Uganda’s Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, representing the G77+China, called for decisive global action to address inequalities during the ongoing Summit for the Future at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Nabbanja emphasized the need for political will to bridge global disparities in development, technology, and financing.
“We envision a future free from oppression, inequality, and disparities in development, financing, and technology,” Nabbanja told the assembly, stressing that the much-anticipated Pact for the Future must not become a symbolic gesture but rather a binding commitment to progress.
However, she highlighted some shortcomings in the pact that need addressing to ensure the achievement of UN targets. The Prime Minister emphasized that political will is essential in transforming the summit’s goals into reality.
The call for reform was echoed by Kenyan President Dr. William Ruto, who criticized existing multilateral systems for failing to deliver equitable solutions. He demanded that Africa be granted permanent membership on the UN Security Council, reflecting the continent’s growing dissatisfaction with its exclusion from key global decision-making platforms.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, however, expressed optimism, stating that the pact offers tangible solutions to the world’s pressing challenges, including sustainable development, technology cooperation, and global governance.
The Ugandan delegation also included Foreign Minister Oryem Okello, Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, and Dr. Albert Byamugisha, head of Uganda’s SDG task force.
The summit seeks to negotiate an action-oriented Pact for the Future to address sustainable development, international security, and digital cooperation, among other critical issues affecting future generations. With developing nations calling for stronger commitments, the outcomes of the summit may shape the trajectory of global governance and cooperation.
