The co-facilitators of the intergovernmental preparatory process of the Summit of the Future (SoF) have circulated “the next revised draft” (REV2) of the Pact for the Future, along with a roadmap to guide Member States in the coming weeks as they “strive to put a finalized text under silence by early August.”

In their letter dated 17 July 2024, Antje Leendertse, Permanent Representative of Germany, and Neville Melvin Gertze, Permanent Representative of Namibia, thank Member States “for their committed engagement and ongoing support,” highlighting “significant progress” achieved over the past months.

The co-facilitators explain that in developing REV2, they drew from “the feedback… received during the third reading of the Pact for the Future, which concluded with an Ambassadorial-level meeting on 27 June.” In their efforts, the co-facilitators endeavored “to maintain the structure, tone, and level of ambition of the Pact,” adjusting the text “with a view to bridging differences.”

According to the letter, a closed informal consultation on REV2 will be held at ambassadorial level on 29 July and, if necessary, on 30 July. During this consultation, the co-facilitators invite ambassadors to provide initial comments on the draft and “engage in a focused and substantive negotiation on the Chapeau.”

An informal consultation with Member States and stakeholders will take place on 31 July.

Expert-level consultations on each of the five chapters will be held on 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8 August, with the objective of “the focused fine-tuning of the text to achieve consensus on outstanding contentious issues.” According to the co-facilitators, “[t]he introduction of new issues or actions and digressions into details will not be considered.”

Recalling that the success of the SoF depends on Member States’ “ability to maintain a high level of ambition, while keeping the Pact concise and actionable,” the co-facilitators encourage delegations to show diligence, flexibility, and political resolve, with a view to “adopting an ambitious and action-oriented Pact by consensus” before the end of the UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) 79th session.

Dated 17 July, REV2 is 30 pages long – ten pages longer than the previous draft. Square brackets remain around text on reform of the Security Council. References to the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations are also bracketed, pending negotiations in parallel tracks.

Together, the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations will form the outcome of the SoF, taking place in New York, US, from 22-23 September. [Summit of the Future]