Report by Cedric Dzelu – CCI Volunteer from Ghana and Youth Focal Person on Climate Change for the Africa Youth Commission

From September 20th to 22nd, 2024, I had the honor of attending the United Nations’ Summit of the Future in New York, where global leaders, youth, civil society, and activists gathered to confront the most urgent challenges facing our world. The discussions were framed around the Pact for the Future, a bold initiative launched by the UN to strengthen multilateralism and address critical global issues like climate change, conflict, inequality, and pandemics.

The experience of being part of the Summit offered an unprecedented platform for me, as the Youth Focal Person on Climate Change for the African Youth Commission and the Executive Director of Frontline for Climate Action, to reflect on how this transformative Pact can guide our collective efforts towards a sustainable and equitable world. Reflecting on my time at the Summit of the Future, I left with a sense of urgency and determination.

The Pact for the Future provides a comprehensive framework for addressing the most critical challenges we face, but its success will depend on the commitment of nations to take real action. Climate change is not just an issue for future generations—it is a crisis unfolding before our eyes, and we must act now to secure a livable planet.

At Frontline for Climate Action, we are committed to mobilizing communities, empowering youth, and advocating for the policies that will bring the Pact for the Future to life. We need bold climate action, equitable financing, and global solidarity to ensure that future generations inherit a world that is not only habitable but thriving. The time to act is now, and the Pact for the Future offers a path forward—one that is inclusive, just, and sustainable.

For instance:

• To end hunger and malnutrition, the Pact commits nations to “Promote equitable, resilient, inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems so that everyone has access to safe, affordable, sufficient and nutritious food.”
• It also commits to advance all of the Sustainable Development Goals, by “[providing and mobilizing] sustainable, affordable, accessible, transparent and predictable development finance from all sources and the required means of implementation to developing countries”.
• It recognizees that “the achievement of full human potential and sustainable development is not possible if women and girls are denied full human rights and opportunities”.
• And, it calls on all nations to work together to “Protect everyone on Earth through universal coverage of multi-hazard early warning systems by 2027, including through the accelerated implementation of the Early Warnings for All initiative.”

The Pact calls for and commits to practical solutions that advance sustainable development.

1. Enhancing Climate Commitments: It emphasizes stronger climate pledges under the Paris Agreement, supporting our advocacy for stricter emission targets and equitable financing for vulnerable nations like Ghana.
2. Fostering Solidarity: The Pact highlights the need for global cooperation, amplifying marginalized voices, including youth, in climate decision-making—a principle central to my work with the African Youth Commission.
3. Promoting Sustainable Development: By reinforcing international collaboration, it offers a roadmap for addressing poverty, inequality, and environmental challenges, aligning with our goals at Frontline for Climate Action.

Civic engagement and participatory policy-making are vital for building resilient and inclusive societies. At the Summit of the Future, it became clear to me that sustainable change can only happen when diverse voices, especially those of youth and marginalized communities, are at the decision-making table. Empowering citizens to actively shape policies ensures that solutions are more equitable, effective, and reflective of the challenges we face collectively.

In the spirit of the Pact for the Future, let us all commit to playing our part in building a peaceful, resilient, and equitable world for all. Together, we can turn this vision into reality.