World leaders at the UN Summit for the Future have signed the “Pact of the Future” which aims to boost global governance and tackle issues like conflicts, climate change, Artificial Intelligence (AI), human rights, and the growing gap between the rich and poor.
Like many UN resolutions, the Pact is filled with high hopes and commitments but lacks specific steps to achieve its goals. In issues like food insecurity, global financing, fair trade, gender equality, and protection of the environment, the document does not specify how the UN will deal with these problems.
That is why the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres challenged the leaders to make the Pact work. He urged them to focus on dialogue and negotiations, end conflicts worldwide, expedite changes to the global financial system, transition away from fossil fuels, and include young people in decision-making.
The Catholic Church was present through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State. He spoke at the summit and highlighted some key issues prioritized by the Vatican, with tackling poverty being the most critical. “Eradicating poverty must stay the top goal of all future efforts, keeping in mind that development leads to peace,” he said.
This goal requires the political will to reform international financial institutions and implement debt forgiveness for poor countries. Total disarmament, especially regarding nuclear weapons, is another priority for the nations at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions between the US, China, and Russia.
Recognizing the importance of technology for the future, Cardinal Parolin emphasized the urgent need to regulate AI through a framework that addresses data protection, accountability, bias, and the impact of AI on jobs.
While acknowledging the “Pact for the Future,” the Cardinal raised concerns about two contentious terms: sexual and reproductive health rights and gender. He reiterated the Holy See’s viewpoint on marriage as being between a man and a woman and opposed abortion. He also reaffirmed that gender should be understood in terms of biological sex (male or female).
The “Pact for the Future” is a plan of action to restore dialogue between nations in the face of increasing global conflicts and inequalities. The UN and its members have been commissioned to make this plan work. May it guarantee a better future for our humanity.
