United Nations adopts ground-breaking Pact for the Future; World Council of Churches Responds

New York, 22 September 2024 – World leaders today adopted a Pact for the Future that includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations. This Pact is the culmination of an inclusive, years-long process to adapt international cooperation to the realities of today and the challenges of tomorrow. The most wide-ranging international agreement in many years, covering entirely new areas as well as issues on which agreement has not been possible in decades, the Pact aims above all to ensure that international institutions can deliver in the face of a world that has changed dramatically since they were created. As the Secretary-General has said, “we cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with a system built by our grandparents.”

Overall, the agreement of the Pact is a strong statement of countries’ commitment to the United Nations, the international system and international law. Leaders set out a clear vision of an international system that can deliver on its promises, is more representative of today’s world and draws on the energy and expertise of governments, civil society and other key partners.

“The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations open the door to new opportunities and untapped possibilities,” said the Secretary-General during his remarks at the opening of the Summit of the Future. The President of the General Assembly noted that the Pact would “lay the foundations for a sustainable, just, and peaceful global order – for all peoples and nations.”

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World Council of Churches statement on UN Summit of the Future outcome

As General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, I welcome the adoption of the United Nations Pact for the Future with persistent hope and a profound sense of responsibility. This historic agreement embodies a collective commitment to tackle the most urgent challenges of our time—climate change, inequality, peace, and justice. It offers a pathway for the global community to work toward a more just and sustainable future.

At this pivotal moment, the World Council of Churches reaffirms its dedication to the values of justice, human rights, peace, and the integrity of creation. The Pact for the Future reflects many concerns long championed by faith communities worldwide. We recognize that the issues at the heart of this Pact—poverty, environmental degradation, armed conflict, and exclusion—require not only political solutions but also moral and spiritual renewal.

The global crises we face today reflect broken relationships: between humanity and creation, and among peoples and nations. Therefore, our response must be rooted in values that transcend short-term self-interest, advocating for the dignity and well-being of all, particularly the most vulnerable, and for future generations of life on Earth. The Pact’s vision of deepening multilateralism and renewed international cooperation to ensure no one is left behind aligns with our belief in a global community governed by mutual care and compassion. Faith communities play a vital role in supporting states and peoples to realize this shared vision. In this regard, I welcome the acknowledgement expressed in the Pact of the need to strengthen partnerships across the whole of society, including with faith-based organizations.

We commend the United Nations for uniting diverse nations around this common vision. However, we urge all governments and stakeholders to move beyond words, to overcome the obstacles that have left so many existing commitments unrealized or inadequately fulfilled, and to commit finally to implementing the Pact’s provisions with urgency and integrity. The Pact must lead to concrete actions that improve lives, protect our environment, and promote peace.

As faith communities, we are prepared to walk alongside the international community on this pilgrimage of justice, peace, reconciliation and unity. Our shared witness must be one of active participation, prayer, and advocacy, amplifying the voices of those most impacted by the climate crisis, economic injustice, human rights violations, and conflict. We remain committed to partnering with all people of goodwill to help build a future that reflects God’s vision for humanity’s wellbeing and the flourishing of all creation.

May this significant moment renew our hope and strengthen our resolve to work together for a world where peace and justice prevail.