New York, United States – September 22, 2024: Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan joined global leaders at the United Nations Summit of the Future, held at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Leading the Seychelles delegation, President Ramkalawan participated in the opening and plenary sessions of the Summit yesterday, where he delivered a statement coinciding with the adoption of the "Pact for the Future."
The 2024 Summit produced a pivotal, action-oriented Pact for the Future, which was negotiated inter-governmentally. This comprehensive document addresses key global issues across chapters including Sustainable Development and Financing for Development; International Peace and Security; Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Cooperation; Youth and Future Generations; and Transforming Global Governance.
In his address, President Ramkalawan stressed the urgency of tackling the existential threats facing the global community, underscoring the critical importance of the Summit’s deliberations in shaping a sustainable future for all.
"The Pact for the Future must not just mirror the aspirations of all nations – it must embody the hopes and dreams of the most vulnerable among us. We cannot afford to make commitments to strengthen global cooperation on climate action, sustainable development, and equitable access to resources only to see them diluted in implementation. The harsh truth is that, despite our ambitions, there is a real risk that these commitments will fall short, continuing to marginalise those who are already most at risk, shutting them out of the very decision-making processes that shape their futures" said the President.
During his intervention, President Ramkalawan also underscored the importance of ensuring that the Pact for the Future reflects the needs and aspirations of all sectors of society. He emphasized that the active engagement of young people is crucial in the development process, calling for their involvement in building a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable world. Ramkalawan highlighted that youth participation is not just desirable but essential to shaping a future that addresses the challenges of our time.
"The youth are not merely the leaders of tomorrow; they are the essential stakeholders of today. Their active and early involvement is critical to ensuring the sustainability of our initiatives" stressed President Ramkalawan.
He also highlighted that addressing the digital divide is equally critical, emphasising that the inequality that threatens to widen the gap requires more targeted action. "Strong partnerships are vital to ensuring equitable access to the technologies and infrastructure that underpin modern development. These efforts must be supported by resilient multilateral institutions, international cooperation, global solidarity and shared responsibility, as no nation can tackle these immense challenges alone. To truly embody the principles of cooperation and shared responsibility, we must recognise and preserve the strategic significance of regions like the Indian Ocean, where fostering peace and collaboration is vital for both regional stability and the broader success of our global community. Just as the stability of the Indian Ocean is crucial to our collective prosperity, so too is the success of initiatives like the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS, which demands our unwavering commitment and the active support of the international community to turn its promise into reality" added President Ramkalawan.
President Ramkalawan urged world leaders to move beyond rhetoric and take decisive action. He called on multilateral institutions to recognize the critical importance of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) as a key tool for implementation.
Ramkalawan stressed that the MVI is essential for ensuring that the unique vulnerabilities of the most at-risk nations are prioritized in global financing strategies, urging the international community to integrate this index into their frameworks to address the pressing challenges these countries face.
"Let us remember that the decisions we make today will determine the world of tomorrow. For my small nation, the stakes could not be higher. We are ready – eager – to contribute to a future that is sustainable, equitable, and just. But we cannot do this alone. It is only through cooperation, mutual respect, and shared responsibility that we can hope to tackle the enormous challenges that confront us all. We need your partnership, your solidarity, and your unwavering commitment to ensuring that no one—no nation—is left behind."
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