Pan-African Parliament to Participate in the UN Summit of the Future in New York

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), led by its President, Chief Fortune Charumbira, will participate in the highly anticipated UN Summit of the Future, scheduled to take place from September 21 to 24, 2024, in New York. This global summit aims to address the most pressing challenges facing the world today, including climate change, global inequality, and threats to peace and security, while charting a sustainable path forward for future generations.

Chief Charumbira will represent PAP in several high-level discussions, including a significant side event co-hosted by the European Parliament and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, which will focus on closing the financing gap for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the organ that gives democratic legitimacy to the African Union (AU), PAP's participation underscores its commitment to promoting the interests of Africa in global decision-making processes.

The Summit of the Future will play a crucial role in reinvigorating global cooperation and developing a new Pact for the Future, which will address key issues like sustainable development, global digital policy, and financing reforms for development. PAP’s participation aligns with the African Union's Agenda 2063, which outlines the continent’s aspirations for inclusive growth, sustainable development, and political integration.

Call for an African Summit on the Future

Ahead of this summit, African Ambassadors accredited to the Republic of South Africa had in a meeting with the PAP Bureau on September 11, 2024 expressed their desire for Africa to organize its own summit on the future, emphasizing the need to domesticate and adapt the global agenda to Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities. They suggested that PAP could take the lead in organizing such a gathering, given its unique role within the African Union as the organ that represents the voices of African citizens through their elected representatives.

This proposal carries significant weight, as PAP’s role is critical in shaping policies that address Africa's needs while ensuring democratic governance and accountability within the AU. The idea of a continental summit tailored to Africa's priorities further solidifies PAP's leadership position in advancing African interests on the global stage.

Strengthening Africa’s Voice in Global Multilateralism

The UN Summit of the Future will provide a platform for PAP to share insights on how African parliaments can contribute to global efforts in closing the SDG financing gap, particularly in light of growing challenges such as extreme poverty, climate change, and underfunded development programs. One of the primary concerns that Chief Charumbira will address is the need to reform the international financial architecture, ensuring that it better serves developing nations, including those in Africa.

During the summit, Chief Charumbira will participate in a panel discussion titled "How Parliaments Can Help Close the SDG Financing Gap," where he will join global leaders in exploring strategies to mobilize resources for sustainable development and enhance parliamentary cooperation in shaping policies that promote social and economic equity​.