It's the season to take on global challenges, from forging a healthier planet to putting the brakes on nuclear weapons, as world leaders and leading experts land at UN Headquarters in New York in mid-September for the General Assembly's annual High-Level Week to chart a path towards a better, safer, greener future for all.
As the week unfolds from 22 to 30 September, here's what you need to know:
Summit of the Future: What if the world keeps its promises?
What would the world look like if leaders keep their promises to implement internationally agreed goals towards sustainable development? The future looks good: no hunger, no poverty, no pollution, safe air and water, gender equality, nuclear-free and conflicts resolved by diplomacy not bombs.
Getting there is just part of what's on the agenda at the Summit of the Future, the centrepiece event kicking off the High-Level Week. On 22 and 23 September 2024, world leaders, civil society and experts will collectively work towards addressing pressing problems, from rising sea levels to ending hunger and more, through a Pact for the Future, which is expected to be adopted at the Summit.
Learn more from our special coverage page here.
Summit Action Days
To jump start the global event's momentum, the UN Secretary-General is convening the Summit of the Future Action Days on 20 and 21 September.
Young people, Member State representatives, civil society and experts will gather to exchange success stories and address challenges and the themes in the spotlight - building a better digital, peaceful and sustainable future for all - as they pave the way towards a next chapter of multilateralism that is more inclusive and networked.
Learn more about these Action Days here.
Tackling the threat of rising sea levels
The high-level meeting on sea-level rise will gather global leaders and stakeholders on 25 September to address this urgent and escalating threat.
As the UN chief said in his visit to the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga last month, "the world needs your leadership" for "showing the way" to protect the planet from the ravages of climate change.
The meeting will focus on building common understanding, mobilising political leadership and promoting collaboration and international cooperation towards addressing challenges with a view to building a resilient and sustainable future, including for small island developing States and those living in low-lying coastal areas.
