The UN75 Global Governance Forum is Over, But the Conversation Continues!

 Originally planned, pre-pandemic, as an event in San Francisco where the United Nations vision took shape and its charter was signed, the Forum was attended virtually by more than 3,500 people on September 16th & 17th, promoting a more inclusive and effective United Nations. The sessions were robust with substantive debate, informative dialogue, and innovative ideas and partnerships for a strengthened United Nations that serves all of humanity as we tackle increasingly complex global challenges in 2020 & beyond.

Here are a few of the highlights. For more links to the provocative ideas and bold initiatives generated by the UN75 Global Governance Forum, please visit the forum video archive.

Day 1 Highlights:

• The forum’s opening plenary on the theme of “The Future We Want, The United Nations We Need” explored with leading public intellectuals the current state-of-the-world a few days prior to the endorsement, by world leaders, of a new UN75 Declaration with twelve distinct commitments and points for global action.
• The Forum’s outcome document, the Roadmap for the Future We Want and the UN We Need: A Vision 20/20 for UN75 and Beyond, was presented and virtually handed to H.E. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the General Assembly, UNGA 74th Session, who received it with appreciation -- noting the need for civil society and youth engagement for taking these ideas further.
• One Earth Future Founder and CEO Marcel Arsenault participated in a panel discussion on The Future of Philanthropy in Global Governance.
  Also Read:  Marcel Arsenault op-ed, Philanthropy’s Role in the Missing Global Architecture
• During the Forum’s four concurrent innovation track sessions, former statespersons were joined by public intellectuals and civil society leaders to discuss key normative, policy and institutional ideas to advance sustainable development and global economic governance, peace and security, human rights, and humanitarian action, and climate governance.
• Closing sessions of the Forum’s Day One explored the significant contributions of universal ethical principles, philanthropy, technology, and finance to the future of global governance.

Day 2 Highlights:

• Day 2’s Opening Plenary featured a variety of experts and civil society leaders from around the globe who introduced the Forum’s Innovation Track and presented twenty innovative proposals to achieve better global governance across four pillars: global economic governance & sustainable development; peace, human rights, humanitarian aid & inclusive governance and climate governance.
• Twenty pioneering multi-stakeholder partnerships were then showcased to present their progress on collaborating to solve a range of international challenges, emphasizing that the world is increasingly hyperconnected and in need of global solutions and cooperation. Two One Earth Future Program Directors were among the presenters.
• The Forum’s closing plenary session—Bringing it All Together—explored the intersections between the Innovation Track, Partnerships Track, and the Roadmap, shaping a path forward towards a rejuvenated and better global governance. 
  OEF’s Conor Seyle moderated this session, commenting afterward, “The session was a great reflection of the Forum as a whole, with both high-profile panelists and public participants highlighting key themes of the need for better systems for engaging new stakeholders and new multi-stakeholder partnerships to deliver the ‘UN we need for the future we want’, and also underscored the need for improved administrative structures to help make sure that the partnerships deliver a fair, free, and equitable UN.”
• Paso Colombia Program Director Juan Fernando Lucio presented “A Network for Peace and Security in Colombia” to global leaders that included Colombia´s ex-president Juan Manuel Santos, a member of The Elders and Nobel Peace Laureate. This partnership promotes the inclusive rural development of peasant economies in the country’s territories most affected by conflict, the presence of armed groups and crops of illicit use. Learn More About "A Network for Peace and Security in Colombia"
• OEF's Secure Fisheries Program Director Dr. Sarah Glaser presented the partnership “Cold Catch - Developing Cold Chain Infrastructure for the Somali Fishing Industry” to bring about a multi-disciplinary solution to challenges posed to the Somali fishing industry by high energy costs, poor infrastructure, and insufficient markets. The partnership's goal is promote investment in cold chain infrastructure that can be piloted in Somalia and expanded to other lesser developed countries. The aim is to provide efficient, low-cost technology and skills to fishing communities and seafood companies. Learn More About "Developing a Cold Chain Infrastructure for the Somali Fishing Industry"

Continue to Follow This Consequential Ongoing Conversation

Next week, world leaders will mark the historic 75th Anniversary of the United Nations on 21 September by formally endorsing a Declaration with twelve distinct commitments calling for global action. The Forum’s Roadmap - and the groundbreaking conversations that contributed to its development - will serve as a guiding document, advancing the ideals and implementation of the UN75 Declaration goals to “deliver the future we want.”

Notable Quotes

"Just security is a comprehensive vision with practical implications for forging a mutually supportive system of good democratic governance and sustainable peace globally." Dr. Madeleine K. Albright, Former U.S. Secretary of State and Former Co-Chair of the Commission on Global Security, Justice & Governance

“To achieve the future we want, we have to re-double our efforts to ensure that no one is left behind. On the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, we must renew our commitment, ideals and values and devise creative ways of delivering for the most vulnerable in society. Any nation in a crisis affects us all.”— H.E Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the General Assembly (UNGA 74th Session) and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations

“How many revolutions need to happen for the millennials to be listened to? The movement is happening. We need the leaders to listen, and it’s now time.” — Aya Chebbi, African Union Youth Envoy

“We need to understand that humanity is going through a transition, and global governance will have to evolve along with the rest of humanity”— Marcel Arsenault, CEO and Founder, One Earth Future Foundation

“While our multilateral institutions are flawed, they do provide a space for us to come together as a global family.”— Maryam Nemazee, Al Jazeera Newshour Anchor, Al Jazeera English

"The interconnection of peace and development is something that has become clearer. The UN cannot afford to continue to function in silos. We need to understand the connection between human rights, development, peace, and environment" Fabrizio Hochschild, UN Under-Secretary-General Special Adviser on Preparations for UN75

UN75 Global Governance Forum Buzz:

• The Elders Join UN75 Global Governance Forum and don’t miss their latest UN75-themed report Hope for a Sea-Change: Why Multilateralism Must Reshape the World After COVID-19
• UN 2.0: Ten Innovations for Global Governance (Stimson)
• UN75 People’s Declaration and Plan for Global Action (UN2020 and Together First)
• Stepping Stones for a Better Future (Together First)
• 75 Years On: Remaking the Case for the United Nations (Stimson, published in JustSecurity.org, 15/9/20)