UNGA78: Eminent World Leaders Call for a Strengthened UN System 

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Ahead of the September 21 United Nations Ministerial Meeting for the Summit of the Future (SOTF), a group of prominent former government and UN leaders are calling on current world leaders to build on the outcomes from this year’s SDG Summit and utilize the 2024 UN SOTF to strengthen the United Nations system.

In an open letter announced September 16 during a UN SDG Action Weekend side-event by the Coalition for the UN We Need (C4UN) themed, “From the SDG Summit to the Summit of the Future: Building the UN We Need”. The letter, which currently has 53 signatories, will remain open for additional signatures until UN Day, October 24.

The letter was released barely a week ahead of the SOTF scheduled for September 22–23 by former UN and government officials from around the world who characterize the Summit of the Future as “a once in a generation opportunity” to revitalize multilateralism and strengthen global institutions.

One of the signatories, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly cum former Foreign Minister of Ecuador and current Executive Director of GWL Voices for Change and Inclusion (GWL Voices), said, “Through this Open Letter, we aspire for the Summit of the Future to seize the opportunity to build the UN we need for a world committed to solidarity, peace, and shared prosperity.”

Another signatory, Danilo Türk, former President of Slovenia and current President of Club de Madrid, noted, “Notwithstanding today’s geopolitical divides, there are many compelling arguments why we should aim for a balanced yet far-reaching package of global governance reforms at next year’s Summit. With only one year to go, negotiations preparing for the Summit of the Future will require the attention not only of UN ambassadors, but also political leaders, from all regions of the world.”