The United Nations in South Africa and partners hold a seminar on the Summit of the Future

As part of its ongoing consultations with civil society organizations on the upcoming United Nations Summit of the Future to be held in September at the UN Secretariat in New York, the UN in South Africa and its partners today held a high-level symposium to discuss Africa’s role in the Summit. 

The event, which was organized in collaboration with South Africa’s Department for International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the University of Pretoria’s Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship – under the theme, “The UN Summit of the Future: What’s in it for Africa?” –  brought together representatives from the civil society, members of the diplomatic corps, academia, university students and the public.  

Speaking on the role of Africa in implementing the outcomes of the Summit within the UN system, the head of the UN in South Africa and its Resident Coordinator, Nelson Muffuh, urged participants not to waste the opportunity provided by the Summit to address long-standing concerns of African and other developing countries and achieve practical agreements. 

“We are at a point in history where the decisions and the actions leaders, governments, private sector and civil society actors as well as individuals will take now is shaping our world of today and the world of tomorrow and for generations to come,” said Mr. Muffuh, adding, “South Africa’s unwavering leadership in this regard is not only noted but appreciated.”

While noting that Africa was home to some of the world's fastest-growing economies, innovative solutions, and resilient communities, the Resident Coordinator urged the continent’s leaders to lead by example by integrating the principles of the Summit’s Declaration into policies and governance frameworks.

“By doing so, we can demonstrate that sustainable development is not just a goal but a reality that can be achieved through concerted effort and unwavering commitment,” he said.

In his keynote address, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, highlighted the critical role of multilateralism in addressing global challenges and achieving future commitments. He emphasized the need to close gaps and enhance Africa’s inclusivity on the global stage, advocating for a global consensus aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Mr. Botes called for collaborative efforts to ensure developing countries are not left behind and reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to supporting Africa’s development and unity.

Various speakers emphasized the need for Africa to actively participate in the Summit of the Future and expressed their commitment in shaping its outcomes. A youth representative highlighted the importance of actively engaging young people to foster trust and confidence in institutions, which is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

There was consensus among participants that the Summit of the Future offers an opportunity to advance Africa’s goals for technological progress, employment, climate action and more. However, the symposium recognized that addressing global challenges and restoring trust requires unified action and collaboration with civil society organizations to overcome current divergences among various issues, including debt, inadequate health systems, financing for development and effective African representation on the UN Security Council.