UN General Assembly back in September 2022. It builds upon existing frameworks like the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, aiming to strengthen global governance and cooperation. Moreover, the Pact seeks to reaffirm and strengthen nations’ commitment to sustainable development, particularly in advancing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a global framework established by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and focus on various areas such as poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean water, clean energy, decent work, economic growth, and climate action. The target date for achieving the SDGs is 2030.

For this reason, the Summit of the Future is designed to be an annual event that serves as a platform to gather and review progress on these international commitments. In addition, the summit also provides opportunities for member states to negotiate new agreements and enhance global action on emerging issues such as artificial intelligence and technological governance​. 

A focal point of this year’s summit was the growing role of AI in global governance. For instance, the “A Digital Future for All” event was the flagship session of the second day, organized by the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology (OSET), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). With 2.6 billion people still unconnected to digital technologies like the internet, achieving universal and affordable access is a critical priority. The event featured panel discussions and workshops with prominent figures, including Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, who provided insights into the intersection of governance, equity, and technology.

Reflecting on his experience, Syed Daniyal Basit MPA ’25 noted, “Coming from Pakistan, a country where development challenges intersect with rapid technological change, I see the urgent need for reform and innovation.” He added: “One of the most impactful moments for me was hearing Sundar Pichai emphasize the role of AI in governance and the opportunities it presents for developing nations. As someone pursuing a career in global economic policy and development, I’m committed to applying these insights to help shape solutions that can directly benefit countries such as my home country, while learning from and contributing to the future global leadership.”

Future iterations of the Summit of the Future are planned to occur annually, with the next major review and follow-up expected at the UN General Assembly in 2025. This ongoing process ensures that the commitments made are implemented and adapted as needed to respond to global challenges​.

Looking ahead, the renewed adoption of the Pact for the Future marks a pivotal moment: The next steps involve further development and implementation of the agreement’s commitments, including expanded efforts to integrate youth voices into decision-making processes. While the Action Days were a significant milestone, SIPA students aim to stay engaged, potentially participating in follow-up sessions leading up to the next UNGA in 2025. Their involvement underscores a commitment to not just studying global challenges but actively participating in finding and implementing solutions. 

As Rustam Baratov put it, “Being involved in those governance discussions allowed us to engage directly with policymakers and global leaders. It was an incredible opportunity to connect with influential figures and gain insights into the decision-making processes that will shape our future.”

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The SIPA Summit of the Future cohort at the United Nations Secretariat Building