UNGA79 Outlook: What’s on the Agenda

The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has kicked off in New York City, bringing high-level representatives from government at all levels, businesses, civil society and academia to discuss the world’s most pressing global issues.

Ahead of the UNGA79 High-Level Week, our UN Team has compiled the top three things businesses should be on the lookout for.

The Summit of the Future, set for September 22-23, 2024, at the UN headquarters in New York, will be a pivotal gathering of world leaders to shape a renewed global consensus to address current and emerging global challenges. This high-level event seeks to restore faith in international collaboration, modernize global institutions to reflect contemporary political and economic realities, and confront critical issues like climate change, inequality and technological advancements. The goal is to foster a more sustainable and equitable future for all by adopting the much anticipated Pact for the Future and its two annexes: the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration for Future Generations.

The Pact for the Future is meant to be a pivotal framework designed to address global challenges with a long-term vision extending beyond 2030, aiming to tackle issues such as climate change and peace and security amid increasing geopolitical tensions. The Pact’s five broad focus areas include sustainable development, international peace and security, science and technology, youth and future generations, and transforming global governance. While the pact and its annexes have been adopted today, the negotiations were constantly marred by increasing tensions in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

The Future of Multilateralism Is Digital

In the specific case of the Global Digital Compact (GDC), with the incremental use of artificial intelligence (AI) within recent years, the UN member states were compelled to expedite the negotiations of an agreement to establish a globally inclusive framework designed to address the digital, data and innovation gaps that hinder equitable progress. It is in this context GDC will focus on developing principles and actions to ensure a free, secure and human-centered digital future grounded in universal human rights that are essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This will be further completed by the release of the UN Secretary-General report titled Governing AI for Humanity by the UN Secretary-General. By complementing the Global Digital Compact, this report seeks to close the gap between technological innovation and ethical, equitable implementation, ensuring that AI contributes to global development without exacerbating social divides. 

Outside the UN walls, AI has also taken a central stage by becoming the nexus of a large majority of the conversations that take place across the different platforms that are organized under the UNGA umbrella.  As a result, this year, attendees should expect a myriad of conversations talking on the various nexus of AI and sustainable development to peace and security, and everything in between.

Economic Stability in a ‘Super-Election’ Year and a Changing Geopolitical Landscape

As world leaders gather at UNGA79, the intersection of political change and economic stability will be a key area of focus. With 2024 slated as a “super-election” year, major elections across several nations will have far-reaching implications, not only for domestic policies but also for global economic dynamics. This will be a central discussion point, as political instability could introduce significant risks to the global business landscape, ranging from regulatory uncertainty to shifts in trade agreements. Furthermore, how political transitions impact global priorities like Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategies will also be examined at this year’s UNGA, as instability could either accelerate or impede progress.

The broader geopolitical landscape, shaped by conflicts and shifting alliances, will be another focal point for this year’s discussions, particularly around the  growing conflict in the Middle East and the ongoing war in Eastern Europe. Businesses, particularly those operating globally, must navigate this changing environment. This year’s UNGA will provide a platform to discuss how peace and security directly influence economic stability and the role that the private sector can play in promoting both. Conversations will focus on the need for companies to strengthen risk management and ensure long-term business continuity amid rising uncertainty.

Expanding on the Climate Change Discussion

Climate change will once again take center stage at this year’s UNGA. However, the focus will shift from setting goals to implementing action. As the deadline to meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target rapidly approaches, global leaders will call on businesses to step up their efforts in advancing green finance and transitioning to sustainable practices. This will be a prominent topic of discussion, as the private sector’s role in driving investments in renewable energy, sustainable technologies and climate-resilient supply chains becomes increasingly critical. The stakes are clear: businesses must act to mitigate climate risks or face the growing possibility of losing investor and consumer confidence.

A key feature of this year’s climate discussions will be the UN Secretary-General’s report on critical minerals, which highlights their essential role in supporting the global transition to clean energy. This will be discussed extensively as world leaders and businesses alike confront the environmental, social and geopolitical challenges associated with sourcing critical minerals like lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements—vital for technologies such as batteries and solar panels. Ensuring that the extraction of these resources is both sustainable and equitable will be a major priority as UNGA debates how to balance the need for these materials with the imperative of safeguarding communities and ecosystems.

Additionally, discussions around biodiversity and desertification will also feature prominently as the world looks ahead to CBD COP16 and UNCCD COP16. These topics will be intertwined with critical issues such as food security, sustainable agriculture and the role of AI in enhancing agricultural practices. The interplay between technology, energy, nature and land will be central to these debates as stakeholders consider building a future that addresses environmental and human needs.

Visit apcoworldwide.com/unga to learn more about APCO’s work at UNGA or to contact our UN team to see how we can help you.

Photo: UN/Laura Jarriel