President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Dennis Francis has circulated the provisional programme for the Summit of the Future (SoF), which will convene from 22-23 September at UN Headquarters in New York, US, on the theme, ‘Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow.’ He has also invited nominations to co-chair the four interactive dialogues to be held during the Summit.

In a letter dated 12 July 2024, the UNGA President informs Member States that delegations shared feedback on the topics and organization of the interactive dialogues of the SoF during the meeting of the General Committee on 24 June and the meeting at the ambassadorial level convened by the co-facilitators on 27 June. After follow-up discussions with the co-facilitators, the letter notes, the topics have been revised as follows:

• Interactive Dialogue 1, on 22 September: ‘Transforming global governance and turbocharging the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’;
• Interactive Dialogue 2, on 22 September: ‘Enhancing multilateralism for international peace and security’;
• Interactive Dialogue 3, on 23 September: ‘Towards a common digital future: Strengthening inclusive innovation and cooperation to bridge the digital divides’; and
• Interactive Dialogue 4, on 23 September: ‘The future starts now: Enhancing the global system for current and future generations.’

According to the letter, further details and concept notes for the interactive dialogues are forthcoming.

In a letter dated 24 July 2024, the UNGA President indicates that “[i]n line with previous practice for comparable interactive dialogues, each dialogue will be co-chaired by two Heads of State or Government to be nominated through their respective regional groups, with due regard to geographical balance and gender parity.” Nominations are due by 16 August, according to the letter.

In addition to the four interactive dialogues, the provisional programme includes an opening segment, during which delegates are expected to adopt the outcome document titled, ‘A Pact for the Future,’ “agreed in advance by consensus through intergovernmental negotiations, to which the Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations would be annexed if intergovernmentally agreed.” The UNGA President, the UN Secretary-General, and youth representatives will make statements. Plenary sessions will also be held before and after each interactive dialogue.

The Summit of the Future is expected “to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future.” It has been cast as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity… to mend eroded trust and demonstrate that international cooperation can effectively achieve agreed goals and tackle emerging threats and opportunities.” [Summit of the Future Website]