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On September 22nd and 23rd, I witnessed two days of presentations and debates shaping the future world under the adoption of the Pact for the Future at the United Nations Summit. From 8:00 to 9:30, delegates from across the globe, non-governmental organizations, and civil society members alternated between three-minute national presentations on their visions for economic development, youth programs, climate change, women and children, and more, and specific discussions on these topics.
Member States adopted the Pact for the Future, which passed despite criticisms from Russia, Congo, Iran, Syria, and Venezuela, citing Western bias.
The Summit concluded with this statement from the United Nations:
"World leaders adopt a Pact for the Future that includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations (A/RES/79/1). The Pact covers a broad range of themes, including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth, and future generations, and the transformation of global The Pact and its annexes foresee concrete follow-up mechanisms."
This emphasis on future generations and job creation bodes well for an investment in Tourism.
For example, On September 28, days after the Summit, Tbilisi, Georgia, hosted World Tourism Day 2024: A Global Message of Tourism for Peace, asserting that "Tourism has committed to embrace its unique role as a pillar of peace and understanding. On World Tourism Day 2024, UN Tourism brought sector leaders from every global region together around a common vision and commitment to building a "peace-sensitive sector," recognizing its potential to build bridges and foster understanding." Five hundred participants from fifty-one different countries, including 13 Ministers of Tourism, participated.
Background and Origin of the Summit of the Future.
In a landmark move on September 8, 2022, the UN General Assembly announced The Summit of the Future, set for September 22-23, 2024. The Summit aimed to arrive at a forward-thinking document, "A Pact for the Future," shaped by intergovernmental consensus. The Pact is "agreed in advance by consensus through intergovernmental negotiations."
Germany and Namibia, The Summit's co-facilitators, have already fueled the dialogue with a preliminary draft. This draft aimed to lay the groundwork for ambitious and actionable commitments from nations worldwide. Inspired by the UN Secretary-General's "Our Common Agenda," the Summit also aimed to bolster global governance for future generations yet omitted any consideration of older persons.
In this regard, the Summit initiative echoed the UN75 Declaration (RES/75/1), where world leaders committed to bolstering global governance for the benefit of both present and future generations.
A Review of Major Themes Throughout the Sessions AS They Impact Tourism
- Tourism as a Pathway to Economic Development
Many African nations and others cited that they were at a lower growth rate than pre-COVID. For faster economic development, they called upon the International Money Fund to make more favorable loans and cited the need to bring Africa into the IMF. Some of these new financial strategies and structures are slated to fund increased tourism.
For example, UN Tourism and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) have partnered to advance Sports Tourism on a global scale. "The new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marks a step forward in the partnership between the two organizations, highlighting their mutual dedication to advancing sustainable practices and raising awareness about the positive impact of Sports Tourism on destinations. By combining expertise and influence, it aims to leverage the power of world-class sporting events to drive tourism, economic growth, and sustainability.”
- Climate Change
Throughout the Summit, climate change was a focus. This included clean air, ocean protection, and funding the Global Green Fund with grants and loans to create green initiatives. Several countries cited the importance of climate stability for increased and sustainable tourism.
- Multilateralism
Throughout the Summit, there was a call for multilateralism. In many countries, the failure to work together and the absence of certain countries from pivotal decision-making groups within the United Nations are threats to both world peace and economic development. For example, the Republic of Finland applauded multilateralism, stating that a "paradox of our time" is that we are multipolar just as we need multilateralism and called to reform the Security Council by extending membership to more countries and denying voting rights for Member States that those do not comply with the rules.
There is an acknowledgment that without peace, there is no tourism and that tourism is a great contributor to people's understanding. Malta, together with many other countries, cited the impossibility of making any progress in the eradication of poverty without humanitarian efforts that served the sick and the poor on every continent. One hundred twenty million refugees are displaced people, young and old, who can contribute to communities with the support of the Global Compact on Refugees, making this population an opportunity, not a burden. This portends a better pathway to international Volunteering.
- Digital Equality Linked to Youth and Economic Development
Malta and many other countries saw the possibility of eradicating poverty through workforce progress as digital equality was demanded, particularly in the areas of AI. Throughout the conference, AI was promoted as a pathway to better economic health.
The International Telecommunications Union cited a Global Digital Compact to bridge the digital divide through private sector investment. Countries also cited the need for cybersecurity as part of a technology-oriented program. The Slovak Republic emphasized that a Digital presence requires online accountability. Stating we need a digital future and digital equity to serve as tools and a pathway to a better world.
Conclusion
The Summit of the Future primary goals are connected to efforts by national and local forces to increase tourism and sustainability. Today, tourism is at 94% of pre-COVID levels, and in many countries, it has exceeded this number. Yet, some areas are overrun by tourism and are closing or limiting tourism. In a future where many more destinations are available to tourists because the infrastructure, tael tech, and safety become attractive, there will be more jobs and more understanding and a lift on the burden on today's overcrowded tourist destinations.
For more detailed information on the Summit of the Future, you can explore the official reports from the United Nations at https://www.un.org/en/summit-of-the-future.
By: Adriane Berg
Host of the Ageless Traveler Podcast and Co-Founder of Ageless Tourism. Representative to the United Nations from the International Federation on Ageing,
Board Member of the United Nations Global NGO Executive Committee.
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