Summit of the Future
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The, scheduled to take place in September 2024, is a high-level event that aims to accelerate the efforts of UN member states to meet existing international commitments, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, and take concrete steps to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities.
The Pact for the Future is the Summit’s key outcome document, akin to a blueprint for development, that will be negotiated and endorsed by countries in the lead-up to and during the Summit in September 2024. The of the Pact initially contained no reference to media, journalism, or access to information. now include a commitment to protecting journalists and media professionals during armed conflict (Action 14) and to respecting the right to freedom of expression while addressing disinformation and misinformation (Action 18).
Given both the severity of challenges facing media and journalists around the world and the utmost importance of access to information in empowering people to address shared needs, GFMD has been advocating for the UN and Member States to further strengthen commitments on access to information, media freedom, and public-interest journalism throughout the Pact.
The Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) and the undersigned organisations urge the United Nations (UN) and its Member States to ensure robust commitments to access to information, media freedom, and public-interest journalism as they negotiate the final text of the Pact for the Future in advance of the Summit of the Future in September. Read the full statement . Your support matters!
The , which will be included as an annex to the Pact for the Future, seeks to promote an “inclusive, open, safe, and secure digital future”, addressing issues such as the digital divide, the digital economy, data governance, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. The Global Digital Compact includes references to freedom of expression and a commitment to promoting “diverse and resilient information ecosystems, including by strengthening independent and public media, and supporting journalists and media workers”. This commitment could be further strengthened, however, including via the expressed acknowledgement of the media community as a key stakeholder as well as by explicit reference to the and its emphasis on the role of independent, free and pluralistic media (see GFMD’s post ).
Among a range of efforts, GFMD has been engaging with formal United Nations processes, networking with governmental and civil society allies, and issuing advocacy statements. This includes a (initially issued in May and updated in July following the release of the second revision of the Pact), signed by more than 70 signatories around the world, and a (issued in June following the release of the first revision of the Compact). Other efforts include:
Attendance at various online and in-person consultation opportunities, including the in Nairobi, May 9-10.
Monitoring of updates on a daily basis, including tracking additional opportunities to engage via other UN processes as well as through civil society allies.
Formation of an to advocate for the inclusion of media freedom and related issues into the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact.
Creation of a UN Advocacy Group for GFMD members and other interested parties. To join, see or .