Summit of the Future aims to make UN more relevant

 
The much-talked about meeting called the "Summit of the Future," is going to be the most important issue as Climate, Conflict, Hunger and US politics would become the main issue in the next week's debates.

The UN Secretary-General thinks the final document has the most significant reform in a generation. Another diplomat said "it should make the UN more relevant." But getting 193 to agree on anything is difficult; so is the task for the 193 members of the UN General Assembly. Countries like Bangladesh are still negotiating its final summit document, called the "Pact for the Future," after months of talks.

However, the pact, now in its fourth revision, aims to provide a blueprint on how to tackle critical issues like conflicts, climate change, Security Council reform and the regulation of artificial intelligence.

Meanwhile, this year the UN once again caught in a debate over its relevance while attempting to stem wars in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan. All of which its Secretary General Antonio Guterres is keen to remedy.

"I have one overriding message today; an appeal to member states for a spirit of compromise," Guterres said.

Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus is expected to present the context of the anti-discrimination student movement that took place in Bangladesh in July-August last and the heroism of the student uprising.

The chief adviser will also highlight the reform agendas taken by his government to repair the state after the political changeover. Chief adviser is likely to highlight the heroism of the August 5 revolution of Bangladesh students while delivering his speech at the UNGA.

How the students stood up against fascism at the cost of their lives to create a successful revolution and sow the seeds of new dreams among people will be reflected in the address of the chief adviser.

Mentioning the hopes and aspirations of the students and commoners for the future Bangladesh, Prof Yunus will call upon the international community to cooperate with Bangladesh by rising above geopolitics.

Meanwhile, the United Nations said Friday it was "very concerned" after Israeli strikes hit the Lebanese capital Beirut, and urged all parties to exercise "maximum restraint."

"We are, of course, very concerned about the heightened escalation... including the deadly strikes we saw in Beirut today. We urge all parties to de-escalate immediately. All must exercise maximum restraint," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus will address the 79th session of the UN General Assembly on September 27.

In his address the chief adviser will highlight how the student-led movement took place in July and will express the government's conviction to build a pro people, welfare state system, aimed at serving the people, Besides issues related to climate change, Bangladesh's role in peacekeeping, trafficking of wealth from the poor nations, safe migration, conflict resolution and Palestine situation will be featured in Dr Muhammad Yunus's address.

UNGA is "Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations."

On the heels of ongoing conflicts in different parts of the world and incidents of human rights violations, the upcoming UNGA is also very significant for Bangladesh.

Climate change will be one of the biggest issues being discussed, leaders from vulnerable island nations push for more action to tackle global warming. The war in Sudan will also be a talking point, The city has for months been besieged by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a rebel group that took up arms against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in April 2023.