Global Governance, Sustainable Development and Smart Cities

Without some form of global structure that pivots on human rights at its centre, AI will only serve power, and not the people ...

India's refusal to join the Hague Convention is indicative of its dedication to putting the welfare of children first in complex custody cases, particularly those involving domestic abuse ...

26 June 2025, NIICE Commentary 11361 Ruvika Pradhan  A Vital component of the UN system, the UNGA facilitates discussion and cooperation among countries by allowing them to voice their perspectives, share best practices, and provide resolutions on pressing global challenges. On an annual basis, the UNGA is co-convened via debates, plenary sessions, interactive dialogues, resolution sessions, and high-level meetings in the presence of international leaders. In dire need of global cooperation, the 79th UNGA brought together diplomatic representatives, government officials, advocates, and activists from 193 countries to harness the power of multilateralism and global diplomacy to address a range of critical issues collectively. It officially opened on September 10, 2024. H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang from Cameroon was elected as the president of the UNGA, taking over the proceedings for the 79th session. This session of the UNGA was convened in New York. The session featured the General Debate, the Summit of the Future, and high-level meetings on climate action. Representatives from 193 member states gathered to address critical global issues ranging from climate change to international security.  The theme was "Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development, and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations", emphasising a commitment to inclusivity and collective action in addressing global challenges. Other key themes of the session were categorised into the Summit of the Future and high-level meetings that discussed two existential issues: antimicrobial resistance and the global threat of rising sea levels. The General Debate addressed diverse topics such as climate change, all under the theme "Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development, and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations." Additionally, the importance of multilateralism was a recurring theme. Leaders emphasised the need for global solidarity and collective action to effectively address shared challenges such as climate change, health crises, and security threats. The General Debate concluded with a call for concrete commitments and actions. Member States were urged to transform discussions into policies that promote inclusivity and sustainable development.  Key Outcomes The 79th General Debate produced significant commitments to strengthen global cooperation and address pressing challenges.  During the sessions in the general debate, the agendas emphasised topics from supporting vulnerable nations in the Global South through climate financing and technology transition to discussing Global health emerging as a priority, with commitments to address antimicrobial resistance, enhance pandemic preparedness, and achieve universal health coverage. The assembly strengthened its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopting resolutions to increase social protection, education, and healthcare investment to address implementation gaps in poverty eradication and inequality reduction. A landmark achievement of this session was the Summit of the Future, which produced three crucial agreements. The Pact for the Future established and enhanced multilateral cooperation and reformed international financial architecture to support low-income countries. The Global Digital Compact created a framework for digital technology governance, addressing the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to technology. The Declaration on Future Generations formalised the rights of future generations and emphasised youth inclusion in political decision-making. On the other side of the General Debate, Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, called for global unity to achieve genuine peace for Ukraine, rejecting alternative plans that might prolong the conflict. President Zelenskyy highlighted the failure of the Security Council in dealing with the war, noting that “when the aggressor exercises veto power, the UN is powerless.”  The concluding session emphasised the need for ongoing dialogue and cooperation among member states. In a nutshell, the summit concluded with a collective pledge to implement inclusive policies that ensure human dignity and advance multilateral solutions to global challenges. Key Global Challenges Climate Change  The discussions at the climate action summits stressed the urgent need for action, especially since only 17% of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are on track, and one-third of the goals are moving in the wrong direction. The final remarks called for efforts to meet the global climate target of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C, political support to foster collaborative climate action, and more transparency regarding climate commitments, particularly from the corporate sector and developed, industrialised nations. Human Rights Violation The discussion on human rights violations underscored the urgent need for legally binding instruments on the right to development. Representatives also highlighted the necessity for climate action, noting that climate repercussions have exacerbated the enjoyment of human rights globally. For instance, the representative of Venezuela condemned governments and heads of state for their immorality in portraying themselves as advocates of human rights while enacting policies that harm vulnerable and war-affected countries by blocking access to food, medical supplies, and technology. The Venezuelan representative called for a legally binding instrument to defend and protect the human rights system.  End to Genocide, Violence, and War The ongoing geopolitical and genocidal rivalry between Palestine-Israel, Russia-Ukraine, and Israel-Lebanon, and many other annexed nations, has depleted peace and security and is slowly paving the way for an all-out war. The victimised nations like Ukraine and Palestine have had to give up their long and tireless fight for freedom and social justice as huge uncertainty prevails amidst the call for war. On that note, the General Assembly addressed that nations must stop financing terrorism and should condemn the supply of military weapons and the exercise of brutal military power. Addressing Multipolarity The agenda of multipolarity and global governance was addressed on the basis of the evolving structure of the nature and attributes of the international power structure. The sessions on multipolarity also addressed the ways to camouflage and adapt to the current structure of global governance and the manoeuvring of the world to a multipolar reality, with power being decentralised rather than concentrated in a few dominant states. During the high-level debate, leaders stressed the need for a new, equitable global order to reflect the realities of a polarized world and called for reduced Western dominance. Different nations have been economically, politically, and culturally under western influence, leading to colonised sovereignty. With the help of a multipolar world, we can collectively address the most complex problems faced by humanity globally by taking into account each other’s interests and concerns. Leaders acknowledged that the West needs to refrain from its neocolonial practices of mining the entire world for its benefit. Additionally, leaders stressed the need for reformed international relations that seek to adjust with countries in a cooperative manner to form a multipolar world where each country is heard and where each country has a say. Global & Gender Inequality  Many delegates highlighted the need for a global order, equitable resource distribution, and global financial reform. The UNGA’s President noted the significance of multilateral cooperation in addressing global challenges like the climate crisis, poverty, and gender inequality. Philémon Yang, the President of the General Assembly, highlighted that 193 Member States participated; however, the disappointment was that only about 10% of the speakers were women. Furthermore, he emphasised the need for gender equality. Mélanie Joly, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada, stressed that the organisation is not perfect, but progress is possible. “For nearly 80 years, no woman has occupied the position of Secretary-General — this is unacceptable,” she continued, stating that the next leader of this illustrious institution must be a woman and expressing hope that delegates at the Assembly in 2025 will address the Madam President. “We, women, have the right to be equal in everything: education, employment, and every other opportunity,” she said. Looking Ahead The 79th UNGA set forth transformative initiatives that will shape international cooperation. With the implementation of new frameworks for digital governance and intergenerational equity it will ensure inclusive development and an egalitarian society. As the session concluded, it is hoped that the upcoming climate action initiatives will accelerate with increased support for vulnerable nations, while reforms to global financial systems aim to better serve developing countries. The assembly strengthened multilateral approaches to conflict resolution and peacekeeping, alongside renewed commitments to human rights protection and gender equality. These outcomes mark significant steps toward more equitable global governance and cooperation. Conclusion In a nutshell, this year's session highlighted the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing global challenges such as gender inequality, climate change, and poverty. Overall, the session highlighted the complex geopolitical tensions and the importance of cooperation to achieve peace and stability. The 79th UNGA marked a pivotal moment in international relations, setting the stage for transformed global governance. The agreements and commitments made during this session will influence international policy-making and cooperation for years to come. The assembly's outcomes signal a shift toward more inclusive and equitable global governance, albeit the real test lies in translating these commitments into concrete actions that benefit all nations and future generations ...

The UN has still come through while the League of Nations no longer exists; however, it is still confronting the same main problem that it has been dealing with for a long time: seeking to harmonize power politics with the tenets of multilateralism ...

To justify power and its pursuit, perhaps it is fundamentally shaped through narratives, not just for great powers but for smaller nations as well ...