A Declaration on Future Generations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the United States on September 21-23 to participate in a QUAD summit convened by outgoing US President Joe Biden and also to address on, September 23, the United Nation’s ‘Summit of the Future’. The summit will also be addressed by a number of world leaders for it seeks to commit UN members to pursue its theme ‘Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow’. There is no doubt that the crises facing humanity today are deep; some, like anthropogenic climate change, are even existential in nature. It is also true that no single country, however powerful, or a group of strong countries, by themselves, cannot address current challenges. Contemporary demands require all countries to act together but the lead has to be taken by the powerful and advanced countries. There is no real evidence that they are willing to do so. Hence, while it is not inappropriate to convene a summit which will look at issues that have a direct bearing on the future of the human race, including generations yet to come, it is not unnatural to have a sense of déjà vu towards such gatherings of world leaders.

This is all the more because, at present, the world is embroiled in two open wars. The Russian aggression against Ukraine which began in February 2022 continues. It is particularly noteworthy that as a permanent and veto holding member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Russia has, along with the other P5 countries, a special responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Whatever, may have been the provocations it suffered at the hands of Ukraine and its supporters, its aggression is unjustified especially because of its privileged position in the UNSC. The second war is Israel’s ongoing operations against Hamas in Gaza. Israel seems to be opening a new front against the Hezbollah beginning by detonating pagers and walkie talkies. At least one Israeli minister has said that a new phase of the war has begun. While the documents which are expected to come out of the summit—a Pact for the Future, a Declaration on Future Generations and a Global Digital Compact---naturally make no mention of these wars it is inevitable that they will cast a shadow on its deliberations even if only a handful of leaders mention them.

The first document as it currently stands, in the draft stage, comprehensively covers all international significant issues: sustainable development, peace and security, science, technology, innovation and digital cooperation, youth and future generations, and transforming global governance. It also prescribes action points—58 in all-- to further global cooperative goals in these areas. In many cases, the positions prescribed in this document—a Pact for the Future-are derived from matters on which the international community has already achieved agreement. The problem lies in commitments not being implemented. That requires political will on the part of the leaders of the advanced countries and expending financial resources on the less fortunate parts of the world. As the history of climate change negotiations has shown since the early 1990s, the advanced world has simply been unwilling to honour its commitments. Is there any reason to hope that things will change? This scepticism is all the more because sections of the political elites in these countries are either unwilling to accept scientific evidence or lack the foresight to understand that a more equal world in which the latest knowledge is more widely spread has a better chance to appreciate that narrow nationalism or exclusivism has to be abandoned for the survival of humankind and indeed to keep the planet habitable. Former President and the current Republican Party candidate in this year’s US Presidential election, Donald Trump, is a prime example of retrogressive thinking. This was illustrated by his taking the US out of the Paris Climate Accords when he assumed office in 2021. If he is elected President what positions he takes on climate change and on other issues of global concern is anybody’s guess. This is because he is so mercurial and his supporters who, have been left behind as technologies have developed, are his blind followers.

The document on Global Digital Compact, as it currently stands, is exceedingly important for it commits the developed countries to strive for digital equity worldwide. India which has done well to harness digital technologies to strengthen governance and ensure that the fruits of development reach the poorest can provide its expertise. The Modi government, following the example set by previous governments, has shown a willingness to share its experiences and train personnel of developing countries. It is likely that in his address to the summit Modi will reiterate India’s willingness to come forward in this area.

The Global Digital Compact also dwells on the rapid strides in the area of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It seeks to ensure that AI is used to promote sustainable development goals and does not obliterate the diversity of the world. More importantly, it has been proposed that an International Scientific Panel be set up and that the UN General Assembly should adopt a Global Dialogue on AI governance. These will be important initiatives but is it likely, in view of the speed, scope and size of possible advances in AI, that UN structures will be quick enough to put up guard rails on AI? Developments in AI are full of imponderables and while global cooperation to govern it is desirable is it feasible? Only time will tell.