We are a diverse group of organisations and networks united by a common cause: we believe there must be no more delay in making global governance more inclusive and accountable.
The UN Charter is proclaimed in the name of “We the Peoples of the United Nations”, yet, too often, the voices of the world’s people are shut out. The world is facing a series of compounding crises, which are global and intergenerational. The exclusive nature of the United Nations dramatically limits its ability and legitimacy to mobilise effective collective action to confront the critical challenges of today and tomorrow in the best interest of all.
On the occasion of the UN’s 75th anniversary, the UN’s Member States emphasised the importance of listening and responding to the concerns and aspirations of the world’s people. The second revision of Pact for the Future, to be adopted at the UN’s Summit of the Future on 22-23 September 2024, suggests that they plan to renew their commitment to making the multilateral system more “inclusive to allow for the meaningful participation of relevant stakeholders”.
To date, however, few tangible steps have been taken to turn these commitments into action and the draft Pact does not identify specific measures to do so. The UN’s initiatives to open its doors to the world’s people should be predictable, systematic, representative, and meaningful.
At the 2024 UN Civil Society Conference on 9-10 May 2024 we identified four priority measures in this field which enjoy considerable support from a broad range of stakeholders:
- A permanent Global Citizens’ Assembly which would give ordinary citizens, selected by civic lottery to be representative of the world’s population, a say on pressing global challenges.
- A World Citizens’ Initiative, which would enable people to put proposals on the agenda of the UN General Assembly if they get a certain number of signatures globally.
- A UN Parliamentary Assembly, which would include sitting members of national parliaments or directly elected representatives in the work of the UN and act as a watchdog that reflects a broad diversity of global viewpoints.
- A UN Civil Society Envoy, which would enable greater participation, spur inclusive convenings and amplify the UN’s outreach to civil society, other major stakeholders, and the public.
On the occasion of the Summit of the Future, which is intended to mark a “new beginning in international cooperation”, we call on all UN Member States to support the implementation of these proposals as a way to fulfil their stated commitments and to rebuild trust in the multilateral system. Ahead of the 80th anniversary of the UN in 2025, we call on UN Member States to put in place an open and inclusive process for this purpose.